Miscellaneous Frequently Asked Questions




Waiting List Questions




Why do you have lists?

We have found that lists are the easiest way to make certain that everyone gets a puppy from the litter they want. Because we breed several litters a year with different combinations of dogs, some people want to make certain that they get a puppy from an upcoming litter with the parents of their choice, and the list makes that possible.

How does the list work?

Once a person has completed the phone interview and been pre-approved to adopt a puppy from us, we place them on the list of their choice, providing there is room on it, in the order they were approved. When the litter is born, the first person on the list gets pick of the litter, the second person gets second pick, so on and so forth. If a person who is on a list decides to be placed on a different list, the people below him all move up one spot. Picks must be made by the time the puppies are 5 weeks old, and once the 5 week mark passes, the picks are final.

Is my spot guaranteed?

Absolutely. Unless you do something totally preposterous that leads us to believe that we had misjudged you, you decide yourself to pull your name off the list, or you have failed to get your deposit to us in a reasonable amount of time, your spot is guaranteed.


Deposit Questions




What are your policies on deposits?

Once a person has made their pick of puppies, they are then required to pay a deposit of $100. This deposit is a verbal contract that you intend to buy a puppy. Once the puppy is ready to go home, the deposit paid is deducted from the cost of the puppy. Deposits are non-refundable – no exceptions.

What if I wanted to be put on a different list once I paid a deposit for your current litter – would I have to pay another deposit?

No, the deposit you made will simply be applied to the upcoming litter of your choice.

Why is my deposit non-refundable?

There are several reasons for this:

  • In most cases, we have more people who ask to be placed on a list than there is room for, so we are turning away deserving people because we have made a promise to you that you will receive a puppy and then you back out. So with you deciding not to adopt a puppy, we are left without a buyer for the puppy that was set aside for you.

  • We have to pay fees to advertise the puppy that you decided not to adopt. These fees range from $8 to $30 and sometimes more, depending on where we choose to advertise and how many places we decide to advertise with.

  • We have to continue feeding and supplying medical care to your puppy.

  • Depending on the age of the puppy, we may have to take less money than what we would be receiving if you had adopted the puppy. It is easier to place an 8-week old puppy in a home than an 11-week old puppy.



    • Contract Qestions




    Why do I have to sign a contract?

    The contract is in place to protect everyone involved, including the puppy. It guarantees that you will be receiving a healthy puppy from me and that you will meet all of the puppy’s needs in the future.

    What if I bought a puppy on a spay contract but later decided I wanted to breed it?

    Depending on the circumstances, this might be allowed. However, there would be another contract to sign (for your protection) as well as a $150 fee (to make up the difference in price between the two contracts) and a $25 processing fee to change the registration through the AKC from a limited registration to full registration.

    Registration Qestions




    What is the difference between a “limited” and a “full” registration?

    The only difference between the two is that with a full registration, any litters your puppy may produce would be entitled to be registered through the AKC, while puppies resulting from a dog with a limited registration would not. Other than that, there is absolutely no difference.

    Is it ok if I want to change my puppy’s registered name?

    Yes, that is fine, as long as the prefix HSK is used.

    Why don’t I get the puppy’s registration when I buy him?

    If you are buying a puppy that is not on a spay/neuter contract, you actually get the registration when you pick the puppy up. Otherwise, we hold onto it as insurance that you have your puppy altered – once we have proof from your vet that they have been spayed/neutered, we send you the registration.


    General Questions




    Why do you name your puppies?

    We name the puppies so that we are able to register them. It is also easier to talk about a particular puppy if we have a name to associate him with.

    There are some breeders who let their puppies go when they are 6 weeks old. Why do you wait until they are 8 weeks?

    By law, breeders are required to keep their puppies until they are at least 6 weeks of age. After that, it is the breeder’s choice to what age they place their puppies. Studies have shown that the time between 6 & 8 weeks is crucial to their social skills, and they really need to be with their mother and littermates during these weeks.

    Why do I have to have a phone interview? Can’t I just fill out a questionnaire and send it in?

    There are several reasons for the phone interview:

  • We like to know the people who are buying our puppy and develop a relationship with them.

  • It is easier for us to get a “feel” for who we would be selling a puppy to.

  • After talking to as many people as we have, we can pick up certain “hesitations” to some of the questions that we put in for that reason. We would be unable to listen for those hesitations if we never talked to you!

  • We want you to be comfortable with us so if you ever need any advice you wouldn’t feel funny about calling us, and the interview breaks the ice as far as us keeping in touch.




    • Copyright Hope Springs Kennels 2005-2008