Puppy Questionnaire
(part 1)

Please take into consideration all costs of dog ownership and be sure it fits into your budget. You will need to allow for the cost of adequate fencing, quality food, and veterinary expenses. Also be aware that American Eskimos require daily brushing and they do shed.

Owning a dog is a MAJOR responsibility, and should not be taken lightly under any circumstances. We only want the best for our puppies, and want them in homes where they are considered important members of the family, not "just a dog."  A puppy depends totally on you for all his needs, and is no different than bringing home a human baby.  They need lots of love, attention, and structured (firm, but gentle)  discipline.  Eskies are very people oriented and look to you for leadership and companionship.   If you feel you are not up to this lifelong commitment (12 - 14 years, and quite possibly 16 or 18 years), please consider waiting to buy a dog until your life is better suited.

Through membership in both the local UKC (United Kennel Club) (American Eskimo Dog Club of New England) and UKC/AKC (American Kennel Club)/CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) parent clubs (National American Eskimo Dog Association, American Eskimo Dog Club of America, National American Eskimo Dog Association of Canada), and the Greater Lowell Kennel Club and various forms of competition, we are exposed to other points of view, educational programs, updated rules and regulations, but more importantly, have an opportunity to share concerns, information, and ideas with other concerned and knowledgeable dog people and American Eskimo Dog breeders.

When we have litters, we make sure our puppies are sold to loving, committed homes. We do our best to screen the owners to ensure a good match between the puppy and the buyer. Before the puppy leaves our home, it has been well cared for, socialized and loved. The puppy does not go to its new owner as a trained, well-mannered finished product. It is up to you to complete the job we have started. You are responsible for the further development of the puppy's personality, through structured discipline, training, guidance, and love.

All puppies are dual registerable.  All of our companion/pet puppies are sold on a Limited Registration with the AKC, without exception, which means that if the dog is bred, it will be impossible to register the resulting offspring with the AKC. This is done to ensure the type and quality of the breed and to discourage random, non-researched and poorly planned breedings of American Eskimo Dogs. Companion/pet puppies are required to be spayed/neutered.

All of our puppies are temperament tested at seven weeks of age in an effort to match the right puppy to the right home.

As a breeder of the American Eskimo Dog, it is my responsibility to make sure that a puppy that I have bred, which will have my name listed on the puppy's registration papers (AKC and UKC registered), and in an effort to ensure that our puppies are going to receive the love and care they will require and deserve throughout their lives, we ask potential buyers to complete this questionnaire. Although some questions may seem invasive, it is only the puppy's welfare we are looking out for. The questionnaire is also long.  If you wish to be put on our waiting list, complete and submit this form.

This in no way constitutes a contract on my part, that there will be a puppy available for you, nor do your responses serve as the sole determinant of whether or not a puppy will be offered. Filling out and submitting this questionnaire does not lock you into one of our puppies, either. Once the puppies are born, and we've decided together that one of our puppies is right for you, a non-refundable deposit of $200.00 will be required. This means that given any unforeseen circumstances, you will be receiving a puppy from said litter between the age of 10-12 weeks, depending on the maturity of the individual puppy.

As the breeder, 

	I abide by the AKC and UKC Breeders Code of Ethics
	I will provide you with references.
	The puppy will have had its dew claws removed.
	The puppy will have been temperament tested by either or both a UKC breeder/conformation/obedience judge and an AKC obedience judge.
	The puppy will be made available to be taken to its new home between 10 and 12 weeks old.
	The  puppy will have all necessary shots up-to-date prior to leaving to his home and will be free of parasites.
	The puppy will go home with Heartworm Medication (I use Sentinel or Interceptor by Novartis).
	The puppy will be sent home with a Puppy Starter Kit to make the transition into her/his new home.
	The puppy will also be sent home with other pertinent information.
	I will make myself available for any questions you might have.
	Potential show puppies require co-ownership.

You as a potential puppy owner, 

	Be willing to come and see the litter at least twice.  (I do not ship my puppies!)
	I have had a potential puppy owner come as far as Charlottesville, Virginia (9 hour drive!) come twice to see and visit with my puppies.  They are the proud owner of a wonderful and well-cared for and loving eskie puppy!
	Must provide proper medical care, i.e., vaccinations, heartworm medication, warm and loving home, "mega" TLC,  fresh water and food on a daily basis, housing, exercise, among other things.
	Sign a spay/neuter contract for companion puppy.

  
Among other things...

Copyright © 2004 Wachusett American Eskimos. All rights reserved.
Revised: January 23, 2010.