How the waiting list works...
We have two different types of waiting lists. They are explained below.
Litter specific waiting list...
This type of waiting list is used for most of our planned litters. When we open a litter list for reservations, we accept reservation fees to be placed on specific litter lists. When a litter is born and it is time to select puppies, families will select their puppy in order of deposit received. You will typically see a number of spots reserved at the top of a litter list for "breeder pick". This spots are held for our breeding program. Although we don't keep puppies from every litter, we prefer keep the option open to hold puppies back for our breeding program.
With intent to purchase one puppy and with one reservation fee, you will be placed on one main litter waiting list and may also be placed as an "alternate" for other waiting lists at no extra fee. This simply means that you hold a true spot on one litter list and will be notified if there are puppies available from the litters in which you are an "alternate".
We will accept up to 8 reservations for any specific litter. Our girls tend to have 8-12 puppies, but occasionally have less. We perform an ultrasound 4 weeks after a mom has been bred. We can typically get a fairly accurate headcount at that time. If the ultrasound shows there aren't enough puppies for those on the waiting list, we will recommend moving your reservation to another waiting list at that point(falling behind the other families on that waiting list). We will keep you as an alternate on the original waiting list just in case there are more puppies born than predicted by ultrasound. If you are an alternate for a litter that shows that there will be enough puppies for you to receive one, you will have to choose if you want to keep your deposit for your original litter list or keep it on the one in which you were an alternate. This is simply because you won't be an "alternate" anymore and will hold a true spot on that waiting list since there will be enough puppies for the families on the waiting list(including yours).
If you have a specific gender/color preference in mind, you should likely reserve a spot near the top of a waiting list rather than at the end. Although we can typically predict colors/patterns based on genetics, we have absolutely no way to predict number of boys/girls. We do require that families choose if they'd like to stay on their particular litter list within two weeks of the litter being born. This helps us avoid having puppies to place at 6-8 weeks old due to someone changing their mind due to color/gender. When someone chooses to stay on a litter list, they will submit a $500 commitment fee. This fee is non-refundable and is applied toward the total cost of the puppy. If you back out of that litter after that fee has been paid, all funds are forfeited. We find this is the most sufficient way to weed out those who may be "window shopping" while we are holding their spot for one of our puppies(which can result in having puppies to place without notice). So, if you do choose to commit to a litter, please keep in mind that you will need to be satisfied with the puppies available when it's time to pick your furbaby. For example, if you are #5 on the litter list, you will need to be happy to take home any of your top 5 favorite puppies in the litter.
Master Waiting List...
We do have waiting lists that are in "master waiting list" form. This typically applies in cases where litters from certain mammas will have similar qualities (size/breed/etc). If this is the case, puppies will be offered to families on the waiting list as the mammas produce them. The waiting period will vary based on the number of puppies each mamma has. Keep in mind that our girls typically produce 8+ puppies as a rule of thumb.
We will open individual litter list as heat cycles begin. We will move families from the master waiting list to the individual litter list as pregnancies are confirmed via ultrasound. Until then, they will remain on the master waiting list.
The breeder has the option to hold puppies back from each individual litter(typically no more than 2, but can vary). We will keep everyone informed of updates (heat cycles/breedings/births) via DogwoodDoodlebugs.com as well as the Dogwood Doodlebugs Facebook page.
Litter specific waiting list...
This type of waiting list is used for most of our planned litters. When we open a litter list for reservations, we accept reservation fees to be placed on specific litter lists. When a litter is born and it is time to select puppies, families will select their puppy in order of deposit received. You will typically see a number of spots reserved at the top of a litter list for "breeder pick". This spots are held for our breeding program. Although we don't keep puppies from every litter, we prefer keep the option open to hold puppies back for our breeding program.
With intent to purchase one puppy and with one reservation fee, you will be placed on one main litter waiting list and may also be placed as an "alternate" for other waiting lists at no extra fee. This simply means that you hold a true spot on one litter list and will be notified if there are puppies available from the litters in which you are an "alternate".
We will accept up to 8 reservations for any specific litter. Our girls tend to have 8-12 puppies, but occasionally have less. We perform an ultrasound 4 weeks after a mom has been bred. We can typically get a fairly accurate headcount at that time. If the ultrasound shows there aren't enough puppies for those on the waiting list, we will recommend moving your reservation to another waiting list at that point(falling behind the other families on that waiting list). We will keep you as an alternate on the original waiting list just in case there are more puppies born than predicted by ultrasound. If you are an alternate for a litter that shows that there will be enough puppies for you to receive one, you will have to choose if you want to keep your deposit for your original litter list or keep it on the one in which you were an alternate. This is simply because you won't be an "alternate" anymore and will hold a true spot on that waiting list since there will be enough puppies for the families on the waiting list(including yours).
If you have a specific gender/color preference in mind, you should likely reserve a spot near the top of a waiting list rather than at the end. Although we can typically predict colors/patterns based on genetics, we have absolutely no way to predict number of boys/girls. We do require that families choose if they'd like to stay on their particular litter list within two weeks of the litter being born. This helps us avoid having puppies to place at 6-8 weeks old due to someone changing their mind due to color/gender. When someone chooses to stay on a litter list, they will submit a $500 commitment fee. This fee is non-refundable and is applied toward the total cost of the puppy. If you back out of that litter after that fee has been paid, all funds are forfeited. We find this is the most sufficient way to weed out those who may be "window shopping" while we are holding their spot for one of our puppies(which can result in having puppies to place without notice). So, if you do choose to commit to a litter, please keep in mind that you will need to be satisfied with the puppies available when it's time to pick your furbaby. For example, if you are #5 on the litter list, you will need to be happy to take home any of your top 5 favorite puppies in the litter.
Master Waiting List...
We do have waiting lists that are in "master waiting list" form. This typically applies in cases where litters from certain mammas will have similar qualities (size/breed/etc). If this is the case, puppies will be offered to families on the waiting list as the mammas produce them. The waiting period will vary based on the number of puppies each mamma has. Keep in mind that our girls typically produce 8+ puppies as a rule of thumb.
We will open individual litter list as heat cycles begin. We will move families from the master waiting list to the individual litter list as pregnancies are confirmed via ultrasound. Until then, they will remain on the master waiting list.
The breeder has the option to hold puppies back from each individual litter(typically no more than 2, but can vary). We will keep everyone informed of updates (heat cycles/breedings/births) via DogwoodDoodlebugs.com as well as the Dogwood Doodlebugs Facebook page.