How to Select a Puppy:
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Placing a Hold on a Pup

PUPPIES CANNOT BE HELD WITHOUT A DEPOSIT. Your deposit insures your place in the puppy-selection order. Please call or email (no texts) to speak with me about adopting a new pup. Deposits/payments for puppies are non-refundable, but can continuously roll over until you find the pup for you.  Pups are not sold "on approval." Please make a confident decision before adopting a new, forever family member.
  1. The Guardian Home Puppy (puppies that will have one or more litters for XANADU in the future) are selected first; usually one female, sometimes both a male and a female, infrequently only a male.
  2. Litter Picks (both male and female, when available) are more expensive and are selected next. Sometimes only one sex is available. Often, all blue-eyed puppies are also considered Litter Pick pups.
  3. Next, EQUALLY smart, sweet, healthy, no-strings-attached Pet Home puppies are chosen in the order of deposits received.
Unless other arrangements have been made, all puppies must be paid for by the time the pups are six weeks old and you have made a confident decision about your new family member. Pups cannot be held for you while you are making that confident decision, so please talk with your family about a puppy and plan early. Deposits and payments for pups are non-refundable except for health problems -- covered by XANADU'S warranty (see Health Warranty). Deposits for a puppy are not lost but roll over to the next litter if you cannot take your pup when s/he is ready to come home. 

Guardian Homes and Breeding Dogs

Most puppies will go to pet homes. Some of our little pups will be placed in Guardian Homes (at a reduced price) where they will both have their own loving families and have pups in the future for XANADU. If you're interested in the Guardian Home program, read more here: Guardian pups are subject to the same guarantees and restrictions as any Litter Pick or Pet Home puppy.
You may also wish to purchase a puppy for breeding in your own program. If you wish to breed a XANApuppy, please contact me as soon as possible. Otherwise, and except for Guardian pups, all pups must be spayed or neutered at 5 months to keep your Health Warranty in effect.
Paypal is recommended XANADU pup purchasers. It is a safe way to place your $400 deposits and to complete your payments for your pup. Also,  your money is insured. The required deposit for a puppy is $400. The additional $12.00 is the 3% fee that Paypal charges as a transaction fee that also insures your money against fraud. When completing payment for your  puppy, please calculate the additional PayPal 3% charge (Example: If your puppy is $1500, you have paid $400 already and owe $1100. The PayPay charge will bring remainder to a total of $1133).

When Should I Pick Up My New Family Member?

XANADU cannot board your pup after s/he is 8 1/2 weeks old. Please choose a youngster from a litter that will be available to go home when you are also available to care for and enjoy him/her. I do not know a boarding facility that will take a young pup who is not over three months of age who has not had a Rabies Vaccination, and Rabies Vaccinations are not given until after a pup is three months old. A boarding environment would not be good for a single pup anyhow.

Pups are good to travel through 8 1/2 weeks, but at 9 weeks they go through a developmental period of being shy--wary of new people. You wouldn't notice that if you pick up your pup at 8 weeks, because your pup will already know you and your family and his/her surroundings.  By 10 weeks, puppies are good to go to a new home again, but after 13 weeks, you've missed that early socialization period with your new family, and it is harder on the pup to catch up on trust and feeling at home.
That is one great reason for not boarding pups anywhere, and there are MANY great reasons for not doing so. Another XANADU reason is simply because we are not set up for boarding older puppies with our limited and home-like environment for the babies. We cannot mix the different ages and sizes. XANADU is still a small operation. Guardians bring puppies to XANADU at 7+ weeks old, where they are observed and snuggled and enjoy unlimited play, and where their little personalities are tested to note the new-owner compatibility. Some new pup-parents want a pup that can wear out the kids; others want a little, calm couch potato. We seldom have real couch potatoes, but most litters have a dominant pup and a calmer pup, just like most litters have a smaller pup and a larger pup.

Guardians of female dogs are welcome to leave their female at XANADU for whelping and pup rearing, which is largely a happy living-room project. In the summer time, little ones are everywhere--in the living room, sometimes sleeping in the garage, in our big puppy yard with heated gazebo and smaller caged housing with cover, in the front yard playing with grandchildren, and for small-sized pups--in a big, covered 10 X 20 cage that protects smaller breeds from predators in the sky: hawks, eagles, owls, even common crows and ravens. Our three adult dogs protect all of us with bark-alerts to the presence of bears, big cats, and coyotes.
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If you live in a town/city, you will need to ask yourself about local predators...maybe hawks still, maybe coyotes, other dogs who are not friendly, and your pup will be so very cute and friendly, beware of dog-nappers, too.

I want the PERFECT dog for me and my family! How can we make that happen?

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I will do my best to match you and the puppy you have always dreamed of owning.  Some selection may be possible. Every need and desire of each individual/family is taken into consideration when making matches--coat type, any allergies your family members may have, puppy temperament, size, color and gender.  Each puppy is unique and will be matched with your family characteristics and lifestyles.  Please ask your doctor about allergies and get tested if you think you have a generalized allergy to canines before you purchase a puppy. What is best for one family may not be best for another.  Each prospective owner/Guardian is screened before a pup is placed in its permanent home. Each home is subject to puppy application to insure suitability as a pet or Guardian pup. I shall ask questions about your lifestyle and living situation during this process.  I need to know that you are prepared to care for a puppy and that you are ready to devote time to training your dog, so that s/he becomes a well-adjusted vested-and-voting member of your family.  Sample questions may be: Do you have children?  (And having children for a puppy to play with is a GOOD thing.) What is your experience with dogs, and what are your expectations for this pet?  Will you take your puppy to obedience classes? And if not, why? Are you interested in a pet, a therapy dog, a service dog? Do you have time in your day to give your dog the attention and training s/he needs? Do you have a fenced yard? Is anyone in your family allergic to dogs; are you willing to find out before purchasing a dog? These questions are ordinarily answered in conversation with me; I usually do not have to ask, "What happened to your last dog?" People seem anxious to let me know how much they miss Fluffy or Bowser, just as they want to tell me that they are first-time dog owners, and need help. I am "workable," and understand that remarkable circumstances can arise in our lives, and sometimes we need remarkable solutions and remarkable pups. Or maybe it would be best to wait before purchasing a puppy…perhaps until after moving to a new home, until after deployment and return to the U.S., or until after that new baby is here and the family has adjusted to this new member, etc. Maybe…people needs differ.

I will assist in the relocation of a dog to a new home, if your situation changes and you cannot keep your pet.  However, please note that there are no refunds for unforeseen circumstances that would make you consider re-homing your pet. 

IF you are considering purchasing a dog for someone else, I suggest that you don't. This is a very personal decision, and you must be CERTAIN that the other person wants a dog. Perhaps they have asked you for a dog, begged for a dog, and have told you just what kind of dog they are interested in--breed, size, sex, purpose, shed/no-shed, temperament, barkiness, etc., etc., and also has told you when they would like to have a dog. Do be sure that all of the family is in agreement with the decision to add a new puppy family member.

I am interested in the welfare of every XANADU puppy.  I appreciate hearing how your puppy is doing, and love to receive pictures and updates.

What can I expect to come with my new puppy?

Xanadu will see that you have:
  1. Photos of puppy (dog) and information regarding puppy’s sire, dam, siblings, and other relatives.
  2. Excellent or Good PennHip ratings for parent dogs/grandsire or grandam (Other breed-appropriate genetic excellence.) Please research your pups breed(s), i.e., the Goldendoodle is a Golden Retriever / Poodle cross. Know, appreciate, and WANT those characteristics in your puppy.
  3. Transfer of ownership in a timely manner ( a Bill of Sale for Guardian Home dogs at the end of the breeding contract). 
  4. Dew claw removal for breeds in which this is standard practice, immunizations and worming up-to-date, and medical records / puppy vaccinations / worming.
  5. Lifetime access to and support from XANADU  by phone, email, or postal service.

Required of the Buyer in order to keep your Health Warranty in effect:
  1. Well puppy/dog check at your local veterinarian within 72 hours of possession. The well-puppy check assures  you that your puppy is healthy when you get him/her and establishes a baseline of health for future reference  This visit also informs your veterinarian of types of puppy vaccinations and worming your pup has already had, so your veterinarian knows when your pup needs booster shots, rabies vaccinations, worming in the future. If you abide by this routine and alert XANADU regarding any of your veterinarian's findings / problems that could alter your pup's quality of life, you may be assured that any life-altering discovery regarding health that other veterinarians may have missed will be remedied: Return of pup or exchange of pup (and pup health issues are the only acceptable reason for monitory reimbursement).
  2. Buyer agrees to notify seller of ANY problems with health or disposition of pup / dog immediately, so a problem may be addressed early and solved. 
  3. Obedience Classes before the dog is 12 months old or within 6 months possession of dog (or other arrangement in writing). Ask your veterinarian about recommended trainers and classes.
  4. Immunization and vet check-ups on a yearly basis. Compliance with veterinary recommendations (e.g., teeth cleaning, heart worm prevention, etc.)
  5. Emergency veterinarian care.
  6. Buyer agrees that dog will be a HOUSEDOG with outdoor privileges and NOT separately housed in a kennel. A safe, fenced play area is required. 

Cash Rewards for titles and certificates earned by XANADU Guardians:
  1. CGC (Canine Good Citizen) -- $50 
  2. Certified Therapy Dog -- $50
  3. Agility Titles -- $100 
  4. Obedience Titles -- $100 
  5. Field, Herding, Hunting Titles -- $100 
  6. Search and Rescue Certified -- $100 
  7. Service Dog Certified -- $100 

This is a WIN-WIN for your dog, who gets to spend quality time with you in training, competition, and / or service.
You will receive:
  1. Lineage Information.
  2. Small bag of the puppy food your pup is used to. Often this is Science Diet Puppy because of its digestibility. If you want to use another high-quality pup food, transition slowly, mixing both for a couple of weeks, finally eliminating Science Diet.
  3. A book about puppy / dog care & training. Puppy-training / house training information or  reference information.
  4. Your puppy’s current  vaccination / worming / health record.
  5. A toy(s) that s/he and littermates have played with These gifts will smell like your pup's and littermates  and can the transition to a permanent home easier. PLEASE REPLACE THIS STUFFED TOY with a sturdy dog-chew toy within a couple of days of bringing your new puppy home.
  6. Lifetime support if you have questions. And I am always happy to answer these questions, hear how your pup is doing, and find answers to the questions I cannot answer.
  7. Please rely on this page as your Health Warranty for your pup. Contact me with any questions.
XANADU requires that Pet Home and Litter Pick Pet Home pups are neutered by the time they are five months old. Puppies are rarely sold to breeders or sold as breeding dogs. XANADU Guardian pups are, of course, kept in-tact by contractual agreement.

Highly Recommended
  1. Many pet supply stores (PetSmart, Petco, etc.) offer “puppy romps,” knowing that puppies need to socialize, run and tumble with other pups. It is the store’s way of advertising and of familiarizing new customers with the location of the store and the products offered. After your pup is older and has had all of his / her puppy shots / worming, you may want to consider puppy romps.
  2. Dog parks are another way for (fully immunized) dogs to socialize and for dog owners to meet and talk with each other. Some dog parks have areas for small dogs and areas for larger dogs. AND some dog parks are kept clean and others are not. Please avoid any dog park that is unsanitary and not cleaned daily. Remember to be a good canine owner and to pick up after your dog. Ask your veterinarian when / if your pup can play safely with other dogs.
  3. If you want your pup to enjoy life with other pets and children, introduce him / her slowly and in a supervised setting to animals and to children while they are very young. Help the animals in your home, your children and grandchildren and neighbors learn how to respond safely to a new puppy. 

Your puppy can adapt quickly. The real question usually is not if a new puppy will be good to your animals, but how your pets will respond to a new puppy in their territory.
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