Livestock Guardian Dogs - Puppy Adoption Time Line

Step One: Apply For Your Future Guardian
Complete our online Puppy Application & Reservation Agreement.

 

Application-Agreements will be reviewed and responded to via email and/or text within 1–2 days. This is a combined form-agreement that can be found at this link. It serves as your application and our Reservation Agreement.

Because we are a working ranch, responses may occasionally be delayed. If you do not hear from us within 2 business days, please check your spam/junk folder and reach out again to ensure your application was received.

Step Two: Guardian Pup Application Review & Approval
Once your application is approved, you will receive instructions to move forward with your Initial Deposit.

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If we decide that your situation is not a good match for our pups, we will also let you know.

Step Three: Securing Your Future Guardian Pup
To secure your place in line for an upcoming litter, a non-refundable $500 deposit is required once we approve your Application/Agreement

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Deposits are accepted via Zelle or Venmo and must be sent as a “friends and family” payment, as they are non-refundable and considered a cash transaction.

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The initial $500 deposit may be rolled over one time. Once a pregnancy is confirmed via ultrasound, all reservation holders will be required to submit a Litter Commitment. After this stage, rollovers will no longer be permitted except at the sole discretion of Red Rooster Ranch.​

 

Step Four: Vaccination and Ear Cropping Decisions
Buyers shall review our Vaccination and Ear Cropping Policies and finalize their selections prior to the Pregnancy Announcement of the litter. 

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In the absence of timely decisions, Red Rooster Ranch reserves the right to proceed according to its sole discretion.

Step Five: Breeding Confirmation and Due Date Estimate
Once the dam has been bred, we will notify all current reservation holders and provide an estimated ultrasound date, due date, and a projected go-home date range.

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This serves as both a planning window and a preparation step. Families are encouraged to review their calendars, coordinate with all household decision-makers, and ensure the anticipated timing aligns well with their schedule.

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Reservation holders should be prepared to formally recommit to the litter at the time of Pregnancy Announcement. If the projected timeline does not fit, this is the only time to request your one-time rollover prior to litter birth.

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Step Six: Pregnancy Announcement & Litter Commitment
We will send out Pregnancy Announcements via email when we have confirmation! 

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At this time, we will request a Litter Commitment or rollover request within 48 hours of the transmission of the Pregnancy Announcement email. Failure to confirm your reservation may result in your place being allocated elsewhere. 

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During her pregnancy, private updates with photos and videos will be sent to the current reservation holders. We aim for weekly updates to keep everyone involved and up to date on her health and progress.

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If the Vaccination and Ear Cropping Agreement has not been submitted, this is the time to do it.

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Step Seven: Guardian Puppy Birth Announcements
When the puppies are born, a birth announcement will be sent via email and/or text to all committed reservation holders.

 

Following birth, we will monitor the litter closely and provide updates to the Reservation Group as the puppies grow and develop leading up to the matching phase.

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An initial count of puppies will be provided; however, litter size, gender distribution, coloring, and the number of live, healthy puppies cannot be guaranteed and may change in the first days following birth.

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---> Transportation needs should be communicated at this time. We require notification of any air transportation no later than four weeks of age so that appropriate arrangements can be made on our end. Any additional transportation-related costs will be due at the time puppy matches are secured.
 

Step Eight: Veterinary Wellness Evaluation
At approximately five weeks of age, the entire litter will receive an onsite veterinary wellness examination at the ranch. This evaluation allows for early assessment of overall health, structure, and development prior to final matching. Any findings will be disclosed prior to puppy selection.

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Buyers may request an additional veterinary examination prior to departure at their own expense. If the buyer would like, this secondary examination MAY replace the requirement that the puppy be examined by the buyer’s licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of transfer in order to maintain the health guarantee. 

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Step Nine: Matching Buyers With Their Future Guardian Pup!
As the pups mature, we will begin making match notes and suggestions based on applications, lifestyles, working vs. companion goals, and personality observations. 

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​At six weeks, final matching will be conducted via scheduled FaceTime or virtual calls. To prioritize the health and safety of the litter, in-person visits will not be permitted prior to 8 weeks of age.​

 

For puppies receiving vaccines, their first core dose will be administered at six weeks of age, after matching is completed.

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Once matches are confirmed, pick-up appointments will be scheduled for each puppy. By the time puppy matches are made, all transportation arrangements must be finalized.

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Secondary Deposit & Puppy Purchase Agreements
At the time puppies are matched with their new families, a second deposit of $1,000 is due, bringing your total non-refundable deposit to $1,500. Any transportation fees are also due at this time.

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The Puppy Purchase Agreement will be signed at this stage, at which time your puppy will be formally identified and all transportation and/or boarding arrangements will be agreed upon. 

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Step Ten: 8-Week Transportation & Vaccine-Related Veterinary Exams
At approximately eight weeks of age, we will schedule a second onsite veterinary visit for puppies receiving vaccines and/or being transported. At this appointment, the vet will administer vaccines, complete transportation examinations, and perform any buyer-elected final evaluations.

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Puppies receiving vaccines will have their 8-week core vaccine administered by our veterinarian at no additional cost.

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Puppies requiring a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (Health Certificate) for transportation, interstate travel, or by buyer request will receive the necessary examination and documentation at the buyer’s expense.

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Buyers who request an additional or independent final examination beyond our standard veterinary visit may do so at their own expense.

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If travel is delayed beyond the validity window of the original 8-week documentation, any required re-examination or updated certificate will be at the buyer’s expense.

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Step Eleven: Welcome Home Day!
Puppies officially become part of your family between 8–9 weeks of age. 

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Pick-up dates will be scheduled once puppies are matched, or earlier if transportation arrangements must be finalized in advance.

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Final payment is due at or before the pick-up appointment. Pups traveling by ground transport or air must be paid in full 24 hours prior to the transport pick up appointment/scheduled flight.

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Payment options include cash, Zelle, or Venmo.

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Reminder: Puppies requiring air or ground transport must have arrangements secured no later than four weeks of age. Airline tickets and approved travel crates must be purchased, or professional ground transport must be formally booked by this time.

 

Red Rooster Ranch offers limited ground transport to select areas of the West Coast and Arizona under a separate Transportation Agreement.

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