RUN-N-RIDGE  RAT  TERRIERS

PRE-CONTACT NEED TO KNOW

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On this page we will go over what you can expect from us and what we will expect from you so please read it in it’s entirety prior to contacting us on one of our sweet babies.  Please do not think that we are being harsh but just feel that it is better for ALL OF US if everything is out in the open as to what is expected. 

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• Please speak with anybody who will have a part in the decision of whether or not you purchase a puppy from us prior to actively contacting us. Husband, Wife, significant other, landlord or children as we have many emails daily and would like to give our utmost attention to those that are serious in purchasing one of our babies. If you just want to talk dogs then we are also glad to do that as well just not as a potential buyer. You do not have to purchase a dog from us for us to be glad to offer you advice on the breeds that we love. We do our best to NOT sell a puppy out from under somebody who we are communicating with but do sell on first commitment/first pay basis. The placing of our puppies in a good home is our first priority.
• We do NOT estimate adult weight of our puppies as we've yet to find a way to second guess inherited genes on puppies.  Puppies are genetically preprogrammed at birth to be whatever size they are going to be and we have no way of knowing what genes they inherited.  Please do not ask us what the mature/adult/grown weight of a puppy will be.
• We do NOT hold puppies for individuals who have not sent payment. We will hold a puppy for 24-48 hours awaiting payment to arrive once we are told that payment is being sent THAT DAY. We accept payment in the form of  Money Gram, Wal-Mart Money Orders sent via FED-X OVERNIGHT or Cash in person. We require the buyer to notify us when payment has been sent with the proper document numbers associated with the transaction. If we are NOT notified on the day that payment was to be sent then we can only assume that payment has NOT been sent and puppy will be placed back on the market. Puppies are NOT considered sold by us until we have payment in our possession.
• Puppies are NOT marked SOLD until we have received payment in full.
• We do NOT take deposits.  We require payment in full, including shipping fees if any, in order to reserve a puppy until it is time for the puppy to go.  We want to KNOW that our puppies have a good home to go to when the time comes.
• We require a confirmation that you will be sending payment THAT DAY and that you in return get a confirmation from us that we will hold the puppy the allotted time awaiting payment to get to us.  This will assure you that the puppy is still available.  We would very much like to speak with you via phone if possible but do sell puppies via email as well.
• We live in Texarkana, Arkansas and puppy buyers are welcome to come to our home to pick up their puppy.  Appointments are required however.  We will do everything possible to accommodate a time for buyers whose puppies are already paid for to come pick up their puppies.   
• We do ship and shipping is $250.00.  Shipping includes airline fare, health certificate, shot/wormer record, kennel crate and anything else needed to ship the dog to an airport in your area.  We can ship to MOST International Airports but can not guarantee a specific airport or date without making the reservations.  It is up to the buyer to check with the airlines PRIOR to purchasing a puppy on the possibility of getting a live animal into their airport from an airline readily accessible to us.  We use Delta and Continental Airlines as our preferred airlines but can use a variety of others if need be.  We can travel to other airports to use other airlines if needed but be advised that the price will be higher to cover our expenses as the next closest airport is 4 hours away.  Puppies are NEVER shipped without payment in full, including shipping, in our possession.
• In order to book an airline reservation for a puppy we will require the following information:

                                    Name of person picking up puppy at airport (must have valid I.D.)

                                    Address (must be a physical address and not a P.O. Box)

                                   City/State/Zip

                                   Telephone number (land-line, cell or both)

•                           Preferred Requested ship date
•                                                     (we will do our best to get you the requested date but we at the mercy of the available space of the airlines.  Puppies are lowest priority for bookings.  Passengers and passengers baggage are first priority when booking a flight.  I'm sure that you will agree that it is in the best interest of the puppy to be on a flight where it can be given TOP PRIORITY.)
•                           Preferred Requested Airport
•                                                    (we will do our best to get a reservation from an airline, within our area, that will ship a live animal into your preferred airport but that isn't always a possibility.  Please be prepared for a possible TRIP to an airport further from your preferred airport to pick up your puppy.  We have no control over which airlines go into which airports with live animals.)
• Once we have booked a flight we will notify the buyer of the Date, Airline, Time of departure & flight number, Time of arrival & flight number, booking number and where to go to pick up the puppy.  If at all possible we will also supply the buyer with a phone number to call on their end to get exact instructions of how to go about picking up puppy and where.
• A second puppy of same size and age can be shipped with the first puppy for the purchase price of the second puppy plus $50.00 in additional shipping fees to cover paperwork and the extra cost of shipping the second puppy.  We have found that puppies adjust much better to their new environments when they are accompanied via another puppy that they know. 
• We occasionally will meet a buyer a short distance from our home to deliver a puppy.  We have a very jam-packed life however and can only meet on days that fit with OUR SCHEDULE.   There are fees associated with us traveling to meet a puppy buyer.  We will travel a MAXIMUM of 1/2 way but no more than 100 miles for a set fee of $100.00.  We do NOT travel without payment in full for PUPPY & fees.  Money Gram can be sent to us and is available to us as soon as you complete the transaction on your end and notify us of the CORRECT transaction number. 
• ALL puppies are litter registered with ACR and/or APR.  It is the buyers responsibility to send in the paperwork that we supply in order to get FULL registration on their puppy.  Fees for registration are the sole responsibility of the buyer.  Registration in NO WAY makes the puppy worthy of breeding nor does it make the puppy healthy.  It's simply a piece of paper!  It is up to the buyer to determine the qualities of the dog and it's worthiness for breeding when the time comes.  All puppies are sold with FULL registration, however, sellers reserves the right to restrict the breeding of any animal(s) seller deems as unsuitable for breeding purposes before the sell is concluded and buyer will be told as to such restrictions prior to the conclusion of the sell and furthermore the paperwork will be marked "Unsuitable for Breeding".   Should a condition present itself after the sell, but prior to buyer taking possession, that makes the puppy unsuitable for breeding  a replacement puppy upon availability will be substituted if buyer wishes.  Seller in no way guarantees the breeding ability of any puppy/dog sold nor does seller guarantee the quality of puppy/dog sold.
• Puppies are sold to ONE individual and can be registered in only ONE persons name.
• ACR puts a pedigree on every registration certificate free of charge.  APR, depending on the documentation in their database will do so as well.  Registration through either registry is $15.00 per puppy at this time.  We encourage you to register your puppy as soon as you get the paperwork so that it is not misplaced, lost or forgotten.  It is much easier for the registries to issue new certificates on lost ones than for you to try to get new litter papers on your puppy.  You can help see that there are always documented lineage of dogs by doing your part and registering your puppy right away.
• We highly encourage the micro chipping of your puppy.  Microchips can be inserted by most veterinarians, rescues and human societies.  A microchip could save your puppy/dogs life one day, get it returned to you if lost and becomes a permanent I.D. of your pet.  Be sure and register your microchip with any/all agencies that you can find.  ACR/APR will put your dogs microchip and information in their database for free.  If you have your puppy micro chipped prior to sending in the registration form you can list the microchip number on the form and it becomes a permanent and documented part of your dogs registration.
• All puppies are sold on a 48 hour well-puppy check up guarantee.  It is the responsibility of the buyer to have an appointment scheduled with their vet to get their puppy in within the allotted time.  Puppies found to have an untreatable  illness within the 48 hour well-puppy check-up and meets the replacement criteria will be replaced by our next available puppy of same breed and gender.   Buyer is responsible for shipping fees to acquire the replacement puppy and to return the unsuitable "live" puppy if seller chooses to have the "live" puppy returned.  All puppy paperwork must be returned to seller along with the Veterinarians statement of diagnosis, test record results and an outline of treatment in order to qualify for a replacement puppy.  ALL medical expenses are the responsibility of the buyer.  Should the unforeseen happen and the puppy dies an AUTOPSY done by Dr. Page is required before a determination can be made to replacement ability.  Cost of autopsy will be paid by seller.  The buyer is responsible for cost involved in order to get the puppy to Dr. Page in a condition with which is suitable for an autopsy.  Seller is NOT responsible for the length of time it takes for autopsy to be performed for a judgment to be made on the puppy replacement and Dr. Pages diagnosis will be the binding and deciding factor for replacement. 
• The 48 hour guarantee covers illnesses that are UNTREATABLE and requires the puppy to be euthanized that was present in the puppy upon Buyer taking possession.  The 48 hour guarantee does not covers Hip dysplasia, laxtating patella's (loose kneecaps), bad bites, hernia's, Respiratory, Kennel Cough, Worms, Parasites of any kind, Coccidiosis or Giardia.   No other illnesses of any kind are covered under the guarantee if the puppy is not under the care of a licensed veterinarian and they're recommendations for treatment being followed..  No other guarantee of any kind verbal or otherwise are in effect at any time.  The guarantee under no conditions will be extended nor will the scope of it's coverage be enlarged.  
•  Please review our contract at http://www.runningridgeratterriers.com/pages/LimitedLifeTimeGuarantee.htm.  Submission of payment constitutes your agreement to accept our contract as written.
• Our puppies are given the TOP Parvo Vaccines on the market today, being Neopar and Galaxy and it is highly unlikely that with the shots given they will contract Parvo.  They can however test positive for Parvo within 14 days of being vaccinated due to their high titer content.    Our puppies are wormed every 10 days from birth to reduce the likelihood that you will receive a puppy from us with worms.   Puppies/Dogs however need to be wormed on a regular schedule throughout their lives.  Our puppies are given a PREVENTATIVE for coccidiosis to also reduce the likelihood that a puppy of ours will have coccidiosis.  Coccidiosis however is brought on by stress and rehoming is very stressful to puppies.  Puppies have been given PREVENTATIVE treatment for ear mites as well.  We are FIRM BELIEVERS that PREVENTATIVE is a lot easier than trying to CURE a sick puppy.   Viruses are uncontrollable and there is NO CURE for a virus.  Viruses once contracted simply have to run their course just like the common cold.  Bacteria is one of those sneaky pest that requires continual and dedicated disinfecting and close attention to your puppies health to keep it from becoming an issue with your puppy.   Bacteria is EVERYWHERE and the less you submit your dog to outside bacteria the healthier he will be.  Protozoon's are also found everywhere and it is your responsibility as a pet owner to limit your puppies exposure to them and take steps to PREVENT your puppy from coming in contact with them.  Protozoon's are the evil root of Coccidiosis and Giardia outbreaks.  The protozoon's responsible for Giardia are found in your water and is called Monasuma's Revenge in Mexico.   A little common sense goes a long way with being a Preventative dog owner verses a Cure dog owner.  Our pens are cleaned daily, disinfected every other day and we use an air sanitizer every 3 days.  Our water and feed containers are clean and disinfected daily.  Our puppies health is one of our TOP PRIORITIES. 
• Puppies may need additional vaccinations after you get them.  PLEASE see that the vaccinations are given to assure your puppy of a healthy existence.  Vaccinations are generally required until 14-16 weeks of age on a 3 week schedule.  We have started the process of keeping your puppy healthy and it is YOUR responsibility to see it through.  Rabie Shots are required to be given by a licensed vet at the age of 16 weeks.  See your vet for his recommended shot schedule.
• All of our puppies are handled daily.  Puppies are just like children and have different personalities within the same breed, family and between siblings.  Some are naturally outgoing while others are naturally shy.  Some are aggressive and others are laid back.  Some have the gene pool to become 'big dogs' and others inherited the gene pool to be smaller.  That being the case we can not guarantee size, weight, attitude, temperament, coat, color, pattern or conformation.   Most puppies will require an adjustment period to get used to their new homes.  Sitting with them quietly the first couple of days/nights will go a long way to making them feel secure, adjusting to their new home and making emotional attachments to you.
• Buyer at no time will hold seller responsible for medical fees, shipping fees, mental stress or responsibility of any kind once the puppy leaves the sellers possession.  Puppy becomes the sole responsibility of buyer once it leaves the sellers possession.  In the unforeseen case of legal action the buyer is responsible for ALL cost associated with the expense of such action for both buyer and seller and all court proceedings will lie within the Miller County jurisdiction of Texarkana, Arkansas.
• Puppies will not be housebroken upon leaving our care as puppies generally do not even start to get the idea of housebreaking until at least 12 weeks of age.  Puppies also can not control their urinary and bowel movements until between 16 - 20 weeks of age.  The easiest way to housebreak your puppy is to NEVER let them potty in your house to begin with.  Keep an eye on them every minute they are running loose in your house, keep them crated or outside if you do not have the time to watch them.  Keep in mind however that a  puppy forced to use the bathroom in their crate will eventually get used to the idea and will become impossible to break the habit so be sure that you have the time and mind set to housebreak a puppy BEFORE purchasing one.  It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY and yours alone to do what it takes to housebreak your puppy.
• Dewclaws are removed on our puppies that call for the removal of dewclaws.  Tail docking that calls for the docking of that breeds tails are docked on MOST puppies.  We DO NOT crop ears regardless of the breed.  Ear cropping should be done by a licensed vet between the ages of 12-16 weeks so that it can be done in proportion to the dogs head for an elegant look as it will be something that YOU and the dog will have to live with it's whole life.
• We FEED our puppies Diamond Small Breed Puppy and recommend that you either continue to use this brand or gradually swap your puppy over to your preferred brand of food.
• While we are a Show Kennel, not all of our dogs are show dogs.  We have dogs that have gone as high as Great Grand Champion to dogs that are just kept as pets.  Many dogs simply are not of the mind set to parade around a ring.  This in no ways diminishes their quality as a pet or as a breeder.  Looks are only skin deep.  It's the gene pool that determines the quality of the offspring.
• First let me state, before you call or email that we don't give references as I could give you ANYBODY's number for you to call and you would be no more the wiser as to who you called. Vet's also wouldn't dare say anything bad about their client as they spend to much money with him and it is ILLEGAL for him to slander another's reputation whether he wanted to or not.  My vet also has a very busy business to run of his own and doesn't have time to stop and reassure everybody that contacts me that I'm an okay gal.
• Buying over the internet takes a huge leap of faith on both parties. I have to have faith that my puppy is going to a caring, educated and nice person who will cherish them and give them unconditionally love for the rest of their lives. The Buyer has to have faith that they will receive the puppy that they purchased from me. The way I see it I'm taking the biggest leap as what I have is a living, breathing, sweet puppy that I'm putting at risk and the buyer simply has money involved.
• I'm a verified seller on every site that I post on which means the site has checked out me from bank account to phone number to address. I allowed this intrusion into my personal business in order to have those verifications.
• Our puppies are NOT on the auction block or sold on a bartered basis.
• Please use some Common Sense when purchasing a puppy.  Visit this link for logical reasoning when purchasing a puppy.  Who to purchase from - http://www.runningridgeratterriers.com/pages/TricksoftheTrade.htm  You will find very valuable information on this page that OTHER BREEDERS are hoping you won't think about. 
• If you have any questions that are not answered here then please contact us with them and we will be glad to answer them.
• We do our best to answer all emails in a efficient manner.  We however are very active in our community and family.  We live on a working farm and it requires a good portion of our time.  We are members of the Volunteer Fire Department and are CERT members and the owner/handlers of 2 Search & Rescue dogs and often have to leave at the drop of a hat.  We will however answer your emails ASAP.  Phone calls are returned as time permits.  If you haven't heard back from us in 24 hours please TRY AGAIN.  A lot of times we have found that things are lost in cyberspace and our children have a habit of listening to messages without relaying them to the proper person.  Our Phone number is 1-870-210-4345..