Last Updated on January 9, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM
Congratulations on Reserving Your Prancing Pony Maremma!
This page contains everything you need to prepare for your new livestock guardian dog and make their transition to your family and animals as smooth as possible. We’ve organized all the important information—from payment methods to health records, shipping arrangements to feeding guidelines—so you can find what you need quickly.
If you have questions that aren’t addressed here, just reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
🛍️ Need puppy supplies? Check out my complete Puppy Essentials Guide with curated recommendations and shopping links.
How to Make Your Puppy Reservation or Final Payment
We do not accept checks, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, wire transfers, or other payment methods for puppy reservations, puppy payments, shipping fees, or other dog-related payments. We have three approved payment methods. These options are as follows:
- The GoodDog secure payment system. Good Dog offers purchase protection and additional support to new puppy owners for a fee. However, there is also a fee-free option for those who do not wish to pay this fee. *As of April 2025, GoodDog charges a 6.5% fee to breeders for clients who find them through their platform. If you contacted us on GoodDog you will have to pay this fee.
- Credit or debit is accepted through our Honeybook payment system. There will be a 3% transaction fee for those who wish to pay through the Honeybook payment system.
- Cash. (For those picking up their puppy in person.)
Please let us know which of our three payment methods you prefer.
🚨 BEFORE YOU CAN SCHEDULE PICKUP OR SHIPPING
Your puppy contract must be signed before any homecoming arrangements can be made.
You will receive your digital contract via email from Breeder Cloud Pro within 48-72 hours of completing your puppy purchase. (if your pickup/shipping date is over one week away it might take longer before we send the contract)
Tips to ensure you receive your contract:
- Add kim@prancingponyfarm.com to your contacts
- Check your spam/junk folder if you don’t see the email within 24 hours
- Respond promptly, as shipping or pick up arrangements can’t be started until the contract is signed
Once your contract is signed, you will receive:
- Link to schedule your pickup appointment (in-person pickups)
- OR detailed shipping coordination information (shipped puppies)
Your puppy cannot be released until your contract is signed. This protects both you and your new family member.
❓ Questions about your contract? Reply to any email from Prancing Pony Farm or contact kim@prancingponyfarm.com
Your Puppy's Medical Records
In addition to your contract we will also send an invitation through the Pet Portal so that you can log in and access your puppy’s health record. You can print and take it to your veterinarian when your puppy is ready for follow-up care or additional vaccinations. There is no cost to you to use this site!
We’re excited for you to welcome your new Maremma into your family, and completing this contract is the final step before that happy day arrives!
Need Help Finding Your Puppy Contract & Medical Records?
We’ve created a step-by-step video tutorial to help you access the Breeder Cloud ProClient Pet Portal. This will allow you to sign and download your puppy contract and view and download your puppy’s medical records. Access your account at the link below:
Travel Arrangements for Your Maremma
For our California customers, we are centrally located near Highway 41 and less than a day’s drive from most locations, so picking up your puppy in person is easy. Out-of-state customers also sometimes drive out to pick their puppies up, and we welcome you to do so if that’s your wish. You may also choose to have your puppy shipped commercially. You will need to make the arrangements yourself. We will work with the shipper of your choice. We have some helpful information and recommendations below.
Picking up Your Puppy in Person
Click the button below to learn what you need to know if you will be picking up your puppy yourself.
Shipping Your Puppy Commercially
Click the button below to learn what you need to know if you will be shipping your puppy commercially.
Board and Training Services
Need Extra Time for Pickup or Shipping? We understand that coordinating travel and shipping can sometimes take longer than expected. If you need additional time beyond your 2-week grace period, we offer professional boarding services for all Prancing Pony Farm dogs. Visit our Board and training services page for complete details on rates and what’s included.
Essential: Harness & Leash for Your New Maremma
Before your puppy comes home, you’ll need a properly fitted harness and leash. This is essential equipment for the car ride home and your puppy’s first days with you.
Why harnesses are essential for Maremmas:
- Safer for deep-chested breeds and growing puppies
- Prevents neck injuries during the transition period
- Better control when your puppy is excited or nervous
- What your Maremma has been trained with since birth
We Use & Recommend: Blue-9 Balance Harnesses
Quick Sizing Guide:
- 12-14 weeks: Medium
- 15+ weeks: Medium/Large
- Adults: Medium/Large or Large
Not sure which size? We’ll help you choose the right fit for your dog.
Get your harness ready:
- Picking up in person: Order ahead or purchase on pickup day
- Shipping: Order now – we’ll attach it to the travel crate or ship separately
- Need help with sizing: Contact us anytime
Feeding Your Maremma
We feed our puppies and adult Maremmas Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Chicken and Rice formula. This food is available at Amazon, Chewy, Tractor Supply, and most feed and pet stores. If you have a different brand of food you would prefer to use, we suggest you buy one bag of the formula we use and switch the puppy or dog over gradually, as sudden changes in diet can cause digestive upset. Ensure you are using a food containing the AAFCO Statement, certifying that it meets the nutritional needs of large breed puppies. A good place to research dog food brands is Dog Food Advisor. We recommend sticking to 4 or 5-star foods formulated for large-breed puppies.
AAFCO-approved food for puppies (including large breed) and adults, including large breed. This is a 5-star food on Dog Food Advisor. All of our Maremmas 12 months and up eat this food.
🍖 Nutrition Matters for Your Growing Livestock Guardian Dog
Your Maremma’s diet during the first year impacts bone development, immune function, and future working ability.
✓ See exactly what we feed and why
✓ Learn quality guidelines for choosing your own food
✓ Understand what’s normal vs. concerning during diet transitions
Everything You Need to Know About Feeding Your Maremma Puppy →
Our Maremma Puppy Vaccination and Parasite Control Protocols
Puppy Vaccination Schedule: Our Evidence-Based Protocol for Livestock Guardian Dogs
Learn how our evidence-based vaccination protocol keeps Maremma and other LGD puppies healthy and protected. We focus on immunity, timing, and safety to support long-term health in working guardian dogs.
The Complete Livestock Guardian Dog Puppy Parasite Prevention Protocol: Protecting Your Investment From Day One
At Prancing Pony Maremmas, we understand that raising healthy and happy livestock guardian dog puppies begins with loving care and smart prevention practices. Our easy parasite prevention protocol helps create the perfect environment for puppies to thrive. We emphasize the importance of regular check-ups, getting the right doses of essential medications like Fenbendazole and Toltrazuril, and introducing high-quality probiotics to keep their tummies happy after treatment. We’re also here to share helpful tips with other puppy owners and recommend trustworthy products like Cocciguard to keep coccidiosis at bay. We start our puppies right, putting their health and happiness first!
Trupanion Pet Insurance
Prancing Pony Farm is proud to have partnered with Trupanion Pet Insurance for its breeder program. I’ve included a Breeder Code below for puppies purchased from us. With this code, you can sign up for 30 days of free insurance for your puppy. This covers your puppy for illness and injury. After that, you can choose whether to continue the insurance or not.
Protect Your Investment You Made in Your LGD
I highly encourage all puppy owners to take advantage of the free trial through Trupanion. It costs nothing, but your vet bills will be covered if your puppy is injured or becomes ill after leaving here. Puppies are most susceptible to illness when young because their immune systems are still developing.
This is especially important for pups being transported commercially or even by their owners, as there is a lot of risk to a young puppy traveling long distances in public places. They could pick up something or be injured. We hope that won’t happen, but with Trupanion, you won’t be stuck with expensive vet bills!
Here is what the insurance covers:
- 30 days of coverage with no upfront payments
- Immediate coverage – waiting periods are waived
- $250 deductible, 90% coverage, and no payout limits
- Coverage for new, unexpected injuries or illnesses (more information about Trupanion online)
- Terms and conditions apply. See the policy at Trupanion.com/pet-insurance
Use the Breeder Code below to sign up.
Please note: The coverage has to be activated on pick-up day or within one day before or after the puppy is picked up. The buyer has to activate it using my breeder code. I cannot legally sign you up.
*I am not sure what the cut-off age is for this offer, but if you purchase pups older than a year, you can check with Trupanion to see if they would be covered.
Protect Your Valuable Livestock Guardian Dog: Why Insurance Can’t Wait
You’ve done everything right—researched reputable breeders, invested in health-tested parents, and brought home a beautiful livestock guardian dog with a comprehensive health guarantee. Yet despite all your careful planning, there’s still one crucial protection you might be overlooking.
Even the most responsible breeding practices cannot eliminate every health threat your LGD might face. Debilitating conditions like hip dysplasia can still occur in puppies from parents with excellent genetic testing, and livestock guardian dogs face unique risks that suburban pets never encounter: environmental dangers from farm equipment and fencing, gastrointestinal issues from outdoor living conditions, potential confrontations with predators, and greater exposure to diseases.
The statistics are sobering—puppies are significantly more likely to experience health problems than adult dogs, with the first year being the highest-risk period. Parvovirus alone affects more than 330,000 puppies annually, with treatment costs ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. Emergency surgeries for broken bones, bloat, or foreign body removal can easily cost $3,000-$8,000.
This is where pet insurance becomes invaluable. Even with a comprehensive health guarantee from your breeder, you could face thousands in veterinary bills that exceed the original purchase price of your dog. Pet insurance provides the financial safety net that allows you to focus on getting your dog the best possible care without hesitation.
Learn about the top insurance options for LGD owners, including exclusive breeder discount codes, and discover why protecting your livestock guardian dog investment is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your farm’s security and your peace of mind.
The One Thing Most Livestock Guardian Dog Owners Skip (But Shouldn’t)
There’s one simple step that can make or break your livestock guardian dog’s success — and many owners overlook it. Learn what it is, why it matters, and how adding this habit will build a calmer, more reliable LGD.
🛒 NEW! YOUR COMPLETE PUPPY SUPPLY GUIDE
Not sure what supplies you need before your puppy arrives? I’ve created a complete essentials guide with everything organized by priority—so you know exactly what to buy first.
✓ Must-have items before pickup day
✓ Products I personally use and recommend
✓ What you can skip (save your money!)
✓ Direct links for easy shopping
Ready to Protect Your Homestead Dreams?
Join scores of happy families who sleep peacefully knowing their beloved animals are protected by reliable Prancing Pony Farm Maremmas.
✅ Health-tested bloodlines ✅ Proven working genetics ✅ Lifetime support included
Join Our Email List!
Sign up for our email newsletter, and we’ll keep you posted on upcoming litters and available dogs! Our email list members are always the first to know and get first dibs on available dogs. We also send out helpful Maremma Sheepdog care and training articles and links to useful resources.
