Questions that have been asked over the years.
Q: How do you select your breeding dogs?
A: We do our research on the lines of our dogs, pay close attention to the temperament and health. Looks are always great too but the health and temperament are more important. We have brought home dogs and watched as they've grown and then decided not to breed them anymore after one litter or decided not too breed them at all. There is always reasons behind this that could range from not being pleased with their attitude, their intelligence/common sense, how well they fit it with the others...ect.. Our goal is is to breed the best Springers as possible for your family even if this means spending quite a bit on a dog but not even breeding her because of something we didn't want to pass on for future generations.
Q: What is included in the price of your dogs?
A: Depending on which litter, the price varies. Our puppies leave here with a vet checkup and up to date on vaccinations/wormings no matter what age. They see the vet for a checkup between the ages of 6-8 weeks. Some breeders count the puppies vet checkup when they take them in to get the tails/dewclaws done but vets can rarely pick up on heart murmurs when the newborns are so young, so it's always in the best interest for the pup and future owners to rule out that before the puppies leave. We supply you with a vaccination record and the date/information of our vet from the checkup. If a breeder does not supply that information to you, it's probably because they have chosen not to take them for their six to eight week checkup. We are not vets here and it doesn't matter how long a breeder has been in business, your future puppy should ALWAYS have that six to eight week checkup by a liscensed vet.
Q: Do you ship you puppies?
A: We don't like to fly our puppies. It is VERY important that we meet in person the future families for our puppies. If you live far away to where we cannot arrange a meeting beforehand, I will do a phone interview first and then look forward to meeting you when the time comes. It should be just as important to you to meet us. We love to show off our family of dogs and you get to see the environment that they are raised in. When the distance is too far, we do accept references and can arrange with our wonderful pet delivery ground shipper (he's not a big business and takes great care of our dogs when traveling) who does deliver all over the US. When we can, we will personally meet you with the puppies ourselves but still encourage pick up from our place. It reassures you that we are not a puppymill.
Q: Do you keep your dogs in kennels?
A: No, only when it's necessary to protect our females when they are in heat and it is not a planned breeding and even then, they get let out with supervision. We live on a 241 acre farm with rolling hills and woods at a dead end road. Years ago we invested in a underground fence that will cover up to 15 acres and that has been a blessing for us and our dogs. Happier dogs are ones who get to run and play (or hunt) as ours get to do. We do have a 50X50 fenced in area (working on expanding) that when needed for dogs/puppies not yet trained for the underground fence. When looking at the 10X10 kennels that dogs stay in all I could think was that it had to feel like a jail cell. Imagine having to spend all that time in there. A very sad way to live and if I ever got to that point over the years where it didn't bother me then it was time to quit breeding.
Q: How often do you breed your females and for how long?
A: We do NOT back to back breed here. I like my girls to have at least one heat cycle inbetween litters. Accidents can happen as when I first started, Maggie had two in a row. Lessons learned and I'm very careful now. I do like to retire my girls between the ages of 5-7 and sometimes sooner. These dogs are blessing us and many lucky families with thier puppies and its only fair to them not to overbreed.
Q. Do you recommend other breeders?
A: Yes, SarMel Dogs in South Carolina, Leshock's English Springer Spaniels in Pennsylvania, and Antietam English Springer Spaniels in Maryland. All three can be found on facebook, google search, or contact me and I will give their information. These breeders are HONEST breeders who take just as much pride in their dogs as we do.
MARSTILLER’S SPRINGER SPANIELS
WWW.MARSTILLERSPRINGERS.COM
OWNER – RACHEL MARSTILLER~RACHEL@MARSTILLERSPRINGERS.COM
PURCHASE AGREEMENT/HEALTH GUARANTEE
DATE:________________
THIS AGREEMENT IS MADE BETWEEN _____________________________________________AND MARSTILLER’S SPRINGERS.
ADDRESS_________________________________________CITY________________________STATE_______ZIP_________
PHONE________________________________EMAIL_______________________________
FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE FOLLOWING: ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL
NAME___________________________________REGISTRATION/LITTER # _____________
COLOR___________________________________SEX_____DATE OF BIRTH_____________
SIRE_____________________________________REG. # ___________________________
DAM_____________________________________REG. # __________________________
THE ABOVE ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL IS SOLD AS A PET FOR THE PRICE OF $___________.
MARSTILLER’S SPRINGER SPANIELS GUARANTEES THIS IS A PUREBRED ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL, OFFSPRING OF THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED SIRE AND DAME.
IT IS HEREBY AGREED BY BOTH PARTIES THAT THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS WILL BE MET AND THAT NO OTHER WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS ARE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.
THIS PUPPY IS BEING CLASSIFIED AS A PET BY MARTILLER’S SPRINGERS AND IT DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A SHOW PROSPECT/SHOW QUALITY DOG AT THIS TIME OF SALE. THIS DOG IS NOT GUARANTEED TO BECOME A CHAMPION OF RECORD, BUT WITH THE PROPER CARE AND TRAINING ON THE PART OF THE BUYER AND/OR HANDLER, THIS PUPPY SHOULD BE A REASONABLE CONTENDER.
BUYER CERTIFIES THAT HE/SHE IS NOT ACTING AS AN AGENT OR ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL IN THE PURCHASE OF THIS PUPPY, AND WILL NOT SELL THIS DOG TO ANY MASS-PRODUCING KENNEL (PUPPY MILL) OR BUSINESS.
Health Guarantee Contract
This puppy has had vaccination shots against parvovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus, distemper, and coronovirus. The buyer has until the next due date of vaccinations according to this Health Guarantee Contract to have a licensed veterinarian examine the puppy. If he/she finds any life-threatening genetic defects or life-threatening illness, the buyer may exchange the puppy for one of equal value or a full refund after the return of the puppy with a vet statement. The buyer agrees to pay any fees associated with the return of the puppy, as well as any fee associated with an exchange of a puppy. The puppy is guaranteed for 1 year starting from the date of birth and may be replaced if a life threatening criteria described above is found and supported by a veterinarian statement. We also require the buyer to keep the puppy on a regular vaccination program and routine worming through a licensed veterinary clinic. If the buyer fails to do so the Health Guarantee is VOID. This is for the health and safety of the puppy.
If there is a congenital defect (not including hips which are genetic) within one year from birth, and it can be surgically corrected for less then the cost of a replacement puppy from our kennel, we will pay the cost of surgery (not the tests, or doctors visits leading to the surgery) up to the purchase price for your puppy instead of replacing the puppy.
If a condition can not be surgically corrected and/or the buyer wishes to keep the dog we will replace the puppy with another of equal value following a veterinary statement. All veterinary costs are the liability of the buyer.
Buyer understands that the following slight genetic defects are not considered serious or life threatening, and therefore is not covered: umbilical hernia, undescended testicle, underbite or overbite. Buyer understands that replacement option is only valid when health problems are attributed to a hereditary problem and not due to accident, maltreatment, neglect, injury, or illness and disease contracted while in the purchaser’s possession.
Hip Dysplasia Guarantee:
In the unlikely event that a puppy is suspected of being Dysplastic in its first 2 years, we will guarantee a replacement puppy as long as this procedure is followed:
1. Notify us by telephone or letter within 10 business days of the diagnosis.
Marstiller's Springer Spaniels, Rachel Marstiller
2. The OFA must find the dog to be "Severely Dysplastic".
3. Send us vet statement detailing that the dog has had x-rays, is not over weight for its height and structure, and that it has obtained regular check-ups.
4. The x-ray must have been taken between 1.5 and 2 years of age but not later than 2 years of age.
5. The dog must have never been bred.
6. The dog must be in the care of the original buyer.
After meeting the above criteria you may choose a replacement puppy of equal quality out of any of our litters, subject to availability. If you choose to replace the puppy with a more expensive puppy the buyer is reliable for the difference in cost. No additional health guarantee will be issued on the replacement puppy.
Spay and Neuter Contract:
The buyer agrees to spay/neuter the puppy by 12 months of age. If the puppy is not spayed or neutered, or is bred all terms and conditions of this health guarantee will be void. Limited AKC paperwork will be mailed only after the neuter/spay is completed if puppy is purchased with limited AKC papers.
LEGAL:
If for any reason the buyer or the seller have a dispute that needs to be addressed with a court the buyer agrees that ALL legal proceedings will be conducted in the county in which the seller resides.
Breeding Contract Owners:
If a puppy is purchased on a Breeding Contract we will guarantee that that puppy will produce at least one litter of puppies in it's lifetime. If you try to breed and a litter is not produced we require that you send us your dog so we can try to breed it to one of our dogs to prove if it is the puppy you purchased or your other dog. If it is found to be the puppy you purchased from us we will replace your puppy. Shipping and veterinary expenses are the responsibility of the buyers.
As the seller, I certify that this dog/puppy is free from illness and defects, and does not appear clinically ill from parasitic infestations. All information provided is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. I, as the purchaser, understand that the maximum refund will not exceed the original purchase price of the puppy and that this guarantee is nontransferable under any circumstances.
BUYER RELEASES MARSTILLER’S SPRINGER SPANIELS AND THEIR ESTATE FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, AND/OR DAMAGES BY FAULT OF THIS DOG AFTER THE TIME OF SALE. THESE DAMAGES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY AND/OR PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO ANY PERSON OR GROUP OF PEOPLE.
THIS CONTRACT IS MADE OUT IN DUPLICATE; MARSTILLER’S SPRINGER SPANIELS AND THE BUYER EACH ARE TO RECEIVE A COPY.
A CHANGING OF MARSTILLER’S SPRINGER SPANIELS CONTRACT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. IF A CONTRACT IS CHANGED IN ANY WAY THEN WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THE SALE AT ANYTIME.
BUYER HAS READ AND AGREED TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS OF THIS CONTRACT.
BUYER SIGNATURE:_________________________________DATE__________
SELLER SIGNATURE:_________________________________DATE__________
THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOU NEW ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL
Here are some additional websites to read about English Springer Spaniels. As always, I love to find my puppies good homes but encourage everyone to check out the rescue sites in case you would like to adopt an older one that needs a home.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Springer_Spaniel
http://www.springerrescue.org/
http://www.akc.org/breeds/english_springer_spaniel/index.cfm
Please feel free to email or call with any questions. Thank you
Copyright 2010 Marstiller's Springer Spaniels. All rights reserved.