We currently are planning a litter for 2023 and one for 2024. We currently have 2 breeding age, working Serra da Estrela females. And we are currently recieving puppy availability requests once or twice a week. Completing this application is a step in the process to acquiring a puppy from Casa da Taveras, but it does not guarantee the absolute right to own a puppy from this or any future litter. While it's unlikely, the breeder reserves the right to refuse any placement at any time.
APPROVAL AND DEPOSIT: We currently have 2 breeding age Female Estrela's undergoing health testing. We breed infrequently, and our currently accepting deposits for a litter in 2023 and 2024. A 500$ non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot on the waiting list. This deposit will ensure that we have quality homes ready for the puppies before we move ahead with the pregnancy.Waitlists spots are determined in the order approved applications and deposits were received. If we cannot produce a puppy for you by the end of 2024 all of your deposit will be refunded. If you make a deposit, you are committing to take a puppy from the litter due end of 2023, or 2024 and we will take your preferences into consideration. You are committing to a puppy, regardless of whether your gender/color preference is available, but again we will do our best to accomodate personal preferences. I will review applications within 7 business days of receipt. Applications are processed in the order they are received. If your home is a good fit, I'll notify you.
YOUR PICK OF PUPPY: We will keep you updated by email on the status of the pregnancy, puppy birth and pictures during the first weeks. We do not do pick of the litter rights. Puppies will not be selected for homes until they have been professionally temperament evaluated by a professional litter evaluator. Puppies will be assigned in deposit order by the temperament and the first or second preference of the depositor as indicated on the application. If neither of your choices are available, you may elect another puppy from the litter, if the temperament of another puppy is compatible. We ask that you make a choice within 24 hours of notification since there will be other families waiting for a chance to choose. Should you elect to not take a puppy from the litter, you may transfer your spot to the following litter. Prices of future litters may and can change at our discretion.
GOING HOME: Our family companion puppies are normally ready to leave between 8-10 weeks of age. Our Livestock guardian puppies might stay up to 12 weeks so that they can start working with mom and dad. We cannot hold puppies for extended times; it is critical for their social development that the litter departs within a reasonable timeframe. If you have a big vacation planned or have events that would conflict with a young puppy, you will need to contact us and make arrangement. Please know puppies cannot be boarded in a kennel until they have received their full immunizations and their rabies vaccination which cannot be done until 3 months of age, and that we will refuse to send any puppy to a boarding establishment at this age.
CONTRACT: We have a puppy contract and will not place a puppy without a signed contract. We believe it's the professional thing to do to ensure our puppies are cared for and protected, and for that reason it's a bit lengthy. This will need to be signed prior to puppy pickup. If you have questions about specific terms, you need to contact us prior to picking up your puppy.
SPAY/NEUTER: We require spay/neuter at or around 24 months. If you're looking to exploit the breed or to breed indiscriminately without proper health testing or experience, our puppies are not the dogs for you. This might seem hypocritical at first glance, but we have a take-back provision in our contract. Any puppy from our home always has a home here, and will never experience the fear and burden of life at a shelter. Because we take a lifetime "original home" responsibility for the puppies we created, puppies must be de-sexed unless you are under a guardian home agreement.
REGISTRATION PAPERS: We will provide a parental pedigree with all of our puppies. Our Serra da Estrela puppies may be dual registered with both the AKC FSS registry and the UKC. For out lmtd reg puppies, we will only sign over the UKC papers after we receive proof of spay and nueter to protect our dogs from illegitimate breeding.