Black Alder Ranch Maremma Sheepdog Puppy Questionnaire

At Black Alder Ranch our mission is raising happy, healthy dogs with stable and confident temperaments AND matching each owner with just the right dog for them and their family.

The following questions are being asked to give us some insight into what your needs are so that we can match the right puppy with the right owner; keeping the character, ability and temperament of the puppy in mind, as well as the desires and needs of the new owner. The more information we have, the better we will understand your expectations. You can't write too much!

Completion of this questionnaire does not guarantee that a puppy will be available for you. Puppies' personalities and abilities are matched with each prospective owner's lifestyle and needs, along with what the new owner has told us that they are looking for in a puppy - with temperament, conformation and instinct testing being the final determining factor.

Please read our sample contract found at this link before filling out the questionnaire - I am happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about the contract! I want both of us to understand and be satisfied with the contract.

If you decide to move forward with getting a puppy from us, we do require a holding fee of $500.00 which is non-refundable unless we cannot provide you with a puppy. We take holding fees to ensure that the people who are seriously interested in one of our puppies have placement priority - meaning we turn away other potential clients. We do not take holding fees until the puppies are at least a couple of weeks old, and only with prior approval.

I hope you will agree that the puppy's welfare must be my foremost consideration when deciding on a placement. Please answer the following questions as completely as you can. Feel free to add any additional comments at the end. This is the first step to begining what may be a life long relationship.

Thank you!

*Questions marked with an asterisk* are required.*

Name*

First NameLast Name

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number*

Email*

example@example.com

If you have any children, please list their ages, or list "NONE": *

Who will be primarily responsible for the dog's care? *

What kind of area do you live in?*

RuralSuburbanUrban

Do you own or rent?*

OwnRent

Do you have a particular time frame in which you would like to acquire a puppy?

It is not unusual to be on our waiting list for a year or more as we have a very limited number of litters and try to have most of our future puppies with potential homes before breeding.

We are more than willing to help you to find a puppy from another reputable breeder if we will not have a puppy for you in the time that you desire.

What are your goals for this puppy? (please choose all that apply)*

Livestock Guardian DogCompanion/PetBreeding ProspectOther

Please explain your choice(s): *

If your Maremma Sheepdog is NOT intended to be a livestock guardian dog, why do you want a guardian breed rather than a companion breed (like a Golden Retriever or Boxer)?

Why a LGD instead of another guard dog breed (like a German Shepherd or a Doberman)?

If your Maremma Sheepdog puppy is to be a companion/pet are you willing and able to take your puppy to Puppy Obedience classes and provide ample continued socialization as the puppy matures?

YesNo

Have you ever been around an adult Maremma Sheepdog or other LGD breed in person?*

YesNo

How did you learn about the Maremma Sheepdog breed? *

Have you ever owned a livestock guardian dog breed before (of any breed)?*

YesNo

If yes, what breed(s)?

What other breeds of dogs have you owned in the past and what happened to them? *

Please describe the animals you currently have: *

pets (species/breed, age, gender, altered/un-altered); farm animals (species and quantity); etc.

If your Maremma Sheepdog will be working dog, what species of animal(s) will he/she be tending? (select all that apply)*

How many acres do you have?*

(Some livestock guardian dogs work best on LARGE territories and would not be suitable for 2 acres, for example. A responsible breeder who knows their dogs can determine which dog will work best for your property size. Bear in mind, however, that dogs will sometimes increase the size of the area they guard as they mature if they are not in a securely fenced area.)

What type of fencing do you have that will be used to contain your Maremma Sheepdog? *

(chain link, field fence, electro net, barbed wire, panels, etc).

Where will the puppy be housed immediately upon arrival?*

Is the area securely fenced so that the puppy cannot escape? What type of shelter will be provided for the puppy?

What type of predators and predator load do you have? *

Have you lost any livestock to predation?

What trainers/books do you admire & follow? Why?*

What training techniques are you familiar with and will use with this puppy? *

What training aids do you plan to use with your puppy?*

What sex of puppy do you prefer?*

MaleFemaleEither

Are you willing to stay in contact and keep me informed of your puppy's progress with regular updates and photos, as well as discuss any health and training issues?*

Have you read our Puppy Contract? *

YesNo

Do you have any questions or concerns about the contract?

Veterinarian's Name *

Vet's Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

Vet's Email

example@example.com

1. Personal Reference Name: *

Ref 1 Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

Ref 1 Email

example@example.com

2. Personal Reference Name: *

Ref 2 Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Ref 2 Email

example@example.com

May we, or our representative, conduct a home visit before placing a Maremma puppy with you?*

YesNo

What do you expect from us as your puppy's breeder?

If at any time during this puppy's life you are unable/unwilling to keep this puppy, the puppy must be returned to us. This is to ensure that none of our puppies ever end up in a shelter or unsafe home. *

Do you agree to this requirement for getting one of our puppies?

Please include any additional information you would like to share with us:

By signing below you acknowledge that you have read the sample contract and acknowledge that if you decide go forward with getting a Black Alder Ranch puppy, the holding fee is non-refundable if you change your mind. Depending on the circumstances the holding fee can be moved to a future litter.

Signature

Thank you!
~Black Alder Ranch~