| Please read the following before contacting me about a puppy. Raising puppies is a serious undertaking. It takes many hours of planning to raise a litter (average, 2-3 puppies) to the age of 3-5 months. There are many concerns with breeding ranging from testing the parents for genetic concerns and ensuring both parents are completely healthy, to protecting the puppies from exposure to disease before they've had been vaccinated. There are a number of articles the prospective Papillon owner should read (see links below), in addition to books and joining a mailing list - all are good resources for information about raising a Papillon to become a good family member. Training is essential to the active Papillon's well-being. They love to learn and show off their accomplishments! I do not have many litters yearly. It takes much time to socialize puppies, and give them some initial obedience and/or breed ring training. They are taken to the training facility, to the park, to the pet supply store, and friend's homes, and are handled, petted, and given treats by just about everyone they come in contact with. The veterinarian sees them for all puppy vaccinations and they are examined each time they visit the vet's office (a lot of chicken is eaten on these visits). Please bear in mind: - Papillon litters are typically small (average: 1-3 pups.)
- It will take time to evaluate puppies as they mature to determine their potential (show, performance or pet) in terms of structure & temperament. The evaluation process will be on-going from birth and may take several months.
- For pups that appear to be show quality or performance prospect, I plan to watch them develop longer than their sibling(s).
- The puppies are usually temperament tested to assist with determining their basic personality and to help match them with the family that's right for them. For instance, a quiet, easy-going home won't want a pup that is a demanding, always busy-& -in-your-face puppy! Puppies have different personalities and needs, just a we humans do. Some are content to be the lap dog; others need a job to do (obedience, agility, tracking).
And speaking of jobs for a Papillon with drive and desire to please: Papillons are highly trainable; many have high energy levels and make excellent competitors in performance activities such as obedience, agility and tracking. If you're interested in a performance dog, I will try to match you with the right dog for this activity. A bit of detail on placements: - Performance & Pet pups are placed on an AKC Limited Registration (not for breeding). I will either place the pet pups on spay/neuter contracts or spay/neuter prior to going home. Registrations are kept in my name until proof of altering is received.
- Shipping: I prefer not to ship my puppies.
- Naming: I give each pup a formal name and it will be registered with AKC. However, the pup's daily "call name" may be of your choosing.
- Permanent Identification: Each pup is microchipped by 7-8 weeks of age. Tatooing is also recommended when the pup is close to one year of age.
- Training: The family that gets a Firerose pup will be given a list of approved obedience or conformation trainers/training facilities in the Puget Sound area they may choose from to train their new Pups (or if they already have a postive methods trainer selected, great!). These are trainers I recommend - as I like their philosophy and method(s) - or have been recommended by good friends if out of my local area. Training is very important to having a good companion!
- Families will be required to attend Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Home Obedience classes with their pups, with the goal of attaining an AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) designation. Insurance companies tend to look favorably on this designation. Plan on 8-9 months of lessons with the new puppy! (roughly $750-1000 for training lessons)
- Health checks: In addition to the yearly veterinarian exam, and updating vaccinations as necessary, I feel it is important to have the puppy's eyes checked yearly by a veterinary opthamalogist, as well as yearly cardiac screening by a veterinary cardiologist. It is important to know when changes occur, and I recommend beginning these screenings at one year of age. These screenings can be performed at low-cost clinics at shows.
Here is a listing of supplies and a timeline for future Papillon puppy families. I hope it helps you prepare for your puppy's arrival into your home. - For help with housebreaking, please read these two articles: "Housebreaking" by Letitia Alamia, and "Housetraining your Puppy " by Wendy Dryer.
- If you think you want that cute little puppy as soon as you can get the breeder to let it leave home - before it is 12-16 weeks of age, please read this article: "Sad Ending for a Small Pup!" You may find yourself reconsidering your 'need' and wait until it is really old enough to go home, which is determined by each breeder.
- Please read "I Learned a Safety Lesson" by Alicia Graybill. It is her account of a vehicle accident, with her dogs, that could have been much worse. One was loose in the car, and two were in the soft-sided crates that are so popular. If you buy any crate, please make it a hard plastic crate!
- Equally important is having an emergency plan and information ready to go: "Are You Ready" is by Jinnie Strickland.
- If you think you might have your Papillon groomed professionally, do read "Choosing a Groomer" by professional groomer, Rhonda Emery.
Pets/Companion Dogs may be trained for Rally Obedience, Obedience, & Agility competitions - altered dogs are eligible for competing in American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, and Canadian Kennel Club performance events. Additionally, they also make wonderful pet therapy dogs - if you like to volunteering and giving back to the community, this is a wonderful way of doing so that involves your dog. Just be sure to go through the Delta Society Pet Partners course to become a certified therapy team. Please also read What Happens to Your Pets? There isn't an easy way to explain this topic, except 'be prepared'. If you are still, after reading the above, interested in a Papillon from Firerose, please take the time to read "What About Training", and also complete the Interview/Application. It will help us get acquainted, and will also help me match you with the right puppy, providing I have one that would be suitable for your goals. If you wish to view a sample contract, click here. Pups from previous litters can be seen in the Gallery in the "Loved and Adored" section. . | |
