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How do I know that Abc Family Farms is the right breeder for me?

1. I do everything in my power to breed the happiest and healthiest pets available. I am not a kennel and the puppies that I sell are from our family's, more specifically my children's pets. Our dogs are true members of our family and never leave us until God takes them home. We do not trade our dogs or sell them off when they too old to produce or for any other reason for that matter. I have no problem with serious breeders who do practice this, but it is just not for me. I am a true animal lover and accept any animal brought into this house as a member of our family and nothing could ever make us let it go any more than we would let one of our own three beautiful girls go to another home.

2. Our dogs are from both champion and well respected lines and have been researched thoroughly.

3. I truly only want what is best for you, your family and the puppy. If I don't have a puppy available when you want one, I will gladly refer you to someone else or if you find another breeder I will happily talk to them for you to help you find out if they are reputable - the same goes with shelters & rescues.

If you have any doubt about me really helping you find a dog somewhere else I have references that you are welcome to contact that will prove that that I will honestly help you to the best of my ability find the perfect dog and that I only want what is very best thing for you, your family and the puppy involved.

4. I hope you will find not that I am not only your dog's breeder, but also a lifelong dog information resource and friend.

Are your parent dogs health tested?

No. While I understand those who suggest that health testing is a necessity, I breed two very healthy dog breeds with few congenital problems. I also breed only very healthy dogs from extremely healthy lines. Our dogs are checked by our veterinarian twice a year for well dog visits and our Mama dogs are checked again before becoming pregnant and have check-ups during their pregnancies as well. Our puppies are checked at least twice before they turn 6 weeks old and every two weeks after that. A veterinarian is the most qualified person to assess my dogs' health and provides all of their medical care for everything from check-ups to dew claw removal and shots.

Please understand that health testing can be very beneficial in breeds with a high percentage of congenital problems but it can also be a scare tactic by some breeders and a way to make more money for others. For example, it is suggested by some that a Havanese (an extremely healthy breed with almost no history of congenital problems) have 7 different health tests. Some of these tests are done only once in a dog's life and some are repeated annually and some even semi-annually. A dog can be tested for several years and have many litters and then something show up on one of their tests. Then, what happens to all of the litters produced before the negative test result and even some of their children and grandchildren who could have already reproduced as well. Of the Havanese tested for the 7 different tests the percentage of normal results ranges from 91.2% to 100%. according to The Havanese Club of America's website.   (http://www.havanese.org/hcaHealth.htm).

Again, I respect the opinions of both breeders and puppy families who believe in health testing and I ask for that same respect in return.

How much does a puppy cost & how do I "reserve" a puppy?

Our puppies cost between $1,000 and $2,500 depending upon which type of registration is requested. AKC Limited Registration (pet) means the dog will not be allowed to be shown in Conformation but is eligible to be shown in Agility, Obedience, etc. and that no offspring will be AKC registered. AKC Full Registration means that the dog is eligible to be shown in Conformation along with all other types of shows and that any offspring produced will also be eligible to be registered with the AKC.

Once you decide that you want a puppy from Abc Family Farms and we agree that your home would be perfect for one of our babies, you will be asked to send in a $250 deposit to "reserve" your puppy. You may do this at any time, but the order in which the deposits are received determines the order in which the puppies will be picked. For example, if you want the first pick of the litter your deposit must arrive first.

Your deposit is just that - YOURS. If for any reason you decide you do not want a puppy from us, your money will be refunded or held until a puppy of your choosing is available. The deposit will remain yours until the day you take your puppy home.

The deposit is applied towards the total purchase price of the puppy with the remainder to be paid before the puppy is picked up or delivered. Methods of payments are cash, cashier's checks & personal checks paid 10 days in advance.

Do you offer a health guarantee?

Yes! All of our puppies will come with a one year health guarantee for any life threatening congenital problems. If your puppy is found to have a life threatening, congenital defect we will refund your money or replace the puppy from the next available litter.

Will you take the puppy/dog back under any circumstances?

Yes! I will happily take the puppy back under any circumstances if you are unable or unwilling to care for it although no money will be refunded.

Can a Limited Registration be changed to a Full Registration?

Yes! You will be asked to pay the difference in the purchase price and all AKC processing fees and we will gladly have your registration changed.

How do I care for my puppy once it comes home and what kinds of things will I need?

Supplies:        Johnson's Baby Shampoo
                        Comb
                        Dog Shampoo
                        Dog Conditioner
                        Nail Clippers
                        Acrylic Nail File (large emery board)
                        Cat Collar
                        Dog Collar
                        Leash
                        ID Tag
                        Eukanuba Small Breed - Puppy Food
                        Bottled Water
                        1 Wire Crate (easier to clean & make a bed in & your puppy can see out &                         you can see in)
                        1 Dog Bed (when they are puppies I use a cheap pillow and a fabric, Teflon                         protected pillow protector with a zipper - that way it can easily be washed                         or thrown out and it doesn't' matter if all of the stuffing gets pulled out. Old                         towels work great too.

So far, your puppy has been bathed every 2 weeks (if not more often) using Johnson's Baby Shampoo. After their bath they are cuddled in towels until dry and brushed out. They have had their nails clipped one time (if not more) using human baby nail clippers.

Your puppy is eating dry Eukanuba Small Breed - Puppy food and water. They are fed three small meals a day and are given free access to water. Eukanuba has one of the highest nutrition ratings of all pet foods but, if you choose to change your puppy's diet be sure to do it slowly. Mix one tablespoon of the new food to the Eukanuba and slowly increase until the puppy is completely weaned off the old food. Be sure to make changes in your puppy's diet very slowly - upset tummies in puppies can be a very serious health problem.   Some people suggest the same thing with water. Give your puppy bottled water at first and then start adding tap water to the bottled water until you have completely weaned the puppy off of the bottled water.

Putting your puppy in a collar with a bell will make training much easier. If you can't hear the bell you know that you're in trouble! Cat collars have an elastic band or an easy release clasp so that if the puppy gets hung in something either they can get their head out of the collar or the collar will snap off - either way your puppy is safe and cat collars almost always already have bells on them - a terrific bonus.

When your puppy is older you can buy it a regular dog collar (I suggest the adjustable type) and leash but be sure you don't forget the ID tag. Most pet stores have machines that make the ID tags while you watch.

Most importantly, make sure to keep your puppy fully vaccinated at all times. The diseases that these immunizations prevent are terrible and no one would want their dog to suffer that way. Puppies are especially susceptible to Parvo and even though your puppy is vaccinated it does not guarantee that your puppy is immune and Parvo is a horrible deadly illness in which puppies suffer terribly. The best way to protect your new baby is to keep it away from other dogs and areas where other dogs have used the bathroom. Please take your puppy with you when you go out so it will always love people but just remember to protect it.

What will I receive when I pick my new puppy up?

You will receive two new puppy kits. One from Eukanuba with a sample of puppy food (enough to last for a couple of days) and some terrific literature on caring for your new pet. The other will be from the AKC and have all my information, your puppy's complete health history, and more information from the AKC on caring for your new baby. You will also receive two toys and a blanket/toy that all smell like mom and siblings and a baby photo album filled with pictures that we have taken weekly of your new baby. If you would like any other information on your dog's family tree please ask and I will be soo happy to provide it. I have my dogs' pedigrees and some of their parent's pedigrees as well along with a few pictures of some of their family members.

What colors do Havanese come in and I have heard that their colors change as they get older is that true?

Havanese come in all colors and markings and their colors do change as they age. There is another breeder in California that explains the beautiful Havanese color phenomenon much better than I ever could so with her permission please enjoy her very informative site & thank you again Kelly!      www.cornerstonekennels.com/havanese/colors.html.

Where is the best place to shop for pet supplies?

Here in San Angelo, I mostly shop at Petsmart and on rare occasions at Petco but if I have time to wait for a delivery (which in my experience is never more than a few days) I prefer to shop at Pet Edge. It is terrific company and much cheaper than you will find in a store. For example - crates at Pet Edge are almost half as expensive as those at Petsmart, Petco, Walmart & Target and much better quality. The only thing I buy from anyone else but them is food and sometimes treats - everything else (including treats) I order from www.petedge.com.

Where do I keep my puppy when I'm not at home?

I would recommend that you keep your puppy in a safe room with a tile floor or a crate until it is old enough to be trusted to be left alone and stay safe. Puppies never seem to know their limitations and remember they are only babies - you would never leave a 2 year old home alone much less a 7 year old (your 1 year old puppy's age in dog years).

It is terrific and much cheaper than you will find in any store. The only thing I buy from anyone else but them is food and sometimes treats - everything else (including treats) I order from www.petedge.com. I have ordered catalogs from them for all of my puppy parents but have not received them yet.