HOW TO RESERVE A PUPPY

Finding the right breeder to purchase your puppy from is as important as the puppy itself.  Your puppy's breeder can be a valuable resource, providing help and support for you and your puppy throughout it's life.  You should be comfortable with how the breeder treats his dogs, how he conducts his business, and understand his policies and why he has them.   

Please read all the information on our website before applying for a puppy.  If you have any questions, please email us and we'll be happy to discuss them with you.  

To reserve a puppy in one of our upcoming litters, please submit a puppy application form.  We will review it and reply by email about the availability for your color and gender preference.  Once your application is approved you can send your deposit payment, which will reserve your puppy. 

Once the litter is born you'll receive photos and updates weekly so you can follow the puppies' growth and development.   

SELECTING YOUR PUPPY FROM THE LITTER

When the puppies are approximately five weeks old we will begin the process of matching them with a family.  Of course - puppy selections are made in the order that applications are received - those who reserve a puppy first will be first to be matched with a puppy from the litter. 

We've worked with many different types of families and feel we've been very successful at matching each family with the puppy that is perfect for them.   Because we interact with the puppies every day, we get to know their individual personalities much better than what a family might learn by just visiting with the pups for an hour or two.  Generally, families are allowed to select their own puppy, unless we feel there is a definite personality conflict between the puppy and the family.   Many families choose their puppy without ever meeting him/her in person, while other families prefer to visit in person.  We use the information you have provided to us to recommend a puppy (or puppies) that will best "fit" with your family situation. We'll discuss each puppy with you, and agree upon the right match for your family based on temperament as well as color, gender, and coat type that you prefer.   Most of our puppies have temperaments that are very similar, but occasionally there is a subtle difference between pups.  For example, a bold puppy may be an excellent fit for a household with several pre-teen children, while a milder puppy may be a better fit for an older, retired couple.  

After a puppy has been matched to your family, you will receive email updates and photos of him as he continues to grow.  When your puppy reaches 8 weeks of age he will be old enough to join your family. If your puppy is to be shipped by air, we prefer him to be 9 weeks old before shipping.  If you request Cedar Hill to keep your puppy beyond 9 weeks, a boarding fee may be charged.   

THE HEALTH OF YOUR PUPPY 

Dewclaws
Your puppy will have his dewclaws removed within a few days of birth.  To remove or not to remove is an issue that is highly debated among breeders - some breeders remove dewclaws, and some do not.  We feel there are advantages and disadvantages to either decision, but our personal decision is to remove them to avoid any future problems.  Anyone who has had his dog injure an intact dewclaw knows what extreme pain this causes the dog.

Immunizations
Your puppy will receive all the necessary immunizations recommended for his age, until he arrives in your home.  We provide you with written information on the types and dates of vaccinations given, which your vet will want to know. Your puppy will need additional vaccinations as he grows, and you should schedule these with your veterinarian or your puppy will not gain immunity from deadly diseases.  

Deworming
Our puppies are placed on a regular de-worming schedule as recommended by our vet.  We'll provide you with written information about they types of de-wormers given to your puppy and the dates. Your vet will want to know this information, and will set up a continuing schedule to keep your puppy parasite-free.  Our adult dogs are on year round heartworm preventative, and we recommend you start your puppy on a similar program when he reaches the age your vet recommends.  

Our Health Guarantee
We do our best to breed only genetically healthy dogs and therefore we stand behind them with a solid two year written health guarantee.   You must have your puppy examined by a veterinarian within 3 working days of delivery (as well as complying with all other aspects of the health guarantee) or your health guarantee will become void.  This initial exam assures you that your puppy was healthy upon arrival.  You must sign and return one copy of the health guarantee to Cedar Hill within 10 days of receiving your puppy. 

If you are still  in the puppy shopping stage, please read each breeder's health guarantee carefully.  A breeder should be willing to show you a copy of his health guarantee BEFORE you commit to purchasing a puppy.  There can be a lot of differences in these guarantees, so compare them carefully.  Email us for a copy of our current health guarantee.

VISITOR POLICY:

We encourage you to visit,  but the health and safety of our puppies is our first priority!   We limit  visitation to those who have either reserved or purchased a puppy. 

If you have reserved a puppy you may visit after the litter has received their first immunizations.  We implemented this limitation due to the recent outbreaks of Parvo virus - which has the ability to kill entire litters within days.   With this policy,  you can be assured that when YOUR puppy is born here, we will do everything possible to minimize his/her exposure to deadly diseases.  

Because we are in such a remote location, many families do not visit us or even see their puppy in person until he's ready to join their family.  Some families will take advantage of our puppy delivery service to Champaign, and of course some puppies will fly to other areas of the country to meet their new families. 

Some families will visit to pick up their puppy when he is old enough to go home with them. We have an indoor playroom where you can meet with your puppy even if the weather is bad.  Your puppy's parents (and sometimes grandparents) are always here to see you.  

If you have not reserved a puppy, but are interested in meeting a Labradoodle to see if they are the right dog for your family, please contact us.  We may be able to put you in touch with someone in your area who has a Labradoodle that you could meet. 

PICK UP, DELIVERY AND SHIPPING OPTIONS

You are welcome to visit us and pick up your puppy in person!   We have an indoor playroom where you can meet with your puppy even if the weather is bad.  Your puppy's parents (and sometimes grandparents) are always here to see you.

Because we are located in the remote southern tip of Illinois, many  families living in the Chicago area, northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, or parts of Indiana, take advantage of our puppy delivery service to Champaign, IL.  When the pups turn 8 weeks old, we normally make one delivery trip per litter to Champaign and meet up at a local park.  This is always a fun day, often with several puppies being delivered.   The puppies can get some exercise romping around the park before they continue home with their new families.  There is a small fee for this service to cover gas expenses.

We are experienced shippers, having flown our puppies to new homes all over the United States without incident.  Our puppies fly from the St. Louis airport.  Although this is a 3 1/2 hour drive (one way) for us, the advantage of flying out of a large airport (rather than a smaller local one)  is that we can always get a non-stop flight.  This ensures that your puppy has the shortest time in transit and has no risk of getting 'lost' changing planes.  Families usually report their puppy arrives happy with his tail wagging.   We often ship by American Airlines, although we consider all airlines and pick the best flight option for each puppy.  We like to keep pups until they are about 9 weeks old before shipping by air. If the weather is too hot or too cold (at either St. Louis or your local airport) your puppy may be delayed a few days until the weather improves.  Shipping by air usually costs $400 and includes the flight itself, airline approved shipping crate, vet exam and vet health documents required by the airlines.  This cost could change at any time if the airlines change their fees.

You also have the option of flying here in person and then flying home with your puppy.  If you do this, your puppy gets to fly in the cabin of the plane with you.  You'll need to buy a regular flight ticket for yourself, and pay an additional fee to the airline for the puppy (usually $75 - $100).  Not all airlines offer this option.  Please contact us ASAP if you are considering flying here to pick up your puppy.

Your puppy will be delivered with several days' supply of dry food in order to make the transition to the brand of food that you choose easier for the puppy.  Your puppy will have a "comfort blanket" with the scent of his/her mother and littermates, and one of his/her favorite toys which will also have this scent.  You'll get a CD with photos of your puppy's mother, father, and puppy baby pictures.  And of course, the paperwork needed for registering your puppy, his/her health guarantee, health records, a puppy care guide, feeding instructions, and written details about his/her daily routine will be delivered with your puppy.   If your puppy is flown to you, we will mail these items to you (with the exception of the food).

We encourage you to keep in touch with us as your puppy grows.  We love to get updates and photos to see how our puppies mature.  We are always here for you if you have questions about your puppy.

REGISTERING YOUR PUPPY

All but one of our Labs and Poodles are double registered - both American Kennel Club (AKC) and Continental Kennel Club (CKC).   Because Labradoodles are not purebreds, they cannot be registered through AKC, but they ARE eligible for CKC registration.   Your puppy's CKC registration application will be provided to you upon delivery of your pup.  Registration is optional.  If you wish to register your puppy, you will be able to choose whatever name you wish for him/her.