Important Information and Questions!

Before filling out a puppy application, please review all the information on this page! If you cannot allocate time for this task, it is evident that you may be unable to dedicate the necessary time to one of our puppies. We hope this answers most of your questions, but if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to contact us by texting (202) 805-3509.

Introduction

Bellaclan puppies are meticulously nurtured from birth to develop an inclination towards seeking enrichment, embracing challenges, and approaching life's adventures with readiness. Research has evidenced that animals reared in enriched environments tend to have larger brains, are more amenable to training, and display greater emotional stability. To ensure the comprehensive development of our puppies, we adhere to the structured 'Puppy Culture Protocol,’ and ‘AVID dog rearing,’ which entails exposing them to extensive and appropriate stimulation, training, and socialization. 

How many litters do we have per year?

We typically produce one to four litters annually, primarily aimed at perpetuating our bloodlines by breeding an average of one to two show prospects per litter. Puppies from these litters are occasionally available to caring pet and performance homes after a thorough screening process. On rare occasions, show prospects may be offered to exceptional show homes under a co-ownership agreement and through private negotiation. It is imperative that show owners share the same objectives and philosophy, working collaboratively to safeguard the integrity of our lines and those entrusted to us by other breeders.

HOW MANY LITTERS DOES EACH DAM (MOM) HAVE?

Most of our bitches have no more than three litters, occasionally four, and are then retired to live as pets either with us or with close family or friends.

WHERE ARE THEY RAISED?

Our home employs state-of-the-art technology to prioritize the safety and well-being of our bitches during pregnancy and labour. We have on-site capabilities for progesterone testing, ultrasound imaging, and sperm evaluation. Additionally, we collaborate closely with our veterinary team at Companion Animal Clinic of Gainesville, VA, which consists of reproductive specialists, to ensure comprehensive and top-of-the-line care. We are adept at tube feeding and administering subcutaneous fluids to pups, if necessary. Puppies are delivered in a dedicated nursery, furnished with a spacious 8' x 8' whelping box adjacent to our bedroom. Live video feeds from multiple cameras are accessible around the clock via iPads and iPhones. A caregiver is present at home most of the time from birth until the puppies are ready to transition to their new homes.

HOW ARE THEY RAISED?

We strive to breed dogs that exhibit excellent temperaments and robust health. When placing pet pups, I prioritize temperamental traits above all else. I only breed dogs with sound temperaments to ensure that the offspring will inherit outstanding temperaments, as genetic factors contribute significantly to a dog's personality. Similar to human babies, neonates and infant dogs undergo various developmental stages, and we employ science-based rearing methods to give our pups the best chance of becoming well-adjusted adult dogs. Our pups receive extensive socialization while in our care, and we expect owners to continue this throughout the dog's lifetime.

Here is a breakdown of our week-to-week routine with our pups:

HOW MUCH ENERGY DO YOUR DOGS HAVE?

Each litter of puppies exhibits unique characteristics and energy levels depending on who the parents of the litter are, and there exists significant variability within each litter as well. It is imperative that you provide candid responses to this application, as this will enable us to determine the most suitable litter and puppy based on your lifestyle!

DO I GET TO CHOOSE MY OWN PUPPY?

NO. Selection is not based on appearance or colour and it is not on a first-come, first-served basis. Choosing a pup solely based on a cute photo or a brief meeting, does not facilitate a proper evaluation of temperament. Instead, I carefully match puppies with new owners based on their lifestyle, with the primary goal of finding a forever home for each puppy. The specific puppy for each owner will be determined between 7-10 weeks of age using the answers in this application in tandem with our Bellaclan Canine Aptitude Assessment (BCAA) and B8WAP scheme, and the puppies will be ready to go to their new homes at nine weeks of age. 

DO I GET TO CHOOSE THE GENDER?

Gender preferences are generally not accommodated, as temperament is our number one consideration. In cases where the prospective owner already has a dog we typically place a dog of the opposite gender to prevent potential same-sex aggression. Exceptions are made for other Breeders with safe, separated kennels or the ability to keep them separated. The current dogs in your home must be spayed or neutered unless you currently show/compete and breed dogs, and proof of de-sexing must be provided upon request by a veterinarian before we will sell one of our dogs to you.

HOW DO YOU INSURE THE GENETIC HEALTH OF OUR DOGS AND PUPS?

Prior to breeding, the Sire (father) and Dam (mother) of our litters undergo an extensive series of tests to screen for breed-specific illnesses. These tests include, but are not limited to, evaluations for OFA Hips, OFA Elbows, OFA Shoulders, OFA Patellas, OFA Cardiac, OFA Dentition, OFA CAER eye, OFA BAER hearing, and DNA testing for CEA, CL, TNS, Raines, and other genetic illnesses, which is conducted using an Embark/Wisdom/Orivet canine DNA panel. It is important to note that despite taking all possible precautions, we cannot guarantee the behaviour of genetics with 100% certainty. Our goal is to utilize all available technology to maximize the health and well-being of our dogs and puppies.

WHAT DO OUR DOGS AND PUPS EAT?

We feed our dogs and pups RAW (BALANCED uncooked meats, organs and bones) with Inukshuk (Canada) Kibble and Farmina (Italy) Kibble. We give full feeding instructions to new owners.

ARE YOUR PUPPIES AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB (AKC) REGISTERED PUREBREDS?

YES. Upon your puppy's arrival, it’s AKC registration will be processed and sent to you by mail within a few weeks. Puppies designated as pet quality are provided with AKC LIMITED registration, which prohibits breeding, and will be transferred into your name before being mailed to you. Show prospects, which are not spayed or neutered, come with AKC full registration and are placed in a co-ownership arrangement between us and the new owners.

DO YOUR PUPS COME WITH A PEDIGREE?

YES. We send a SIX GENERATION pedigree home with our puppies from our own database that shows all titles the dogs have gained around the globe. You are also able to order a certified pedigree from the AKC for your dog showing either three or four generations of your dogs pedigree and dogs that are titled in the USA.

ARE YOUR PUPPIES MICROCHIPPED AND ARE THE CHIPS REGISTERED?

YES. Your new puppy will be ISO microchipped, and the chips have been prepaid and registered under our name with your name listed as an emergency contact with AKC REUNITE, a national database, for LIFE. There is no action required on your part, we handle the whole process.

ARE YOU PUPS VET INSPECTED AND VACCINATED?

YES, your new puppy will not only be vaccinated and inspected by a veterinarian but will also have had an OFA BAER hearing test and an OFA CAER eye test done by specialist veterinarians in those fields, prior to going home with you! At our expense we submit the results to the OFA to receive OFFICIAL CAER Eye and BAER Hearing certificates for your puppy.

DO YOU SELL YOUR DOGS ON A CONTRACT?

YES. YOU MUST review the contract PRIOR to filling out the application below. You can find them on our website to review! We will not allow pups to leave our possession without full payment.

As of 2024 we have three “tiers” of contracts:

DO YOU SELL BREEDING RIGHTS?

To pet owners, NO. Our approach to breeding is one of utmost seriousness. Prospective Breeders who acquire a dog from us must adhere to the same rigorous standards and meet all requisite criteria that we apply to ourselves before engaging in breeding activities. Our breeding endeavours are not profit-driven, nor do we seek to cater to public demand for dogs. Our primary aim is to produce exceptional Border Collies of global repute. Should your breeding objectives deviate from this mission, we will not endorse the placement of a show prospect with you. All show/breeding prospects are in a co-ownership with us.

CAN ONE RESERVE A PUPPY?

YES. Only after they are born, and this saves you a spot NOT a particular puppy. Our Application/consultation service fee is $500. This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. It is payable after your application has been approved, and after the puppies have reached at least one week of age and are confirmed to be in good health. The fee serves as a reservation for a puppy from the specific litter, compensates us for our time spent educating/interviewing you, and secures the puppy from being sold to other potential buyers. This fee is designed to discourage time-wasting inquiries and insures that applicants are genuinely committed and prepared for the responsibility of owning a BELLACLAN puppy. Our time is extremely limited due to the continuous care, grooming, and training of our own dogs, as well as our responsibilities as parents. While we are happy to engage and educate, we kindly request that you respect our time as it is scarce. By submitting an application, you agree to this condition and confirm that you have reviewed and agree to the consultation agreement and sales contract.

HOW MUCH ARE YOUR PUPPIES?

The standard price for all puppies is USD 3000.00 and it is in ADDITION to the $500.00 application fee noted above (TOTAL $3500.00). The pricing for both show and pet quality puppies is uniform, reflecting the equal amount of time, training, love, and attention invested in each puppy. It is important to note that the price may be subject to increase for puppies resulting from frozen semen or a small litter born via a c-section, as our costs significantly rise in such circumstances. Our policy mandates that puppies cannot leave our possession until a formal contract is signed between us and the new owners. This contract delineates the terms of sale, ensuring the lifelong protection of the puppy, safeguarding our years of dedicated breeding efforts, and providing both short and long term health guarantees. Please note, exports outside North America are more due to all the work involved with the exportation process.

DO YOU TAKE PAYMENTS?

NO. It has been observed that individuals who lack the financial capacity to cover the initial cost of acquiring a puppy may face challenges in providing essential training, care, veterinary services, and socialization for their pet. Therefore, it is advisable for potential owners to ensure they possess the requisite funds to cover these expenses, including the cost of pet insurance for the first year. The purchase cost of the dog is generally overshadowed by the expenses associated with its care in 2025.

WHAT DO YOUR PUPPIES COME WITH?

Pet Insurance

All new owners are required to enrol in Trupanion Accident and Illness pet insurance within 24 hours before receiving their puppy. We are pleased to offer a complimentary 30-day coverage using our provided code for FREE. While maintaining the insurance after the initial 30 days is not mandatory, we strongly encourage it. We do not gain anything from Trupanion for requiring this!

CAN WE VISIT THE PUPPIES WHILE THEY ARE GROWING UP?

Safety: The health and safety of our dogs and family is our top priority. As of 2024, recent incidents in the breeding community of breeders being harmed by buyers (See HERE and HERE) during transactions have raised concerns about potential security risks associated with allowing unfamiliar individuals into our residence. Therefore, to prioritize the safety and well-being of our family, we have chosen to discontinue on-site visits and pickups. 

Illness: Canine parvovirus, distemper, canine influenza, canine herpes virus, corona, and bordatella are all highly contagious viruses, posing a significant risk to our neonatal puppies, pregnant dams, and older senior dogs. Viruses can be transmitted through contact with infected feces, saliva, contaminated surfaces, human skin, clothing, and even car tires. Given its resilience to common disinfectants and ability to survive in various environments (even through FREEZING), we have decided to restrict access to our premises to minimize the risk of exposure.

We understand and appreciate the desire to meet the parents of the puppies. In lieu of in-person visits, we are committed to facilitating alternative arrangements such as arranging meetings with the parents at a different location and providing extensive video documentation to keep you engaged and informed about the puppies' development. Additionally, we are more than willing to connect with you via video calls to ensure that you are involved in the process and have the opportunity to witness the puppies' growth firsthand. For those of you driving to us to pick your puppy up, we will meet you in Waldorf, MD!

SHOULD WE TAKE OBEDIENCE CLASSES WITH OUR NEW PUPPY?

We require all owners to participate in two complete obedience classes with their puppy, taught by a reputable trainer, to maximize each pup's potential to become a well-behaved canine citizen.

CAN YOU FLY YOUR PUPPIES TO THEIR NEW HOME?

YES. Over the past two decades, we have successfully shipped numerous puppies and adult dogs worldwide without any transportation-related trauma. A boarding fee applies to puppies requiring extended care and training beyond nine weeks of age. Nevertheless, we are committed to providing assistance as needed.

We have three nearby airports:

• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) | 2.5 hrs round minimal traffic
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) | 3 hrs round minimal traffic
• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) | 4 hours round minimal traffic

We charge $60 per hour for airport trips. It's important to note that during peak traffic times, trip durations can double. We strongly recommend scheduling your flights during off-peak hours to avoid these delays and additional costs.

Pet as Carry-On: Should you opt to personally collect your puppy by air and accompany it back home, we are more than willing to arrange a meeting at the designated airports mentioned above. This method is our recommended and preferred choice.

Pet cargo: We provide shipping services for puppies, including air cargo transport to their new homes. Whenever feasible, we prioritize direct flights for shipping. We aim to crate-train all puppies to ensure their comfort during air travel. The new owners are responsible for the costs associated with shipping, logistical arrangements for flights, and related expenses. This includes but is not limited to flight fees, crates, vet certificates, transportation to the vet and airport, shipping containers, absorbent bedding, and shipping dishes. A veterinary travel certificate is required for a dog to fly Pet Cargo. This cost is $150.00 for the vet, our time, and gas (2.5 hr round trip drive and 4 hrs of our time).

WHEN DO YOUR PUPPIES GO TO THEIR NEW HOMES?

There is a notable fear period that occurs between seven and nine weeks of age. During this timeframe, puppies are particularly susceptible to forming lasting impressions of negative experiences. However, it is reassuring to note that this sensitive period concludes by the time they reach nine weeks, at which point they are better equipped to adapt to new environments. Considering this developmental milestone, we allow our puppies to be separated from their mom and siblings and go to their new homes after they reach the age of nine weeks. This practice aims to facilitate a smooth transition and a positive start to their new lives.