Puppy Information & Breeding Standards

This page provides important information about my breeding standards, how my puppies are raised, health testing, and what you can expect when welcoming one of my dogs into your home. My aim is to ensure every puppy is bred responsibly, raised with care, and placed with families who share the same commitment to health, welfare, and long-term wellbeing.

Dilute, Isabella & Pink Puppies

It is sometimes suggested that dilute-coloured dogs such as blue, Isabella (lilac), or pink may be less healthy than dogs with standard pigmentation. This belief mainly comes from discussions about a condition called Colour Dilution Alopecia (CDA). However, not all breeds carry this gene, and many dilute dogs live healthy lives.

As a responsible breeder, the health and temperament of every dog always come first. Careful health testing, sensible breeding decisions, and strong genetics help ensure puppies grow into confident, well-balanced companions for loving homes.

My dilute, Isabella, and pink puppies are bred with the same care and responsibility as every dog in my programme. While these colours are considered non-standard for Kennel Club showing, my focus is on raising healthy, well-tempered dogs who thrive as family companions.

While some of my puppies may not be KC registered and therefore cannot enter the show ring, this is a conscious choice rather than a compromise. My priority has always been to breed healthy, well-balanced companions with excellent temperaments. The focus is on raising dogs that thrive as family members and much-loved companions, not simply dogs bred to meet show standards.

Special Ownership Programs

Co-Ownership / Mentorship

Co-ownership is a shared arrangement where you can own 50% of a dog or puppy at a reduced cost while receiving ongoing guidance and mentorship from me. I remain involved throughout the dog’s life, offering advice on care, ownership, and breeding while ensuring the dog receives love and attention from both sides.

Guardian Homes

Guardian homes allow selected families to receive a puppy free of charge while I retain the breeding rights. The dog lives as a loved family member, returning only for carefully planned litters before eventually being spayed and permanently gifted to the guardian family.

Retirement Homes

When my breeding dogs retire, I carefully place them into loving pet homes where they can enjoy a relaxed life as cherished companions. This ensures they receive the one-to-one care and comfort they deserve after contributing to my breeding programme.

Contracts & Legalities

Pedigrees

Each puppy leaves with a five-generation pedigree and ownership documentation, providing full transparency about their lineage and breeding background.

Reservations

Deposits placed on a litter are non-refundable, as other enquiries may be declined. Puppy allocations are usually confirmed around two weeks after birth based on your application and my guidance.

Puppy Contract

All puppies leave with a written contract to protect the puppy, the new owner, and the breeder. Each puppy also receives a full health examination before collection.

Insurance

Although every effort is made to ensure healthy puppies, I strongly recommend pet insurance, particularly during the first year when puppies are most prone to accidents.

New Home Guide

Food and Water

Provide your puppy with clean food and water bowls in a quiet area away from toilet training spaces. Fresh water should always be available during the day, and meals should be given at set times rather than free feeding to help establish a routine.

Comfort and Reassurance

Moving to a new home can be overwhelming for a puppy, so comfort and reassurance are very important. A cosy bed, familiar blanket, and calm environment will help your puppy feel safe and settle more easily.

Something to Chew On

Puppies love to chew, especially during the teething stage. Provide a few suitable toys or rubber chews so your puppy has something safe to play with and does not chew household items.

New Experiences

Introduce your puppy to new experiences slowly and calmly. Everyday sounds, short car journeys, and gentle exposure to new environments will help build confidence and positive behaviour.

Children

Children should always be supervised around a new puppy. Teach them to respect the puppy’s space, especially when the puppy is sleeping or resting, to ensure a calm and safe relationship.

Safety

Before bringing your puppy home, make sure your house and garden are safe. Remove hazards such as loose wires, toxic plants, or small objects that could be swallowed.

Establishing the Rules

Consistency is key when training a puppy. Setting clear rules from the beginning and using positive reinforcement will help your puppy learn good behaviour and build a strong bond with you.

Toilet Training

Take your puppy outside regularly, especially after meals, drinking, or sleeping. Praise and reward them when they go to the toilet in the correct place to encourage good habits.

Sleeping Arrangements

Decide where your puppy will sleep and keep this consistent. A crate or comfortable bed in a quiet area can help your puppy feel secure while they adjust to their new home.

How I Raise My Puppies

When you welcome a Zoe Saunders puppy, you can be confident that your puppy has been raised with care, structure, and the best possible start in life. My aim is to ensure every puppy leaves healthy, confident, and well-socialised for their new family.

All puppies follow a carefully planned socialisation programme that introduces them to different people, environments, and everyday experiences from an early age. This helps them develop confidence and a balanced temperament.

They are gradually exposed to different surfaces, toys, feeding environments, gentle handling, short car journeys, and crate time. They also interact safely with other dogs to build positive social behaviours.

By the time puppies leave at around eight weeks of age, they are well prepared to adapt smoothly to their new home and family life.

Join the Waiting List

What’s Included With Your Puppy

Health Checks

Before leaving for their new home, every puppy is wormed, microchipped, vaccinated, and examined by a vet. A detailed health check is carried out to ensure the puppy is healthy and ready to start life with their new family.

Puppy Pack

Your puppy will leave with a comprehensive puppy pack, including a five-generation pedigree, microchip details, food, toys, a blanket that smells of their mother, and helpful information to support their transition into your home.

Lifetime Support

As their breeder, I offer lifetime support for every puppy I raise. I am always available to provide advice on training, feeding, and care to help you and your puppy enjoy a happy life together.

Health Testing & Genetic Screening

Dachshund Health Testing

The health of my dogs is always my top priority, which is why all of my Miniature Dachshunds undergo extensive health testing before being included in my breeding programme. This includes IVDD screening, BVA eye testing, and PRA Cord1 testing in line with Kennel Club recommendations. I also go beyond standard guidelines by testing for conditions such as Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) and Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) to ensure the healthiest possible lines.