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 so you can follow the puppies' growth and development.   We also offer live 'puppy cam' broadcasting directly from our nursery.  Your family will be able to watch your puppy grow from birth up until he/she joins your family.

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.   Most families choose their puppy without ever meeting him/her in person, while some families who live close enough 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 you request us to keep your puppy beyond 9 weeks, a boarding fee may be charged.   

THE HEALTH OF YOUR PUPPY 

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 three year written health guarantee.   You must have your puppy examined by a veterinarian within 5 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 normally limit  visitation to those who have either reserved or purchased a puppy.   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, most 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 own our breeding dogs, and your puppy's parents (and sometimes grandparents) are always here on the premises.   

PICK UP, DELIVERY AND SHIPPING OPTIONS

You are welcome to visit us and pick up your puppy in person!   

Because we are located in the remote southern tip of Illinois, most 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 (usually $20 - $25) for this service to cover gas expenses.

We use a custom pet transport service that will bring your puppy to you safely in the cabin of the plane, and meet you at the airport of your choice.   The puppy is accompanied the entire way by a human 'escort"!    This eliminates any worries over shipping puppies in hot or cold weather, delayed flights, etc.   This is the safest way to fly puppies, and doesn't cost very much more than flying by cargo.  Current prices are $350 for flights east of the Mississippi and $450 for those west of the Mississippi.  

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 a sample of dry food,  "comfort blanket" that smells like home, a toy, a harness/leash set, the paperwork for registering your puppy, his/her health guarantee, health records, and written details about his/her daily routine.   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 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.