A1. Personality is the number one reason! At Mari-May Kennels, we take pride in breeding beautiful, confident and sound minded AKC Toy Poodles, AKC Shih-tzu, Shih-poos, Schnoodles and Maltepoos that are truly a joy to own! Our buyers and visitors are always so impressed by the personalities of our dogs who seldom ever bark even at strangers!! A2. We very work hard at Mari-May Kennels to make sure our pups are the result of careful breedings that produce superior pups that will be easy to train and highly social. We have a unique and lengthy personality evaluation process of our breeding dogs that helps ensure outstanding pups. A3. Quite simply, no. Our closed breeding program features dogs that have been carefully selected over many, many years for being not only outstanding examples in their breed, but also for their superior intelligence and trainability as well. This is very unlike some breeding programs that have popped up (and hyped themselves up!) over the past few years that use poor quality cast-off or inexpensive dogs for producing expensive puppies just to make money. Good dog breeding involves an in-depth study of genetics and breed-type to produce sound lines that prove themselves generation after generation. Our high standards set us apart in many ways and include extra consideration regarding advanced nutrition, in-home whelping, careful puppy socialization and temperament testing. Combined with all of that is the special obligation we feel towards making excellent placements that benefit each and every buyer as well as each and every puppy (especially the puppy!) - the difference is easy to see! A4. Affordability is part of our sincere commitment to our customers! We feel that price is an important factor for many families looking to purchase a pup and part of our goal as dog breeders is to provide high quality pups at an affordable price. Despite the criticism we occasionally receive from some breeders who place a strong emphasis on high priced pups, we consider the fact that our buyers often have to make extended travel arrangements to purchase one of our puppies and we try hard to keep our prices reasonable. Please click here to review our prices and policies. A5. We feel a special commitment to our buyers to provide excellent customer service right from the very start and that begins during the application process. We feel honored that you trust us with such an important task as finding a new family member in the puppy you will someday own. We believe the application process can and should be polite, non-intimidating, friendly and respectful of your inquiry while ensuring the future happiness of our pups as well. Friendly phone conversations with potential buyers give us the opportunity to learn about your personal circumstances and evaluate the likelyhood of our ability to meet those needs. We provide you with as much time as needed to answer your questions fully so you are able to make a good decision. Most often, our buyers become extended family members and that means a lot to us! Please call for a telephone interview first (so we can chat and get to know each other!) and then you can submit our    Puppy Application . A6. Our dogs are individually very special and important to us and we feel that their long term safety is enhanced by microchipping. Microchipping also ensures accurate record keeping which is very important to the development of our breeding lines. We strongly recommend microchipping. There are very profound reasons for microchipping pets including the following: According to estimates from the Humane Society of the US, 8 to 12 million pets are taken annually. Depending on geographic location, 30-60% are euthanized. According to the American Humane Society, only 25-30% of animals entering shelters are adopted by new owners. Read more about our microchipping polic A7. According to "The Reader's Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary", a Kennel is "An establishment where dogs are bred for sale...". By this definition, anyone who happens to breed dogs for sale is indeed a "Kennel" - whether they acknowledge, are deserving of, or live up to the proud title or not. However, we consider ours to be a professional occupation - not a hobby - thus, we are very proud of our kennel and the work that we do! As professional dog breeders, we are dedicated to the advancement of each breed we work with and we are just as committed to our cross-bred lines as well. A8. Certainly! Potential customers are always welcome by appointment only. Please note that this is our home and you must make an appointment ahead of time. For the health and safety of our dogs, we also discourage visitors from bringing their dogs. Please click here for information on how to contact us and set up an appointment. A9. You are only allowed to handle your pup and only then when he/she had had her first vaccinations. We are very careful about preventing the transmission of diseases. Visitors are never allowed or invited to handle or view pups as a "holiday" adventure. Most of our pups are sold before they are born or shortly there-after. All buyers have the comfort of knowing that their pups are never handled by the general public. Highly commended by our Veterinarians, this has been our policy for over 20 years. A10. Yes! We own all of the dogs in our breeding program and they reside here. A11. We feel that it is very important for you to meet the parents of the pup you are purchasing. Meeting the parents gives you an indication of the future potential personality of your puppy. A breeder who does not allow a buyer to meet both the Dam & Sire is likely hiding something. A12. Toy Poodles - have their tails docked (by request) and dew claws removed. Shih-tzu - have their dew claws removed. Shih-poos - have their dew claws removed. Schnoodles - have their tails docked (by request) and dew claws removed. Malte-poos - have their dew claws removed A13. After genetics and environmental stability, few things have such a profound impact on the health, well-being and longevity of a dogs life as excellent nutrition. We take the nutritional needs of our dogs and puppies very seriously. Our Kennel is unique for the fact that we go to every extreme to ensure that our dogs receive a diet brimming with natural and wholesome sources of nutrition. As part of their daily diet, our dogs receive supplements of fresh goat milk, farm fresh eggs (cooked), meat/vegetable stews (chicken, lamb or chevon) and whole grains. The benefits of our efforts can be noted in the extraordinary coat quality of all of our dogs, their complete lack of allergies and skin problems, and the individual excellent over-all mental and physical health of each and every one of the dogs who live here. Nutrition is just as important for a dog as it is for a human - never doubt that fundamental truth! For practical purposes, we are careful to prepare our pups for the future likelyhood of a commercial diet in their new homes. We do this by incorporating an excellent dog food ( Flint River Ranch) mixed along with their natural foods for the benefit and convenience of our buyers. We also offer nutritional advice and education to our buyers and visitors via personal consultations and information posted at our Internet site. We recommend Flint River Ranch dog food for your pup and we provide you with a sample as part of your free puppy starter kit. Click here to read why we feel that if you can't cook for your dog, you should feed Flint River Ranch dog food! A14. For some people, the death of a beloved pet is a time of profound almost inconsolable loss. Evermore Pet Chapel was created for those who have suffered such a loss to respectfully offer consolation and closure. A great many of our clients are in the transition of buying a new pup after having lost a faithful companion of many years. Through the online virtual Chapel, Evermore provides grief recovery resources to help make that sensitive transition easier. The actual Chapel is located in Harrisville, Michigan and is under complete reconstruction. The new Chapel building is scheduled to be finished in 2006/2007 and will stand as a monument dedicated to the importance of pets and the significant value of their lives. Forget-me-not Foyer, located in the entry of the chapel, features a memorial gallery of pet photos sent to us from all over the world. A15. No, we do not sell pups for other breeders or hobbyists. All Mari-May puppies are exclusively bred and born here. Neither do we recommend other breeders. Dog breeding is a profession that is ungoverned by national standards or a universal code of ethics. Consequently, this occupation is rife with unethical opportunists. Basically, anyone breeding dogs can call themselves a "Kennel" or "Breeder" whether they honor the title or not. Our standards are very high and it would be impossible to ensure or require other breeders to meet our model. A16. Mari-May puppies are sold throughout the United States & Canada! Our buyers travel great distances for their treasured new family member - a special puppy from Mari-May! A17. Absolutely. We require a $100 non-refundable deposit that is put towards the purchase of a puppy. It is very important that you call us for an interview, to find out about availability and to make sure we are accepting deposits at the time of your interest. Your deposit MUST include your name - address - phone number and the gender of the pup you are interested in purchasing. Please note - we do not guarantee the adult size and color of any of our puppies. Please click here for our puppy application and deposit information. A18. Pups are evaluated for placement at our discretion which is based on experience and a thorough evaluation of each individual puppy. This is usually around 8 weeks of age. Buyers are charged $7.00 per day each day after the recommended date of placement which will be no earlier than 56 days. A19.We are located in Harrisville, Michigan on the east side of the state near the serene shores of Lake Huron. We are approximately 4 hours north of Detroit. A20. There are many, many registries available to dog owners but in the United States, AKC stands alone for their commitment to the integrity of purebred dogs. Established in 1884, AKC - the American Kennel Club - is the oldest and most respected dog registry in America. They provides numerous quality services including CGC training as well as foundations that advance the health of purebred dogs. Breeders (such as ourselves) throughout the United States who register their dogs through AKC, are required to keep meticulous records of their breeding and kennel management protocols and are inspected annually (without advance notification) to ensure adherence to said protocols. AKC also advanced DNA testing and directives that now help to ensure the accuracy of recorded bloodlines. As you can see, AKC purebred dogs are in fact head & shoulders above the rest. Visit AKC online for more information about their programs and services at www.akc.org. A21. The quality of our dogs is the direct result of years of study, effort and investment. We work hard to produce puppies that are top quality and we feel we do a very good job - as few others do. Thus, we feel compelled to protect the integrity of our breeding program. Unless you intend to breed your dog, full registration is not necessary. We absolutely do not sell pups or dogs to people who want to breed their dogs. We do not sell pups or dogs to brokers or commercial breeders. No exceptions. We require a spay/neuter agreement for all of our AKC pups - failure to do so results in the cancellation of any and all health guarantees. A22. Very rarely and then only in partnership with Mari-May Kennels. We do this to preserve the integrity of our breeding lines, to prevent our wonderful dogs from becoming a part of an indiscriminate backyard breeding program, and to protect our business interests. Our primary focus for breeding dogs is to provide outstanding pets for families who want the opportunity to own and share their lives with an exceptional family member. A23. Always. We require purchasers to sign a spay/neuter contract. A24. No.

"Dear Sophie....." Q1. Why should I buy a Mari-May puppy? Q2. Why are the personalities and temperaments of Mari-May pups so exceptional? Q3. Aren't all puppies the same? Q4. Why are your pups so affordable? Q5. Why is your application process so easy and friendly? Q6. How do you feel about microchipping pups including crossbreds? Q7. What does it mean to be a "Kennel"? Q8. May I visit Mari-May Kennels? Q9. Will I be allowed to handle puppies? Q10. Do you own both the parents of the pup I may purchase? Q11. Is it important to meet the parents of my puppy? Q12. What is your policy regarding tail docking and removal of dewclaws? Q13. Why do you place such an emphasis on excellent nutrition? Q14. Why do you have a Pet Chapel? Q15. Do you sell pups for other people or recommend other breeders? Q16. Where can Mari-May puppies be found in North America? Q17. Do you require a deposit? Q18. When can I expect to pick up my puppy? Q19. Where are you located? Q20. What does it mean to be AKC registered? Q21. Why do you offer only restricted AKC registrations on your pure-bred pups? Q22. Do you sell AKC dogs for breeding? Q23. Do you require a spay/neuter agreement on all your pups? Q24. Do you offer stud service?