Purchasing a puppy is a big commitment--it's for life. Our interest in the puppy doesn't stop when you hand over the check. Far from it. Each life brought forth from our kennels is a responsibility that never ends and so we sell only to homes that will agree to the following:
1. If the dog cannot be kept--for any reason--it is returned to Darkwind. If you have another home in mind for the dog, you must clear it with us first, because we want to approve the new family, and ensure we have addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.
2. The dog must receive all annual inoculations, periodic worm medicine, etc.-- whatever your veterinarian advises. The dog must receive any necessary veterinary treatment, whether for accident or illness, routine or emergency. Be safe, not sorry--we strongly encourage the purchase of pet insurance.
3. You must let us know if any condition arises that affects the dog's health. All documentation for such claims must be shared with us and our veterinarian, with final determination made by appropriate recognized authority such as OFA or CERF, as appropriate. This is very important as we are professional breeders that must take into consideration any hereditary problems.
4. You must agree to have the dog's hips OFA certified at the age of two. In addition, we recommend that the puppy be PennHip certified at the age of six months. Also, remember, we guarantee eyes to be free from PRA, and will refund your puppy's purchase price, less deposit, with appropriate CERF documentation. Copies of eye exams or hip xray reports should always be sent to us.
5. The puppy MUST receive basic obedience training. No matter how you rate yourself as a trainer, all puppies benefit from formal classes.--it helps in the bonding between owner and dog too. We encourage all our puppy buyers to aspire to passing the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
6. Dog must by tattooed or microchipped by one year of age for permanent identification purposes.
7. The puppy must be provided for in your will, so that should something happen to you, the dog will be cared for. The best provision is to specify that the dog is returned to us at Darkwind.
8. We must have an annual report on the dog with at least one photograph. This can be in the form of a Christmas card with a few general lines, but we want to know where and how the dog is. Photographs are kept in a family album and we will send copies to all interested families and update our web page with new photos. If you relocate or change your phone number, you must let us know your new home address and home phone number.
9. All buyers must sign a purchase agreement (contract) prior to the puppy's release and prior to the release of the puppy's AKC registration. The dog must be paid for in full, as well as all expenses for transportation or other items, prior to the puppy's departure. All puppies bred by Robyn Powley will have Darkwind as the first word in the AKC registered name, and all names must be approved by Robyn Powley prior to submission to the AKC.
10. The puppy will be raised with love and affection, as a valued member of your family.
NOTE: Buying a puppy sold for a "pet" price means you will spay or neuter the dog and that it will be Limited Registered with the AKC. We suggest that you have the neutering done after the age of six months, but by one year of age. Buyers who purchase a puppy at the show price should understand that they are making a commitment to show the dog at AKC dog shows with the intent to gain his/her AKC championship title, and will be required to exhibit the dog at least 10 times by the age of 3.
If you have any questions on these terms and conditions, please call us and discuss them. We don't mind appearing nutty with our strict requirements, because we are, very simply, nuts about our Border Collies.
Revised 16 March 2008
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