Ethical Breeding Practices - Where Puppies Thrive

Welcome to our dedicated space where the welfare and well-being of dogs are at the heart of everything we do. Though we are hobby breeders, ethical dog breeding practices are our guiding principles. We will breed our beloved family pet a maximum of two times, skipping one season between litters. We believe in producing happy, healthy puppies while preserving the integrity of the Cockapoo breed. Our commitment to ethical dog breeding encompasses a variety of important aspects, including adherence to Lucy's Law, genetic health testing, pledging to follow the PetPlan Puppy Charter, using The Puppy Contract from www.puppycontract.org.uk, and a comprehensive puppy socialization program. We strive to ensure that our puppies have the best start in life, growing up in a loving, stimulating environment that prepares them for a fulfilling life in their forever homes.

​

Screening Forever Homes

Ensuring the well-being and happiness of our puppies extends beyond the breeding process. We believe that finding the right forever homes is of paramount importance. To achieve this, we have implemented an application process to screen potential puppy owners. Our aim is to match each puppy with the perfect family, mitigating the risk of a mismatch or a first time dog owner being poorly informed about the commitment required. We want our puppies to thrive in their new homes, and our application form helps us understand the needs, lifestyle, and expectations of prospective owners, ensuring a harmonious and enduring bond between the puppy and its family. The application form also gives prospective buyers points to discuss among their family before taking on the responsibility of raising a puppy. By taking this extra step, we are dedicated to setting our puppies on a path to a lifetime of love, care, and happiness with their forever families.

​

Lucy's Law

Lucy's Law represents a significant step forward in animal welfare. We are ethical hobby breeders, rather than a licenced breeding business, and we will produce no more than two litters from our family pet, Caramel. As such we voluntarily embrace the principles of Lucy's Law. The law bans the sale of puppies and kittens by third-party sellers, ensuring that puppies are raised in a nurturing environment with their mother, which is what we do. This approach provides the foundation for a happy, healthy life, and we are proud to support Lucy's Law as it promotes transparency and the well-being of all puppies. Should your adoption of one of our puppies not work out within the first six months, Lucy's Law says you will need to return him or her to us. We will do our best to place the puppy in a new home, but will take into account the cost we incur in doing so before considering whether or not we can refund any of the original purchase price.

​

Genetic Health Testing

The health of our dogs is of utmost importance to us. To ensure that our puppies are born without the risk of genetic health disorders developing, we employ comprehensive genetic health testing. This allows us to make informed decisions when selecting breeding pairs, reducing the risk of passing on the known hereditary conditions. Our commitment to genetic health testing contributes to producing puppies with a high likelihood of leading long, healthy lives, and we take pride in contributing to the overall well-being of the breed. Copies of the test results will be provided to all buyers and discussed at home visitation. They are also incorporated into the Puppy Contract.

​

Pledge to Adhere to the PetPlan Puppy Charter

The PetPlan Puppy Charter sets high standards for the care and welfare of puppies and their parents. We have made a steadfast commitment to this charter and incorporated its principles into our breeding practices. This charter covers key aspects of puppy well-being, including socialization, health, transparency and responsible breeding. In return, PetPlan will insure the puppy at no charge for the first four weeks after collection. Details on their coverage will be in your puppy pack and we will discuss pet insurance with you when you view the puppies. By adhering to the PetPlan Puppy Charter, we ensure that our puppies are ready for their new homes, both physically and emotionally, while maintaining the highest ethical standards throughout their upbringing.

​

The Puppy Contract

In our pursuit of transparency and responsible breeding, we use The Puppy Contract from www.puppycontract.org.uk. This contract outlines the terms and conditions of the sale and the responsibilities of both parties, ensuring that our puppies find loving, responsible forever homes. We will provide a copy of the completed Puppy Contract when you view the litter and answer any questions you have about it. By using this contract, we seek to establish trust and provide clarity to our puppy owners, confirming that the welfare of our puppies remains a top priority.

​

Puppy Socialization

Preparing our puppies for life in their new homes is crucial, and socialization is a key part of this process. We expose our puppies to various age groups of people, as well as other dogs that we trust and know to be fully vaccinated. We raise our puppies in a busy family home environment. We minimise their noise and stress exposure for their first three weeks before we commence socialisation, where we gradually introduce them to visitors, recorded and live music, recorded and possibly live fireworks, television and home entertaining. We handle them, worm them, sponge bathe them, clip their nails and brush their hair. They are acclimated to urban noises to ensure that they grow up confident and well-adjusted, ready to adapt to the demands of a diverse and dynamic world.

​

Comprehensive Puppy Packs

Our commitment to the well-being of our puppies doesn't stop when they leave our care. We understand the importance of providing our puppies with the best possible start in their new homes. That's why we offer a comprehensive Puppy Pack with each puppy, which includes essential items and information to ensure a seamless transition. Inside this pack, you'll find 2 kilograms of high-quality AVA small breed puppy food, carefully selected to support your puppy's nutritional needs. Additionally, we include a soft blanket and toy bearing the comforting scent of their mother and siblings, helping your puppy feel secure during this crucial period of adjustment. The pack also contains vital information such as your pupy's microchip details, vaccination records, and DNA test results for both the sire and dam, ensuring complete transparency about your puppy's health and heritage. As part of our commitment to responsible puppy ownership, you'll also receive a PetPlan info pack and other valuable resources to help you provide the best care for your new furry family member. We believe that this puppy pack is an essential tool for ensuring a smooth and joyful transition as your new companion becomes a cherished part of your family.

​

In conclusion, we are dedicated to ethical dog breeding practices that prioritize the health, happiness, and welfare of our dogs. Our voluntary adherence to the spirit and principles of Lucy's Law, genetic health testing, commitment to the PetPlan Puppy Charter, use of The Puppy Contract, and our comprehensive puppy socialization program and Puppy Pack underscore our unwavering commitment to responsible breeding. Explore our website to learn more about Caramel, and discover the exceptional puppies we produce, all raised in an environment that prioritizes their well-being and happiness. Thank you for considering us as you embark on your journey to find your next cherished family member.