At Prancing Pony Farm, we maintain a transparent, fair reservation system built around one simple principle: first to pay is first in line. This page explains exactly how that works.

Payment Policies →

Our Two Reservation Lists

We maintain two distinct waiting lists to accommodate different needs and timelines.

The Master Waiting List

The Master Waiting List is for families who want to secure their place in line without committing to a specific litter or timeline.

How it works: Pay your $500 non-refundable reservation fee at any time to secure your chronological spot. When a litter or available dog matches your preferences, you’ll be contacted in reservation order. You can choose to move to a Specific Litter List at that point or remain on the Master List and wait for a better match.

This is the right choice if you’re planning ahead, not quite ready, or want flexibility on timing. The earlier you reserve, the higher your priority.

The Specific Litter List

The Specific Litter List is for families interested in a particular current or upcoming litter.

How it works: when a litter is announced, Master List clients are contacted first in chronological order. Any spots remaining after the Master List clients have responded are opened to new reservations. Pay your $500 non-refundable reservation fee to secure your spot. Puppy selection happens at 12 weeks in reservation order.

Reservation Fee Policies

The $500 reservation fee serves several important purposes — it demonstrates serious commitment, covers the time I spend working with each family, and holds your chronological place in line. It applies in full toward your total purchase price.

The fee is non-refundable for any reason. It may be transferred to a future litter or available dog at Prancing Pony Farm’s discretion. The fee is per dog — if you are reserving two dogs, two fees are required.

No puppy or dog will be held without a paid reservation fee. We do not accept soft holds or unpaid reservations under any circumstances.

Priority & Selection

Reservations are fulfilled strictly in the order they are received. The date and time your payment is processed determines your place in line — not the date you applied, inquired, or had a conversation.

Puppy selection happens when puppies are approximately 12 weeks old, in reservation order. I work with each family individually to match the right puppy to their specific animals, property, and situation. I reserve the right to hold back any puppy for our breeding program. Read more about our puppy matching process here.

Transferring Your Reservation

We understand that circumstances change. Transfers are handled as follows:

You may transfer your reservation from the Master List to a Specific Litter List, from one litter list to another, from a puppy reservation to an available older dog, or to a future, unspecified litter.

All transfers are at Prancing Pony Farm’s discretion. When transferring to a future litter, the price reflects the current advertised price of the new litter — not the price at the time of your original reservation. Your place in line may change depending on which list you’re transferring to. Multiple transfers may affect your priority status.

Passing on Available Puppies

If you’re offered a puppy from a current litter and decide to decline, your spot on the Master Waiting List is maintained for future litters. There is no penalty for passing on a litter that doesn’t meet your needs or timing — just let me know promptly so I can offer the puppy to the next family in line.

If all reservation holders pass on available puppies from a litter, those puppies are offered to new applicants.

Reservation FAQ

How long might I wait on the Master Waiting List? Wait times vary based on your preferences and our breeding schedule. Families may wait anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on timing, gender and age preferences, and other specific needs. Reserving earlier means a higher place in line when litters are announced.

Can I specify gender, age, or other preferences? Yes. I take your preferences into account and will contact you when a litter with potential matches becomes available. More specific preferences may result in longer wait times.

What if none of the puppies in a litter meet my needs? You can decline and remain on the Master Waiting List for a future litter, maintaining your original position. By declining, you understand the puppies will be offered to others.

If I’m on a Specific Litter List but change my mind, can I get a refund? No. The reservation fee is non-refundable, but we may allow you to transfer to another litter or back to the Master Waiting List at our discretion.

How will I know my position on the list? I’ll confirm your position when you reserve and provide updates as needed. You’re always welcome to reach out for a status update.

Can I visit before the puppies are ready? Yes — visits are encouraged and must be scheduled in advance. Farm visits are available to families who have a paid reservation on a current litter. Visiting does not hold a dog — payment does.

Does the reservation fee cover two dogs? No. The fee is per dog. Two reservations require two fees. You can pay for both at the same time by changing the quantity to 2 at checkout.

What happens if I need to cancel entirely? The reservation fee is non-refundable. Please notify us as soon as possible if your plans change — early communication allows us to offer your spot to other waiting families.