Approval and Payment: We will review applications within 7-10 business days of receipt. Applications are processed in the order they are received. If your application seems like you may be a good fit, we will notify you. We produce a limited number of litters each year, so we will only accept payments when puppies are expected or actually available. Once we have a positive pregnancy confirmation for a planned pairing, we will open up a waiting list for each litter and may accept a limited number of non-refundable retainers until the puppies are born. Once the puppies are born, we will work our way down through the approved applications and begin accepting non-refundable retainers to hold the buyer's spot on the waiting list. After an applicant has been approved for our waiting list and notified of the birth of the puppies (typically a day or two after things settle down post-whelping), we will require the retainer to be paid within 24 hours to maintain their spot on the list. Failure to issue prompt payment will result in the applicant's forfeiture of their spot in line and removal from the waiting list.
Your Pick of Puppy: Retainers will be accepted for sex preference only - we will not accept retainers based on color preference. Puppy selections will be held after the litter has been evaluated using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test and will be based on the applicant's position on the waiting list as well as the results of the aptitude test. While we do our best to give every applicant the opportunity to "pick" the puppy they want, it's important to realize that each puppy is an individual and not all puppies will be a good fit for every situation. We will work with each applicant to be sure they are matched with a puppy that will best fit their situation and expectations. If an applicant has been placed on a waiting list and their desired puppy is not born, they will have the option of transferring their name onto the waiting list for a different litter if/when available. If an applicant removes themselves from a waiting list for any reason, and does not transfer to a different litter within 24 months, they will be removed from all waiting lists and their retainer will be considered forfeit.
Going Home: All puppies will be ready for pick up after their 8 week old "birthday" per PA state law. Pick up dates and times will be arranged in advance. Failure of the buyer to pick up at the prearranged time will result in an accumulation of boarding fees equal to $10/day as well as any necessary veterinary charges. If the buyer does not make arrangements to pick up their puppy within 10 business days after the the prearranged time, they will forfeit ownership of the puppy and any payments that have been made to the breeder.
Contract & Health Guarantee: We will not place a puppy without a signed contract and health guarantee as we feel that it is incredibly important to protect ourselves and our puppies, as well as our buyers. Not only does it outline our obligations to you as the breeder, it also lists the terms and conditions, in detail, that you agree to as a buyer. If you have questions about any of the specific terms or conditions in our contract or health guarantee, please let us know immediately so we can proceed timely with your application review.
Lifetime Take Back Policy: We make a lifelong commitment to every puppy we produce at SVL and as such, we require our buyers to agree to return their puppy/dog to us for any reason if the need arises, no questions asked. We never want to see our dogs end up in a shelter, or passed from household to household. As part of this commitment, we microchip and register every puppy prior to their departure from our home so that they can always find their way back to us if they are lost or neglected.
Registration Papers: All of our puppies come with their individual AKC registration paperwork - this can be completed and sent in through the mail, or you can complete it online. We do not require you to register your puppy/dog with the AKC.