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Frequently Asked Questions |
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We
try to add in questions and answers here that are most commonly
asked by
new visitors to our site and breeding program. But, feel free
to email me or call anytime
with your personal questions as well ~ we'll be glad to try
and help if we can... thanks...
We look forward to assisting you in finding your next family
member !
Can you ship your puppies and do you ship them year round? |
| From September til May each year we are able to fly
our puppies into all of the major airports in the lower
48 states and in addition some of the minor airports.
Most often, our flights can be scheduled any day of the
week ~ however, there are times that weather or unusual
circumstances we aren't able to control that can delay
or cancel a flight and then we are forced to postpone
the delivery until the next possible day. During the summer
months, it becomes much more challenging to safely ship
puppies because of Bulldogs low tolerance to heat. Therefore,
for their well being we are limited to the areas of the
country we can ship to and often post an available cities
list during those months that we can ship our puppies
to if we have summertime litters born. With
Delta airlines it must remain under 70 degrees at
departure, layover, and landing so during the summer
months we are unable to fly with Delta our primary
carrier. We do use Continental airlines as an
alternative carrier and primarily for our westbound cities
as it gets warmer but it is now their policy during the
summer to elect to have a blanket embargo on flying
bulldog pups during the summer. When that is the
case, we are unable to fly with them until September 1st
or their specified date given and if not their temperature ceiling is 85 degrees which
is still an option for certain parts of the country before
summer peaks temperature wise. When possible, during
the summer we offer a ground delivery for our puppies in
the Eastern region of the United States. Naturally
this type of delivery is not as flexible and everyone goes
as a group so it requires a bit more patience and
flexibility for our families I'm afraid but hopefully the
reward is worth it! We have been able to help families
in Canada and Alaska during the cooler weather so yes please inquire
we'd love to help.
I'm afraid though we cannot fly into Hawaii simply because
they require an extended quarantine for the puppies upon
arrival, so I'm sorry about that...
|
What is the cost of shipping and how is that paid? |
Our shipping charge is
currently $250 for all types of delivery as of Spring 2007.
We use Delta airlines as our primary carrier whenever
possible. Over the years, Delta has proved to be an
excellent caregiver for our pups during flight and we find
them to be professional in their approach to live cargo.
We do at times fly Continental Airlines as well especially
westbound. The
charge for shipping your puppy is $250 and when shipping
live cargo via Delta we include the approved airline pet
carrier in your shipping price. It is yours to keep upon
arrival, and is suggested as the best house training
option so by all means use it. The shipping charge
is the same for ground
delivery out of our area during the Summer and in this
case the pups are not confined to individual crates and
therefore is not included. The shipping charge can
simply be included in the purchase price and our agreed
form of payment for each family. |
Is there a warranty on your puppies? |
| Yes, we offer a limited warranty on our puppies.
We require that our buyers schedule a visit with their veterinarian within three working days of receiving their new puppy
to validate their warranty. At that time, you may have your vet inspect the puppy for general health concerns. If at that time you are displeased with the puppy
for a valid health concern not detected with the puppy
prior to delivery, you may return it in the condition received to the airport of original departure
or arrange to meet us in person if the puppy was ground
delivered within an agreed prompt timeframe (or not over 5
days) for a return of the sale price. We do require
a valid health certificate for return of a puppy so that
the puppy is known to be in the same health as when it
arrived. All shipping arrangements and costs are the
responsibility of the buyer at this point. We do not in this case, reimburse for shipping charges to or from our nearest airport
which is BHM or cost of traveling expenses if delivering
by ground. Our purchase agreement found here on our site as well
under warranty will explain in detail all types of specific conditions covered or excluded, the time frame in which they are covered and the conditions
by which we handle particular situations - please review this contract before purchasing and make sure you are comfortable with our terms of sale before proceeding with a purchase
from Mallard Point Bulldogges - we do our best to provide
these guidelines in an effort to be fair to both parties
and will follow these guidelines when circumstances arrive
to warrant use of our warranty - so please make sure you
are familiar with our warranty and know that it is what
you will consider fair should the unexpected occur after
purchase or delivery. Naturally we hope to never
need our warranty terms, but when unfortunate
circumstances occur - these are the guidelines we set
before time of purchase so that our families know entering
into a purchase agreement how we handle various
situations. We want to offer a limited
warranty to our families and especially our families who do purchase out of state to
allow them to know their puppy has the opportunity to be
examined by a veterinarian of their choosing also.
Please research any breed before purchasing and discuss
with your veterinarian the common ailments to expect, the
required upkeep of this animal and their particular
pricing accordingly. I cannot stress that enough to
our out of state families. Our veterinary care in
the South is what we deem reasonable and fair, but
unfortunately in other areas of the country, we have
experienced this to not be the case and although unfair in
our opinion, this is not under our control and all
warranty terms and pricing by our establishment is based on
our veterinary terms and cost in our community. So please understand, we do not pay vet bills ~ we
are very fortunate to have a family veterinarian we trust
and who treats our dogs with a reasonable expected fee for
his service. We have over the years, learned all
families are not so lucky and in our opinion have been
unfairly charged for common treatments. So, if this
becomes the case... don't be mad at me - be mad at your
vet. I have heard of outrageous charges for
simple tests and medications and I would be upset too but
not at the wrong party - I would in fact blame those who
have treated me unfairly and I hope you as a potential
customer feel the same and will understand if you fall
victim to price gouging within your state. So, just some advice as you make a
decision to adopt a new pet into your home.... check with your
veterinarian of choice and ask for general pricing -
i.e. initial veterinary office visit, standard pricing for
followup office visits and expected routine for such
visits, well checkup visits, vaccinations, wormings, stool
slides to screen for wormings, office care, overnight stay,
cherry eye procedures, fluids for dehydration if they
develop a virus... normal things that during
the life of a young dog of any type might possibly occur
if they were to become sick or develop conditions that
require treatment beyond emergency situations and the
unexpected. I think over the years of working with
families, that's one of the single best pieces of advice I
could ever offer is to just know that dogs are living
breathing animals, they are like children. They will
undoubtedly have times where they need medical care and
be ready to assume that responsibility as well beyond your
initial investment and be educated going
into it what that might include. But, I would also
say having my own animals it's a small price to pay to
keep them healthy and have a friend for life you will love
more than you could ever imagine at this point. So,
final word, be educated before purchasing a live animal of
any type into your family. |
Are you the breeder of all the puppies posted on your
site? |
| No. When we first began our breeding program (in 1992) we were the breeder of most of the dogs that we sold. About six years ago, we began partnering with friends and family in our area so that we could expand or business in a manner that would allow our dogs to still get individual attention. We began placing several of our female puppies in the homes of people we knew and trusted. Many times, they are responsible for the birth and beginning weeks prior to weaning the puppies from mom. We then house the puppies after weaning and are in charge of their care
with vaccinations, wormings, veterinary needs, etc. during the weeks when the puppies are sold and prepare for their flights
or delivery. In these cases, we split the money earned from the puppy. This program allows us to still have quite a few quality puppies to offer throughout the year, without creating a "puppy-mill" environment for our dogs. It allows our breeding dogs to be in an environment where they are loved and treated as pets, it allows our friends and family to run a fun and (sometimes) profitable sideline business. And it allows us the opportunity to have a good supply of happy, healthy puppies to offer to our customers throughout the year
and our repeat and referral customers who want one of our
special babies. Whether they are bred by us, or one of the breeders that we represent, they are still covered completely by our warranty. |
Are your puppies registered and how do we receive our
paperwork? |
| Our puppies whether Olde
English Bulldogges or English Bulldogs registered by the Continental Kennel Club
or the National Kennel Club depending on if they are ours
are our partner litter - but either way if you prefer one
over the other these two registries work together and will
gladly transfer for you if you have a preference. If it
matters, please inquire before purchasing which registry
your puppy is registered with, there will be no returns
based on registry. Normally our Oldes are registered
with the CKC and our English are registered with the NKC
but please inquire first if you need one or the other to
confirm if that is the case. The registration papers are sent through the US Postal Service and are usually received within 8 weeks after you receive your puppy. We no longer send the registration papers through the airlines
after having a few mishaps along the way. If you have not received your paperwork within 8 weeks, please email us with "papers" in the subject line so we can make sure your paperwork is enroute
or give us a call at home. We try to be prompt and not overlook anyone, but mistakes can happen and we'll be happy to correct it when brought to our attention.
And to be simply honest paperwork is not the priority for
us when placing a puppy in his/her new home, finding their
"family" is our first priority. We deal
with many families and most often our litters are well
settled in and all needs accomodated before paperwork is
addressed. So don't panic if the calendar tells you
it's been a month and I have no paperwork for my pup...
I've got many families out there who will tell you mine
were late too! (no laughing out there....) But
seriously, if 8 wks passes and you truly haven't received
our paperwork and would like to register your dog, do
email me and let me know. I'll be glad to help.
There is always the possibility that I've made a mistake
and missed you or simply it's gotten lost on your end - it
can be reordered just let me know and I'll be glad to fix
it. Please email with the nickname of your puppy
when it was on our site, the approximate date of arrival
and age of the puppy as well. We did have for
example, a situation over this past year when my dad was
diagnosed with lung cancer and found myself quickly behind
on registry since we deal with partners as well - so if I
have overlooked you or caused a delay, please don't be mad
- it's just simply a mistake and if you'll bring it to my
attention I'll be glad to help. Most of our families
out there are past customers and old friends now and just
don't assume the worst, but I understand there is alot of
fraud online and it's a concern - so don't worry. We
are able to help. Also, let me say this too about any question you
email me with.... email is always the best way to leave me
a message if you don't get a response from me in a few
days please email again - we get tons of mail and it will
quickly get buried in responses and replies so send it
again - I'm here....
Also, we represent our puppies to be pet quality only.
Plain and simple. We
do not guarantee them to be of breeding quality and would
never make that determination as a young pup anyway.
We strive to raise healthy family pets above and beyond
any standard for this breed. Our goal as any breeder
is to raise a dog that meets the standard in each way it
can, we do not pretend to guarantee that with all pups.
Please, if you are considering purchasing from us know we
raise pet quality puppies that health is a priority for
and that family homes is our desire for them to be a part
of. We do not raise champion dogs, period. We
do not suggest our pups are perfect in conformation or
measure them to any standard but our own. We do naturally have many families who own our dogs and
want to breed them or breeders that buy from us and that's
fine, we don't limit their registration to do so. We
simply choose to leave
that decision strictly to the buyer if desired once the
puppy has reached maturity and an educated decision can be
made between you and hopefully your vet whether or not to
breed your dog. We do not recommend choosing a
breeding dog as a puppy, that decision should be made at
maturity. We recommend if that is
your desire that you seek veterinary advice and guidance
before breeding any animal and learn more about the
responsibilities for you, the risk to your dog and the
expenses that may acquire in doing so. Naturally we
understand these families need their paperwork and do care
if there dog is papered and not just proof of breeding, so
yes our dogs are registered primarily for this purpose. |
Do you vaccinate your puppies before shipping? |
| Our vet recommends a vaccination schedule of 6 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks and 15 weeks of age. Most often our puppies go to be with their new families at eight weeks of age, so they will have received for certain their 6 week vaccination
while in our care. The puppy will then be due
for a second vaccination at 9 weeks of age and that
vaccination and all others are the responsibility of the
new owners. The 9 week vaccination or any followup
vaccination is not
administered by us unless the puppy is under our care and supervision at the
exact date the following vaccination is due. If the
9 wks vaccination has been received, you will be notified
at time of shipment that this is the case.
Otherwise, one vaccination given 6 wks from date of birth
is our routine. We will happily provide you with a
vaccination schedule for your puppy by email or fax it to
you if need be. We do give our own vaccinations
naturally under the guidelines of our veterinarian.
If your veterinarian requires that you provide a vet
record only of vaccinations then that will not be
available through us as a breeder. So, don't be
upset with me if he/she insists on repeating the
vaccination. check first if it matters to you....
I think that's the silliest thing I've ever heard and just
another way for the customer to have to pay more at the
vet's office, but I've run into a few vets over the years
that require it in their care. All vaccinations not due at time of shipping would be the responsibility of the new owners. We vaccinate using Pro-Guard 5
in 1 by InterVet which is purchased directly from our vet
and is the same exact vaccination he administers in his
office. We also worm our puppies with Strongid T at 3
and 6 wks of age. Again, if a puppy is within our
care after 9 wks of age, we continue their worming cycle
if flight is not pending right away. Once
under veterinarian care with your family, a simple stool
slide during their vet visits will let you know when your
next worming is necessary. All puppies have worms,
it's a simple fact. So even though they've been
wormed, it's an ongoing process throughout their puppy
stage and they will still need to have this monitored for
some time and will undoubtedly have worms to some extent
when they come home most often so don't worry. Just continue to keep this current like
their vaccinations for the overall health of your new
puppy and they will naturally move through the process. Worms as they continue to increase again,
will also produce symptoms to look for with a stool that
may become loose or even tinged with blood slightly, a pudgy belly
of course is everyone's best alert it's time to worm again, etc. so just be aware
of your pup's normal bowel habits and personality.
If they are playful, have a good appetite, all seems
normal except a stool change or a pudge to the belly and
pause in weight gain, worms would be a definite
possibility and common for puppies so schedule a checkup
and go from there.
Please note, even though loose stool or even diarrhea
can be a sign of worming needs for a puppy, do not mistake
the same need if the symptom is vomiting - Vomiting is NOT
a symptom to take lightly. This is one symptom that
always requires immediate veterinary attention in my
opinion. If you have a young dog or puppy who has a
sudden loss of appetite and may seem lethargic and
vomiting, that is a signal to get a vet's opinion. One of the most common
things in pups too in a community environment, we've found
over the years is coccidia. This is
an intestinal parasite found in puppies when they are
young. It will also produce a looser stool and more
frequent bowel movements which can again progress to a
trace of blood in the stool as well. It is very easily treated
with an oral medication or pill form of a medication
called Albon that won't kill it but will inhibit the
ability for it to reproduce further and boost your puppy's
own immune system which ultimately has to work it out and like worming requires
treatment to correct itself and not be allowed to progress, so if you see these signs over the course of
your puppy's growth a stool slide again will diagnose and
treat this as well before it is allowed to progress.
Coccidia I've found too normally needs a simple 5-7 days
of treatment, but I've had it occasionally require a
second round even, so a recheck is a good idea. |
What do you feed your puppies and how do we change their
diet? |
| We currently feed Diamond
brand food for our puppies. We recommend it to anyone able to purchase it within their area. If you are not able to purchase this brand at your local feed store or pet store, we recommend that you choose a diet that is high in
crude protein - look for levels above 25% whenever possible.
Most of your better pet foods will fall into this range -
We have had families who also have great success with Iams,
Eukanuba, Science, etc. so it's o.k. if you switch foods,
just choose a solid food over the first year for sure.
If you are able to purchase Daimond and can slowly wean
them by mixing it with the food of your choice, that would
be the best course of action but if not, don't worry. We often get asked what feeding schedule our puppies are on and since they eating as a litter here, we simply don't conform them to a set feeding schedule. They are allowed to use an "open trough" system where their feeder is available at all times
or fed morning and evening plenty for everyone. Once you introduce your puppy as a single feeder in your own home, we suggest you develop a feeding schedule similiar to people where they are offered
2-3 meals a day and not allowed to graze occasionally to assist in house breaking when needed. They naturally should always maintain a fresh source of water.
Follow simple guidelines for your pup according to weight
on the bag itself. If they eat and seem settled and
relaxed they have been satisfied adequately with the
amount offered. If they eat what you've given them
and hungrily licking the bowl, or unsettled afterwards,
try increasing the feed amount next time til you find the
portion that suits your personal pet. yes, we are aware that diamond puppy food experienced a
recall a few years ago due to a bacteria in the corn. We
removed the feed from our routine at that time until the
investigation was completed and feel confident in their
findings and decision to have it available again.
During it's absence we tried several feeds and are not as
satisfied with the overall quality of the others nor the
effect on our dogs stool, coat, weight, etc....
So, just
try to choose a food that has great nutritional breakdown, that first
year is so very important. We like to keep our pups
on a food that has a high crude protein percentage.
Your vet might also recommend what he or she prefers.
You can probably expect a stool change with a diet change
but it should be very temporary and not ongoing. |
What is the temperament of your bulldog puppies? |
| one word to describe
bullies..... love! Most Bulldogs are very calm,
subdued and social. This is true not only of our Bulldogs,
but most Bulldogs in general. They are natural loyal
companions, loved by many dog enthusiasts including
ourselves! The puppies we sell are exposed to a family
setting are familiar with children and other pets. Naturally, there are factors above and beyond genetics that affect disposition. Environment and training are two of the biggest factors and raising your puppy within the guidelines you wish for him/her to mirror later on are very important.
We reserve the right not to refund or return dogs based on
temperament alone. A puppy will arrive
naturally willing to be playful, wrestle, chew, etc.
These are not signs of aggression or ill temperament but a
natural response for a young dog. Please take into
account the nature and personality of a growing young dog
before purchasing. If a young pup shows behaviors
you do not approve of whether it be chewing, jumping any
other natural responses to their environment, give them a
stern "no" and discontinue play briefly they will learn
what not to do and truly want to be your friend and please
you - don't ever write that type of behavior off as bad
temperament and not just address it. They need
discipline and guidelines mixed with tons of love and
they'll adapt to you and your family. Do remember
that a young child's response to a playful puppy is
important too. I know my youngest tends to squeal
and run when she's around a very active puppy and what
does the puppy do? play harder it's a game to them!
So, don't punish a puppy for being a puppy, be a
responsible owner and train him/her to be a part of your
family - the rewards are greater than you can imagine! |
How are Olde English Bulldogges different from standard
English Bulldogs? |
| Until a couple of decades back, the terms "Bulldog" and "Old English Bulldog" (or "Olde English Bulldogge" as it is sometimes spelled) were used synonymously. In this century, the Bulldog had become "Americanized". The result was an animal that could melt your heart, but came with some built in health problems. Fertility, respiratory, and hip problems became very common in the breed. Also, the breed's athleticism that was once the stuff of legend, had been gradually bred out. A group of concerned bulldog fanciers purposed to return the breed to the style of dog it originally was in the 19th century England. A driven, athletic specimen, free of some of the common health problems generally associated with the breed. That was over 20 years ago. The dogs that we breed are the proud result of that movement. Although being a living animal, we cannot guarantee health problems won't arise, they are far less prone to have the respiratory, fertility and orthopedic problems that are quite common in the standard line of English Bulldogs. Do they still look like bulldogs? We have put lots of pictures of our dogs on our website so you can see that the classic Bulldog features are still in tact. It was important to us to preserve those classic bulldog features: large head, shorter muzzle, beer-barrel torso, thick bones and wrinkles. We've kept that Bulldog look intact while still breeding a dog free of most health problems that came with the breed. The Olde English type is on average, up to 4-5 inches taller at the shoulder and up to 10 pounds heavier than the typical version of the breed. The overall build is more athletic with the muzzle being allowed to have enough link to prevent the breathing problems so common in the standard English. The legs can be straighter somewhat and not as severely bowed allowing for more height as well as reducing the tendency to be plagued with hip problems. All bulldogs are displastic to an extent, but with this breed the chances of it developing into an aggravating condition for the dog are greatly reduced. The Olde English is a much more fluid mover, with a more alert disposition. Take a moment and browse the pictures sent in by our past customers of their dogs as they have grown - you can begin to get an overall appreciation for the breed and it's adaptation to a healthier dog.
Please if you are unsure about the differences in bulldog
breeds, research before you buy - we're here to help
answer any questions to help in your decision if we can.
And keep in mind, no breeder can tell you for certain how
your puppy will turn out as an adult, we can only base our
judgement on averages and from past littermates, etc. |
How do we reserve one of your puppies and how are they
priced? |
| We do not offer a waiting list of any sort for our puppies - we do not offer people first pick, etc. We simply provide pictures when our puppies are of age to best represent their potential for interested buyers. This is normally not before 4 weeks of age and most often at 5 weeks of age. At this time, we price each puppy individually based on their particular overall conformation. Other factors in pricing include markings, parents, age, size,
even time of year and limited delivery... Therefore, we do not have a set price for males and females - each puppy has it's own price and so our pricing varies from litter to litter and even within litters.
We have always felt that was the fair way to determine
pricing and never agreed with a set female or male price. Once our pups are posted for sale, it is strictly a first come, first serve option. We do not consider a puppy sold until
a deposit or payment is placed.
Please note that we have many inquiries and phone calls on
individual puppies and are happy to answer all questions
you may have but cannot consider a puppy sold until an
actual reservation has been placed on an individual puppy.
We do try our very best to return calls and messages in
the order received in an order to be fair to everyone.
Unfortunately we've had to answer many disappointed
callers or emailers over the years who are told the pup
they've been inquiring about has now been sold and is no
longer available. And it's hard... but to be fair to
everyone and most importantly to do the right thing for
the puppy to find his or her best suited home is to answer
all questions, do my best to do it in the order they come
in and consider them available until an actual reservation
and deposit have been placed. I've made the mistake
this year inparticularly of considering a puppy someone's
pending a deposit and you'd be amazed at how that can come
back to haunt you and ultimately the puppy loses, he/she
misses the chance to get their home when the buyer is not
committed after all. So, don't take it personally,
it's just a lesson learned unfortunately for us both. |
Do you accept deposits and how is payment made? |
We do not accept deposits on
unspecified puppies. So, we do not take deposits on a
litter to ensure a pick, etc. The only time we accept a
deposit towards a purchase price is when an individual
puppy is pictured and priced for sale. The deposit would
be in the amount of $250 and towards the purchase price of
a particular puppy if the puppy has not yet reached seven
weeks of age after which time balance would be due in
full. Once reserved in your name and a deposit made
- the puppy would then be considered sold and a contract
made between buyer and seller. The balance of that
purchase price would then be due at time of sale or when
the puppy reaches seven weeks of age
whichever comes first. If we default on the sale your deposit would be refunded
in full and if you default on the sale the deposit would be considered nonrefundable
as the sale of the puppy would have then be delayed and
possible sales lost. We are able to accept mastercard and visa for your convenience
as well as paypal. If you prefer to mail the
balance payment, we accept cashier's checks and money orders but the payment must arrive within 72 hours or the puppy is naturally considered available for sale once again
and payment is assumed not arriving as promised.
Are your pups
considered show quality?
Simple answer is no... "show quality" is a term that is
simply not my goal for our puppies and they are certainly
not represented here as being so. We do not breed
specific lines or champions, etc. anything of that nature.
Sometimes and this is just an opinion of course, but the
"qualities" that are so sought after are sometimes
extremities purposely bred and that is not my desire.
We try our best to concentrate on one thing, providing our
families with a well bred, healthy puppy as best we can
knowing these are living breathing animals who cannot be
pre-determined to be anything no matter how hard you try.
We represent our pups to be pet-quality babies only for
that reason. Granted there are many breeders who
love our dogs and who have built their own kennels from
the roots of Mallard Point and we'll do our best to advise
on the type of dogs we've held back ourselves and had
success with over the years. We will also gladly recommend
someone in your area with the Mallard Point babies when we
are alerted to their litters also. We certainly do
not limit registration against breeding and gladly place
our pups in breeder's homes of course. But even then
we naturally recommend that any breeder even ourselves
make the final determination whether or not to breed their
dogs, once maturity has been reached and in consultation
and advisement from a veterinarian you trust. You
can choose pups that are great candidates to be moms or
dads but when they reach adulthood is the true time to
make a final decision about whether or not to breed.
All responsible breeders can agree with that logic.
Breeding to remain extreme in all features and continuing
to breed for certain characteristics by line breeding is
just not our goal here at Mallard Point. Our babies
are family raised with one goal in mind to find that
family to match with them who has their best interest as
their priority overall. We do not claim in anyway,
to have champion lines for our pups or conform to exact
rules for the show ring. For us personally it
is not our hope for our babies to be bred with that
intention and our competitive pricing is a natural benefit
and reflection of that desire and goal.
One thing that comes to mind in this particular
questioning, is that our pups do most often have a bobbed
tail and sometimes will keep a natural screwtail also. I had a customer ask me that this summer for
show purposes in fact and so I'll add that in too in case
you find that of help in choosing your next pup. The
bulldog tails come naturally in all shapes sizes and
twists! The standard may call for a full tail in
some breed listings and we do not do that. If the
tail is corkscrew at birth it is left natural in most all
cases, and if not it is bobbed. With the english in some cases the tail can
take a sharp tight turn toward the body and be a potential
health risk as they mature so we try to make sure the end
of the tail is turning away from the body when possible
too. We've had families over
the years who have had to have their dog's tail surgically
altered as an adult because it became an irritant as they
grew older so we do try to keep that in mind when making
that decision but prefer to leave a corkscrew tail as a
natural tail and in our mind is a plus. So even though
the little corkscrew tail is adorable, again we opt for
health first with our dogs and if the natural tail is in
anyway a concern for the animal in our opinion, we will at
birth choose to bob the tail instead. We may also choose
this option if the tail is simply unattractive being
longer and straight. Showring rules would never
apply or take place over common sense and well being for
our babies. With the Oldes, more often than not the
tail is a bob always since they can in fact be born with a
natural tail that does not corkscrew and then which is not preferred. And with our english there are usually some of each in all litters, so
we may sometimes have English that are bobbed instead
also. If that is important to you or a characteristic you prefer
one way or the other please ask first before you reserve
your puppy - I'll be happy to advise for sure.
I want you to be happy with your puppy and you certainly
do - so think of things that matter to you and don't
hesitate to ask never assume.... no question is minor to
me in choosing the puppy you want to bring into your
family.
What is the
best way to contact you during or after a purchase for
questions and concerns?
The number on our site 256-892-2022 is our
home number and feel free to call anytime. We do our
best to check messages throughout the week and return
calls. We are a family, not a business first - so
there are times we are not available by phone and hope you
can respect that but we'll do our best
to help anytime. The absolute best way to reach me is to
leave an email with your name, your phone number, your
state or time zone and the nature of your question and I
will be happy to contact you as soon as I can. I
routinely can monitor my email more often than the phone
and even remotely, so that's the quickest way to get a
response from me to be honest. If a
day or two passes and you don't hear from me, don't
hesitate to write again - we get tons of mail and go back
and forth battling spam like everyone so it can get buried
unintentionally. But, we are here and will do our
best to help.
Some common email questions I get that
might help in the meantime:
Do you have a waiting list for your pups? no, we
don't but we do try to email alerts when we post new pups
for families that have asked within a short window of time
when possible. we don't want to be a pest, but if
you've asked within the week, we may try to email and say
new pictures are posted. but you can also email
anytime and ask when to expect new pictures - most often
we have a general idea and can let you know when to be
checking.
When do I need to carry my new pup in for
more shots?
Your puppy will arrive current on vaccinations. They
receive their first shot at 6 wks of age with Proguard 5
in 1 by Intervet. They are also wormed at 3 and 6
wks of age with Strongid T. They will need their
next vaccination at 9 wks of age and their next worming as
well. If they turn 9 wks
while still with us, we'll make sure they receive their
second vaccination as
well. Otherwise, all vaccinations beyond their
initial vaccination as well as rabies are due after
arriving into their new home. The vaccination
schedule will be 6,9,12 and 15 wks of age for baby puppy
shots. They will also need worming again routinely
throughout their puppy stage. Even though they've
been wormed, wormers successfully kill worms at certain
stages of development and they will continue to develop
throughout their puppy stage and even into adulthood too so your veterinarian will perform a
stool slide at their next well visit to be able to advise
when your puppy needs their next worming. Most often
if your puppy is passed the age of 10 weeks, it's time to
schedule their worming as well. If you are
not sure of your puppy's vaccination date before arrival,
check your puppy's health certificate from flight for the
last vaccination date, email me or call me and I'll be
happy to give it to you again.
My puppy has loose stool should I be
concerned?
Puppies will undoubtedly have stool changes so immediate
alarm is not necessary. But, make certain that a
loose stool is not accompanied by a change in activity,
appetite, vomiting etc. other symptoms that could
alert you there is a possible viral alert. Loose
stool on it's own, with a puppy that is eating and
drinking properly is not a major concern if they are
playing normally and this is the only symptom.
Culprits can be worms, intestinal parasites, or things of
that nature that puppies can have all of which can
easily be treated once diagnosed by a simple stool slide.
Change of food and water can also cause a temporary stool
change but again temporary. But, if your puppy continues to keep a stool
that is progressively loose, or diarrhea, etc. that
does not correct on it's own in a normal window of time, I
would advise there is an underlying issue that might need
treating and would ask my veterinarian. But, if your
puppy is vomiting, has a loss of appetite, will not drink
water, is not playful these are all symptoms to check with
urgency and seek more immediate veterinary care.
And I can't believe I'm now adding this
one, but .... we're not all Southerners!
My dog arrived and he had some fleas..... what do I do?
Fleas unfortunately are a common pest we deal with and
fight off here in the South. It's a simple
fact I cannot deny, and no matter how hard I try I will
never defeat them totally. So there. Please
know first of all if your puppy arrives and has no sign of
ever having a flea, I have performed some miracle and am
not sure how I did it, but hope I can do it all over
again! In the South, unfortunately, our pest
control people and my veterinarian and most anyone who has
animals routinely outdoors will tell you that we have an
official flea season and you just have to combat it with
proper treatments and fight the losing battle best you
can. I guess I've known this all my life, and
I sometimes forget that in colder climates this is
normally not an issue and can have a customer upset with
me that their puppy had a few fleas whether I've bathed
them and even been able to provide flea spray depending on
the puppy's age of course. Because, even if I have a
puppy who I can find no sign of fleas with before leaving
home, once we encounter the dog park where they go to the
bathroom prior to flight, stay in boarding, transport and
unboarding with other animals flying as well as in a space
that has had countless animals come through - I still may
not be able to be assured I've completely ruled that out.
So, please, if you are lucky enough to be in a state where
fleas are not common feel blessed. I may move there
too!
If you think this may be an issue for your household,
prior to arrival, purchase a flea product to apply before
bringing them into your home. Most veterinarian
approved products will kill live fleas within a few
minutes and truly what you want to avoid if this is
not a pest you currently treat for is to bring it indoors
where you can have to treat a space as well if they are
able to be in number and reproduce to any extent.
You can have your veterinarian recommend something or
choose an over the counter, but please know not all flea
products are approved for young puppies and read the label
very carefully before choosing a product for this purpose.
I would recommend Revolution probably, it is available in
a puppy formula from your vet and if it is not needed for
flea treatment, it also begins heartworm treatment and has
other great benefits to me. But, don't take my word
on medication referrals we use, always ask your vet first.
With so many
scams on the internet, how do I know who to buy from?
We've raised our bullies and represented
our partner breeders for now 12 years. I used to
never hear of fraud and never got asked this question.
But, now unfortunately I hear it everytime I post a new
litter of puppies and finally decided to add it in to our
frequently asked questions. I hear it all too
often.... Families that have saved their money, families
who have young children excited about their first dog,
individuals who don't know who to trust for this companion
because they've been taken in already. It's very
sad. It's pathetic, but it happens everyday.
Our own pictures get routinely stolen and posted for sale
on other sites, in ads, etc. So, I say to you - yes,
it happens. It's a real threat especially online.
Unfortunately it's an area that con artists can prey on
innocent people who are not expecting someone to lie to
them and take their money and send them to an airport to
wait on a new puppy with their family that never arrives.
So be very guarded in your search, but don't give up -
there are many good people to outnumber the bad!
Just shop smart. If it sounds too good to be true,
it probably is. If there is a wild story to
accompany the sale of a dog, be careful. If your
only option for payment is to wire money or send it via
money gram, that is a red flag to me. Most
importantly, just know that it does happen to good people
all the time and if you are aware and are careful that is
one of the best safeguards for you. Because most
often it's the people that don't expect it that are caught
off guard that it happens. Are we the right breeder
for you? Maybe - maybe not. But, while you are
here visiting our site, I hope you can learn something new
about these wonderful dogs and learn more about what you
do or don't want in your next family member, what
questions to ask your breeder, and make a wiser choice
here or somewhere else. I ultimately don't have the
right dog for everyone... but if it's you, I'll be happy
to help if I can.
And you know above and beyond actual
financial fraud, you need to be aware of who you choose as
a breeder just personally too. Read over the
warranty, make sure the terms are terms you are
comfortable with because ultimately that's how things will
be handled if situations arise that you are displeased
with. Make a list of things that are most important
to you in your new puppy, in your breeder, etc. and make
sure you meet those guidelines before purchasing.
Are you comfortable with the person you are basically
entering into a contract with? I would be, so I
advise you to be also. And that's just good advice,
prepare for the unexpected first and then fall in love
with a pup. They'll love you right back!
Do we have countless friends earned who
write, who mail in pictures, who send Christmas cards, who
send their friends to get a southern bred bully, who we
know give our babies the best homes in the world?
absolutely. And do we have some complaints from over
the years, or enemies made we couldn't somehow reason
with? absolutely. I just try to be a
fair and honest person to deal with and try to always
stand behind what we said we would do when the unexpected
odd situation arises. And I'll do that for you too
if you choose us.
Can you
provide any general advice on care for a new puppy?
I can't pretend to be an expert in all
situations and all puppies and environments and owners but
I realize first time puppy owners have lots of questions
and hopefully some of these tips I've researched to assist
our families can be helpful for you....
My puppy seems to be constantly chewing. Why does this
occur?
One of the characteristics of puppies is chewing. Puppies
are trying their new teeth so chewing is a normal
behavior. The puppy’s baby teeth are present by about four
weeks of age. They begin to fall out at four months of age
and are replaced by the adult (permanent) teeth by about
six months of age. Therefore, chewing is a puppy
characteristic that you can expect until about 6-7 months
of age. It is important that you do what you can to direct
your puppy’s chewing toward acceptable objects. You
should provide items such as rawhide chew bones, nylon
chew bones, and other chew toys so other objects are
spared.
Can I trim my puppy's sharp toenails?
Puppies have very sharp toenails. They can be trimmed
with your regular finger nail clippers or with nail
trimmers made for dogs and cats. If you take too much off
the nail, you will get into the quick; bleeding and pain
will occur. If this happens, neither you nor your dog will
want to do this again. Therefore, a few points are
helpful:
1.
If your dog has clear or white nails, you can see the pink
of the quick through the nail. Avoid the pink area, and
you should be out of the quick.
2.
If your dog has black nails, you will not be able to see
the quick so only cut 1/32" (1 mm) of the nail at a time
until the dog begins to get sensitive. The sensitivity
will usually occur before you are into the blood vessel.
With black nails, it is likely that you will get too close
on at least one nail.
3.
If your dog has some clear and some black nails, use the
average clear nail as a guide for cutting the black ones.
4.
When cutting nails, use sharp trimmers. Dull trimmers
tend to crush the nail and cause pain even if you are not
in the quick.
work in progress, more tips coming soon!
I hope
these questions and answers have been of some help to you
as you research this breed and interview
potential breeders you would like to do business with.
I encourage you to always review these type things before
you buy...
there are many cute puppies out there but finding a
breeder that you feel comfortable with and agree with
their terms and their breeding program's goals is very important.... it's not just a
purchase; it's truly a relationship you are entering into
as buyer/seller as well as hopefully a long life with your
new family member... - so
be aware of fraud potential out there, research your
breed, be aware of your veterinarian's requirements and
pricing, speak with your breeder, know the warranty terms
if any of your breeder and be comfortable with them as a
buyer also - ask the questions that are important to you
as an individual and as a customer before the sell. then fall in love with your favorite
pup!
thanks
for visiting,
stephanie
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