Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Bernedoodles?

A Bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. Savvy Meadows has Poodles in the sizes of Standard, Mini, and Toy to produce Standard , Mini and Tiny Bernedoodles. 

• What are Bernouviers?

Pronounced BER-NEW-V-AY. This is our trademark cross, first created at Savvy Meadows! A Bernouvier is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Bouvier Des Flandres. A Bouvier Des Flandres is a large breed, thick structured dog like the Bernese that does not shed like the Poodle (minus the curl). Our Bernouviers have shown outstanding "learn by watching" intelligence, protective, calm with the class clown traits in a large, thick teddy bear body. 

• What are SavvyDoodles? (previously called Bernouviedoodles)

A SavvyDoodle is bringing in the three parent breeds of the Bernese Mountain Dog, Bouvier Des Flandres & Poodle. This is usually in a combination of Bouvier or Bernouvier dam bred to a  Mini Bernedoodle sire to add a smaller variation to our Bernouvier cross. So you can still have all of the smarts, whit, non shedding, thicker (yet smaller) body, non-shedding without the curly hair all wrapped up into your new best friend. :) 

• What is the difference between an F1, F1b, F2b, ect ? ​

-An F1 is a purebred Bernese bred to a purebred Poodle (of any size). 
-An F1b is an F1 Bernedoodle bred back to a Poodle. This gives more of a guarantee of the puppy producing "hair" opposed to "fur" qualities therefore making it easier for allergy sufferers to bring a Bernedoodle into their home without issues. 
- I also breed a F1b-bb (the second set of B's is for "bred back" in which a Bernese is bred to a Bernedoodle. I will do this in cases where I know the hair quality will be the same as an F1 cross based on the sire used. EXAMPLE: Clark has thrown non shedding pups (in adult hair) when bred to Purebred Bernese Mnt. Dogs. 
-An F2 is two F1 Bernedoodles bred together. The hair quality can range the same as an F1 cross. We intend these breedings to bring out positive traits from each of the bred parents and uphold the Bernedoodle traits and hair quality. 
-F2b is when an F1b and an F1 are crossed to produce what has been called the "Teddy Bear Bernedoodle" to produce fleecy, non shedding pups. 
*** I breed based on the matches in personality, health test results, structure and hair quality. A majority of my breedings are second generation because I have kept back my "best of the best" from my breedings so I know the hair quality, size (less variation/guessing), personality and most importantly I have more knowledge of the health lines since I have kept up to 5 generations in my program. These puppies come with supreme "hybrid vigor" based on the paired breedings and puppies that are produced. 

• Do you microchip your puppies before they go home?

Yes, your pup will come home to you already microchipped  with  free registration so you can register your pup onto the national data base. 

• If for some reason I am no longer able to keep my pup, can he/she be returned to you?

Yes, I will always work with owners. We can work to find them a new home close to where you are already located or come back to Savvy Meadows for new home placement, if the owner cannot keep due to personal reasons or moving. 

• Do you offer international shipping?

With the recent restrictions to international travel I will meet you at our Spokane, WA airport with your pup if you are bringing your pup home with you in cabin, or I can fly your puppy to the closest airport in the United States for you to drive to pick up from there and cross the border with. If flying a puppy internationally to another country other than Canada or Mexico the responsibility lies with the new Owner to have a pet transport company get the travel situated. I can work with them in getting your puppy to necessary Vet visits and completing paperwork on the designated time frame. 

• Is shipping safe for my puppy?

Absolutely! I have my pups travel via Alaksa , United or Delta . They travel in a "live animal cabin" that accommodates only so many crates/animals. It is temperature and air regulated just like what you travel in as a person, which makes me feel better sending my pups home to their new families. I would never put any of my pups in any questionable circumstances. ​ They are not put in with luggage like you see on the movies or left on the tarmac. Flying your pup is safe and I have been flying my pups for over 9 years without negative mental or physical issues. 
I book all travel to ensure the best flight path / time is chosen within the restrictions of which flights are available. Travel starts at $450 and goes up depending on the size and weight of the pup with the crate and distance traveled. I get a quote at the time of booking and pass that cost directly to you, with no additional fees from me. 

• Do you allow visitors to see your puppies or pick out a puppy?

Visitors can be scheduled with some restrictions: Puppies must be a minimum of a week past their first vaccination, which is given at 12 weeks of age.  A deposit needs to be in place, and only 2-3 pups can be handled/played with at one time so you as the new owner and the puppies are not too overwhelmed. I do not allow walk throughs of my facility or handling of younger puppies. This is for their health and the maintained structure of our days  so there are not any unnecessary exposure points to our puppy's immature immune systems. My family and employees take great care in our cleaning protocol to maintain the highest health possible within our puppies, moms and all of our dogs. 

• What kind of food do you feed your dogs?

​Our dogs  here at Savvy Meadows are fed a self prepared RAW diet along with supplements  (NuPro & NuVet) to make it balanced for their needs. This is what has worked best for their overall health.
Puppies are fed a grain free kibble (Nature's Domain from Costco) or many owners feed Taste of the Wild, or similar brand. I have been told that Blue Buffalo is too rich for many puppy stomachs.
 

• Why do you always have available pups?

This is a very common question and there are multiple answers:
​-We moved to 73 acres in WA state (from ½ acre in Las Vegas) in late 2016. This available space made it possible for us to build our custom facility and it accommodated for us to expand our breeding program, resulting in more litters each year. 
​-I do not start reserving my puppies until they are 6-8 weeks of age so I can confidently speak about their budding personalities, body type, hair quality, ext. I want to make sure the pairing of puppy with family is more than just a cute picture when the puppy is a couple weeks of age and I don't have discernible traits to share about them yet.
It is common because of this for our pups to start leaving for their new homes around 9-14+ weeks of age. We sometimes have pups that don't have a commonly desired "look" that are here longer with us and those pups maintain the needed socialization, dog door training, and healthcare that stay current with their needs and age. 
The biggest misconception is that there is something "wrong" with a puppy... I breed with intent and despite some not having the "Bernese" look, they maintain the Bernedoodle personality that is highly sought after. 

• Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, I can accommodate taking credit cards, I know some like to get those points! ;) I have a business account through Paypal, which accepts credit cards. There is a 3% fee for this in the United States. Canada has a 4.5% fee. 

• Do you health test your dogs?

Yes, our dogs are health tested. I test for basic, but important health issues such as Eyes, Heart, Hips and Elbows. I do take vet explanations of X-rays very seriously, and also send in for OFA certificates. (At times the OFA results are delayed so I can send in multiple at a time.)

• Is my deposit refundable or transferable?

Your deposit is nonrefundable, however your deposit is available to move within desired size or litters to bring home that perfect for you puppy within the right time frame. 

• Will my puppy come with age appropriate vaccinations & be dewormed?

Yes, I do all vaccinations on site. Your puppy will have age appropriate deworming (we use Pyrantel at 2 & 4 weeks of age, SafeGuard at 6 & 8 weeks of age.)  Vaccinations and a health history to bring to your Vet for their records as well as for your records are sent home with your puppy as well. I do not give the first puppy vaccination until 12 weeks of age and each three weeks after for a total of three puppy vaccination rounds. If a puppy goes home prior to 12 weeks of age it is the responsibility of the owner to have their first vaccine administered at the first vet visit. 

• At what age can my puppy come home?

I allow puppies to start making their way home at 10-12 weeks of age. 

• ​What if I am unable to get my puppy right away?

We can accommodate your puppy staying longer to fit your schedule by either  a boarding of $20 per day starting one week after 9 weeks or when reserved .