How often do you have puppies available?
We breed selectively and focus on quality over quantity. Litters are typically planned 1–2 times per year. Because we only breed our females a handful of times, and usually not until they are 3 years old, we may go periods of time without litters. As breeding plans form, we will keep our upcoming litters page updated. You can also follow our social media for updates on upcoming litters.
Is a fence required?
While secure, fenced yards are ideal – we understand that this is a barrier that many prospective buyers will encounter, and therefore we do not require a fence to purchase a puppy from us. We do require our puppies to live indoors, and that they are not left unattended out of the house.
Will you sell to someone who lives in high-density housing (apartment, condo, etc)?
Yes, we consider all living situations, provided the buyer demonstrates a suitable lifestyle, time commitment, and environment for the breed’s needs.
Do you ship puppies?
We do not ship puppies cargo. We may offer flight nanny services or in-person delivery for an additional fee. Pickup in person is always encouraged.
Do you ship internationally?
International placements are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on import regulations and the buyer’s experience with the breed. Additional costs and arrangements apply.
How much does a puppy cost?
Puppy prices range from $2800-3000. Each puppy in a litter will be the same price – we do not price puppies differently based on sex, color, or any other quality. Occasionally, puppies will be offered for co-own agreements where we retain breeding rights, and those puppies are half the original price. This is NOT an agreement we offer for every puppy in a litter, only puppies we select as “grow-outs” for our breeding program.
What is included in the puppy’s purchase price?
Included in each puppy’s price is: AKC registration (paid), AKC Reunite Microchip (pre-registered), first vaccines, vet health letter, and all regular dewormings and other medical care necessary prior to purchase. You will also receive a puppy gift bag, which includes treats, food, toys, and a custom tug and leash.
Do you offer payment plans?
Puppies must be paid for, in full, by 7 weeks of age. Puppies not paid for by 7 weeks will be offered to other prospective buyers. We do not typically ask for deposits, however if a buyer wants to pay in installments leading up to the 7 week mark, that is fine.
Do you sell to show homes?
Yes, we are happy to work with responsible show homes that are active in conformation and committed to upholding breed standards. Not every puppy in a litter is “show quality,” and we strive to be honest and transparent about which of our puppies we feel may have successful show careers. All puppies sold on full registration (required for show) must be co-owned with Thanagar Mudi. Selling a puppy to a home for show does not also include breeding rights.
Do you sell to pet homes?
Absolutely! Many of our puppies go to loving companion homes. Just as not every puppy is meant for show or sports, not every puppy is the best fit for pet homes – so we ensure a good fit based on the puppy’s temperament and the home’s lifestyle.
Do you sell puppies for breeding?
Generally, no. While we understand the new popularity of the breed and the desire to have puppies, we are very selective about breeding placements. Breeding rights are only available to approved homes, whose values, integrity, and ethics align with ours. Our contract includes steep financial penalties for breeding any of our puppies without our written consent.
How are puppy placements decided?
We match puppies to homes based on temperament testing, goals of the buyer (pet, performance, show, etc.), and the puppy’s individual traits (structure, sex, tail/NBT, etc). We do not allow buyers to choose strictly by color or markings. If there are multiple puppies in a litter who meet a buyer’s needs perfectly, then buyers may be offered the choice. If you are only willing to buy a puppy of a specific color, please be up front with this.
While we may begin pairing puppies with buyers as early as 5 weeks old, often selections may not be made until 6-7 weeks old.
Do your puppies make good service dogs or therapy dogs?
Generally, this breed does not make good candidates for service or therapy work. We will not sell a puppy specifically as a service dog prospect, as we feel strongly that those in need of service animals should prioritize breeds that fit their needs.
Do your puppies have a health guarantee?
Puppies go home with a 72 hour health guarantee, that is it. We do not offer guarantees for other health issues, as we feel buying (or adopting) a dog always comes with the inherent risk of health concerns. Joint issues are often environmental as well as genetic, and it is typically impossible to distinguish the two. Therefore, we guarantee that the parents are fully health tested and free from disease at the time of breeding. Anything that occurs outside of the 72 hour window of when a puppy first goes home is the responsibility of the buyer.
Do you require a contract?
Yes, all buyers must sign a contract that outlines our expectations, return policy, and other aspects of purchase.. Breeding rights and show agreements are separate contracts.
Do you require spay or neuter?
No – spaying and neutering dogs is a personal choice, and we do not micromanage our buyers. However, we include steep financial penalties for breeding our puppies (on purpose or not) without our consent, and we will enforce these penalties.
Are your breeding dogs health tested?
Absolutely. All breeding dogs are fully health tested according to breed club requirements, plus more. At minimum, our breeding dogs have: OFA hips, elbows, patella, eyes, and basic cardiac on record. Most also have OFA shoulder and spine, as well as dentition results. Eyes are checked annually, or at least before an adult is bred. We also use Embark DNA testing.
What types of socialization do your puppies get before going to buyers?
Our puppies are raised with ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation), exposure to various surfaces, sounds, people, and age-appropriate enrichment. We use elements of many of the popular puppy raising protocols, along with our own strategies developed from first hand experience raising Mudis. They begin crate and potty training before going home. Puppies are instinct tested on ducks at 5 weeks old and lambs at 7 weeks old.
Are your puppies able to be registered?
Yes, all puppies go home with AKC registration (Full, Limited, or FSS – depending on purchase agreement). They can also be registered with UKC at the buyer’s expense.
Do you live-stream or post puppy photos and videos?
I do not ever live stream, or video, the whelping process, or provide video of the whelping box generally. Whelping is stressful, serious, and intimate, and anything can go wrong in the blink of an eye. My focus must always be on my mama dog, not on sharing video.
Depending on my bandwidth at the time, I usually make a private Facebook group or a group message, where I share videos and photos of puppies with buyers as the puppies develop.
Our puppies’ Volhard tests are always available to the public and can be viewed anytime on our YouTube channel.
What is your puppy-buying process?
Here’s a step by step list for how to buy one of our Mudi puppies:
Step 1 – get on our contact list! Use the form in our “Contact Us” section to join our mailing list. You can also follow our social media for updates, but occasionally we contact our email list before posting available puppies or confirmed litters publicly.
Step 2 – keep in touch and watch for breeding announcements. When you see a breeding announcement you’re interested in, shoot us a message to indicate this. We do not keep a wait list (we call it an interest list for a reason), and there is no order or rank to our interest list. Puppies are placed by BEST FIT not first come, first served.
Step 3 – when a breeding is confirmed, things get a bit more serious. At this time, I will contact everyone who has indicated interest in a pairing, let them know the breeding is confirmed, and collect applications from anyone who has not filled a form out yet. (Our application form is not available all of the time, I only share the link when I am ready to process applications and create a short list of buyers.)
Step 4 – at some point, we will find out how many puppies are available (radiograph, or when they’re born). Around this time, the short list of buyers begins to form, based on interest, timing, and other factors. If puppies are born and there is an obvious reason to eliminate names from the short list (ie, I have buyers wanting females and none are born), I will do so at that time. Otherwise, we enter a “wait and see” period, as puppies develop and we get a feel for their needs.
Step 5 – as the puppies mature, I will begin to decide which puppies fit which buyers. Again, this is not a ranked or first come, first served process. While it may be obvious early on what type of home an individual puppy may need, it also may take longer for other puppies. Buyers must be patient during the pairing process. As I assess each puppy’s temperament, I will begin to make offers to buyers.
Step 6 – if you are offered a puppy, the puppy must be paid for by 7 weeks. We do not ask for deposits. During the 7-8 week period, contracts are drafted and signed, registration is processed, and vet visits occur.
Step 7 – pick up your puppy! Puppies can begin to go home at 8 weeks old. Legally and ethically, we cannot separate puppies from their litter before 8 weeks. If you are not offered a puppy for a particular litter, your name rolls to the next appropriate breeding. Of course, we understand that some buyers may find puppies from other breeders, and we are never offended if a buyer opts to buy from elsewhere because it fits their timeline or other needs better.
Thanagar Mudi 