Puppy Buyer Questionnaire
Please thoroughly read the Home Page, Puppy Care, and Products pages on my website before completing this Questionnaire. Copy and print out the questionnaire and email to dogmahavanese@gmail.com or kathshank@gmail.com. I want to be clear about my expectations for care of a puppy you take into your home so that there will be no surprises when you see the contract.
Why do I ask all of the questions below? I am concerned with the placement of my puppies. I’m not prying into your life, and the questions below will help me determine if you are a good candidate for one of my puppies. Importantly, at the outset - Havanese DO NOT do well being left alone for long periods of time. Pick another breed. Seriously! I will not sell one of my puppies that will be left alone for 8 – 9 hours a day while you are at work; for this breed, that is very cruel. If you work full time and have a plan for a new puppy we can discuss that.
Also, new-to-you puppies shouldn’t be left alone for more than a few hours at the most.
Perhaps you have raised a puppy and know some of the following; that it’s not just the cost and time commitment of the puppy you will be taking on; it’s also the Vet bills, grooming tools, grooming costs, potty training, training classes, exercise, pet insurance, ex-pens, crate, baby gates, proper harness and leash, special food, and toys, lots of toys. Buying a puppy is taking on responsibility for a life. Are you ready for this? I’m not trying to talk you out of a puppy, rather stating facts so we are on the same page.
Please be thorough in your answers which will help me determine if you are a good candidate for a puppy and what the temperament of your puppy should be to match your lifestyle and the make-up of your home life. The questions are meant to help us be on the same page with an understanding of how we choose puppy buyers and what we expect as far as the care the puppy shall receive throughout their life.
Date:
Full Name(s):
Address:
Phone(s):
Email(s):
Occupation(s):
Why do you want a Havanese?
Who referred you?
Does anyone in your household smoke"?
Number and ages of Grown-ups in your home:
Number and ages of Children in your home, and grandkids that will visit.
Are any of your children/grandchildren afraid of dogs?
Circle your activity level and elaborate:
Couch potato
Moderately Active
Active
Can run circles around others
Do you have any health issues that limit your ability to exercise or train your dog?
Any people in your home with health concerns?
Circle your interests for a new puppy:
A companion/family pet
Agility
Therapy
Rally
Obedience
Conformation
If you are over the age of 75 what is your plan for this puppy in the future; taking into account that Havanese can live 12-16 years?
Are you willing for me to have a home visit if possible? We can do a Zoom or Facetime chat. Mostly this is to help you prepare for your puppy with safety in mind and for me to get a sense of where the puppy will live.
If you are in the area, let’s meet at a show. Otherwise, let’s Zoom or Facetime.
Do you have a safe place for puppy to run and potty off lead? Fencing? What is your plan if you don’t have a fence?
AND I highly recommend that you go outside with your puppy while they potty, even when they are larger. hawks, urban foxes, and coyotes can jump fences and kill or harm your dog in a flash. Doggie doors are not really safe with these little guys.
Havanese are sweet ‘velcro’ dogs that thrive on human contact. Are you okay with a dog that was bred to need humans?
How many hours a day will puppy/dog be left alone? What is your plan if you work full time?
What other pets do you currently have? Type, Breed, Ages.
Have you owned dogs before? What breed(s)?
Have you ever euthanized a dog, rehomed, or surrendered a dog? What were the circumstances?
Are you prepared to devote time to a new puppy? Considerations: Your health, activity level, time, patience, potential travel plans. Please elaborate?
Will you be prepared to have pet insurance for your puppy. (Depending on the company, parameters, and deductible this could run $35 – 65 a month, and is highly recommended. Depending on the company this monthly fee can go up.)
Male or Female. This you may choose. Discuss with me the merits of each sex.
You may NOT pick your puppy. I will determine which puppy would best fit in with your family after observing the puppies and considering your family situation. Temperament of the dog and family make-up as well as activity level are the driving forces for placement. Please do not ask for a certain color pattern.
Are you willing to take classes? Puppy Kindergarten, Beginning/Intermediate Obedience, Scent, therapy, Rally, or Agility.
We do not ship puppies, although under certain circumstances and for an added expense I will fly with a puppy to drop them off. (Cost of flight and cost of having the puppy on board at minimum.)
You are welcome to visit the brood when they are at least 7 weeks old.
Your puppy will be sold with a limited AKC registration, meaning they cannot be bred and must be spayed or neutered. It is preferable to wait well into the first year to spay/neuter puppies so that they have the benefit of hormones, providing better long-term health. We can discuss this.
Where will puppy sleep at night? Are you aware that puppies in a new home will need extra care the first few nights to acclimate? I can offer help with that.
Have you ever potty trained a dog before? Are you aware that small breed dogs are tougher to train? Yes they will pee on your Persian rug, so just roll it up. It could be 6 or more months before your puppy is fully trained, depending on environmental and situational circumstances.
Havanese have hair not fur and require daily grooming care, even in a short puppy cut. Additionally, a visit to the groomer once every 4 – 6 weeks is a must, unless you groom and trim the coat yourself. In between grooming visits, bathes are necessary, as well as nail trimming, teeth brushing, daily combing, eye cleaning, ear cleaning, and face washing. You may feel you are running a spa – are you ready to take care of these chores? (I make these activities a bonding experience with my dogs.)
Do you have any references from some one who knows your character, such as a current vet, groomer, or trainer?
Our puppy contract states that you will take your puppy to your vet within 7 days of picking up the puppy. Do you have a current vet?
Please review the vaccination protocols of Jean Dodds on the Puppy Care and Necessary Products page. You are your puppy’s advocate for spreading out vaccinations over several visits. We want you to follow this protocol for the health of the puppy.
What else would you like us to know about you?
What questions do you have for me?
We ask for $800 deposit when puppies are confirmed; usually at about 35 days from breeding.
What we offer:
Our dam has a carefully curated pedigree and all health testing, as does the sire we are using. Much thought and effort go into choosing a sire. We have taken into consideration the Havanese Standard, all Health Testing, and the temperament of the dam and sire.
Your puppy will be raised from birth using the breeder course from MadCap University and Puppy Culture workbook protocols. I strongly suggest purchasing the online course offered by Puppy Culture/Madcap University called With Open Arms and a Level Head, which is focused on successfully bringing a puppy into your home.
Puppies are raised as part of our household. We only breed when we need a puppy to show, about once a year.
I will be on call for any questions you have for the life of your puppy. We will be partners in the care of your dog 24/7.
If you can’t keep the puppy for any reason, you must return the puppy to me. If you want the puppy to go to a family member or friend, I need to know and approve of them. If you don’t have family and are older, we can discuss a care plan for your pet. I am your backstop. The last thing either of us will want is for a Havanese to end up in a shelter. The dog can always come back to me.
These puppies are sold with a limited AKC registration, meaning they will be spayed or neutered at an appropriate time, usually 18 months.
