puppy faq

Here's some questions that are often asked about my dogs and puppies. If you have a question that is not answered here, please call or e-mail me and I will be happy to answer it as soon as possible.

WHAT DOES HOME-RAISED MEAN?

Home raised means my puppies are raised right in my home, as though they were my own pets. In fact, all my puppies are whelped right in my bedroom! I do not have outdoor kennels, nor do I regularily crate my dogs indoors. I believe puppies develop quicker and are better socialized when they have had the opportunity to explore, meet other pets, and get used to the everyday sounds and smells of a home surrounding.

HOW MUCH DO ARCREYA PUPPIES COST?

My puppies start at $800.00 Canadian. All puppies will be priced individually, and you can always call, e-mail or visit the website for updates. The purchase cost of my puppies includes CKC registration, microchipping, first vaccinations, deworming, a written health guarantee, an Arcreya puppy care & training manual, an Arcreya issued 4-generation pedigree, a small bag of puppy food, a toy and a blanket. Plus you receive support for the entire life of your dog.

CAN ANYONE BUY AN ARCREYA PUPPY?

No. Potential buyers will be interviewed and questioned prior to choosing a puppy. If I feel a buyer is not ready to own an Arcreya puppy, or would not make a suitable home for one of my pups, I will tell them to look elsewhere. Approved buyers must sign a contract before taking their puppy home. In general, I do not sell Chihuahua puppies to anyone with children under 4 years of age, due to the small size of the dogs. I am ALWAYS happy to recommend other breeds that would be more suitable to your household, if one of our dogs is not a good choice. I will even help you find a good breeder.

WHAT IF I FIND A PUPPY I WANT BUT HE IS STILL TO YOUNG TO TAKE HOME?

A $100.00 deposit will hold that puppy for you. Then you have until the day you bring/ship your puppy home to pay the remaining balance owing to me. However, if things don't work out for whatever reason, the $100.00 deposit is NON REFUNDABLE!!!

HOW CAN I PAY YOU?

I will accept cash, cheque, money order, VISA or Master Card. I even accept "Canadian Tire Money" (since I spend alot of money there anyways!). You can pay me in one sum, or in smaller payments, whatever is easiest for you. Please note, puppies WILL NOT be released from my care until they are paid in full and/or cheques have cleared.

HOW WILL MY PUPPY MAKE IT TO MY HOUSE?

Ideally, I would prefer that you pick up your new puppy at my house. That way you can meet your pup's mother, and go over any questions you may have before starting your new life with your dog. If that is not convenient, I offer a "puppy drop-off service" for anyone within 800 kms of me; for $100.00 plus $0.30 per kilometer (measured from my door to yours) I will drive your puppy directly to your home!

WILL MY PUPPY BE IN GOOD HEALTH WHEN I BRING HIM HOME?

Most definately! All puppies are vet checked, dewormed and have had their first vaccinations before they go to their new homes. They are also guaranteed to be free of any external parasites (fleas, ticks, ear mites, etc.) If any puppy is the slightest bit ill or has any injuries at the time he is supposed to go to a new home, he will be held until he is feeling better at my expense. All puppies are also sent home with my Health Guarantee, which will answer any questions you might have after he is home with you.

HOW OLD WILL MY PUPPY BE WHEN I BRING HIM HOME?

My puppies will go to their new homes NO EARLIER than 9 weeks old. Some very small puppies won't be ready to go home before 12 weeks. Once you have decided on a puppy, I will be in contact with you almost daily to update you on the progress of your pup, and an appropriate age for your pup to go home will be decided on.

WHAT IS A MICROCHIP AND WHY DO YOUR DOGS HAVE THEM?

A microchip is a tiny, sterile computer chip about the size of a grain of rice that is implanted under the skin, between the shoulder blades, of all my dogs and puppies. It is a quick, painless & safe implantation for animals of all sizes. The microchip contains a number, and when scanned, the number can be traced back to the owner. Microchipping is a more reliable method of identifying a dog, since id tags and collars can be lost or taken off, and even tattoos can fade or be removed. All Arcreya puppies are microchipped under MY name. If the dog is found, the shelter will call ME and I will check my files and get ahold of the owner. That way, if whoever owned the dog had purposely given it up or abandoned it, or chooses not to come forth and claim the dog, I will know and I will be able to rehome the dog, rather than the shelter having to, or even having to euthanize him.

WILL MY PUPPY BE AFRAID OF MY OTHER PETS?

My puppies are raised along with my other dogs, which are a mixture of bother sexes, different ages, breeds and sizes. I also have a hedgehog and a few reptiles. Your puppy may be afraid of your other pets at first as they smell different than they have ever smelt, but soon enough, your puppy will most likely seek the company of your other pets for play and for snuggling.

WILL MY PUPPY HAVE A HARD TIME ADJUSTING TO LIVING AT MY HOUSE?

Your puppy will most definately miss his littermates, his mother and the other dogs he was raised with. However, there are ways you can help your puppy adjust to your home as well as comfort him. All my puppies will go home with a small blanket that was used in the puppies' bed, which is filled with smells of mom and littermates. The blanket will make him feel a litte more comfortable on his first few nights. You can also use the blanket to wrap a hot water bottle, or a plastic pop bottle filled with warm water, for your puppy to snuggle with. A ticking clock near your puppy's bed also occasionally helps, as it lulls him to sleep, and may remind him of mom's beating heart.

WILL MY PUPPY HAVE HAD ANY TRAINING WHEN I BRING HIM HOME?

A little. I do try to train my puppies to relieve themselves in a designated spot, and I will also correct them if they are doing something bad. However, I DO NOT house train or give any obediance training before the pup goes to a new home. If you have any training questions after you bring your puppy home, please call or e-mail me!

WHAT SIZES DO YOUR DOGS COME IN?

Arcreya chihuahuas usually mature at 3 to 7 pounds. There are no "sizes" of chihuahuas such as T-cup/teacup or standard. Teacup is simply a term applied to any very small dog, including chis, yorkies and poms. The Chihuahua standard, in ANY reputable kennel club, recognizes only 2 varieties, the short-coat and the long coat, and neither is supposed to be less than 1 pound or more that 6 pounds. Period. Many "tea-cup" dogs have health problems. Beware of breeders that sell "T-cup Chihuahuas" or breeders who try and convinvce you that it's a separate breed, as there types of breeders are trying to make extra money on their runts.

WHAT KIND OF ACTIVITIES CAN I DO WITH MY ARCREYA PUPPY?

Arcreya Chihuahuas are CKC registered, so they are eligible to compete in any CKC sanctioned events. This includes agility, obediance, conformation, flyball and any specialty titles offered to chihuahuas. All Arcreya dogs also make wonderful candidates for work, and would make excellent therapy dogs. You can take your dog hiking or camping, play fetch or catch, go swimming and more. My dogs are versatile, and don't let the Chihuahua's small size fool you, they can keep up with big dogs, and enjoy all the same activities too! And best of all, you can snuggle and relax with your dog after you've had your day of fun!

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PET QUALITY AND SHOW POTENTIAL?

Show potential puppies have no noticeable faults (at the time of sale) that would be penalized at a conformation show. An Arcreya show potential pup would be an excellent choice for the home willing to show the dog until they reach their Championship, or more. Pet quality puppies have a noticeable fault that would keep them from winning at a conformation show, such as improper bite or tail carriage, but that does not make them any less of a great pet and family member. Plus a pet quality dog is still registered, and is still able to compete in other events other than conformation.

WHAT IF I HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT MY PUPPY?

You can call or e-mail me ANYTIME!!! I don't even mind being woken up in the middle of the night if it's in regards to a puppy or dog. I offer any buyer LIFETIME support for the entire life of the dog and beyond, no ifs ands or buts!!!. No question is a bad question, so don't be afraid to ask!!