Why We Don't Take Deposits

Most breeders take deposits. I don't. People ask about this all the time, so I want to explain the thinking behind it.

The Pressure Problem

A deposit changes the dynamic. The moment you send $500 to a breeder, the decision is no longer entirely free. You have skin in the game. Even if doubts come up - the timing shifts, your family situation changes, something just doesn't feel right - you now have a financial incentive to push through rather than step back. That's sunk cost at work, and it is a terrible way to make a decision about a 10- to 15-year commitment.

I want families to choose freely. No financial pressure. No feeling like you're locked in. If you come to meet the puppies and the match isn't right, I want you to feel completely comfortable walking away. That's a better outcome for you, and it's a better outcome for the puppy. A good match doesn't need pressure to happen - it just happens.

The Scam Problem

There's a second reason, and it's a practical one. The puppy industry has a massive scam problem. People find a "breeder" online, see some cute photos, send money, and never see a dog. It happens thousands of times a year. The scam always starts the same way: a deposit request before you've ever met a puppy, often before you've even had a phone call.

I don't want families anywhere near that pattern. My no-deposit policy is partly a protection for you - because if a breeder is asking for money before you've met a puppy in person, that should give you pause. Real breeders don't need your money to hold a conversation. They need to know that you're the right family for one of their dogs.

If you're researching breeders and someone asks for a deposit before you've visited, before you've seen the dogs, before you've had a real conversation - be cautious. That's not how this should work.

What We Do Instead

When we confirm a time for your visit, we commit to having a puppy available for you. We plan our litters so that works. You show up, we spend about an hour together, you meet the puppies, and we talk about everything - the puppy's personality, your family, what to expect. If the match is right, the puppy goes home with you that day.

If the match isn't right - the timing is off, the personalities don't click, you need more time to think - that's completely fine. I'd rather you wait for the right puppy than feel pressured into the wrong one. And if we're not the right fit at all, I'm happy to help you find a match somewhere else. That's not a failure. That's what responsible placement looks like.

You're under no obligation at any point. No deposit to forfeit. No awkward conversation about getting your money back. Just an honest process between people who care about getting this right.

What This Says About Us

The no-deposit policy is a small thing, but I think it says something about how we operate. We're not trying to lock people in. We're trying to find the right families for our puppies - families who choose this because it's the right fit, not because they already sent a check.

A puppy is a family member for the next decade or more. That decision should be made with a clear head, in person, with no financial pressure clouding the picture.

For the full details on how our process works from first conversation to go-home day, visit our Our Process page.