Frequently Asked Questions

Where am i on the list?

The truth is once I know how many puppies we have, I narrow my list. I look at your preferences and choose the families based on the number of boys and girls we have. It’s not first come, first in line because until the puppies are born, it’s premature. I also ask that families remain flexible. Along the way, we will decide together which puppy best fits your family. Ask any of the families who have puppies from me and they will tell you they have the perfect puppy for them. There’s no formula… just trust and watching the puppies. Usually by 6 weeks we all have a gut instinct about where each puppy should go.

I want a running partner. when can i start running with my dog?

As a general rule of thumb, I would say 18+ months for girls and 24+ months for boys. I’m taking about runs on leash at a steady pace on pavement/paths. It’s not that your dog can’t run in play before then. It’s the steady, repetitive movement of trail running that is too hard on their joints before their growth plates close and they are fully matured.

What’s it mean to own a show dog?

Titles and recognition are important to my breeding program. Show dogs aren’t a thing.. it’s something the dogs do. Showing is roughly one weekend every month or two. It’s some training up front, yes, but other than that you meet me at the shows (Greeley, Denver, Pueblo.. not far away) and I show your dog. You take home the ribbons when we win and I get recognition from the judges that my dogs illustrate the breed standard. I rely on show homes to grow so preference is given to homes willing to do this. Above all else.. they’re still your cherished pets and I will not ask you to send them away with a handler.

My vet wants to spay/neuter my dog at 6 months. Is that ok?

In a word, no. Ridgebacks are a large breed that takes many months to mature. Bone growth in males, for example, continues well past one year of age. My contract requires you to wait until at least 18 months to spay/neuter. That means your girl may go through one season and you’ll have to deal with that. It also means day care may not be an option after about 7 or 8 months of age. I feel very strongly that it’s in the best interest of your dog to wait.

You didn’t ask for a deposit. Does that mean I don’t get a dog?

I don’t ask for deposits until about 7 weeks old. That’s because I don’t want anyone to feel obligated to get a puppy because they put money down. Situations change… often on a dime. I never worry about placing puppies. I DO worry about sending a puppy home with someone who is second-guessing their choice or the timing (which happens and that’s totally OK). Once we are all in agreement, I may take a deposit.

What does your contract require?

They say fences make good neighbors and I feel the same way about contracts. They’re there for both of us as a way to outline expectations. I expect that you will treat your puppy as a member of your family. That means it will be a house dog.. not kept outside in a dog run. Ridgebacks need their families and are not good kennel dogs. I expect you will provide love, training, and enrichment in the form of activities. I expect you will continue the socialization and good practices we start here at our house. You can expect that I will be available for advice, support, and that I will take your puppy back for any reason at any time with no questions asked or shaming.