About Our Story The Dachshund Breed Our Parents All Dogs Dams Sires Puppies Available Now Planned Litters Priority Waiting List Adoption Adoption Process Apply Now Pricing Guidelines Deposit Agreement Purchase Contract FAQ Gallery
Contact Us

Adoption

The Adoption Process

A simple, transparent process built around finding the right match — for you and for the puppy.

The Process

Five Steps to Your
New Family Member

1

Browse & Inquire

Browse available puppies or planned litters. Reach out with questions — no obligation.

2

Submit Application

Complete our adoption application so we can make sure it's a great fit all around.

3

Deposit & Selection

A $500 deposit holds your place. We share photos and video as time allows — you select in waitlist order.

4

Puppy Updates

We'll send regular photos and milestones as your puppy grows and prepares to come home.

5

Going Home

Puppies go home at 8 weeks with their puppy pack, health records, and our ongoing support.

What to Expect

The Details Behind
Each Step

1

Browse & Inquire

Start by exploring our available puppies and planned litters. Each listing tells you about the pairing, expected coat types and color possibilities, and estimated timing. Reach out through the contact form or application to introduce yourself — no obligation, just a conversation.

2

Submit Your Application

Our adoption application asks about your household, experience with dogs, your lifestyle, and what you're hoping for in a companion. It's not a test — it's a conversation starter. We review every application personally and we read what you write. Share as much as you'd like.

We'll reply within a few days. We may ask follow-up questions or schedule a brief call. If we're a good fit, we'll discuss litters that align with your preferences and set honest expectations about availability.

3

Deposit & Puppy Selection

Once approved, a $500 deposit holds your spot. Your place in the waitlist is set by deposit date, which determines your pick order when a litter arrives. The deposit applies toward your final adoption fee — it's not an extra charge. A signed deposit agreement accompanies every deposit.

When the litter arrives, we share photos and video as time allows. Selection is done in waitlist order — you'll let us know your pick based on what we share. We do not do live tours or scheduled video calls. You may pass on any litter and stay on the list with your spot intact.

4

Weekly Puppy Updates

From birth through pickup, you'll receive regular photos and updates on your puppy's development. We share milestones, personality notes, and the moment when their eyes open. When your turn comes in waitlist order, we'll contact you directly with your selection options before going public with any availability.

Once you've selected your puppy, we'll send a purchase contract covering the adoption terms, health guarantee, and any applicable agreements — spay/neuter for pet homes, or a breeding ethics agreement for Full AKC placements.

5

Going Home at 8 Weeks

Puppies are ready to go home at 8 weeks. Pickup is at an agreed-upon public location near our home in Georgia. Your puppy leaves with complete vet records, a starter packet (food sample, feeding schedule, care notes), and your signed health guarantee. The remaining balance of your adoption fee is due at or before pickup — we accept Cash, Zelle, Venmo, PayPal (PayPal carries a 4% surcharge), or cashier's check.

Ground transport or flight nanny arrangements may be possible for out-of-area families — ask us. We do not ship puppies as unaccompanied air cargo.

What's Included

Your Puppy Goes Home
Ready for Day One

💉

Vaccinations & Deworm

Age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming completed by a licensed vet before pickup. Records included.

🏥

Vet Health Check

Full veterinary health examination within 72 hours of pickup. Written health certificate provided.

📋

AKC Registration Papers

All paperwork for AKC litter registration. We file the litter; you register the individual puppy in your name.

🧬

Embark Health Report

Full genetic panel results for both parents shared digitally. You'll know exactly what your puppy carries.

🍽️

Starter Food Supply

A small supply of the food your puppy has been eating to ease the transition to your home and feeding schedule.

🎀

Comfort Blanket

A small blanket with mom's scent to help ease the first few nights in a new home.

📞

Lifetime Support

We're available by phone, text, or email for questions — about training, health, behavior, or anything else. No expiration.

🛡️

1-Year Health Guarantee

Written guarantee covering congenital defects. Full terms provided in your adoption contract before signing.

📸

Puppy Photo Archive

A digital folder of every photo we took from birth through pickup day. The early weeks go fast — you'll want these.

Documents

What You'll Sign Along the Way

Signed with Deposit

Deposit Agreement

Covers the terms of your deposit — how it applies to your adoption fee, what happens if a match isn't found, and the waitlist policy.

View Agreement →

Signed Before Pickup

Purchase Contract

Documents your puppy's adoption fee, the health guarantee terms, and any applicable agreements — spay/neuter for pet homes or breeding ethics for Full AKC placements.

View Contract →

Ready to Apply?

Start the Conversation Now

The first step is just reaching out. Fill out our adoption application and tell us about yourself — no commitment required. We'll follow up within 48 hours.

Apply Now Read the FAQ First

Questions? Contact us directly — we respond to every message personally.

Aspen

Health Guarantee

We Stand Behind
Every Puppy

Every River Dachs puppy comes with a one-year written health guarantee against congenital defects. If a hereditary condition is diagnosed within the first year, we work with you on a resolution — that may include a replacement puppy, partial refund, or other arrangement based on your situation.

We also require that any River Dachs puppy be returned to us if you are ever unable to keep them — at any age. We would rather take a dog back than have one end up in a shelter.