Questions & Answers
We know you have a million questions about your new puppy and how to choose the very best breeder. You should always ask questions before you adopt your new puppy.
We have prepared the information below to help you find the very best answers for your new puppy. It will also help be the very best puppy guide and puppy reference material when adopting a small breed dog.
Who is DCDogFinders?
We are a local Mom’s and Dad’s who live, work and worship right here in the Virginia, Maryland and DC area. We are real people not a company, we promise. DCDogFinders is a fantastic & fun website we created for people just like us that are looking for the very best small in home private hobby breeders to adopt their next puppy from. We found it really helps ensure that you know your breeder is ethical, educated in animal husbandry and that your new puppy has the very best start in life. Everyone in the family is a AKC accredited professional hobby breeder with a great career, a wonderful home and loving and caring family. We are dedicated to the health, happiness and well-being of every puppy we raise. In our family breeding is a “passion” not something that we do to make a living.
How do I request to adopt puppy from DCDogFinders?
We make it super easy and fun.
When you find “your” puppy on our website, simply click on the picture and follow the instructions to pay a small deposit to secure your puppy’s adoption. We will contact you to talk about your puppy, to answer any questions you may have and to arrange your Adoption Appointment at our home.
Please read the answer to: How Can I Pay for My Puppy below for further payment details.
Our goal is to create memories that last a lifetime. We have found inviting you to our home is the very best way for you to adopt your puppy. We suggest to always meet your puppy for the first time in the home they were raised. We try to post available puppies for adoption in Thursdays. This will allow you to view photo, movies, prices and request to reserve /adopt your new puppy on our website and allow us to call you and chat. Instructions can be found on our website at DCDogfinders. We have found that allowing you to request and adopt online really provides a sense of security and allows us to provide you helpful information before you arrive at our home for your new puppy.
It's really that simple.
What is the price of your puppies?
We will always post price, age and information on our website and each puppy may vary in price.
When are your puppies ready?
If you are advertising puppies for adoption then our puppies will always be 9-12 weeks of age. We do not offer a puppy for sale unless it is 9 weeks of age.
How old are your puppies?
Most of our puppies are 9-12 weeks of age when adopting.
Do you do genetic testing on your puppy parents?
Yes, we do. We will be happy to discuss CERF, CHIC ,OFA as well as other programs and testing. Clearances of Companion dogs is an important part of breeding and an integral part of how we can provide to you a 5year Health warranty with your new puppy.
Do you provide a Health Warranty or Health Guarantee?
No one can "guarantee" the health and well-being of a puppy but we do the next best thing. We provide a 5 Year Health Warranty that is a 100% money back warranty.
Are you members of breed clubs or breeding groups?
Yes, we are. Many of us take part in social groups, services dogs, therapy pups and agility. We are all members of AKC, CKC and ACA. We also take part in helping local dog rescues and support ASPCA and shelter adoption.
Can we meet the puppy parents when we buy our puppy?
Yes, of course.
Are your puppies socialized?
If there was a University for puppies our little pups would all have a Masters degree in social skills, personality and good manners.
How big will my puppy be when they are an adult?
Please speak with us directly, we love to share . We also suggest reading about Cavachons & Shichon on our website for more information.
What's the best puppy for my family?
We think any puppy we breed would be GREAT for your family. We are often asked "What's the best puppy or the best breed of puppy for my family?" We think Hypoallergenic , Non shed, Cute, Cuddly puppies are always the BEST! You may find the information on the Our Breeds page helpful in making that all important decision.
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, knowledge, education and reputation. We have always provided healthy and happy puppies and our 5 year Health Warranty for each pup. 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.
Why do you reserve puppies?
Reserving a puppy avoids any disappointment and eliminates the anxiety when adopting a puppy. Our approach is in your best interest and avoids delays, misunderstandings. It allows you to arrive at our home and be greeted by a wagging tail and a little wiggle when you arrive at our home.
Where do we go for our puppy appointment?
Our Home…We live in Virginia . We all work in Virginia and Maryland and some in DC. You will meet the puppy in the privacy of our our home. The appointment usually lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. At the appointment you will be given playtime with the puppy and you will spend time with us 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.
What does F1 mean and why is it so important?
F1 indicates that the puppy is a First Generation Hybrid. It means that both of the puppy's parents are pedigreed registered dogs. For example, a Shichon Teddy Bear's parents should always be a pedigreed Bichon Frise and a pedigreed ShihTzu. The reason that our puppies are always only F1 Hybrids is that it gives us a very high level of confidence that your puppy will have the general appearance, size, and temperament expected of that hybrid breed. F2 means that one parent is a hybrid and the other is pedigreed so the puppy simply cannot be 50% of each breed. F3 means that the parents are both hybrids and unless you know the lineage of the parents, it is impossible to know the puppy's genetic makeup. It is a much more sound practice to breed only F1 puppies and that is why we do exactly that.
Are your puppies vet-checked, immunized and de-wormed?
Yes, Absolutely!! We Vet check, groom, provide Parvo testing and all immunizations that can be given to date. 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.
Can we come by and visit or play with the puppies?
We would love to have a way to offer that to all of our customers. At his time we have chosen to invite adoptive puppy parents only to our home due to time and the courtesy of adopting families. For the safety and security of your family, the health of the puppies and 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.
How can I pay for my puppy?
After the payment of the initial online deposit, you will receive an invoice from Square.com for the balance of the Adoption Fee. Square accepts all major credit cards. You may pay the invoice when you receive it, or wait until you have met the puppy in our home.
You may also decide to pay the balance in cash, in which case we will discount your Adoption Fee by $100. This is equal to the amount that we pay Square for processing a credit card payment so we pass it on to you, rather than paying it to Square as a transaction fee.
We do not accept personal checks, bank checks or money orders.
When are you available?
We try very hard to give everyone our time during these hours. Due to the limited amount of time we kindly ask that you understand that our time and attention will be give to adoptive puppy parents as the need our time, attention and chat time during adoption.
We know you and your family will appreciate this attention when you are ready for your puppy adoption day.
We are available by phone from 11:00am to 5:00pm Wednesday through Friday. All appointments are on Saturday in our home. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday we are closed/away.
How do I adopt a puppy?
Our puppies are always adopted quickly because we have the most loyal & loving puppy parents. Just keep visiting. We put our puppies on the website as soon as they are ready to go home.
Can you hold my puppy for a later adoption day?
Yes, we will be happy to hold your puppy for you for up to 2 weeks. We are asked daily to hold a puppy for a later adoption day and we are happy to accommodate your request.