Last Updated on May 31, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM
Sales Policies, Reservations & Payments
At Prancing Pony Farm we believe in complete transparency — about our dogs, our process, and our policies. This page gives you the overview. Use the links below to dive into the details on any topic.
Detailed Payment Policy & Reservation Information
These detailed pages provide complete transparency about our reservation policies and payment processes, helping ensure a smooth journey as you welcome your Maremma Sheepdog puppy to your home.
Detailed Payment Policy & Fee Schedule
Learn about our transparent fee structure, exact payment calculations, fee-free payment options, payment timelines, and answers to common payment questions.
Detailed Reservation & Wait List Policy
Discover how our Master and Specific Litter waiting lists work, understand the puppy selection process, learn about transferring between lists, and more.
Puppy Pricing
Our Maremma puppies start at $3,500 for a 12 week old puppy. Older puppies, adolescents, and adults are priced individually based on age, training, and experience.
These prices reflect nearly a decade of ethical breeding, comprehensive health testing, our specially developed socialization program, a two-year health guarantee, and lifetime breeder and trainer support from a certified professional.
We do not offer multi-dog discounts.
A note on male pricing: Our current litters are running female-heavy. To keep the program balanced, single males are priced at $4,000. Males placed alongside a sister from the same litter are $3,500 — the same as females. This is a current-litter structure, not a permanent policy.
How the Reservation System Works
We use a two-tier reservation structure designed to be fair to everyone in line while signaling genuine commitment at each step.
Step 1 — Join the Master Waiting List ($500) Pay a non-refundable $500 Master Reservation Fee after your application is approved and your discovery call is complete. This holds your chronological place in line for any future litter. No litter commitment required yet.
Step 2 — Commit to a Litter ($500 more, total $1,000) When a litter is born and confirmed healthy, I'll contact Master Reservation List clients in order. If you're ready to commit to that litter, you'll make a second $500 payment — bringing your total reservation investment to $1,000. This locks your spot on that specific litter.
New buyers joining an open litter ($1,000 in one payment) Once Master List clients have been offered spots on an announced litter, remaining spaces open to new buyers. New buyers pay a single $1,000 Litter Reservation — the same total investment, in one step.
All reservation fees apply toward your total purchase price.
Payment Timeline
| Stage | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Master Reservation Fee | $500 | After approval + discovery call |
| Litter Commitment (Master List) | $500 | When litter is announced |
| — OR — Litter Reservation (new buyers) | $1,000 | When open spots become available |
| Final Balance | Remaining balance | Puppies at 12 weeks |
Payments
All payments are processed securely through our website. I'll send you a direct link to the correct product when it's time to pay — no account needed, just a credit or debit card.
A card processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 applies automatically at checkout. California residents are charged sales tax on puppy purchases.
No dog will be held without payment. A reservation is not confirmed until payment is received. This applies without exception — it's how we ensure fairness to every family on our list.
Contracts
Your puppy contract is sent through Breeder Cloud Pro for digital signature once your dog is selected. Both payment and a signed contract must be complete before pickup or shipping arrangements are finalized. Sample contracts are available on our website any time.
Pickup & Shipping
Puppies are a minimum of 12 weeks old at placement. Pickup and shipping timing is arranged individually after payment and contract are complete.
I handle all shipping coordination myself — you don't need to contact airlines or figure out logistics on your own.
Refunds & Cancellations
Reservation fees are non-refundable for any reason but may be transferred to a future litter or available dog at my discretion. Final payments are non-refundable except for health issues covered under our two-year health guarantee or a failed 72-hour veterinary examination.
Our Non-Negotiable Policies
After nearly a decade of breeding and 200+ placements, these policies exist to protect every family on our list — including yours.
No holds without payment. Puppies under 12 weeks require a $1000 reservation fee. Dogs 12 weeks and older require full payment. We do not make exceptions, even for a day or two — other serious buyers are often waiting.
The reservation fee is per dog. If you are reserving two dogs, two reservation fees are required.
We only accept credit and debit cards processed through our secure website payment system. We do not accept checks, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, money orders, wire transfers, or any other payment method. No exceptions.
Final payment is due on your puppy's 12-week birthday — not approximately, not when it's convenient. Your payment link arrives well in advance. If payment is not received within 48 hours of the due date, your reservation may be cancelled at our discretion and your dog offered to other buyers. Your reservation fee is not refunded in this situation. Reserving a puppy takes that spot away from another waiting family — failing to pay on time is treated as an abandoned reservation, and the fee is forfeited accordingly.
We choose your puppy. We don't allow clients to choose but we take lots of feedback to make the selection for you. Read more about our matching process here.
Payment and a signed contract before pickup or shipping. Both must be complete before we schedule anything. Until then, the dog remains available.
These policies aren't arbitrary. They exist because every exception we've made has created complications — for other clients and for us. They ensure that every family is treated fairly and that every transaction goes smoothly.
A note on special requests
Every policy on this page applies to every client, without exception. I work with dozens of families every year, and I'm not able to make individual arrangements for payment methods, timing, or fees on a case-by-case basis — doing so would create an unmanageable system that ultimately serves no one well.
The processing fee, the payment timeline, the pickup window, the contract process — none of these are negotiable. They exist because experience taught me they need to. The vast majority of my clients understand and appreciate that clarity. If any of my policies feel like they won't work for your situation, I genuinely encourage you to reach out before reserving — I'd rather have that conversation early than have either of us frustrated later. And if after reading through everything you feel this program isn't the right fit, that's completely okay. I'm not the right breeder for everyone, and I'd rather you find the right fit than push forward on terms that don't work.
Questions?
I'm happy to explain anything and answer questions. These policies are firm, but I'm always willing to help you understand them and figure out which path makes the most sense for your situation.
Ready to Reserve Your Spot?
Before paying your reservation fee, please make sure you've completed our Maremma application and had a chance to connect with me. Reservations are most successful when we've already talked through your farm setup, your livestock, and what you're looking for — that conversation is what makes the matching process work.
If we've already connected and you're ready to move forward, you can pay your reservation fee directly here:
Not quite there yet? Start with the application below and we'll take it from there.
Board Rates & Extended Stay
Every litter includes a complimentary go-home window — a two-week period during which pickup or shipping is arranged at no additional charge. If you need more time, two options are available:
Extended Stay Program — A structured monthly rate for buyers who need additional time before pickup. Extended Stay is arranged in advance, paid at the time of final payment, and is subject to availability. Learn more about the Extended Stay Program →
Standard Board — If a puppy or dog is not picked up within the go-home window and extended stay was not arranged, standard board applies at $30/night. Board must be paid in full before pickup or shipping. Standard board does not include training, specialized handling, or formal socialization sessions. Learn more about standard board.
Board fees — whether Extended Stay or standard — are paid the same way as all other fees: credit or debit card through our website, as outlined in our sales policies above.
What Board or Extended Stay Does NOT Include
Our board rate and Extended Stay program covers essential care and passive socialization only. It does not include:
- Formal training sessions (leash training, cues, behaviors, etc.)
- Intensive socialization programs beyond our standard protocols
- Specialized grooming services
- Extended handling or one-on-one training time
Additional Training Services
As a certified professional dog trainer, I do offer enhanced training services for dogs staying beyond the grace period. These services are available at additional cost and must be arranged separately. Contact us to discuss specific training goals and pricing.
📅 About Your Puppy's Go-Home Window
Every litter has a specific Go-Home Window — a two-week period that opens roughly one week after puppies turn 12 weeks old. Twelve weeks is our minimum age, not your pickup date. Final deworming, vaccinations, microchipping, contracts, and payment all happen in those first days after the 12-week mark.
Please don't book travel or arrange shipping until you have your confirmed window dates from me. Pickup appointments are weekdays only. Board fees apply after the window closes.
Ready to Protect What You Love?
Join scores of happy families who sleep peacefully knowing their beloved animals and family are protected by reliable Prancing Pony Farm Maremmas.
✅ Health-tested bloodlines ✅ Proven working genetics
✅ Lifetime breeder & professional trainer support included
