How Puppy Picks Work
Puppies are picked in order of deposits; however, families do not make their final selection until the puppies are around 5–6 weeks of age. This is very intentional. In those first few weeks, all puppies are doing essentially the same things—sleeping, eating, and growing. While they are all adorable (and we absolutely understand how easy it is to fall in love with a certain puppy based on a cute picture or unique marking!), their true personalities simply have not developed yet.
As the puppies grow, we begin to see clear differences in temperament—some are more laid-back and easygoing, while others are more outgoing, confident, or high-energy. These differences matter so much. Different temperaments are better suited for different types of families, homes, and lifestyles. A calm, lower-energy puppy may be a great fit for a quieter home, while a more confident, active puppy may thrive with a busy family or one looking for a more adventurous companion. Because of this, we place a strong emphasis on temperament when helping you choose your puppy.
When you place a deposit, I’ll ask questions about your lifestyle, home environment, family dynamic,
and what you’re hoping for in a dog. As I spend time with the puppies each day, I’m able to get to know
their individual personalities and help guide you toward the best match.
Our goal is not just to pick a puppy—it’s to give each puppy a voice and set them up for success, while
also setting your family up for a happy, long-term relationship with your dog.
Allowing time for personalities to develop is one of the most important parts of this process, and it’s what helps us make the best possible matches.
As the breeder, I do always reserve the right to first pick. I do sometimes choose to hold back a puppy for my breeding program.
Check out this video that shows one week of puppy progress!
Our Visitor Policy
We do allow families that have a deposit on a litter to visit if they choose. Puppies must be at least 4 weeks of age before any visitors are permitted.
These first few weeks are a critical time for mom and babies’ health, and my focus is 100% on their care—making sure they are eating well, gaining weight, and thriving. Moms are also extra protective at this time, and anyone coming in that she doesn’t know can cause her unnecessary stress.
It is usually around that 3-week mark that puppies begin to open their eyes and start scooting around more, and mom becomes more relaxed. They are typically settled into a nice routine by then, and we can begin looking at scheduling visits around the 4-week point.
That said, there are often variables when raising a litter, and everything doesn’t always happen on an exact timeline. Because of this, I’m not always able to guarantee a specific date in advance. It depends on how mom is doing, how the puppies are progressing, and what we have going on at the time—especially if we have multiple litters.
I do my very best to accommodate families and give everyone the opportunity to visit, as I know that’s important. However, the health and well-being of the puppies will always come first.
Visits are scheduled individually rather than all on the same day, as that can be overwhelming for both mom and puppies. I’m very flexible, so if your family would like to visit, just let me know and we’ll find a time that works well.
For everyone’s safety, we do require a few precautions:
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Shoes must be removed
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Hands must be washed
This helps prevent the spread of illnesses such as parvo, which can be carried in on shoes and is very dangerous to young puppies.
