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Who is
DCDogfinders.com ?
DCDogFinders is a group of seven quality,
committed and professional breeders - family
and lifelong friends. All members of
our group are professionals with great careers,
wonderful homes and loving and caring families. Each
breeder is dedicated to the health, happiness and
well being of every puppy they raise. In our group
breeding is a “passion” not something that we do to
make a living.
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How do I adopt a puppy from DCDogFinders.com?
Request your puppy and your breeder will call
you. It's just that simple.
We often hear statements like “I was
told never to buy a puppy online”. We absolutely
agree … you should NEVER buy a puppy from an
online store. That is precisely why we do NOT adopt
our puppies “online”.
Here’s how it works …
Step 1:
Preview the pictures
of each breeder’s litters on
the website and select your puppy based on the breed
and the general look. Only you know what’s best for
your family.
Step 2:
Request your puppy
by filling out the
Puppy
Request Form.
Please read the instructions carefully before
submitting your request.
Step 3:
The
breeder will call you
to answer
any questions you have and to ask you questions to
make sure that the puppy is right for you and that
you are right for the puppy. If everyone agrees that
it's a good match, arrangements will be made, during
the same call, for your appointment.
What to expect during your appointment ...
Once you have selected your puppy, he/she is
reserved exclusively for you. If any other potential
puppy parent asks to reserve, or to meet, your
puppy, we will explain that the puppy has been
reserved and is no longer available. Since all of
the puppies are usually reserved during the week,
there is rarely, if ever, an opportunity for any
customer to choose from, or meet, the other puppies
in a litter.
Expect your appointment to be a meeting
with only the puppy that you reserve. No other
puppies will be present.
If everyone agrees that it's a good match, your
new baby will go home with you that day.
Our puppies are happy, healthy, friendly and very
well socialized, so it doesn't happen very often but
if you arrive for your appointment and the bond
isn't there, we understand. You will never be
pressured and you will never be made to feel guilty.
If it's not a match, it's not a match. It's that
simple. We want our puppies to go to homes where
they will be cherished and loved ... their forever
homes.
And we never feel obligated to sell a puppy based solely
upon who can afford the puppy or who requested first.
Although we are usually blessed with the most
wonderful families we
will ALWAYS do what is in the best interest of the
puppy and that means that we reserve the right to
decline any request.
Please note that reservations are not considered final until the breeder
has spoken with the customer and confirmed the
reservation by email.
Bringing a puppy into your life is one of the
greatest joys you will ever experience. We work very
hard to
make sure that it is enjoyable and fun but also that
it is taken very seriously by the adopting
family. We never mean to be harsh but we will always
be direct.
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What's
the best puppy for my family?
We are
always asked "What's the best puppy for me?" That's very
difficult for a breeder to answer. As much as we enjoy
talking to our customers about their ideal puppy, we
feel strongly that it is in your best interest to
independently research the best breed(s) for your family
before talking to a breeder. Most breeders know their
type of dog very well and prefer that type over all
others - that's why they breed that type of dog. Their
natural inclination is to recommend that breed as the
best for you and your family. We feel a little
differently. We know it works so much better for you and
the puppy if you have already decided on your ideal
furry friend before you contact a reputable breeder.
Click here for more information
about our puppies.
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Are you a puppy mill?
All of
our puppies are raised with kindness and care and go
home with social skills, medical care and a Five Year
Health Warranty. We also offer a Life Time Return
policy so that none of our puppies end up in a rescue or
shelter. Our motto is “Care, Quality and Commitment” to
both puppy and customer. No we are not a puppy mill.
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How do I know I can
trust DCDogFinders?
Trust is earned ...
never given. We are not an on-line puppy store.
You cannot buy a puppy on our site. The reason for our
site is strictly so you can take a peek into our world and
see your selected puppy, and his or her home. We have
learned over the years that in the breeding world there
will always be both positive and negative comments about
every breeder's business practices, breeding methods,
conditions, care of pups and so on. Our position is very
simple ... if you don't trust us. please don't buy your
puppy from us. Likewise, if we don't trust you we will
not sell you a puppy.
As a breeder we are often
attacked by other breeders, people we decline as owners,
brokers, kennels, pet shops and just generally angry
people who have found a place on the web to voice their
"expert" opinions. When it comes to pets everyone has an
opinion, some informed and some based purely on emotion.
We suggest that whether you choose us as your breeder or
not, be confident, ask questions and develop trust. Your
puppy is a lifetime commitment and you need to trust
your breeder as much as the breeder needs to trust you
as they hand over their puppy to your care.
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Can you provide
references?
Absolutely! Look at the “Our
Customers” page here on the website. We have so many
references that we can't fit them all on. We encourage
everyone to speak with other breeders and ask if they
have testimonials with pictures, names and quotes from
so many happy and loving families.
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Why do you have so
many breeds?
Actually, we have only six: Shih Tzu, Yorkshire
Terriers, Bichon Frise, Maltese, Poodles and Cavalier
King Charles Spaniels. Each of our fourteen breeders
keeps only one or
two breeds. It sometimes looks like we have more because
of our hybrids. Our hybrids, or mixes, are always a
result of very careful breeding between two of our
standard breeds with vet screened and cleared, AKC
pedigreed Dams and Sires. This produces happy, healthy
first generation (F-1) hybrids. Referred to as "mutts"
by breeding purists and snobs, they are considered by
Veterinarians to be among the best breeds for the health
qualities that first generation bloodlines provide. Our
customers love them for all of their great qualities as
well. We have a long history of incredibly healthy,
happy, playful hybrid puppies.
We
don't apologize for breeding exceptional "mutts" for
families who love and cherish them.
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Can you get other
breeds of puppies?
No.
We are a close group of family and friends who
all have the same standards and breeding philosophy. We
could not provide the level of quality and commitment on
any other breeders' dogs that we do on our own. For that
reason, we choose not to offer them.
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Why do your puppies
sell so quickly?
It’s
simple … our reputation, referrals and repeat customers.
Our family has over 50 years in the breeding world. We
have the experience, we provide healthy and happy
puppies and we offer the customer service and support
that ensures our customers the very best of everything.
Our grandfather used to say “Quality doesn’t just happen
by chance. It comes with quality care, concern and
commitment”. We take that statement very seriously.
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Why do you reserve
puppies?
Because it works! Our approach has been proven over and
over and we have great results. We once tried doing the
“blind ad” with no pictures, no appointment and no
specifications. It was a horrible experience for the
customers, the puppies and us. Our system works best for
the puppy and the customer. No disappointment! Our
customers are given one week, in advance, to choose a
puppy, its gender, breed and so on. We provide health
information, contracts and the comprehensive
DCDogFinders Puppy Owners Manual. We consult over the
phone with each customer for an average of one to four
hours. This allows each customer time to get ready for
their new “four-legged friend” and allows us time to
prepare each puppy for their new home with vet checks
and grooming.
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If I reserve a
puppy am I obligated to take it home?
We
certainly hope you will. When we spend time with you,
provide all of the information we do (over 40 pages),
prepare your new puppy with Vet checks and grooming
appointments and tell all other customers that “their”
puppy is no longer available, we absolutely expect a
commitment on your part. That being said, be assured
that we would NEVER want anyone to take a puppy based on
fear or pressure. Our puppies have a wonderful home and
loving family to start with. If you get to your
appointment and it is not a good fit, speak with your
breeder. We would never want our puppies to go home with
someone who does not want them. We will appreciate your
honesty, respect your decision and be happy to find a
loving and deserving home for the puppy.
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Can I reserve more
than one puppy?
Yes,
if you are planning to purchase more than one puppy. Due
to customer demand and fairness to the adopting families
we will only reserve the puppy that you are interested
in meeting/adopting at the time of your appointment.
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Where is
DCDogfinders located?
DCDogfinders is located on the World Wide Web. We are
not a place, a kennel, or a pet store.
DCDogfinders.com is a website developed, maintained
and financed by a group of fourteen great breeders. We
are all in-home breeders, with licenses, breeding
history and great reputations. Seven members are family,
five are great friends, and two are cousins that live in
the Charlottesville, VA area. We are all located in
around the Washington, DC area.
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Where do we go for
our puppy appointment?
You
will meet the puppy at the breeders home. The
appointment usually lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to 2
hours. At the appointment you
will be given playtime with the puppy and
you will spend time with the breeder going over our
Health Warranty, immunization records and other important information and to see
where, and just how much love is given to the puppies
and their parents and family.
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Are your puppies
immunized and de-wormed?
Yes.
We provide a very detailed list of immunizations as well
as a de-worming chart both before purchase and as an
up-to-date form when adopting.
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Do you warranty
your puppies?
Yes.
Each puppy goes home with a Five Year
Health
Warranty.
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How old will my puppy be when I pick him/her up?
Most
of our puppies are picked up at between 8 and 9 weeks
of age. The general consensus is that this is the best time
to take a new puppy home. Some of the very small breeds
such as Yorkie Teacups and some Minis, stay with us
until they are 10 to 12 weeks old.
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Do you ever have
older dogs for sell?
No. We
do not sell our pets. On rare occasions we may help a
customer find a home for a puppy or dog as a result of a
death, a divorce, or other family situation. We will
always be happy to help that puppy find a new home.
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What is the
difference in size of puppies?
Puppies are typically categorized as Tea Cup, Mini, Toy
or Standard. This, of
course, depends upon genetics and specific breed size
and standards.
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What do the terms
“Mini” and “Teddy Bear” mean?
Actually the two indicate very different things. The “Mini”
label means that, when fully grown, the puppy will be at
the small end of the range of acceptable sizes for that
breed. Usually that means between 5 and 8 pounds for
ShihTzu, ShihChons, YorkieChons and YorkiePoos. The term
“Teddy” or “Teddy Bear”, on the other
hand, does not suggest the size of the
puppy but the look of the puppy. It means
that the puppy’s coat is fuller than the typical puppy
of that breed and that the puppy has the large eyes and
full face that most people find so attractive. If these
puppies are groomed in a “puppy cut” or “teddy cut”,
they look like puppies for their entire life.
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Can we come by and
visit or play with the puppies?
No.
For the safety and security of our family we take
appointments only. This will ensure your puppy is
reserved for you along with knowing that the puppy you
choose is healthy and has not been handled by previous
visitors that may transmit something picked up at a
recently visited pet shop or kennel. This policy allows
our family and puppies, along with your family, to know
who is coming to our home and when.
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How can I pay for
my puppy?
We
accept Cash, Money Orders and
Cashier’s Checks. We do not accept personal checks.
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Can I put a deposit down and pay
later?
Please
discuss this with your breeder. Each breeder has their
own policy on deposits and puppy holds.
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Why are there
different prices?
Each
breeder sets the price for their own puppies. There is
no secret formula and because we are family you will
find that our prices are far more affordable than a pet
shop that has overhead and employee expenses or a kennel
that has to support a large number of dogs and the
facility. Our dogs and puppies will always be “family
affordable” and loved.
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What are your
hours?
We
take calls from 11:00am to 4:00pm Monday through
Thursday. All appointments are on Fridays and Saturdays
only. Sundays we are with our family and in worship.
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