| | Prancing Pony FarmEthically bred, professionally trained livestock guardian dogs and family companions Livestock Guadian Dog Consulting |
Hi Reader,
Yesterday I delivered a 16-week-old Maremma puppy to the Fresno airport for her flight to Seattle, where her new owner picked her up and drove her across the border into Canada—her forever home on a farm in British Columbia.
She’s my fifth Canadian placement.
And every time I coordinate one of these deliveries—whether it’s to Canada, Hawaii, Texas, Massachusetts, or anywhere else across the country—I’m reminded of something important: People don’t coordinate long-distance (sometimes international) puppy delivery for mediocre breeding programs.
This puppy’s new owner spent months researching Maremma breeders across North America. She read my articles about LGD behavior and socialization, had extensive conversations with me about how to integrate the puppy into her farm, purchased the DIAL Guide program I recommend to all new dog owners, and asked incredibly detailed questions about genetics, temperament, and our breeding philosophy.
She didn’t pick the closest breeder. She picked the right breeder.
Then she let me handle getting her new puppy home safely—because that’s what my premium delivery service is designed to do.
The Proximity Trap (And Why It’s Expensive)
Here’s what I’ve learned after years of breeding Maremmas and working with LGD families: Choosing a breeder based on proximity rather than quality is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.
Not expensive in dollars, though fixing behavioral issues, dealing with preventable health problems, or rehoming an incompatible dog certainly costs money. Expensive in heartbreak, lost time, livestock losses, and the emotional toll of a failed placement.
I’ve worked with clients who initially bought from “the breeder two counties over” because it seemed easier. They ended up spending thousands on training interventions, dealing with genetic health issues, or ultimately surrendering a dog that was never the right fit. Then they came back to us, did it right the second time, and wished they’d started here.
Distance is temporary. Your dog is a 10-15 year commitment.
The geography between you and the right breeder is a one-time logistics challenge. But living with the wrong dog because you prioritized convenience? That’s years of struggle.
We Remove the Distance Barrier
When families tell me they’ve found our breeding program but worry about the distance, I explain that we’ve already solved that problem. Our premium airport coordination and delivery service means you don’t navigate airline policies, figure out crate requirements, or stress about whether your puppy will get home safely.
Here’s what we handle:
Complete Travel Coordination – We select the best flight options based on your schedule and location, book the puppy’s flight, and handle all airline requirements. You don’t research pet cargo policies or navigate confusing booking systems.
Comprehensive Documentation – Airline travel requires precise paperwork. We ensure your puppy has the correct health certificates, vaccination records, and any additional documentation required for cross-border transport or specific state regulations.
Professional Travel Setup – Your puppy travels in an airline-approved crate that meets all safety standards, properly sized for comfort, with absorbent bedding and adequate ventilation. All required labels and documentation are attached.
Travel Day Management – We bring your puppy to the airport during optimal travel windows (avoiding temperature extremes), stay through the entire check-in process, and confirm successful boarding. We don’t drop off and leave—we verify everything is handled correctly.
Real-Time Communication – You receive updates throughout the process—when we leave for the airport, when the puppy is checked in, when the flight departs, and confirmation of arrival. No wondering or worrying.
Arrival Support – We provide detailed instructions for pickup, what to expect, and how to help your puppy transition after travel. Plus, our standard post-placement support continues—we’re available for questions and guidance long after your puppy arrives home.
This isn’t just logistics. It’s peace of mind. You’re already investing in a well-bred, carefully socialized livestock guardian dog. The last thing you should stress about is the journey home.
Where Our Puppies Go (And Why It Matters)
That Canada-bound puppy joins Maremmas we’ve placed across North America:
- Multiple states in all areas of the US
- Throughout California (from small backyard flocks to large-scale operations)
- Big cities and small towns
- Urban homesteads and large ranches
- Canada four before this puppy
- Hawaii (yes, we navigate the complex quarantine and import requirements)
Geography doesn’t limit us. We successfully place puppies with families who have the right situation, commitment, and understanding of what Maremmas need to thrive—whether that’s ten miles away or three thousand.
Why Families Make the Journey
So what makes families willing to coordinate cross-border delivery, fly puppies cross-country or travel hundreds of miles for pickup? What’s different about our program?
Evidence-based breeding decisions – Every breeding starts with excellent genetics, comprehensive health testing, and temperament evaluation. We don’t breed because we have dogs—we breed because we have exceptional dogs that will improve the breed.
Comprehensive socialization protocols – Our puppies experience diverse environments, sounds, surfaces, and situations during critical developmental periods. This early work and extensive socialization with livestock and humans creates confident, adaptable dogs whether they’re heading to working livestock situations or companion homes.
Perfect-match placement process – We don’t sell first-come, first-served. We evaluate each family’s situation, needs, and lifestyle, then match them with the puppy whose temperament best fits their circumstances. This dramatically reduces failed placements.
Professional training expertise – As a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and licensed Family Dog Mediator, I bring professional training knowledge to breeding decisions and puppy development. Our families get puppies who’ve had a training professional’s attention from birth.
Lifetime breeder support – The relationship doesn’t end at pickup. We maintain contact with puppy families for years, providing guidance through developmental stages, answering questions, and celebrating successes. You’re not just buying a dog—you’re gaining a mentor.
That Canada-bound puppy? Her family knows I’ll check in regularly throughout her first year. They have my phone number. They can send videos and ask questions. They’re not alone in this journey—and that ongoing support is worth coordinating delivery.
The Real Question Isn’t “How Far?”
If you’re researching Maremma Sheepdogs or livestock guardian dogs and you’ve thought, “I found a great breeder, but they’re too far away,” I want to challenge that assumption.
The real questions are:
- Have I found a breeder whose philosophy aligns with what I need?
- Do they health test and breed for temperament, not just appearance?
- Will they provide the support I need as an LGD owner?
- Are they breeding dogs that succeed in situations like mine?
- Do they stand behind their puppies long-term?
If you’ve answered yes to those questions, don’t let geography be the deciding factor.
A well-bred, properly socialized, temperamentally sound Maremma from a breeder who truly supports their families is worth infinitely more than a conveniently located puppy from a subpar program.
Your Turn
That puppy is settled in Canada now, starting her life protecting their livestock and becoming part of a family who chose quality over convenience.
Whether you’re in California, Canada, Conneticut (yes, we have puppies there, too) or anywhere in between, if you’re serious about finding a Maremma Sheepdog who’s been bred right, raised right, and matched to your specific situation, distance shouldn’t stop yo
We make the logistics simple. You make it happen.
If you’re ready to talk about whether a Prancing Pony Farm Maremma is the right fit for your farm or family, reply to this email or visit our website to browse available puppies and learn more about our breeding program.
Your perfect livestock guardian dog is worth the journey.
Making great matches happen,
Kim
P.S. – Wondering about the details of how delivery works, costs, or timing? Reply with your questions or book a free Maremma discovery call—I’m happy to walk you through the process and help you figure out if this is the right fit for your situation.
Just ask Dave in Texas what he thinks of his two Prancing Pony Farm Maremmas. He’ll tell you “the world’s best dogs bred by the world’s best breeder.” 💜
