Puppy Application
Questionnaire
If you would like to be considered for a Kilnhurst pup please take the time to thoroughly read and digest the 'Credo' page (top menu) and the
'Our Breeding Philosophy' section (bottom of the left hand menu.) If you are comfortable with our approach and ethics as the breeders of your
next dog, please introduce yourself with an email containing the completed Questionnaire, as below.
Our questionnaire is intended to be the start of a conversation between us as breeders and you, the potential puppy owners. It requires your
honest answers; the questions are designed to help you focus your thoughts on what you're really looking for in a dog. For our part, the questions
help us get to know people we do not know personally.
Understanding a bit about you and your lifestyle, your hopes and your expectations will, in due course, help us make the best fit between a puppy
and your family. These dogs should be an integral part of the family for many years, so finding the perfect match is important.
PLEASE BE DETAILED AND SPECIFIC WITH YOUR ANSWERS. You can't write too much!
To submit your application simply cut and paste the text below into an email, with your answers in between. The email address is on the Contact page.
Finally, a reminder that we live in the SCOTTISH BORDERS, not too far from Edinburgh. This can come as a surprise to those folk who haven't read
the front page properly. If distance is an issue there's no judgment in that, but you'll need to find a breeder closer to you.
About You: (All required, please)
1. Your name
2. Address including postcode
3. Contact phone number
About Us:
4. How did you hear about Kilnhurst? (Word of mouth, personal recommendation, internet search, Facebook etc)5. Why are you specifically interested in a Kilnhurst?
Your Lifestyle and Household:
6. Describe your current household (people and animals, ages, gender, etc.)7. Describe your typical day (including your work schedule) and lifestyle. How will your puppy's needs fit into your daily schedule? (Work, school, hobbies, hours at home etc.)
Your Previous and Current Dogs:
8. What dogs have you owned previously? If you have owned dogs before, why not go back to that breeder for a puppy?9. If you have dogs at the moment, tell us a little about each of them such as their breed, age, temperament, health and any working achievements.
10. What is your vaccination regime for your dogs?
Miniature American Shepherds:
11. What attracts you to this breed in particular?12. Have you met a MAS (or a mini Aussie, or an Australian Shepherd) for real? Do you have any experience with these or other shepherding breeds?
13. Does anybody in your household have fur or dander allergies?
Raising your puppy:
14. Where will your puppy spend the day-time and the night-time?15. What do you plan on feeding your puppy?
16. How many hours a day on average will your adult dog spend alone?
Training:
17. What kind of activities or dog sports do you hope to do with your dog?18. If you are involved with dog sports, which trainers do you admire?
19. Are you familiar with clicker training?
20. What would happen if this puppy developed physical or behavioural problems that prevented them from meeting your goals?
21. Are you interested in conformation (breed) showing?
Requirements:
22. All our puppies have their registration papers endorsed against breeding. It is expected that the pup will be neutered at maturity (i.e. a bitch after her first season or a dog after his first birthday, but NOT before.) Would this requirement, or the timing of it, be an issue to you?23. Do you have a preference for gender and/or coat colour?
(A note to the wise: everybody wants a blue merle girl but in reality they are few and far between. Please ... think outside the box a little!)
24. The adult size of this breed can vary considerably! Is size a particular priority for you?
25. We offer guidance as to the best puppy for each family, since we know our pups better than anyone else. If two equally suitable puppies are available, then we allow the puppies and you to choose each other.
How do you feel about this? (Note: even if approved, if we do not have a puppy who matches your needs, we will not offer you a puppy from that litter. This is for the benefit of both you and the puppy. Getting the wrong puppy will make no-one happy.)
This doesn’t mean you have no say in the matter, we work together. The more you communicate with us, the better this process becomes – hence this questionnaire. Whilst of course we accommodate your preferences where possible, are you willing to consider our advice on the most suitable puppy for your household and lifestyle, even if that conflicts with your ideal
Expectations:
26. Are you willing to stay in contact with us, discuss any training or health issues that may arise and share with us the results of further health tests?27. If asked, are you willing to provide references from your vet, trainer, and/or two personal friends?
28. We have a rigorous placement contract – designed for the protection of you, us and above all, the dog. The key points include your promise to keep the dog in good condition, in the best health and to treat it fairly. You sign to declare that you understand that the dog will not be bred from, and that you offer us the unconditional right of first refusal if you are unable to keep the dog at any point in it's life.
We have thought our contract through very carefully and are prepared to stick by what it says. Will complying with any of these conditions be a problem to you?
29. Are you currently on, or do you plan to apply to be on, any other breeder's waiting lists?
Additional Information:
Any comments or questions you would like to add?Thank you for your interest in a Kilnhurst puppy and for taking the time and the trouble to complete the questionnaire. We will get back to you as quickly as we can.
