Can you ship your puppies and do you ship them year round?
Yes, I can ship my puppies. I have used both the airlines and ground shippers for transporting my puppies. Depending on the time of year, the weather and schedules will depend on which is better to use at that time. Most often, a flight will have to be scheduled at night or on the weekends due to my work schedule. There are times due to weather or unusual circumstances we aren't able to control that can delay or cancel a flight and then we are forced to postpone the delivery until the next possible day. During the summer months, it becomes more difficult to safely ship puppies because of Bulldogs lower tolerance to heat. Therefore, I tend to use a ground shipper. I have used 3 different shippers now and have had great luck with all of them! I have most recently used Buckeye Dog Hauling and she was wonderful! Her prices are great and very comparable to flying and she offers door to door service.
What is the cost of shipping and how is that paid?
The price for shipping depends on how they're shipped. If your puppy is flown, you will need to reimburse me for the crate to ship them in. This crate is then yours to keep. If a ground shipper is used, they provide a crate. The shipping charge is currently $250 - $350 depending on the size of the puppy or dog and the type of transportation.
Is there a guarantee on your puppies?
Yes, we offer a one year guarantee on our puppies. We require that our buyers schedule a visit with their vet within 72 hours of receiving their new puppy to validate the guarantee. At that time, you may have your vet inspect the puppy for general health concerns. If at that time you are displeased with the puppy for a valid health concern not detected with the puppy prior to delivery, you may return it in the condition received to the airport of original departure or arrange to meet us in person if the puppy was ground delivered within an agreed prompt timeframe (or not over 7 days) for a return of the sale price. We do require a valid health certificate for return of a puppy so that the puppy is known to be in the same health as when it arrived. All shipping arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the buyer at this point. Our contract found on our site, as well as in the guarantee will explain in detail all types of specific conditions covered or excluded, the time frame in which they are covered and the conditions by which we handle particular situations - please review this contract before purchasing and make sure you are comfortable with our terms of sale before proceeding with a purchase from us. Naturally we hope to never need our warranty terms, but when unfortunate circumstances occur - these are the guidelines we set before time of purchase so that our families know entering into a purchase agreement how we handle various situations. We want to offer a limited warranty to our families and especially our families who do purchase out of state to allow them to know their puppy has the opportunity to be examined by a veterinarian of their choosing also. Please research any breed before purchasing and discuss with your veterinarian the common ailments to expect, the required upkeep of this animal and their particular pricing accordingly. I have what I consider to be, a wonderful vet. He is great to work with and very fair in his pricing, but I know in other areas of the country, prices are very different. So, please, before you purchase your new puppy, check out vets in your area and ask for general pricing - i.e. initial veterinary office visit, pricing for followup office visits and expected routine for such visits, well checkup visits, vaccinations, wormings, stool slides to screen for wormings... normal things that during the life of a young dog of any type might possibly occur if they were to become sick or develop conditions that require treatment beyond emergency situations and the unexpected.
Are your puppies registered and how do we receive our paperwork?
Our Olde English Bulldogge puppies are registered through the CKC and/or IOEBA. Our English Bulldogs are all AKC registered. Since my puppies are typically sold on spay/neuter contracts, registration papers are no longer sent home with the puppy. Once I receive a copy of their spay/neuter certificate, I will send you their temporary registration papers to any or all of the above mentioned registries. These papers will be sent through the US Postal Service and need to be completed by you, the new owner, and mailed in to the registry.
Do you vaccinate your puppies before shipping?
Our vet recommends a vaccination schedule of 7 weeks, 10 weeks, 13 weeks and 16 weeks of age. Most often our puppies go to be with their new families at eight weeks of age, so they will have definitely received their 7 week vaccination while in our care. The puppy will then be due for a second vaccination at 10 weeks of age and that vaccination and all others are the responsibility of the new owners. We also worm our puppies at 3, 6 and 8 wks of age. When the puppies are taken to the vet for their check up before leaving for their new homes, a stool sample is taken to check for any parasites. All puppies have worms, it's a simple fact. So even though they've been wormed, it's an ongoing process throughout their puppy stage and they will still need to have this monitored for some time and will undoubtedly have worms to some extent when they come home most often so don't worry. Just continue to keep this current like their vaccinations for the overall health of your new puppy and they will naturally move through the process. Worms as they continue to increase again, will also produce symptoms to look for with a stool that may become loose or even tinged with blood slightly, a pudgy belly of course is everyone's best alert it's time to worm again, etc. so just be aware of your pup's normal bowel habits and personality. If they are playful, have a good appetite, all seems normal except a stool change or a pudge to the belly and pause in weight gain, worms would be a definite possibility and common for puppies so schedule a checkup and go from there.
One of the most common things in pups too is coccidia. This is an intestinal parasite found in puppies when they are young. It will also produce a looser stool and more frequent bowel movements which can again progress to a trace of blood in the stool as well. It is very easily treated with an oral medication called Albon that won't kill it but will inhibit the ability for it to reproduce further and boost your puppy's own immune system which ultimately has to work it out and like worming requires treatment to correct itself and not be allowed to progress, so if you see these signs over the course of your puppy's growth a stool slide again will diagnose and treat this as well before it is allowed to progress. Coccidia normally requires treatment for 5-7 days, but I've had it occasionally require a second round even, so a recheck is a good idea.
What do you feed your puppies and how do we change their diet?
We currently feed Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice. We recommend it to anyone able to purchase it within their area. If you are not able to purchase this brand at your local feed store or pet store, we recommend that you choose a diet that is high in crude protein - look for levels above 22% whenever possible. Most of your better pet foods will fall into this range. If you switch foods, just choose a solid food over the first year for sure. If you are able to purchase Natures Recipe and can slowly wean them by mixing it with the food of your choice, that would be the best course of action but if not, don't worry. We often get asked what feeding schedule our puppies are on...the puppies are fed at 6 am, 2 pm and again about 6 pm.....give or take a few minutes! Whatever food is still in their bowls stays. I don't take their food dishes away. All of my adult dogs are free fed. They should always maintain a fresh source of water. Follow simple guidelines for your pup according to weight on the bag itself. If they eat and seem settled and relaxed they have been satisfied adequately with the amount offered. If they eat what you've given them and hungrily licking the bowl, or unsettled afterwards, try increasing the feed amount next time til you find the portion that suits your personal pet.
What does your puppy go home with?
I always put together a "Puppy Goody Bag" for each puppy. In this bag will be a copy of the latest "Puppies USA" magazine, toys,bones, a collar, a small bag of the dry puppy food they have been eating, a copy of your contract, registration papers and health and vet records. I also take TONS of picture of the puppies from the day they're born until they leave me. I always link new families up to my photobucket account so they can watch their baby grow!
Suggested supplies for your puppy?
I recommend the 42" Midwest foldable crates for your puppy. For puppies left at home for an extended period of time, you can purchase an X-pen that connects to the crate and this will give your puppy a little more room to move around. You can also put newspapers down in the x-pen, along with bowls for food and water. You will need bowls, toys (do NOT give your puppy or dog rawhide), a leash, blanket or towel for the crate, puppy food, puppy shampoo, nail clippers and of course, a great vet!
What is the temperament of your bulldog puppies?
Most Bulldogs are very calm, subdued and social. They are natural loyal companions, loved by many dog enthusiasts including ourselves! The puppies we sell are exposed to a family setting and are familiar with children and other pets. Naturally, there are factors above and beyond genetics that affect disposition. Environment and training are two of the biggest factors and raising your puppy within the guidelines you wish for him/her to mirror later on are very important. We reserve the right not to refund or return dogs based on temperament alone. A puppy will arrive naturally willing to be playful, wrestle, chew, etc. These are not signs of aggression or ill temperament but a natural response for a young dog. Please take into account the nature and personality of a growing young dog before purchasing. If a young pup shows behaviors you do not approve of whether it be chewing, jumping any other natural responses to their environment, give them a stern "no" and discontinue play briefly they will learn what not to do and truly want to be your friend and please you - don't ever write that type of behavior off as bad temperament and not just address it. They need discipline and guidelines mixed with tons of love and they'll adapt to you and your family. Do remember that a young child's response to a playful puppy is important too. The puppies in my home are exposed not only to my two daughters but also my daycare kids. Remember, if a young child squeals and runs when she's around a very active puppy, typically the puppy will play harder.... it's a game to them! So, don't punish a puppy for being a puppy, be a responsible owner and train him/her to be a part of your family - the rewards are greater than you can imagine!
How are Olde English Bulldogges different from standard English Bulldogs?
Until a couple of decades back, the terms "Bulldog" and "Old English Bulldog" (or "Olde English Bulldogge" as it is sometimes spelled) were used synonymously. In this century, the Bulldog had become "Americanized". The result was an animal that could melt your heart, but came with some built in health problems. Fertility, respiratory, and hip problems became very common in the breed. Also, the breed's athleticism that was once the stuff of legend, had been gradually bred out. A group of concerned bulldog fanciers purposed to return the breed to the style of dog it originally was in the 19th century England. A driven, athletic specimen, free of some of the common health problems generally associated with the breed. That was over 20 years ago. The dogs that we breed are the proud result of that movement. Although being a living animal, we cannot guarantee health problems won't arise, they are far less prone to have the respiratory, fertility and orthopedic problems that are quite common in the standard line of English Bulldogs. Do they still look like bulldogs? We have put lots of pictures of our dogs on our website so you can see that the classic Bulldog features are still in tact. It was important to us to preserve those classic bulldog features: large head, shorter muzzle, beer-barrel torso, thick bones and wrinkles. We've kept that Bulldog look intact while still breeding a dog free of most health problems that came with the breed. The Olde English type is on average, up to 4-5 inches taller at the shoulder and up to 10 pounds heavier than the typical version of the breed. The overall build is more athletic with the muzzle being allowed to have enough link to prevent the breathing problems so common in the standard English. The legs can be straighter somewhat and not as severely bowed allowing for more height as well as reducing the tendency to be plagued with hip problems. All bulldogs are displastic to an extent, but with this breed the chances of it developing into an aggravating condition for the dog are greatly reduced. The Olde English is a much more fluid mover, with a more alert disposition. Take a moment and browse the pictures sent in by our past customers of their dogs as they have grown - you can begin to get an overall appreciation for the breed and it's adaptation to a healthier dog. Please if you are unsure about the differences in bulldog breeds, research before you buy - we're here to help answer any questions to help in your decision if we can. And keep in mind, no breeder can tell you for certain how your puppy will turn out as an adult, we can only base our judgement on averages and from past littermates, etc.
How do we reserve one of your puppies and how are they priced?
You will need to read and complete my contract on my website and then send it along with a $500 non refundable deposit. All of my puppies are sold on a first come, first serve basis. This means that I allow people to pick their pup in order of deposits received. My AKC Bulldogs are $3000 and my Olde English Bulldogges are $1800. These prices are not negotiable!!
What is the best way to contact you during or after a purchase for questions and concerns?
The number on our site 413-655-8734 is our home number. You can also try my cell at 413-822-7863. Feel free to call anytime. Please keep in mind that I am very busy! Not only to I have puppies to tend to during the day, but I also do home daycare as my full time job and I am raising two daughters. I do my best to check messages throughout the week and return calls. There are times when I can't get back to you immediately so please be patient. I am typically really good at getting back to people quickly. The absolute best way to reach me is to leave an email with your name, your phone number and any interest you have in a particular puppy or upcoming litters.
Can we visit your home and meet your Dogs and puppies?
Yes, I do allow visitors as long as you call ahead and schedule a time. I don't like to schedule visitors during the week until after 5 pm since I have daycare kids here. I am happy to schedule a visit at night or on the weekends. Once puppies arrive, you are welcome to visit but please note that I DO NOT let any strangers hold them until they are atleast 2 weeks old. There are too many germs that can be spread and I try to keep them from being handled too much!
Can you provide any general advice on care for a new puppy?
I am by no means an expert in all situations but I realize first time puppy owners have lots of questions and hopefully some of these tips can be helpful for you....
My puppy seems to be constantly chewing. Why does this occur? One of the characteristics of puppies is chewing. Puppies are trying their new teeth so chewing is a normal behavior. The puppy’s baby teeth are present by about four weeks of age. They begin to fall out at four months of age and are replaced by the adult (permanent) teeth by about six months of age. Therefore, chewing is a puppy characteristic that you can expect until about 6-7 months of age. It is important that you do what you can to direct your puppy’s chewing toward acceptable objects. You should provide items such as kong toys, nylon chew bones, and other chew toys so other objects are spared.
Can I trim my puppy's sharp toenails? Puppies have very sharp toenails. They can be trimmed with your regular finger nail clippers...that's what I use on all the puppies. If you take too much off the nail, you will get into the quick; bleeding and pain will occur. If this happens, neither you nor your dog will want to do this again. Therefore, a few points are helpful: 1. If your dog has clear or white nails, you can see the pink of the quick through the nail. Avoid the pink area, and you should be out of the quick. 2. If your dog has black nails, you will not be able to see the quick so only cut 1/32" (1 mm) of the nail at a time until the dog begins to get sensitive. The sensitivity will usually occur before you are into the blood vessel. With black nails, it is likely that you will get too close on at least one nail. 3. If your dog has some clear and some black nails, use the average clear nail as a guide for cutting the black ones. 4. When cutting nails, use sharp trimmers. Dull trimmers tend to crush the nail and cause pain even if you are not in the quick.
