Puppy Questionnaire

Dear Potential Puppy Parent,

Thank you for your interest in Schnickelfritz Hounds! Please take a few minutes to complete this questionnaire. We know it’s lengthy – we just want to get all the relevant information we can in order to place the right puppy with you! There are no right or wrong answers; we know that every family is different, and we don’t expect anyone to be a superhero – quit their job, renovate their home, or cancel their vacation – just to take home a puppy.

Every puppy and every puppy family has different needs, and this information form helps us identify who needs what information, and what homes might make the best fit for each of our babies. If you’re a veteran doxie owner, we don’t want to waste your time with things you already know; by the same token, if this is your first puppy or first doxie, we want to make sure you leave prepared for what life with a puppy might bring.

Completing this questionnaire does NOT mean that you are committing to purchasing a puppy from us, nor does it obligate us to place a puppy in your home. Our dogs are our family, and we love them very much! We want to make sure that each one goes to the most appropriate home possible.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about yourself, and we look forward to speaking with you soon!

Sincerely,
Ben & Adriane Hendee (Anke, Bernie, Mieke, Shani, Gracie, Chana, Ruthie & Zeppelin)
Schnickelfritz Hounds

Your Name*

First NameLast Name

Home Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code

Email*

Phone*

May we text this number?*

YesNo

How did you hear about our puppies?*

Who referred you?

We appreciate referrals, and want to thank them!

Facebook Name*

If you aren't on Facebook, please type n/a.

We check references for all potential adopters. Please provide 2 personal references and 1 professional reference that would be willing to be contacted. This helps us better understand what type of puppy might fit into your home and lifestyle best. (Please choose people who are not related to you.)*

Please tell us about the adults in your household (including yourself).*

Are all adults in agreement about purchasing a new puppy?*

Yes!We're working on it :)No, but I will take full responsibility for the dog's care.The puppy is a surprise for another adult in my home, and I know he/she will love it!

Age there any children (under 18) in your household?*

YesNo

Please list the age of each child.*

What experience (if any) do your children have with animals? What is your philosophy for managing puppy/kid interactions?*

Who will be the dog's primary caregiver?*

It's anyone in your household currently serving in the US Armed Forces or Reserves?*

Why? There are occasional cases where a family is temporarily transferred overseas, and it isn't in the best interest of the dog to travel. We want to be prepared to assist, should a family find themselves in this situation.

Do any members of your household smoke?*

Does anyone in your household have allergies to dog's?*

If yes, how will the allergies be managed?

Home Type*

Yard Type*

Do you own or rent?*

OwnRentOther

Property Owner*

Name & Phone Number

Does the property allow dogs?*

YesNo

Will this be your first dog?*

YesNoMy first dog as an adult.Other

Will this be your first time raising a puppy?*

YesNoNo, but it's been a while!Other

Will this be your first dachshund?*

YesNoOther

Why do you want a dachshund? Why is this breed right for you?*

Have you ever given up a pet? If yes, what were the circumstances?*

List any pets you currently own, or have owned in the last 5 years.*

Are you on any breeders' waiting lists?*

YesNo

How many?*

Please provide the name and phone number of your current and/or previous veterinarian or clinic.*

If you haven't worked with a veterinarian before, that's okay!

How would you describe the personality or specific traits you are looking for in your new dog? Do you want a couch potato, an active dog, a very active dog, etc?*

Please be specific about energy level, drives, confidence, dominance/submission, independent, professional cuddler, structure and anything else that is important to you in your dog.

What temperament characteristics would you like to avoid?*

i.e. calm, energetic, protective, couch-potato...

What activities do you want to do with your dog?*

I'm looking for a puppy with...*

limited AKC registration (non-breeding contract)full AKC registration (show & breeding rights)

A note about physical traits...

Most people have some kind of preference when it comes to the physical characteristics of their puppy; this can range from being slightly partial to a particular gender (but not really caring about coat or color) to being fully committed to a specific coat/color/gender combination.

Wherever you fall on the continuum, we get it! It's important to us that you end up with the companion of your dreams, and appearance can be a big part of that.

Our very top priority, though, is the lifelong happiness of our puppies and the families who love them. This means we'll work with you to select the optimal individual puppy for your family and lifestyle, and that we put personality and temperament above appearance.

Below, we're going to ask about your preferences when it comes to gender, coat type, and color - as well as how strong those preferences are. By answering honestly, you'll help us to provide a more accurate picture of how soon we might have a puppy that meets your criteria, and after you've placed a deposit, allow us to manage the expectations of those in line behind you.

Do you have a strong preference for one sex or the other?*

I'd prefer a Male, but would consider a FemaleI'm only interested in a MaleI'd prefer a Female, but would consider a MaleI'm only interested in a FemaleI don't have a strong preference for one sex or the other

Do you have a coat type preference?*

I'd prefer Smooth, but would consider LonghairI'm only interested in SmoothI'd prefer Longhair, but would consider SmoothI'm only interested in LonghairI don't have a coat type preference

Color/Coat Preferences*

	Strongly Opposed	Opposed	Neutral	Preferred	Strongly Preferred
Red (no shading)
Shaded Red
Red Piebald
Cream (no shading)
Shaded Cream
Cream Piebald
Black & Tan
Black & Cream
Black & Cream Dapple
Black & Cream Dapple Piebald

Please list the puppy combinations that you would be interested in, starting with your top preference.*

	Gender	Coat Type	Color/Pattern
1st Choice
2nd Choice
3rd Choice
4th Choice
5th Choice

If you have a preference for a specific litter or dam, please let us know here.

What are your thoughts on crate training?*

How do you feel about neutering or spaying your dog? Are you willing to consider alternatives to juvenile spay/neuter (delaying spay/neuter, doing a vasectomy or ovary-sparing spay, or keeping your dog intact)? What concerns/questions do you have?*

Which of these options would you be willing to consider?*

Neuter or Spay before 6 months of ageNeuter or Spay between 6 and 12 monthsNeuter or Spay between 12 and 18 monthsNeuter or Spay after 18 monthsVasectomy or Ovary-Sparing SpayKeeping my dog intact

How do you plan to potty train your puppy?*

For what periods of a normal day will your puppy/dog be left alone?*

What kind of correction do you plan to use when your puppy/dog has a potty accident?*

How do you plan to manage chewing on inappropriate things?*

How do you plan to handle your puppy crying when he/she is away from you?*

Where will your puppy spend most of his/her day (during puppyhood and once grown)?*

e.g., crated in the living room, in his puppy pen, in my office with me, in the back yard, on the couch...

Where will your puppy spend his/her nights (during puppyhood and once grown)?*

e.g., crated in the bedroom, alone in kitchen, in garage, with our son, in the living room...

How will you supervise your puppy/dog's outdoor activity?*

What training resources might you consider? (Select all that apply.)*

Are you familiar with any TV or online dog trainers? Which ones, and how do you feel about each?*

Examples: Cesar Milan, Zak George, Brandon McMillan; Dr. Ian Dunbar, John Garcia, Steve Austin, Ryan Matthews, Joel Silverman, Victoria Stilwell, Kyra Sundance, Nick White, Sherry Woodard, etc.

Do you plan to take an obedience class with your dog?*

YesNoNot sure

If yes, where?

How much do you travel in a normal year? Where would your puppy stay, and who would care for him/her while you're away? Would you be interested in having him/her stay with us?*

The first 16 weeks of your puppy's life is critical; we strongly recommend that people, places, and activities you'll want your dog to enjoy be carefully and positively introduced during this period. If you adopt a puppy from us, are you open to working together to fit this kind of socialization into the first 6 weeks with your puppy? Do any ideas come to mind?*

In what ways do you think having a dachshund puppy will change your lifestyle?*

If for any reason you cannot keep your dog, do you agree to return the dog to me, the breeder?*

YesNo

What do you plan to feed your puppy/dog (during puppyhood and once he/she reaches adulthood)? What do you feed your current dogs (if applicable)?*

Are you willing to consider a natural and/or raw diet? What concerns/questions do you have?*

How would you prefer to get your puppy home? (Feel free to select more than one if you're not certain. Please note that we do not "ship" puppies in cargo for any reason, but we're happy to provide our own "puppy nanny" services.)*

I live near Dallas/Fort Worth and would pick up my puppy in person.I would drive to pick up my puppy.I would like the breeder to drive my puppy to my home.I would like to meet the breeder somewhere in the middle.I would fly and bring my puppy back with me in the cabin.I would like the breeder to fly my puppy to me in the cabin.Other

Next Steps...

Once we've receive your Puppy Questionnaire, we'll follow up with you by email or text. We'll also reach out to the references you've provided.

Assuming that we feel you're a good match for our puppies, you'll be welcome to join our RESERVATION LIST by placing a $200 deposit.

The Reservation List does not require you to purchase a puppy from any particular litter; you're welcome to "pass" if the timing isn't great for you or if you'd prefer to wait for a different coat/color/gender. Likewise, we usually can't guarantee a specific puppy or timeframe; if for any reason we're unable to offer you a puppy matching your preferences within 18 months, we will be happy to refund your deposit.

If you're not ready to make the commitment of a deposit, we're happy to add you to a NOTIFICATION LIST. This means that we can let you know by email and/or text when we have puppies, but you won't have priority choice. All we ask is that you let us know if you find a puppy somewhere else or decide you're no longer looking for a puppy so that we can update our list.

How would you like to proceed?*

I'd like to place a deposit now to secure my place on the Reservation List.I'd like to talk/get some questions answered, and then place a deposit to join the Reservation List.I'm talking with other breeders and still deciding who's waiting list to join.I'm just starting my puppy search and I'm not in a hurry right now.I'm not ready to place a deposit to join the Reservation List; I'll wait until litters are 6 to 8 weeks old and see if there are puppies available.Other

Are you interested in being notified when we're expecting a litter?*

YesNo

How long are you willing to wait for a puppy?*

How soon can you visit to meet us and our dogs/puppies?*

Do you have any questions for us at this time? Is there any additional info you'd like to share with us that will help us when assessing puppies, so we can better assist you in ending up with a puppy that matches your needs?*

Have you read our puppy contract?*