PUPPY BUYER RESOURCES
Resources
Whether you're considering an Epagneul Breton or already have a reservation, this page answers many of the questions we receive from prospective puppy buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions provide more information about my dogs, my breeding
program, and what owners can expect from Dawson Lake Bretons.
For deposits, puppy selections, registration, transportation, breeding
requirements, returns, and other firm procedures, review the complete Kennel Policy below.
Are your breeding dogs health tested?
Yes, dogs involved in an approved pairing must have hip evaluation results and Embark genetic testing.
Health testing is one of the tools I use when making breeding
decisions. I consider those results alongside pedigree,
conformation, hunting ability, temperament, performance, and my
knowledge of related dogs. No single test determines a breeding
decision by itself.
Do I need to be a field trial competitor to own one of your dogs?
Absolutely not. Field trialing is important to me because it gives me
another way to evaluate my dogs, but I breed Dawson dogs for upland hunters—not only for competitors.
You do not need to participate in trials or organized events. My goal is to produce dogs that perform in the field and give hunters
something they are excited to hunt behind.
Why do you call them Epagneul Bretons instead of French Brittanys?
Epagneul Breton is the breed’s original French name. “French
Brittany” is a commonly used nickname in North America, but it is not the breed’s official name.
I prefer to use Epagneul Breton because it reflects the breed’s
history and country of origin.
Will you help me after I take my puppy home?
Absolutely. My responsibility does not end when a puppy leaves my kennel.
Whether you have questions about obedience, training, hunting,
behavior, health, adjustment, or anything else where my experience may help, I want you to contact me.
Good or bad, I want to hear what is happening. It is not client
versus kennel. We are coaches on the same team, and the most
important player is the dog.
What makes Dawson Lake Bretons different?
Dawson Lake Bretons was built around one goal: producing exceptional Epagneul Bretons that I am excited to hunt behind and giving others the opportunity to share that vision.
I breed for Drive. Intelligence. Instinct. Those
qualities guide every breeding decision because I want to produce
dogs that hunt with purpose, think in the field, and give their owners opportunities to build memories through performance.
I use hunting, field trials, pedigree, conformation, health
information, temperament, and reports from owners to evaluate the direction of my program.
I am not trying to produce the largest number of puppies. I am trying to produce Dawson dogs—dogs that owners can look back on years later and know they made the right choice.
Dawson Lake Bretons Kennel Policy
The Frequently Asked Questions explain more about my dogs and breeding program. The Kennel Policy below contains the official procedures, responsibilities, and requirements that apply when reserving, purchasing, transporting, breeding, returning, or rehoming a Dawson dog.
Effective January 1, 2027
This policy explains how I handle puppy reservations, selections,
payments, registration, transportation, breeding rights, returns, stud services, and visits.
My goal is to communicate clearly from the beginning so buyers
understand how I operate and what they can expect throughout the process.
Please review this policy before submitting a deposit.
At pickup, the buyer will be required to sign an acknowledgment
confirming that they have read, understood, and accepted the policies that applied when the puppy was reserved.
Deposits
A $200 deposit is required to reserve a position for
a Dawson Lake Bretons puppy.
Deposits are nonrefundable if the buyer backs out, changes their mind, or otherwise chooses not to complete the purchase.
If a puppy of the buyer’s preferred sex is unavailable but a puppy of the opposite sex is available, the buyer may either:
- Accept the available puppy.
- Transfer the deposit to a future litter.
A refund will not be issued in that situation because a puppy was
available.
If Dawson Lake Bretons cannot provide the buyer with a puppy of
either sex for any reason, the full $200 deposit will be refunded.
Waiting List
Prospective buyers are expected to have a short phone conversation with me before joining the waiting list.
This gives me an opportunity to learn more about the buyer, explain the type of dogs I produce, and make sure a Dawson dog is an appropriate fit for their expectations and lifestyle.
A buyer officially joins the waiting list once the
$200 deposit has been received. Confirmation of
payment will be provided the same day, and the buyer will be secured in their designated position within the puppy-picking order.
Picking positions are determined by the order in which deposits are received. Male and female picking orders are maintained separately.
If someone sends a deposit before speaking with me, I will contact
them directly. During that conversation, I will explain who I am, how
I operate, and the drive, intelligence, and instinct I breed for.
If I determine that the buyer is not the right fit for a Dawson dog,
any deposit sent before that conversation will be refunded in full.
Puppy Selection
Buyers select their puppies according to their designated position
within the male or female pick order.
Updated photos of the litter will be provided each week. Beginning
when the puppies are approximately two weeks old,
buyers will also receive access to the puppy camera so they can follow the litter as it develops.
Throughout the process, I will share honest observations about each puppy’s personality, confidence, activity level, and early
development. Buyers are encouraged to ask questions and discuss the puppies with me before making their selection.
Selection Day
When more than one buyer is waiting to select a puppy of the same sex, all selections will be made on the day the puppies turn
six weeks old.
I begin contacting buyers early that morning in pick order so all
selections can be completed by the end of the day. Once contacted, each buyer will have up to two hours to review the
available puppies and make a decision.
If a buyer cannot decide within that period, I will temporarily move
to the next person in line. After that buyer makes a selection, I
will return to the buyer who was skipped and ask whether they are
ready to choose from the puppies still available.
If the buyer remains undecided, I will continue through the pick
order in the same manner.
A buyer who is temporarily skipped does not lose their deposit, but
each completed selection may reduce the puppies available to them.
Early Selections
A buyer may select a puppy before the six-week selection day when they are confident in their decision.
Once a puppy has been selected, that decision is final. The puppy is then reserved for that buyer, and the buyer may not switch to another
puppy later.
When No Other Buyer Is Waiting
A selection is only required at six weeks when another buyer is
waiting for their turn.
For example, if two male puppies are available and only one male
buyer is on the waiting list, that buyer is not required to choose on
the six-week date. They may continue evaluating the available males because their delay is not holding up another buyer.
Once a selection is made, however, the decision is final.
Vaccinations and Puppy Health Care
Going-Home Age
Puppies leave for their new homes at
eight weeks of age or later.
The exact pickup date will be arranged between the buyer and Dawson Lake Bretons.
Veterinary Examination
Each puppy receives an initial veterinary examination at
approximately three days old before having its tail docked.
After that examination, puppies are closely observed throughout
their development. Additional veterinary care is sought whenever I
notice a concern or believe an examination is needed.
Puppies do not routinely receive another veterinary examination
immediately before pickup unless there is a reason to do so.
Vaccinations
Puppies receive a Spectra 5-way vaccination at six weeks of age.
The vaccination schedule I follow calls for the next vaccination at
approximately nine weeks of age. Because the puppy will normally be living with its new owner by then, the buyer is responsible for
arranging that vaccination with their veterinarian and continuing the recommended vaccination schedule.
Deworming
Puppies are dewormed at two, four, six, and eight weeks of age.
Each treatment is administered for three consecutive days.
For the eight-week treatment, the first dose is given two days before pickup, the second dose is given the following day, and the final
dose is administered on pickup day.
Microchipping
Each puppy is microchipped before leaving Dawson Lake Bretons.
Microchip information will be included with the puppy’s records.
Going-Home Information
Each puppy leaves with:
- A supply of the food it has been eating.
- Information sheets.
- Vaccination records and vaccine labels.
- Deworming information.
- Microchip information.
- Any additional records or information relevant to that puppy.
Registration
Dawson Lake Bretons puppies may be eligible for registration with:
- The United Kennel Club, or UKC.
- The American Kennel Club, or AKC.
- The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, or NAVHDA.
Eligibility depends on the litter and the registrations held by the
parents.
Registered Names
Every puppy’s registered name must:
- Include Dawson Lake Bretons.
- Begin with the letter assigned to that birth year under the French
naming tradition.
Buyers may choose their puppy’s registered name as long as it follows these requirements.
If a buyer is unable to choose an appropriate registered name by the required deadline, I will select and register a name on the buyer’s behalf.
Maintaining the Dawson Lake Bretons name and annual naming letter allows me to identify and track the dogs I produce, particularly when they later compete in field trials, hunt tests, or other performance events.
UKC Registration
I preregister every puppy with UKC and pay the UKC registration
expense.
Final UKC registration is completed after all puppies have left for
their new homes and all purchase balances have been collected.
Because I handle UKC registration directly, buyers do not need to
submit UKC paperwork themselves. Processing times are controlled by UKC, and completed registration may take several weeks or months.
AKC and NAVHDA Registration
When applicable, AKC registration paperwork will be included in the puppy’s going-home information. The buyer may complete and pay for AKC registration independently.
NAVHDA registration information or paperwork will also be provided when applicable. The buyer is responsible for completing any registration they wish to pursue through NAVHDA.
Registration Rights
Puppies are sold with full registration rights unless different terms are clearly explained before a deposit is accepted.
Any future change to registration or breeding rights will apply only
to future litters. Restrictions will not be added after a puppy has
already been reserved under different written terms.
Breeding Rights
Beginning with puppies produced from 2027 litters, full registration does not mean a Dawson dog may be bred without
prior approval.
Before any Dawson Lake Bretons dog covered by this policy—male or female—is used for breeding, the owner must contact me and receive approval for the proposed pairing.
Health Testing for Both Dogs
Before a breeding can be approved, both the Dawson dog and the proposed outside mate
must have:
- Hip evaluation results.
- Embark genetic testing.
- Any additional testing required under the purchase agreement for
the Dawson dog.
This applies whether a Dawson male is being bred to an outside female or a Dawson female is being bred to an outside stud.
The owner must provide the identity, pedigree, health-testing
results, and any other relevant information requested for the
proposed mate.
Dawson Males Used at Stud
Before a Dawson male is advertised, offered, or used as a stud, the
owner must provide information about the proposed female and receive approval for the pairing.
The outside female must have completed hip testing and Embark genetic testing before the breeding can be approved.
Dawson Females Used for Breeding
Before a Dawson female is bred, the owner must provide information about the proposed stud and receive approval for the pairing.
The outside stud must have completed hip testing and Embark genetic testing before the breeding can be approved.
Dawson females must be at least two years old before
being bred.
An earlier breeding may be considered only under exceptional
circumstances, such as the limited remaining availability of an
aging stud with declining fertility. Any exception must be discussed
with and approved by Dawson Lake Bretons before the breeding occurs.
Purpose of the Policy
This is a firm requirement intended to help me track the dogs I
produce, evaluate proposed pairings, protect the direction of my
breeding program, and prevent breedings that may be a poor fit based on health, pedigree, structure, performance, or long-term breeding goals.
Returns and Rehoming
A Dawson dog may be returned to Dawson Lake Bretons at any point in its life if the owner is no longer able or willing to keep it.
The owner must contact me before selling, giving away, surrendering, or otherwise rehoming the dog.
Returning a Dog
No refund will be provided when a dog is returned.
The owner is responsible for arranging and paying for transportation to return the dog to Dawson Lake Bretons.
Once ownership has been transferred back to me, Dawson Lake Bretons will have full authority to decide what is best for the dog. This may include keeping, training, breeding, selling, or placing the dog in another suitable home.
Rehoming With Approval
In some circumstances, I may approve the dog being placed directly with a trusted family member, close friend, or another suitable home.
For example, if an owner becomes seriously ill or passes away, it may be in the dog’s best interest to remain with someone it already
knows.
Any direct rehoming must be discussed with and approved by Dawson Lake Bretons before ownership is transferred. The new owner’s information must also be provided so I can continue tracking and supporting the dog throughout its life.
My priority is making sure every Dawson dog remains safe, properly cared for, and placed in a home that understands the dog’s needs.
Shipping and Transportation
Buyers are welcome to pick up their puppy in person, but
transportation may also be arranged when distance makes pickup
impractical.
Transportation Options
Transportation may be arranged through:
- Commercial air travel.
- A flight nanny.
- A professional ground transporter.
- Another reasonable method agreed upon by the buyer and Dawson Lake
Bretons.
The buyer and I will work together to determine an appropriate
transportation option. The buyer may choose the method they prefer, provided it can be arranged safely and responsibly.
Transportation Costs
The buyer is responsible for
all costs associated with transportation.
These costs may include airfare, transporter charges, travel crates,
veterinary documents, airport fees, fuel, lodging, or any other
expense required to deliver the puppy.
Transportation arrangements and estimated costs should be agreed upon before travel is scheduled.
Personal Delivery or Meeting Partway
Depending on the distance and my availability, I may agree to deliver the puppy or meet the buyer at an agreed-upon location.
When I provide transportation, the buyer must reimburse me for fuel and the time spent driving. The location and reimbursement amount will be agreed upon before the trip.
Personal delivery or meeting partway is considered individually and
is not guaranteed.
Payment Before Transportation
The puppy’s full purchase price and all known transportation expenses must be paid before the puppy begins its trip.
Transfer of Responsibility
Dawson Lake Bretons remains responsible for the puppy until it is
handed over to:
- The buyer.
- The buyer’s authorized representative.
- The agreed-upon transportation provider.
Responsibility for the puppy transfers at the time of handoff.
Once the puppy has been released to the buyer or transportation
provider, Dawson Lake Bretons is not responsible for delays, accidents, injuries, illness, escape, loss, or other events occurring
during transportation.
Payment
The current puppy price will be communicated before a deposit is
accepted.
The $200 deposit is applied toward the total
purchase price.
Final Payment
The remaining balance may be paid before pickup or on the day of
pickup.
Accepted payment methods are:
- Cash.
- Venmo.
- Cash App.
- Check.
Personal checks are not accepted at pickup. A buyer paying by check must send it early enough for the payment to clear before the puppy is released.
Electronic-Payment Fees
Any transaction or processing fee charged by the selected payment provider will be added to the buyer’s total.
The complete payment amount, including applicable fees, will be
provided after the buyer selects a payment method and before payment is submitted.
Additional Expenses
The puppy price covers the puppy only.
Transportation, delivery, travel documents, crates, service fees, and any other agreed-upon expenses are additional and are the buyer’s responsibility.
Missed Payment or Payment Problem
If a buyer cannot pay the remaining balance as agreed, they must
contact me immediately. I will speak with them directly and determine whether a reasonable resolution is possible.
No puppy will be released until the full purchase price and all
required additional expenses have been paid.
If payment is not completed and no resolution can be reached, the
$200 deposit will be retained, and the puppy may be
made available to another home.
Stud Services
Stud fees are established individually for each Dawson Lake Bretons
stud dog and are listed on that dog’s Stud Services webpage.
Fees may vary by dog and may change over time.
Approval of the Female
Every proposed breeding is reviewed individually. Meeting the listed requirements does not automatically guarantee acceptance.
Dawson Lake Bretons reserves the right to refuse any breeding
believed to be unsuitable based on health, pedigree, structure,
performance, temperament, compatibility, or the long-term interests of the dogs and the breed.
The female’s owner must provide:
- Registered name and registration information.
- Pedigree.
- Age.
- Hunting or performance information.
- OFA hip results.
- Embark genetic-testing results.
The female must have completed OFA hip testing and Embark genetic testing before the breeding can be approved.
Payment
The full stud fee must be paid and cleared before the stud dog or
semen is made available for use.
Accepted payment methods are:
- Cash.
- Check.
- Venmo.
- Cash App.
Checks must clear before natural breeding, semen collection, or semen shipment takes place.
Any transaction or processing fees charged by the selected payment service will be added to the stud fee.
The requester will be given the complete payment total after
selecting a payment method and before submitting payment.
Breeding Options
Stud service may be provided through natural breeding or shipped
semen.
The appropriate method will be determined based on the dogs,
location, timing, and reproductive circumstances.
Additional Expenses
The female’s owner is responsible for all expenses beyond the listed stud fee, including:
- Progesterone testing.
- Veterinary and reproductive services.
- Semen collection and preparation.
- Shipping and transportation.
- Storage or handling fees.
- Ultrasound and pregnancy confirmation.
- Any other expense associated with completing the breeding.
Successful Breeding and Pregnancy Confirmation
A breeding is considered successful once pregnancy has been confirmed by a licensed veterinarian through ultrasound.
The female’s owner must have the ultrasound performed
between 28 and 35 days after the final natural breeding or
insemination
.
A copy of the veterinary results must be provided to Dawson Lake
Bretons within five days of the examination.
The number of puppies observed during the ultrasound does not
determine whether the breeding is considered successful. Ultrasound is required to confirm pregnancy, not to guarantee or establish the final number of puppies in the litter.
If the ultrasound is not completed within the required period, or the
results are not provided as required, eligibility for a repeat
breeding will be determined at the discretion of Dawson Lake Bretons.
Repeat Breeding
If the female does not become pregnant, one repeat breeding will be provided without an additional stud fee.
The repeat breeding must:
- Involve the same female and the same Dawson Lake Bretons stud dog.
- Be used within three years of the original
breeding. - Remain subject to the health, availability, and breeding condition
of both dogs.
The female’s owner remains responsible for all testing, collection,
veterinary, shipping, transportation, and related expenses for the
repeat breeding.
No additional registration, sale, or breeding restrictions will be
placed on puppies produced through the stud service unless different terms are agreed upon before the breeding.
Visiting Dawson Lake Bretons
Visits are by appointment only.
I encourage prospective buyers to visit, meet my adult dogs, and
learn more about the type of dogs I produce before committing to a litter.
Visiting a Litter
Visits may begin when the puppies are four weeks old.
From four weeks until the puppies receive their first vaccination,
visitors may observe the litter but may not handle the puppies.
Once the puppies are six weeks old and have received their first vaccination. Visitors may handle and interact with them.
Children are welcome during scheduled visits.
Health Precautions
Visitors must postpone their appointment if any animal in their care
has been sick within the previous 90 days.
This precaution is intended to reduce the risk of exposing young
puppies to illness.
No additional clothing, footwear, or sanitation requirements are
currently required unless I provide specific instructions before the
visit.
Outside Dogs
Visitors may not bring outside dogs onto the property.
An outside dog may be brought only when visiting for an approved stud service or when Dawson Lake Bretons has specifically requested that the dog be present.
Visits are an opportunity to meet the dogs, ask questions, and better understand Dawson Lake Bretons before making a decision.
Policy Acknowledgment
This Kennel Policy is effective
January 1, 2027.
A copy of the applicable policy must be signed at puppy pickup. The signature acknowledges that the buyer has reviewed, understood, and accepted the policies that apply to the reservation, purchase, registration, transportation, ownership, breeding, return, and rehoming of their Dawson dog.
If different written terms are provided for a particular litter or dog,
those written terms will apply.
Get in Touch
Questions about puppies, stud service, or guided hunts? We would love to hear from you.