"I've joined a Rafter 7 Ranch wait list, now what?"
We appreciate how many people want our puppies and wanted to help answer some questions we have been getting lately.
1.) We generally always have a large wait list for our litters. We believe in being fair and that means not skipping people on our wait lists. Some people have been waiting for almost a year.
2.) We cannot control how many puppies are born, and therefore cannot control how many are offered to the public. We have had litters range from 2-7 puppies. All we can do is provide optimal care, the rest is up to nature.
3.) Sometimes a planned cross has to change, and we reserve the right to do so. Buyers will always know who sire and dam are before purchase.
4.) We understand it is hard to wait for your next family member. It never offends us if you find a puppy sooner. We just ask that you notify us that you have, as we have several people that would like to be updated on their position on the waitlist.
5.) We cannot guarantee who will follow through with purchasing a puppy. This means there is always a chance to be bumped up on the list.
6.) We only allow "roll overs" if we did not have what you were wanting. If we have what you are wanting (example, dapple female) and you choose not to purchase said puppy, you can remain on the wait list but will go to the end of the wait list.
7.) Reputable breeders have wait lists. We understand that waiting is hard, but expect to be on a wait list when working with any reputable breeder. And as always, please feel free to reach out to us if you have additional questions! We are always happy to help and talk anything dachshund!
When can I expect my puppy, and how much will it be?
Most people can expect to get a puppy within one year. We use all available resources and do not spare any expenses in the rearing and care of our dogs and puppies, and we invest a great amount of time and effort into it. Not only are the puppies and their parents receiving optimal care, but our clients also get frequent updates of their puppy. We also give our buyers a peace of mind knowing we are not a scam and come highly recommended. If cost is the primary concern for you, we are probably not the breeder for you.
Can you ship my puppy to me?
Yes. We have worked with PetSafe to successfully fly our puppies all over the US. PetSafe has strict regulations in place for the safety of our puppies and transports them in Pressurized, Ventilated, and Climate Controlled Compartments. Our puppies are all flown in oversized crates so that they will have the maximum level of comfort on their journey to you. We are also willing to hand deliver our puppies anywhere in the US (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) at your expense through Let R Buck Transportation. Many of our "Pawrents" fly to us and we are happy to meet you at the Portland Airport (PDX). The cost of bringing your puppy as a carry on is usually around $150. Should you choose to use PetSafe instead the average cost including crate and health certificate is $500. At times we can also arrange a Flight Nanny, where buyer covers cost of flight (there and back for the flight nanny) and the carry-on fee for the puppy. Please email us for individual quotes.
Does my puppy come with AKC papers?
Yes, all of our puppies come with limited AKC papers. AKC offers the option to “limit” registration to protect breeding and showing rights. This helps to keep breeding rights in the hands of dedicated individuals who prioritize the health and longevity of the breed, while simultaneously allowing pet homes to still proudly own AKC papered dogs. If you are a show home or an ethical breeding home and are interested in Full AKC registration, please click here for consideration.
Are males or females better pets?
In our experience both make great family pets. Females are a little more person oriented and males are little more independent. Hard to go wrong with either choice.
How big will my puppy get?
Miniature Dachshunds should weigh 11 pounds or less and stand around five to six inches tall. We have smaller dachshunds and also have "tweens", which is 11-16 pounds. It is important to note that all miniature dachshunds can produce a larger puppy, as they do share genetics with standard dachshunds.
What health guarantees do you offer?
All puppies have 3 business days to get a health check from a vet of the buyer's choice. If anything comes back saying puppy is unfit, once official vet report is given to seller all monies will be refunded to the buyer and the puppy will be given back to the seller. The Dachshund breed is unfortunately predisposed for certain health issues such as back problems, Cushing's disease, cancer and obesity. It is the buyer's responsibility to thoroughly research the breed and to understand that ongoing care such as diet, exercise and regular vet care are imperative to the longevity of a Dachshund. With this in mind, all of our Dachshunds that we breed are happy and healthy and we ONLY breed healthy Dachshunds.
What health testing do you do?
We have the fortunate ability to work with great breeders' nationwide who take the health of their dachshund programs just as seriously as we do. In addition to getting our breeding stock from reputable breeders, we do Embark testing which tests for over 170 different diseases. We also work closely with Theriogenologists (reproductive specialists) at Oregon State University and run our program based off of their recommendations. We currently do NOT test for PRA as we feel, based on scientific research and discussion with our veterinarians, the test is not reliable enough.
Can I meet my puppies parents?
We appreciate all homes that do their due diligence in making sure they are not purchasing from a “puppy mill”. However, we want interested homes to understand that we do not have a “staff” and these visits take place within our home. We do our very best to be accommodating and flexible so that you can visit our dogs and puppies. If you wish to meet our adult dogs before committing to a puppy please plan to schedule your visit well in advance of the litter you wish to purchase from being born. We do not allow visits with newborn puppies or heavily pregnant females to limit both traffic through our home and all potential stressors during these sensitive windows. Feel free to follow us for daily updates in the lives of our dogs on Facebook or Instagram.
Do you offer ongoing support?
Yes! We are here to help make the transition from the ranch to the home as smooth as possible. We love getting updates from everyone who has a Rafter 7 Ranch Dachshund. We are fortunate and still get updates from people from our very first litter!
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Dachshund Coats and Colors
