Important Puppy Information
What do you as a Breeder, breed for?
We strive to only breed dogs that are as close to the Miniature Poodle Breed Standard as possible. We aim to maintain the mental and physical breed type set forth in the breed standard. We strive to breed excellent tempered, structurally sound dogs that are free of genetic ailments. Umbra puppies can be seen in the show ring, obedience ring, and agility ring, as well as on the sofas and in the hearts of loving families as healthy pets. We want to hear from our puppy owners at MINIMUM once a year. We take full responsibility for the well being of each life that we helped bring into this world and will provide you and your puppy life time support. The reason we breed is when we are hoping to produce a new show puppy for ourselves, we usually keep at least one puppy, all the rest are available ONLY to approved pet or performance homes.
We strive to only breed dogs that are as close to the Miniature Poodle Breed Standard as possible. We aim to maintain the mental and physical breed type set forth in the breed standard. We strive to breed excellent tempered, structurally sound dogs that are free of genetic ailments. Umbra puppies can be seen in the show ring, obedience ring, and agility ring, as well as on the sofas and in the hearts of loving families as healthy pets. We want to hear from our puppy owners at MINIMUM once a year. We take full responsibility for the well being of each life that we helped bring into this world and will provide you and your puppy life time support. The reason we breed is when we are hoping to produce a new show puppy for ourselves, we usually keep at least one puppy, all the rest are available ONLY to approved pet or performance homes.
What kind of temperament do your dogs have?
This is the most important trait of any dog no matter if they are a pet or show dog. We strive to breed dogs that have the soundest temperaments. Our dogs are not fearful nor aggressive, they are loving and willing to please, while being keen and intelligent. New Miniature Poodle owners please remember, they are a very smart breed and being smart means that their minds need to be exercised just as much if not more than their bodies.
This is the most important trait of any dog no matter if they are a pet or show dog. We strive to breed dogs that have the soundest temperaments. Our dogs are not fearful nor aggressive, they are loving and willing to please, while being keen and intelligent. New Miniature Poodle owners please remember, they are a very smart breed and being smart means that their minds need to be exercised just as much if not more than their bodies.
What do you do to make sure the dogs you breed are genetically healthy?
To ensure that the puppies we produce are healthy, we genetically test all our dogs prior to them ever being bred. This happens after the age of two because they cannot pass hip, patella or eye CERF/CAER until after the age of two. We also do genetic DNA testing through a reliable company such as embark, paw print genetics, etc. This will help to ensure that they are less likely to pass on any genetic disease's to future offspring. This genetic testing is not just a normal vet examination from any vet, they are very expensive and done by specialized geneticists on DNA via blood and saliva samples. Examinations are done by eye, hip and joint specialists. Make sure that you request copies of the actual test results from the breeder or check the OFA.org website to look up a dog just type in the dogs registration name in the search. We do not breed our dogs until they are fully health tested.
To ensure that the puppies we produce are healthy, we genetically test all our dogs prior to them ever being bred. This happens after the age of two because they cannot pass hip, patella or eye CERF/CAER until after the age of two. We also do genetic DNA testing through a reliable company such as embark, paw print genetics, etc. This will help to ensure that they are less likely to pass on any genetic disease's to future offspring. This genetic testing is not just a normal vet examination from any vet, they are very expensive and done by specialized geneticists on DNA via blood and saliva samples. Examinations are done by eye, hip and joint specialists. Make sure that you request copies of the actual test results from the breeder or check the OFA.org website to look up a dog just type in the dogs registration name in the search. We do not breed our dogs until they are fully health tested.
When can I visit?
"We do NOT allow people to visit puppies until they are vaccinated at 8 weeks of age. Until such time they have NO immunity or protection against diseases such as Parvo. Parvo was discovered in the 1970’s and in only two years, the virus had spread worldwide! Parvo is a highly contagious virus. What makes the virus so dangerous is the ease with which it is spread, it can be transmitted in two ways. The first is by direct contact through the nose and mouth with infected poop, which can happen when a dog sniffs or licks a surface or another dog that has been contaminated with feces. The second method of transmission is through indirect contact. The virus can survive on clothing, equipment, shoes, car tires, on human skin, and in the environment. Indirect transmission occurs when a puppy comes into contact with a contaminated person, object, or environment. The parvovirus is a particularly resilient virus. It can survive indoors at room temperature for at least two months and is resistant to many commonly used cleaners and disinfectants. Outdoors, the parvovirus can survive for months, and even years, if protected from direct sunlight...and reinfect dogs and new neonates continuously, young dogs under 5 weeks rarely survive. If you bring Parvo to us, which is easy if you stop at one gas station along the way here, you could bring it to our home permanently costing us tens of thousands to treat and putting our dogs in serious danger. Once a dog has contracted parvo, the virus replicates. This replication takes place in the small intestines, lymphopoietic tissue (lymph nodes, thymus, etc.), and bone marrow. This leads to severe GI problems and in rare cases, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) and often death. Please read more about the dangers of parvovirus HERE, so that you can understand why we are so strict and why we worry so much and do everything possible to protect our new born pups who do not have the immune systems to fight it off. We would be happy to send you many pictures and videos until then but the more foot traffic into our home the higher the risk to our dogs and even more so to our young pups, we are not willing to risk our unvaccinated pups lives! Read "Parvo Has Given Me Nightmares: A Vet's Testimonial" and learn about the other diseases our pups are susceptible to prior to vaccination, HERE."
~Laura K. S. Shaw~
~Bellaclan Border Collies~
Please also read another great article "What Is The Parvo Vaccine And Does Your Dog Need It?" by Your Dog Advisor
Click HERE for the article link
What do you feed your dogs and pups?
We feed our dogs as natural as possible and we have done lots of research into canine nutrition with the help of our veterinarian. We have found that our dogs do best on a diet of very high quality kibble (Fromm) with the addition of raw meat and edible bones or a fully balanced RAW diet.
We feed our dogs as natural as possible and we have done lots of research into canine nutrition with the help of our veterinarian. We have found that our dogs do best on a diet of very high quality kibble (Fromm) with the addition of raw meat and edible bones or a fully balanced RAW diet.
Where are the newborn puppies raised?
Our puppies are born in our kitchen/family room and we sleep right beside them for the first few weeks. We also have wireless camera's so we can check in on them at any point from anywhere! We carefully watch the puppies for any sign's of dehydration as well as weigh them 2-3 times a day to ensure that they are gaining good weight and not dehydrating.
Our puppies are born in our kitchen/family room and we sleep right beside them for the first few weeks. We also have wireless camera's so we can check in on them at any point from anywhere! We carefully watch the puppies for any sign's of dehydration as well as weigh them 2-3 times a day to ensure that they are gaining good weight and not dehydrating.
How do you socialize your puppies?
Umbra puppies are born and raised in the house and are extensively socialized before they leave. Once they are old enough to have more people around them our house is always busy, and then once they get a bit older we bring them out to the parks to meet new people and see the world. It is the new owners job to continue this with their puppy once they are home. They need to be socialized and exposed to A LOT! The more you introduce to your puppy at a young age the more they will be accustomed to and know how to cope with those situations as an adult! We CANNOT stress enough how important socialization is and how it is important to make sure your puppy has as many pleasant interactions with ALL kinds of people and animals as possible while they are young, tall people, small people, people with hats, people with sunglass's, something so small that you many not realize it will be a problem until it is. A well socialized puppy makes a well adjusted adult.
After lots of research and trying many methods we have decided to raise our puppies using Jane Killion's Puppy Culture methods. Included in this method is ENS (Early Neuroligical Stimulation). Puppy Culture also makes an additional series called "The Unplugged Series Volume I". We highly recommend to all our puppy owners that they purchase both the Puppy Culture series and The Unplugged Series Volume I. We suggest that you watch this prior to your new pups arrival so that our efforts here can be continued at home to make sure that these methods stick and make the dog a well adjusted adult. These video's will help set a foundation of continued learning both for you and your puppy throughout your pups lifetime, if you want to be competitive in any canine sport or in the show ring puppy culture has great videos for that as well. Puppy Culture is the very FIRST STEP in training your puppy, this should be started BEFORE any other training or obedience classes. Puppy Culture will make your puppy into the most incredible, easy to live with, well adjusted pet!
After lots of research and trying many methods we have decided to raise our puppies using Jane Killion's Puppy Culture methods. Included in this method is ENS (Early Neuroligical Stimulation). Puppy Culture also makes an additional series called "The Unplugged Series Volume I". We highly recommend to all our puppy owners that they purchase both the Puppy Culture series and The Unplugged Series Volume I. We suggest that you watch this prior to your new pups arrival so that our efforts here can be continued at home to make sure that these methods stick and make the dog a well adjusted adult. These video's will help set a foundation of continued learning both for you and your puppy throughout your pups lifetime, if you want to be competitive in any canine sport or in the show ring puppy culture has great videos for that as well. Puppy Culture is the very FIRST STEP in training your puppy, this should be started BEFORE any other training or obedience classes. Puppy Culture will make your puppy into the most incredible, easy to live with, well adjusted pet!
Should I spay/neuter my dog?
All our PET puppies are sold on a spay/neuter contract, and are on a CKC Non-Breeding Agreement . You MUST have your pet spayed or neutered after 12 months but before 20 months of age. If you signed the "PET PUPPY CONTACT" the puppy is a PET and cannot be bred from (as written in the PET CONTRACT). There are NO EXCEPTIONS. You may still participate with your puppy in performance events like agility, obedience, rally, disc dog, tracking etc however the only event you cannot compete in is conformation because your pet MUST be spayed or neutered and conformation is for intact dogs only. We require a signed contract that stipulates this agreement will be upheld before you take possession of your puppy. All the proper documents must be signed and in hand before you get your puppy. We have the right to take full legal action against anyone choosing to break this agreement.
All our PET puppies are sold on a spay/neuter contract, and are on a CKC Non-Breeding Agreement . You MUST have your pet spayed or neutered after 12 months but before 20 months of age. If you signed the "PET PUPPY CONTACT" the puppy is a PET and cannot be bred from (as written in the PET CONTRACT). There are NO EXCEPTIONS. You may still participate with your puppy in performance events like agility, obedience, rally, disc dog, tracking etc however the only event you cannot compete in is conformation because your pet MUST be spayed or neutered and conformation is for intact dogs only. We require a signed contract that stipulates this agreement will be upheld before you take possession of your puppy. All the proper documents must be signed and in hand before you get your puppy. We have the right to take full legal action against anyone choosing to break this agreement.
Do you sell show prospect puppies?
DO I EVER PLACE BREEDING QUALITY SHOW DOGS?
Yes.
However, we are VERY particular about any possible show home. We want show homes who will go the extra mile and exhibit the dog to the highest standard possible and give it their all, homes who are dedicated to presenting our dogs in the very best condition possible both, mentally, and physically. Homes who are aware of all the needs of a show dog, they must have excellent muscle mass and full coat (growing show poodle coat is not an easy task). Owning a poodle involves hard work and dedication. These dogs are available in a co-ownership only.
Please contact for more information.
DO I EVER PLACE BREEDING QUALITY SHOW DOGS?
Yes.
However, we are VERY particular about any possible show home. We want show homes who will go the extra mile and exhibit the dog to the highest standard possible and give it their all, homes who are dedicated to presenting our dogs in the very best condition possible both, mentally, and physically. Homes who are aware of all the needs of a show dog, they must have excellent muscle mass and full coat (growing show poodle coat is not an easy task). Owning a poodle involves hard work and dedication. These dogs are available in a co-ownership only.
Please contact for more information.
Can I choose a puppy?
We do not sell puppies on the "first come first serve" basis. Once we have decided who we are keeping for our future breeding program, we will choose a puppy for you. No one knows our puppies better than us. No one can pick their puppy through a picture, or from meeting the litter for a few minutes. We know each puppies little quirks and temperament, we try our very best to get to know the owners to better understand what they are looking for in a pet and who we feel will be the BEST fit for your family. Please fill out our puppy application!!!
The amount of detail you provide us with will get you the BEST results when it comes to us pairing you with your puppy, so please make sure to be very specific in what you are looking for. Some puppies are "show quality" and some are "pet quality" due to many factors. As the breeder we are responsible for which puppies go to live in "show homes" and hopefully contribute their best features to the breed, and which ones go into "pet homes". This is not saying that the "pet" puppies are inferior and the "show" puppies are superior. Simple things such as, more or less angles than we prefer, a litter longer in body, a shorter neck and other things that do not have any physical effect on a dog as a pet. Those are factors we do consider on a dog that might be bred from later as we are breeding for certain characteristics! Please understand we do it this way because we want our puppies to have the best fit in your home so they will have a home for LIFE. We believe matches are better made based on the temperament of the dog rather than any physical traits. Any breeder who lets you pick your own puppy, or when the pups are only a few days old, are incredibly irresponsible. They only want your money.
We will let you know which puppy is yours between 8-12 weeks of age.
We do not sell puppies on the "first come first serve" basis. Once we have decided who we are keeping for our future breeding program, we will choose a puppy for you. No one knows our puppies better than us. No one can pick their puppy through a picture, or from meeting the litter for a few minutes. We know each puppies little quirks and temperament, we try our very best to get to know the owners to better understand what they are looking for in a pet and who we feel will be the BEST fit for your family. Please fill out our puppy application!!!
The amount of detail you provide us with will get you the BEST results when it comes to us pairing you with your puppy, so please make sure to be very specific in what you are looking for. Some puppies are "show quality" and some are "pet quality" due to many factors. As the breeder we are responsible for which puppies go to live in "show homes" and hopefully contribute their best features to the breed, and which ones go into "pet homes". This is not saying that the "pet" puppies are inferior and the "show" puppies are superior. Simple things such as, more or less angles than we prefer, a litter longer in body, a shorter neck and other things that do not have any physical effect on a dog as a pet. Those are factors we do consider on a dog that might be bred from later as we are breeding for certain characteristics! Please understand we do it this way because we want our puppies to have the best fit in your home so they will have a home for LIFE. We believe matches are better made based on the temperament of the dog rather than any physical traits. Any breeder who lets you pick your own puppy, or when the pups are only a few days old, are incredibly irresponsible. They only want your money.
We will let you know which puppy is yours between 8-12 weeks of age.
What is included with my puppy?
Puppies ALWAYS come with:
Canadian Kennel Club Registration Number
First Vaccinations and all medical records
Up to Date worming's and worming schedule
Full Inspection by a Board Certified Veterinarian and proof of such
Pets + Us Insurance
Puppy Information Package Located Online in the Umbra Poodle Owners VIP Section (Password Protected Area)
ISO International Trovan Microchip implanted at the withers
BREEDER HELP FOR LIFE
Puppies ALWAYS come with:
Canadian Kennel Club Registration Number
First Vaccinations and all medical records
Up to Date worming's and worming schedule
Full Inspection by a Board Certified Veterinarian and proof of such
Pets + Us Insurance
Puppy Information Package Located Online in the Umbra Poodle Owners VIP Section (Password Protected Area)
ISO International Trovan Microchip implanted at the withers
BREEDER HELP FOR LIFE
What is a puppy contract?
All our puppies are sold with a signed contract, there are NO EXCEPTIONS! This contract is in place to protect everyone. It protects you as the new owner, myself, my Umbra poodles lines/prefix and lastly but most importantly THE PUPPY! We will not let any puppy leave our care until we have a contract signed by all parties.
All our puppies are sold with a signed contract, there are NO EXCEPTIONS! This contract is in place to protect everyone. It protects you as the new owner, myself, my Umbra poodles lines/prefix and lastly but most importantly THE PUPPY! We will not let any puppy leave our care until we have a contract signed by all parties.
When can I put down a deposit on a puppy?
We DO NOT accept deposit's until the puppies are born. If the puppies are born, we have approved you for a puppy and we have told you there is a puppy in this litter for you (as we don't typically have large litters), a $500 deposit is due to hold a puppy for you. Please do NOT send a deposit until after you have been approved by us and have read and AGREE with the terms on our puppy contract that we have sent you. Please be 100% positive that you want a dog from us as the deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE.
We DO NOT accept deposit's until the puppies are born. If the puppies are born, we have approved you for a puppy and we have told you there is a puppy in this litter for you (as we don't typically have large litters), a $500 deposit is due to hold a puppy for you. Please do NOT send a deposit until after you have been approved by us and have read and AGREE with the terms on our puppy contract that we have sent you. Please be 100% positive that you want a dog from us as the deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE.
When do I get to pick my puppy up?
If you know you are getting a puppy from us you need to make arrangements to pick your puppy up between 12 and 14 weeks of age.
If you know you are getting a puppy from us you need to make arrangements to pick your puppy up between 12 and 14 weeks of age.
Can you ship the dog to me?
Shipping is available, however the cost of shipping is the sole responsibility of the purchaser. Shipping a puppy is less stressful on the young dog, and it is much more cost effective than driving a long way. We will make sure that your puppy is ready to fly prior to departure. Shipping within CANADA for a 8-16 week old pup is normally about $400-$500, this price includes a kennel that you get to keep, bedding, toys, and the flight. Gas too and from the airport is extra.
If you are located in the USA, as of 2019 Canada is now considered rabies-free when entering the USA, no vaccinations are needed going from Canada into the USA. State laws still apply. We can ship from Canada, drive to USA and ship from a USA Airport, or you are welcome to drive or fly to us to pick your puppy up (depending on our own show schedules and litters in the house etc.).
Shipping is available, however the cost of shipping is the sole responsibility of the purchaser. Shipping a puppy is less stressful on the young dog, and it is much more cost effective than driving a long way. We will make sure that your puppy is ready to fly prior to departure. Shipping within CANADA for a 8-16 week old pup is normally about $400-$500, this price includes a kennel that you get to keep, bedding, toys, and the flight. Gas too and from the airport is extra.
If you are located in the USA, as of 2019 Canada is now considered rabies-free when entering the USA, no vaccinations are needed going from Canada into the USA. State laws still apply. We can ship from Canada, drive to USA and ship from a USA Airport, or you are welcome to drive or fly to us to pick your puppy up (depending on our own show schedules and litters in the house etc.).
