Question 1

What is the process of buying a puppy?

Accepted Answer

The first step is deciding if a Beauceron or Golden Retriever is right for you. Once you have decided yes, you can submit an application which can be found in the "About The Program" page on our website under the "Litters" tab.  I will review your application and schedule an interview via the phone or Zoom to get to know you and your preferences better.  If I decide that you are a good fit for one of my puppies, I will place you on the waiting list for the litter of your choice, or a future litter.  A $500 deposit is required to hold a puppy spot for a litter, but deposits will only be taken once the breeding is announced.  This deposit will be applied towards the total cost of your puppy.  As the puppies get older, I will begin to take your preferences and the personalities that the puppies are showing into account to place the best puppy with you.  I do not allow buyers to select puppies.  As I spend every hour with the puppies and raise them to 8 weeks old, I learn their personalities exceptionally well and feel confident in selecting the right puppy for the buyer.  All puppies will go home with a contract and AKC Limited Registration. Unless the puppy is being purchased as a breeding or conformation prospect, then the puppy will go home with AKC Full Registration and on a co-ownership contract with myself as the secondary owner.  Sample contracts are available upon request.  Puppies must be picked up at 8 weeks of age.

Question 2

What do I get when I purchase a puppy from you?

Accepted Answer

You will receive the following when you pick up your puppy:
	- Lifetime breeder support for you and your puppy
	- Puppy collar
	- Leash
	- A toy that smells like their littermates and mother
	- 5lb bag of food 
	- Microchip 
	- AKC registration (limited of full depends on contract)
	- All vaccination information
	- Health certificate from a licensed veterinarian 
	- 30 Days of AKC Pet Insurance
	- Free of orthopedic and genetic disease health guarantee 
	- A "Go-Home" binder with all documentation and informational 		
	  documents about the breed and raising a puppy. 
	- Cropping and posting tips (if applicable for Beauceron puppies)

Question 3

Do I have to name my Beauceron something specific?

Accepted Answer

In the pure bred dog world, dogs have two types of names.  One is a registered name which is the name on your dog's AKC registration.  The other is a call name which is what you actually call your dog.  The French registry for dogs (SOCIÉTÉ CENTRALE CANINE​) (https://www.centrale-canine.fr/)has assigned letters to years to show the age of the dog.  This means that all registered names will begin with the letter assigned for that year.  For example, if you see a dog with a registered name that begins with "S," you can safely assume that dog was born in 2021.  If you purchase a Beauceron puppy from us, you will be required to have the registered name begin with the appropriate letter for the year your puppy was born in and end with our kennel name: de la Vallée de la Mer.  However, the call name of your new puppy can be whatever you want!

Question 4

Do I have to name my Golden Retriever something specific?

Accepted Answer

In the pure bred dog world, dogs have two types of names.  One is a registered name which is the name on your dog's AKC registration.  The other is a call name which is what you actually call your dog.  All of our Golden Retriever litters will have what we call a litter theme.  If you purchase a Golden Retriever puppy from us, you will be required to have the registered name related to the litter theme and end with our kennel name: de la Vallée de la Mer.  However, the call name of your new puppy can be whatever you want!

Question 5

Can I come meet your dogs?

Accepted Answer

Yes absolutely!  I am more than happy to have anyone come meet my Beaucerons and Golden Retrievers.  Feel free to message me letting me know you are interested in meeting them.  We can meet in a public location or you can come watch a PSA club day if you are interested in seeing them work.  We can also meet at a dog show if we are showing that weekend!

Question 6

Do you live with your breeding dogs?

Accepted Answer

Yes!  My dogs live with me as part of my family.  I am a small hobby breeder focusing on the preservation of the Beauceron and Golden Retriever.  During the weekends I am typically out and about training or doing fun activities with the dogs.  At home, they are hanging out around the house with me.  The exception to this is if I utilize a stud dog that is outside of my kennel, or if I use a female that I have placed in a guardian home.  All puppies placed in guardian homes live similar lifestyles to my dogs in my home.

Question 7

What should I feed my puppy?

Accepted Answer

I feed all of my breeding dogs Inukshuk dog food.  The adult dogs eat the Inukshuk Marine 25 or 16 formula, and the puppies are fed the Inukshuk Marine 16 formula.  We recommend keeping puppies on a lower protein content food while they are growing.  We also recommend feeding a high quality balanced kibble such as Inukshuk, Victor, Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, First Mate, Fromm, etc.  An important note about dog food: all of our puppies MUST eat a grain-inclusive diet.  Grain-free kibbles have been scientifically linked to causing dietary degenerative cardio myopathy in dogs.  Green-free kibble should only be fed under the direction of a licensed veterinarian.  If you have additional questions about diets, we recommend discussing with your veterinarian.

Question 8

Do you sell puppies for specific purposes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all puppies in each litter will be evaluated for their working capability as well as their conformation.  Puppies will be evaluated by my herding instructor, bite work trainer, our SAR team, and by my mentors for conformation.  The puppies' aptitudes in each working discipline helps me place puppies in their perfect homes.  The breeding stock we use will be titled in various working venues, or have dogs in their pedigrees that are highly titled as well.  This will help ensure a puppy's success in a working avenue, but success is also heavily dependent on you as the new puppy's owner.  I will try my best to set you up for success with your new puppy.

Question 9

Do you sell puppies to pet homes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I do.  While I give preference to working and performance homes, not all puppies produced will have the drive and/or structure for working homes or to compete in conformation.  These puppies are wonderful candidates for companion homes.  Our pet quality puppies will be sold on Spay/Neuter contracts and AKC Limited Registration.  The age we require our puppies to be spayed/neutered is after the age of 30 months to allow for them to fully mature and grow.  If we do not have the right puppy for you, we are happy to refer you another breeder who may be a better fit for your puppy needs.

Question 10

Do you ship puppies via an airline?

Accepted Answer

Since we are located in Florida, the ability to ship puppies heavily depends on the time of year.  During the summer, it is too hot to safely ship puppies in the cargo hold of an airplane.  You will have to fly with the puppy in-cabin, or drive to come pick it up.  During the winter, if temperatures are not too high, shipping is a possibility.  The puppy buyer will be responsible for all shipping costs.  Shipping costs are not included in the purchase price of the puppy.

Question 11

Do you breed Beaucerons and Golden Retrievers together to create mixes?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not.  I will never purposely breed mixed breeds.  I am a preservation breeder for each breed separately.  When you buy a puppy it will either be a purebred Beauceron or a purebred Golden Retriever depending on your preference.

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