Our puppy placement process consists of two separate stages: an approved waitlist and a reservation list. This allows us to thoughtfully match families with the puppies that are actually available while avoiding unrealistic expectations before a litter is born.

The Waitlist

Once a pregnancy has been confirmed, we begin fully reviewing applications and conducting phone calls or in-person meetings with prospective families. Homes that we feel are a good fit for the expected goals of the litter are placed on our approved waitlist.

We intentionally keep our waitlist limited to a manageable number of approved homes. Rather than accepting an unlimited number of applicants, we prefer to work closely with a smaller group of families who have a realistic opportunity to receive a puppy from that litter.

Being placed on the waitlist means your home has been approved for consideration, but it does not guarantee that a puppy will be available for you. Until the puppies are born, we do not know how many males or females will be available or how closely the litter will match the goals of each family.

The Reservation List

After the puppies are born and we know how many males and females are available, we begin offering reservation spots to families on our approved waitlist. At that time, a deposit is collected to reserve a puppy from the litter.

Reservation spots are not assigned solely by the date an application was received. Each litter is planned with specific breeding goals, and each family has different expectations for their future dog. We carefully consider which homes are the best fit for the puppies that are available, always striving to make the best long-term match for both the puppy and the family.

As part of our preservation breeding program, we also reserve the right to retain our pick male and/or female from any litter. This decision is made based on the long-term goals of our breeding program and is an important part of our commitment to preserving and improving future generations.

While people often refer to having "first pick," there is rarely a single "best" puppy. The ideal puppy depends on the goals, experience, and lifestyle of each family. Our responsibility is not to let families choose the first puppy available, but to help each family receive the puppy that is best suited to them.

Once puppies are born and we have determined how many males and females are available, we begin offering reservation spots to approved families on our reservation list. A reservation is secured with an initial deposit, which confirms your commitment to welcoming a puppy from that litter.

Because we intentionally keep our reservation list limited, accepting a deposit means we are reserving a puppy specifically for your home. As a result, the initial deposit is non-refundable if there is a puppy in the litter that is suitable for your goals and you choose not to move forward. However, if we determine that there is not a puppy that is an appropriate match for your home, your deposit will be refunded in full. Our priority has always been making the right match—not placing a puppy simply because a deposit has been received.

A second deposit is due when the puppies reach approximately six weeks of age. By this stage, we have completed many of our evaluations and have a much clearer understanding of each puppy's temperament, drives, and potential. This second deposit confirms that both the breeder and the buyer remain committed to the planned placement and helps ensure that puppies are not left without a home at the last minute. Like the initial deposit, it is non-refundable if a suitable puppy has been identified for your family and you choose to withdraw from the purchase.

We understand that unexpected situations can arise, and we are always willing to communicate openly if circumstances change. Our deposit policy is not intended to be punitive; it exists to ensure fairness to all of the families waiting for a puppy and to allow us to focus our time and energy on finding the very best match for each puppy in the litter.

Ultimately, deposits are one step in a process built on mutual trust and commitment. We invest countless hours planning each breeding, raising every litter, and evaluating each puppy, and we appreciate families who share that same level of commitment as we work together toward a successful placement.

One of the most common misconceptions about purchasing a puppy is the idea of "pick order." In reality, there is no single "best" puppy in a well-bred litter—only the puppy that is the best fit for a particular home. Every puppy is an individual with its own personality, temperament, strengths, and developmental timeline. Our goal is to identify those differences and thoughtfully match each puppy with the family where it is most likely to thrive.

From birth until the day our puppies leave for their new homes, we spend countless hours observing and evaluating their development. We assess temperament, confidence, resilience, environmental stability, motivation, trainability, recovery from new experiences, social interactions, structure, and overall suitability for different lifestyles and activities. As the puppies mature, we build a clearer picture of each one's unique strengths and potential.

Many puppies are capable of excelling in more than one role. A puppy may have the potential to become a wonderful agility, scent work, search and rescue, or active companion dog. However, another puppy in the litter may be the only one that possesses the combination of traits needed for a serious protection sport home. In that situation, our responsibility is to place each puppy where its individual strengths will be best utilized. Our focus is never on who chooses first—it is on making the best possible match for every puppy and every family.

Throughout the puppies' development, we share frequent photos, videos, and updates so families can enjoy watching the litter grow. We love allowing our puppy families to experience the journey from the very beginning and begin building a connection with the litter. At the same time, we encourage families to remember that a puppy's appearance or the one that captures your attention on camera may not always be the puppy that is best suited for your home. While markings and personality can certainly draw us in, successful placements are based on much more than first impressions.

Whenever possible, we involve our families in the final decision. If we feel two puppies would both be excellent matches, we will discuss the strengths, personalities, and developmental differences of each one and consider your preferences. Our recommendations are never made without listening to your goals and input. We view puppy placement as a collaborative process built on open communication and mutual trust.

Our greatest measure of success is not how quickly puppies are placed, but how well they fit the families who welcome them home. By taking the time to carefully evaluate each puppy and thoughtfully consider the goals of every family, we believe we can create partnerships that will last a lifetime.

One of the greatest joys of bringing home a puppy is watching them grow and develop from the very beginning. We believe our puppy families should have the opportunity to experience that journey with us.

Throughout the puppies' first several weeks, we share regular photos, videos, and updates so families can follow each milestone along the way. From tiny newborns opening their eyes for the first time to adventurous puppies exploring new environments and developing their unique personalities, we strive to provide an open and transparent look at their growth and daily lives.

These updates are more than just cute puppy pictures. They allow our families to celebrate important developmental milestones, gain a better understanding of how the puppies are progressing, and begin building a connection long before their puppy comes home. We want our puppy families to feel involved, informed, and excited throughout the process.

We also recognize that it's easy to become attached to a particular puppy after watching weeks of photos and videos. While we completely understand that excitement, we encourage families to remember that our daily observations and ongoing evaluations provide us with a much more complete picture than any photo or video can capture. The puppy that catches your eye may indeed be the perfect match—but sometimes another puppy is better suited to your goals, lifestyle, or experience.

Our commitment to transparency means sharing the entire journey, not just the highlights. We believe that by keeping our puppy families informed and involved from the very beginning, we build trust, strengthen relationships, and help each family better understand the thoughtful process behind every placement. By the time your puppy comes home, our hope is that you'll feel like you've already watched them grow from the very beginning.

One of the most common questions we receive is, "When can I bring my puppy home?" While many breeders send puppies home at exactly eight weeks of age, we believe there is no single age that is right for every litter. Instead, we determine each litter's go-home date based on what is in the puppies' best interest.

One of the factors we consider is maternal antibody (nomograph) testing. This testing helps us estimate when the protection puppies receive from their mother begins to decline, allowing us to better time their first vaccinations and reduce the risk of illness during this vulnerable stage of development. Because every litter is different, this may mean one litter is ready to leave at eight weeks of age, while another may benefit from staying with us a little longer.

We also consider each puppy's individual development. Fear periods, confidence, travel plans, and major life changes all play an important role in determining the best time for a puppy to transition to its new home. For example, if a puppy is scheduled to fly during a sensitive developmental period, it may be in that puppy's best interest to delay travel by a short time. Our goal is to set every puppy up for long-term success, even if that requires a little flexibility from both us and our puppy families.

We understand that everyone is excited to welcome their new puppy home, and we share that excitement. However, we ask our families to remain flexible as we finalize go-home dates. Every decision is made with the health, safety, and emotional development of the puppies in mind.

When your puppy is ready to leave, you can be confident that they have received the best possible start. Each puppy goes home with:

• A comprehensive veterinary examination

• Age-appropriate vaccinations

• Routine deworming

• A negative fecal examination

• A microchip

• AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) registration paperwork

• One month of pet health insurance

• A signed purchase agreement with our 26-month health warranty

• A puppy starter kit, including food and other helpful items

• Lifetime breeder support

Our goal is for every puppy to leave our home healthy, well-prepared, and ready to begin a successful life with their new family.

Whenever possible, we encourage our puppy families to pick up their new puppy in person. There is something special about meeting the breeder, seeing where the puppies were raised, and beginning your journey together face-to-face. It also gives us the opportunity to introduce you to the dam (when she resides with us), answer any last-minute questions, review your puppy packet together, and help ensure you feel confident before heading home.

Whenever schedules allow, we also enjoy bringing several of our puppy families together before pickup. Sharing a meal or spending time getting acquainted gives new owners the opportunity to meet one another, exchange contact information, and begin building relationships that often continue for years through our kennel community.

We understand that not every family lives within driving distance. In some cases, we can arrange to meet owners at the airport for a same-day pickup or personally accompany a puppy to its new home by air. Because these arrangements require additional planning and time away from work, they are considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to our availability. All travel-related expenses, including airline fees, health certificates, travel carriers, and other associated costs, are the responsibility of the buyer.

Our first priority is always the safety and well-being of our puppies. Any travel arrangements are made with careful consideration for the puppy's age, health, developmental stage, and overall welfare.

No matter how your puppy joins your family, our goal is to make the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. We are always available to answer questions before, during, and after your puppy arrives home, because our relationship doesn't end at pickup—it is just beginning.

When you bring home a Schäfers Weg puppy, you are making a commitment to that dog for life—but we understand that life can sometimes change in unexpected ways. Careers, health, family situations, and other circumstances can evolve, and there may be times when keeping a dog is no longer possible despite someone's best efforts.

Our first priority is always the well-being of our dogs. If you ever find yourself facing a situation where you cannot continue to provide the right home for your Schäfers Weg dog, we ask that you contact us before making any decisions about rehoming. We are always here to help evaluate the situation, discuss options, and ensure that the dog is placed in a safe and appropriate environment.

We never want one of our dogs to end up in a shelter, rescue situation, or uncertain placement. As the breeder who brought that puppy into the world, we consider it our responsibility to be part of the solution throughout the dog's lifetime.

In some cases, we may be able to help troubleshoot challenges, provide training guidance, or offer resources that allow a dog to remain successfully in its current home. In other situations, we will help determine the best next step for that individual dog, whether that means returning to us or assisting with finding another suitable placement.

Our commitment to our puppies does not end when they leave our home. Breeding responsibly means accepting responsibility for the lives we create, and we will always be here to support our dogs and their families throughout every stage of their journey.