FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Would You Like to Know?
FAQs
We respond very quickly, usually in less than 24-hours, when you email us through the contact page on this site. (We'd include our email here, but spam web crawlers will pick it up and start sending us junk mail!) We are often busy with the Bouvies but we will call you back ASAP! (814] 800-0084 EST Time Zone NYC). Just let us know the best time to contact you back and we'll work it out.
We typically reply with our personal cells (area code 412 number) and not the business line when we are traveling to/from the groomer, a vet check, etc. We understand spam filters on your phone and will leave you a message identifying ourselves and that we are calling you back. Please do the same for us. Once we connect, and we have you in our Contacts, texting is the fastest way to reach us with quick questions.
In these times, we all tend to filter calls we don't know and we are all cautious of scammers.
(Yes! Even breeders get scammed!) We hope you grow confident in us pretty quickly - because we are very open and active on social media and our website very uniquely reflects our transparent practices.
FYI: We never sell to anyone we haven't spoken to by phone. We aren't a mail order business. We like to get to know our Bouvie buyers a little and make new Bouvie friends.
Absolutely!
YES! YES! YES!
Since we have puppy chores and families (like most of you!), we do not have walk-in hours/days. However, we are more than happy to set a time for us to meet-up and visit with the Bouvs.
We will restrict visitors when we have pups at home under 5 weeks of age. Before 5 weeks old, the pups have no vaccinations and are very vulnerable - just like newborn humans! When pups are this young, we are happy to arrange Zoom or FaceTime video calls.
Check out our location (Oil City/Franklin, Pennsylvania) and ask us how to make your visit into a cool day trip where hunting, fishing, microbreweries, elk farms, and the Amish are tucked away in the forest and mountains. Experience the history of the birth of oil drilling in America!
PLEASE NOTE:
During and since COVID (2020), there have been several breeders abducted, murdered and robbed of their litters. Yes, the world out there is getting pretty creepy!
As a result, for our safety and the safety of our Bouviers, our first preference is to meet first-time visitors at our "dog gym" in Pittsburgh, PA: Misty Pines Dog Pet Co. and Dog Park.
Misty Pines actually tends to work-out well for many prospective Bouv owners too; The House (Venango Co.) is nearly 2 hours north of Misty Pines (Allegheny Co.). We are in a rural area surrounded by 5+ state parks/forests. Therefore, being nearer to a major city (Misty Pines, Pittsburgh) has some access perks and saves travel time for many people.
Yes! Setting up a time to talk with us is an excellent idea! We know what it's like to not know what you don't know about a pet you're thinking of adding to your family. Informational calls have saved us a lot of time, money, and heartache (let alone the pet's anguish too!).
Every week, we take 3-5 informational calls, by appointment, and share with you what it's like to own a Bouvier des Flandres, what makes them a bit different from other breeds, and what you can expect from one of our Bouviers. These calls take about an hour, and we will happily answer your follow-up questions by text, email or a second (shorter) call.
Another great way to know more about us and over Bouviers is to check-out our social media (@HouseOfBouvs on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube) where we have 1,500+ posts about Bouviers.
A WORD OF CAUTION:
I (Shana) have Asperger's Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder. When I speak on a topic that's a niche interest to me - like Bouviers - I can tend to get into the weeds. I know a lot and I love to share it! Feel free to interrupt and re-direct me if I am long-winded. I prefer you to be very honest, polite, and direct rather than let me ramble excessively on a topic.
We are so sorry for your loss! We can truly empathize with the grief you must feel.
You and your family deserve time to grieve and your future puppy doesn't deserve to be constantly compared (negatively) to the dog that just passed away. It will never measure up to the one that's been lost.
It often takes 3-4 months before you can enjoy a new puppy. Children seem to recover faster and a new puppy is a distraction for them. It's advisable, though, to let children learn to mourn losses and learn how to work through the pain. (Smart, Sylvia; Dog Breeders Professional Secrets Ethical Breeding Practices)
You may want to seek help here: The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)