When to Place a Deposit

If you are on a search for your next furry companion, a deposit is part of the process. You might be wondering what the best timing is to place a deposit. Take a look at the options and the benefits of each to see what is the best fit for you.

An important element of being an ethical dog breeder is to produce puppies that have loving homes waiting for them. Deposits help breeders make sound choices as they make plans for breeding. Deposits for me also help establish a good breeder/puppy buyer relationship. The time between placing the deposit and adoption of the puppy gives me time to help you prepare for success to be ready to train your puppy to be a great addition to your home.

Placing a deposit with a breeder means that you have selected the breeder as the one from whom you will adopt your next puppy. A deposit is placed AFTER you have done your research to be sure we are the right fit. To help, here is a checklist:

Early-bird Deposit:

An "Early-Bird" Deposit is when you place a deposit BEFORE a litter is born.

Benefits:

Qualify for the "Early-bird" discount. Anyone who places the deposit before the litter is born will receive $100 off the final price of the puppy. This is to say thank you for your trust in our program.
You will be higher on the pick list.
You have more time to prepare for the puppy.
I can better plan breeding pairs and timing.

Drawback:

I can't special order the genders in a litter to match what each deposit holder has in mind. For example, what if you want a girl and I have a litter of all boys or not enough girls for your place on the pick list? While the chances of these circumstances are small, they could happen. If the pregnancy doesn't take you can receive a full refund or wait until the next litter. As for gender, I encourage you to focus most on temperament as both boys and girls make fantastic companions. However, I support you if you really want a boy or a girl. If needed you can wait until the next litter. So far I have never had a deposit holder opt for this option. I've always been able to match puppies with deposit holders, but it's good to be prepared just in case.

Deposit (after puppies are born):

If you place your deposit AFTER the puppies are born:

Benefits:

You know the number of puppies, genders, and colors available in the litter.

Drawbacks:

You miss out on the $100 early-bird discount.
You will be lower on the pick list.
You may miss out on the litter you hoped for if you wait.

Which option is right for you?

You get to decide. My hope is that clearly explaining the options — along with the pros and cons — will help you recognize when the timing feels right.

I don’t want to be pushy, but I do want to be transparent: once you know you’d a Desert Sky Poodle, placing a deposit will open the most doors and give you the most flexibility moving forward.

Fall in love with the program first.... and the puppy second

My belief in this has grown tremendously over the years. It’s easy to think that when you’re ready to add a puppy to your home, you simply start looking for the puppy. But in reality, it’s the breeding program you want to fall in love with first.

A program has breeding dogs that are loved, thoughtfully trained, and given every opportunity to demonstrate their potential, value, and adherence to the breed standard.

A program sets their standard with health and genetic screening.

A program can consistently show you the real, everyday lives of the parent dogs, not just one polished photo session reused for years.

A program with transparency and enthusiasm is excited to talk to you and answer questions.

A program with intentional puppy raising practices lays the best foundation for your future puppy.

When you fall in love with a program first, your perfect puppy follows. That’s the best-case scenario.

Choose the program, place a deposit to join the waitlist, and the right puppy will come. 🐾 Our website, social media (Facebook and Instagram), and video calls are the opportunities I provide for you to get to know our program. If we haven’t already, I’d love to chat and see if we are the best program for you!