Buying a Puppy

Way to Go!

Hopefully, by this point you have familiarized yourself with all the information on our site. We want you to be completely satisfied with your new family member whether or not you decide that one of our puppies fits your needs. So, if you are ready to buy your puppy, here are some of the things which should be accomplished during the buying phase:

The Buying Process:

At the time of purchase the buyer should receive copies of a written sales contract, a copy of the seller’s refund policy, a record of the puppy's vaccinations and wormings and its vet’s name and location along with any other medical information. Check to see if there is a written health agreement which usually states that you can return your puppy within 48-72 hours for exchange or refund if your vet gives you written documentation that the puppy suffers from an illness originating in the kennel or a congenital deformity. The kennel should guarantee that the puppy is free from illness, disease or infection originating in the kennel for a period of 72 hours from the date of purchase. The date of purchase should be designated as the time the seller receives full compensation for the puppy and a sales receipt is executed by the kennel. Unless prior written arrangements are made, the 72 hour period should begin at the delivery date and time designated upon the sales receipt. Unless otherwise specified by the buy/sell agreement, the buyer may also receive an American Kennel Club registration blank at the time of purchase.

Bringing Your Puppy Home:

An exciting day for everyone involved! Especially for the puppy! Taking a puppy from his or her littermates, mother, home environment and then introducing him or her to a new home with new smells, sights, and sounds can be overwhelming for a seven or eight week old puppy so take steps to assure an easy transition. Make sure the puppy has a spot to call his own, someplace to go where children, pets and visitors will not bother him. This can be a crate, a purchased dog bed or a blanket in the corner. If one is not provided, ask for a blanket or towel from his first home and put it in place along with a blanket or towel from your own supply. Dogs have a strong sense of smell: Familiar smells will help him feel more comfortable. Confine him to a room occupied by an adult so you have a better chance of preventing mischief and of catching him answering nature’s call on the floor. Place a crate in the bedroom of the person who is responsible for taking the pup outside to do their duty.

It is normal to want to show off your new puppy....especially one with the obvious quality of a Spear-Bar puppy.... It's just not very wise. Taking your puppy into a public place such as a friend's home, the pet store, for a walk or to the park before its immunization series is complete will expose your puppy to infections and diseases from which it may not yet be able to defend itself. We therefore highly recommend that the only places you take your puppy before its immunization series is complete is to your home and to your vet's office and that you limit its exposure to other animals and to other humans with pets or to wildlife in or near their homes prior to that time.

Shipping:

Spear-Bar Kennels very much prefers that you personally take possession of your puppy from the kennel or personally deliver your puppy to the kennel if you must return it in order to limit stress and exposure to illnesses, diseases, poor handling procedures and/or damage to the puppy which are possible during shipping. We will ship but, in the event that the puppy is to be shipped from (or returned to) the kennel, the buyer must agree to pay in full for any and all expenses (including shipping crate) related to shipping as well as any expenses which are incurred by the buyer or seller prior to, during and/or following shipping. The buyer must also assume full personal, legal and financial responsibility for making all arrangements for payments, insurance, the method of transportation, the carrier, the safety of the puppy during transportation and for the condition of the puppy upon arrival. We will offer advice if you are unsure of shipping methods but that’s all it is…advice. The buyer must hold the kennel blameless for any and all adverse circumstances arising from the shipping of the puppy.

Registering Your Puppy With the AKC:

American Kennel Club registration works like this: When puppies are whelped, the breeder registers the litter. The AKC then sends the breeder a blue registration slip for each puppy in the litter. Unless otherwise specified in the sales contract, the breeder then signs the registration slip transferring title of the puppy to the buyer who then registers the individual puppy in his or her name by filling out and sending in the blue slip. At the same time, you can also request a pedigree certificate for your puppy showing his or her family tree for three or four generations. This usually costs about 10 dollars for the registration and thirty dollars for the pedigree. The AKC then sends the applicant a certificate verifying the registration of the puppy and, if one was ordered, an official pedigree.