FAQ
Finding the right breeder is a large part of bringing a new puppy into your home. You need to feel that I am providing a fitting addition to your family, and I need to feel that my puppy will be well cared for. Let me tell you a little about how we do things at Old Mill Doodles.......
How long have you been a breeder?
We've been breeding dogs for over thirty years. Initially, we were breeding AKC Golden Retrievers. The doodle transition happened quite a few years ago. I have always been conscientious about screening for health issues before breeding, so I am comfortable offering a two-year health guarantee on my puppies. My female retrievers have been born here or purchased from people owning my puppies. This gives me firsthand knowledge of health and temperament history going back several generations.
Do your parent dogs have health certifications?
Our parent dogs have all passed health screening before breeding. All of our AKC Golden Retrievers have either been born here or purchased from breeders that began their programs with dogs from Old Mill. Consequently, we have first-hand knowledge of the family's health history. The AKC Standard Poodles were purchased from an AKC inspector-recommended breeder with over thirty years of breeding experience. The AKC English Springer Spaniels are more recent additions to our program. The same care went into selecting females we thought would produce the quality of puppies we wanted to offer. To produce quality puppies, we need to begin with quality parents.
Do you offer a health guarantee?
We offer a two-year genetic health guarantee for each puppy. To see the contract, click HERE.
Do you offer support after adoption?
Yes, absolutely. Our Old Mill Doodle Blog offers numerous articles on health, grooming, and training your puppy. Our newsletter keeps you updated with all the new news about dog health care. Of course, you're always welcome to email or call with questions throughout the life of your doodle.
Do you have an application?
Applications for new buyers are the standard these days with dog breeders. I take a more personal approach with my dogs and the placement of their puppies. I prefer to exchange information with prospective buyers through either email or telephone.
How are the puppies socialized?
Taking proper care of the parent dogs and their puppies is too much work for one person. I'm good, but not that good. In addition to my family, several people come in throughout the week to assist us in both care and playtime. We also have a vet tech who visits once a week and assists me in overseeing the health of the dogs and their puppies.
What disinfecting methods do you implement?
To see a sample of how we care for the puppies, click HERE
Do you allow visitors?
Weather permitting, we welcome visitors to Old Mill Doodles by appointment. Disease germs can be carried on people's clothing and shoes. For this reason, weather permitting, we will show you the parent dogs in their play area and bring the puppies into our showroom. We do ask that only adults pick the puppies up. We have seating for the kiddos; an adult will place a puppy in their lap. Another request is not to visit other kennels the same day you visit us. Germs can inadvertently be carried on shoes and transferred from one facility to another; I'm sure my fellow kennel owners would appreciate the same courtesy.
How are deposits and selections handled?
Deposits are accepted after a litter is born. The deposit holds a place in the selection process. The new families make their actual selections in the same order deposits were received. Due to changes in our lives, we now combine selection and pick-up days. We'll schedule appointments on pick-up day in the order reservations were made. You'll select your puppy and take it home.
Most of our new families pick up their puppies in person. However, weather permitting shipping is available at an additional cost to the buyer. We no longer ship during the winter months.
Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Do you keep the puppies past eight weeks?
Puppies are ready to go to their new homes when they are eight weeks old. During colder months, the puppy should leave with its litter mates. During warmer months, providing room, we will keep the puppy until nine weeks with a charge of twenty dollars per day to help cover the additional food and care the puppy will require while they are with us. In addition, we charge $20 for any additional vaccinations needed during that time. If you do not intend to pick up the puppy on the scheduled day, please have the courtesy to discuss this before the deposit. It is in the puppy's best interest to begin life with a new family as soon as possible, so if your schedule does not allow pick-up by nine weeks, we suggest waiting to deposit a litter that better fits your schedule.
Do you offer shipping or delivery?
We do not offer shipping or delivery at this time.
We look forward to hearing from you. You may contact us if you have additional questions about purchasing a doodle.