Prancing Pony Farm Sales Policies
GENERAL SALES POLICY INFO:
We can take a non-refundable deposit on any animal we have for sale or any future litters. The minimum deposit is $200 per goat and $500 per puppy. Certain animals may require a higher deposit, based on their sales price. No animal will be held without a deposit. Deposits are non-refundable. If you back out of the sale for any reason you forfeit the deposit, even if we have another buyer for the animal. If you do not pick up the animal by the agreed upon date you may forfeit your deposit. (But we will try to accommodate a later pick-up if we can. Communication is key!) The only exception is if WE cancel the sale or the animal becomes unavailable and we do not have a suitable replacement for you then we will refund your deposit.
Goat deposits are breed and gender specific and are filled in the order received, after any kids we choose to retain. We do not guarantee you’ll get your choice of color, eye color, generation or a specific pairing. Breed and gender choices aren’t interchangeable and can’t be switched later so please choose wisely when making your reservation. If you change your mind and decline the animals you reserved once they are offered to you you will forfeit your deposit immediately and be taken off the reservation list. You may pay a new deposit to reserve a different breed and/or gender if desired and if available.
We accept cash or PayPal for your deposit and for the final payment. Please bring exact change if paying in cash. If paying via PayPal send us your name, phone number, address and e-mail address, as well as which animal you would like to reserve, and we will send you an invoice from our business account. You do NOT have to have a PayPal account to pay via PayPal. You can use any debit or credit card and check out as a guest. We do not accept checks.
We reserve the right to cancel any sale for any reason. If we choose to cancel a sale, we will refund ALL deposit money paid.
We price our animals according to the time and investment we have in them. We feel our prices are more than fair and they are non-negotiable. (This means no bargaining.) We do NOT give multi animal discounts. We reserve the right to increase our prices at any time.
We do not have a waiting list but we keep our website updated with what we have available, our breeding plan for goats and info on upcoming litters for Maremma Sheepdogs. We can take deposits for goats and puppies before they are born. Deposits are the only way to ensure you get the animal you want and are honored first come, first served. We reserve the right to retain any animal born for ourselves BEFORE filling deposits. Buyers should make their picks of goats when putting down the deposit or soon after birth.
All animals should be picked up by the designated dates/ages listed below. We will generally allow a 72 hour window for you to arrange pick up of your goat or puppy. If you need more time we will try to accommodate you but this MUST be pre-arranged. We may be able to board the animal for an additional time while you prepare their new home but this needs to be agreed upon ahead of time. If you do not pick up your animal in a timely fashion or make arrangements with us for a longer stay it will be considered abandoned and will be re-sold and all deposits forfeited.
GOATS:
Goats are not puppies and we do not sell them at 8 weeks like some breeders do as we feel that this isn’t in their best interest. Change is stressful to young goats and stress can cause illness such as pneumonia and lower resistance to parasites in all goats. We have found that later weaning helps to get the kids through the critical period as well as ensuring that they can survive on hay and minerals alone with no need for milk or grain. It also allows time for them to learn proper goat behavior and keeps them healthy, happy and well adjusted. In general we find that 9 weeks is good for boys to go and 12 weeks for girls. Some babies may be ready sooner and some may need to wait longer but this is our general age range for weaning and going to new homes.
Goats are herd animals and should go to a home with another goat. This can be another goat you already own or you can purchase two or more from us. A dog is not a proper substitute for a goat buddy since dogs are not herd animals and do not interact the way goats do. Horses and ponies make good goat companions but they still need a goat friend to thrive. For this reason we cannot sell single goats unless they are going to a home that already has goats.
All does and bucks will be tattooed and/or microchipped before leaving the farm, for registration purposes as well as the National Scrapie ID Program.(Wether kids do not need ID.) All goat kids are disbudded, no exceptions. We do everything in our power to prevent scurs but can’t guarantee the kids won’t have any as Dwarf and Mini goats are particularly hard to disbud properly. Usually any scurs remain small and don’t present a problem.
Wethers will usually be banded before going to new homes, unless they aren’t mature enough. You don’t need to do anything to the area. It will take a few weeks to a month or so for the process to be complete so if you are purchasing a doe and a wether you may need to separate them for a while or use a buck apron as they can be fertile at a young age, even with the band on.
Doe and buck kids will come with all necessary REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS upon pick-up. If you have any issues or questions during the registration process, feel free to contact us. You will need to check each registry’s website for up to date instructions and fees for registering your new goat(s).Wethers will not be registered if going as pets but if you’re purchasing a show wether we will be happy to provide registration applications.
Goat kids will be eating alfalfa and grass hay and Craftsmin loose minerals and will be able to go without milk when they go to new homes. They don’t need grain and grain isn’t recommended for wethers or bucks, especially, because of the risk of urinary calculi. (If you choose to feed grain feed just a small amount and be sure to offer alfalfa hay to balance out the phosphorus and prevent Urinary Calculi, which is caused by too much phosphorus and not enough calcium in the diet.)
We dam raise our kids as much as possible for the health and well being of the goats and do not generally sell bottle babies. Occasionally we have kids that are rejected by their moms and have to be bottle fed, or kids from large litters who we need to supplement. We use fresh, raw goat milk from our other does to feed these kid and they are kept with the other kids and their dams so that they learn herd behavior. We hold them until the same weaning age as the other kids to allow them to properly grow and mature.
We raise our herd as naturally and holistically as possible, focusing on proper management and excellent nutrition to keep our goats healthy and build strong immune systems. Therefore we have chosen not vaccinate our goats. We do keep Tetanus and CDT ANTITOXIN on hand in case of emergency or injury. If you would like your goat vaccinated you can buy the vaccine at any feed store or Tractor Supply and administer it when you take them home.
We do not routinely deworm our goats as this can lead to dewormer resistance. Instead we rely on clinical signs and fecals and only deworm on an “as needed” basis. Because of our dry climate we have little problems with worms and don’t need to deworm often.
Coccidiosis can be a real problem and deadly with baby goats. Cocci ostocysts live in ALL goats but stress (weather, weaning, overcrowding, going to a new home, etc) can cause them to multiply in the kids’ bodies. We practice Coccidiosis prevention in our kids. Kids are treated every 3 weeks, starting at 3 weeks, with Toltrazuril and just before going to new homes. Any kids that get diarrhea are also treated immediately. WE RECOMMEND ALL NEW GOAT OWNERS KEEP COCCIDIOSIS MEDICATION ON HAND! Dewormers don’t treat Coccidiosis. You can get the medication from your vet. Keep some on hand in case the vet is closed when you need it! We use Toltrazuril but you can use whatever your vet recommends.
New goat owners should be aware that weaning, rapid temperature changes, damp weather, extreme heat, and going to a new home can cause stress in goats. Stressed goats can be more susceptible to parasites and pneumonia. Goats can literally get sick overnight! Learn the warning signs to watch out for: diarrhea, runny nose, congested lungs, lethargy, anorexia, fever, depression, etc. Have a trusted small ruminant veterinarian lined up and/or medication on hand BEFORE bringing home your goats!
Goats are prey animals and it’s their instinct to be wary of predators, including humans. Goats have innate temperaments, just like humans. Some are naturally extroverted and friendly and some are more introverted and shy, even nervous. This really is more related to personality and handling than feeding method. We handle our kids as much as possible to get them used to humans but some will still be shyer than others and even very friendly kids can become shy in a new environment. Goats don’t like to be chased and trying to force them to befriend you won’t win them over. The best thing to do is to sit quietly near them and allow them to get curious about you. Offering food treats helps. If you have another goat that is friendly it often helps the shy goat to trust you. Goats are very curious and smart so just be patient and in time they will learn to trust you.
We highly suggest you try Clicker Training with your new goat, especially if it’s on the shy side. Clicker Training is a marvelous method of positive reinforcement training that works with all species and is great for instilling confidence in animals and is great fun for humans and animals alike. You can find lots of info on the internet pertaining to dogs and horses that will work with goats. A good place to start is by reading Reaching the Animal Mind, by Karen Pryor.
ADULT GOATS:
Occasionally we have adult goats for sale. All registration papers will be signed over to the buyer at the time of purchase. We will provide COPIES of (not originals) any test results, health records, pedigrees, DHIA data or other paperwork at the buyer’s request.
If a doe is sold pregnant we cannot guarentee that she will remain pregnant or what the outcome will be. Change is stressful to goats and moving during pregnancy sometimes causes problems. Therefore we don’t charge extra for a pregnant doe. The sales price is based on the doe’s value and any kids are a bonus. ☺️
If a doe is sold in milk we can’t guarantee what her production will be in her new home, nor what her behavior will be like. Again, change is stressful to goats and production could drop because of stress, change of diet or environment, missing their herdmates, etc. Also not all goats take readily to new people right away so this might affect their behavior on the stand. We can and will tell you what the production and behavior of the goat was under our care, and will provide copies of DHIA records if available, but we can’t guarentee your results will be the same, especially at first. The best advice we can give is to take your time, be patient and get to know your new goat but not to expect too much right away. Once she bonds with you and adapts to her new environment and routine things should improve.
We can take a non-refundable deposit on any animal we have for sale or any future litters. The minimum deposit is $200 per goat and $500 per puppy. Certain animals may require a higher deposit, based on their sales price. No animal will be held without a deposit. Deposits are non-refundable. If you back out of the sale for any reason you forfeit the deposit, even if we have another buyer for the animal. If you do not pick up the animal by the agreed upon date you may forfeit your deposit. (But we will try to accommodate a later pick-up if we can. Communication is key!) The only exception is if WE cancel the sale or the animal becomes unavailable and we do not have a suitable replacement for you then we will refund your deposit.
Goat deposits are breed and gender specific and are filled in the order received, after any kids we choose to retain. We do not guarantee you’ll get your choice of color, eye color, generation or a specific pairing. Breed and gender choices aren’t interchangeable and can’t be switched later so please choose wisely when making your reservation. If you change your mind and decline the animals you reserved once they are offered to you you will forfeit your deposit immediately and be taken off the reservation list. You may pay a new deposit to reserve a different breed and/or gender if desired and if available.
We accept cash or PayPal for your deposit and for the final payment. Please bring exact change if paying in cash. If paying via PayPal send us your name, phone number, address and e-mail address, as well as which animal you would like to reserve, and we will send you an invoice from our business account. You do NOT have to have a PayPal account to pay via PayPal. You can use any debit or credit card and check out as a guest. We do not accept checks.
We reserve the right to cancel any sale for any reason. If we choose to cancel a sale, we will refund ALL deposit money paid.
We price our animals according to the time and investment we have in them. We feel our prices are more than fair and they are non-negotiable. (This means no bargaining.) We do NOT give multi animal discounts. We reserve the right to increase our prices at any time.
We do not have a waiting list but we keep our website updated with what we have available, our breeding plan for goats and info on upcoming litters for Maremma Sheepdogs. We can take deposits for goats and puppies before they are born. Deposits are the only way to ensure you get the animal you want and are honored first come, first served. We reserve the right to retain any animal born for ourselves BEFORE filling deposits. Buyers should make their picks of goats when putting down the deposit or soon after birth.
All animals should be picked up by the designated dates/ages listed below. We will generally allow a 72 hour window for you to arrange pick up of your goat or puppy. If you need more time we will try to accommodate you but this MUST be pre-arranged. We may be able to board the animal for an additional time while you prepare their new home but this needs to be agreed upon ahead of time. If you do not pick up your animal in a timely fashion or make arrangements with us for a longer stay it will be considered abandoned and will be re-sold and all deposits forfeited.
GOATS:
Goats are not puppies and we do not sell them at 8 weeks like some breeders do as we feel that this isn’t in their best interest. Change is stressful to young goats and stress can cause illness such as pneumonia and lower resistance to parasites in all goats. We have found that later weaning helps to get the kids through the critical period as well as ensuring that they can survive on hay and minerals alone with no need for milk or grain. It also allows time for them to learn proper goat behavior and keeps them healthy, happy and well adjusted. In general we find that 9 weeks is good for boys to go and 12 weeks for girls. Some babies may be ready sooner and some may need to wait longer but this is our general age range for weaning and going to new homes.
Goats are herd animals and should go to a home with another goat. This can be another goat you already own or you can purchase two or more from us. A dog is not a proper substitute for a goat buddy since dogs are not herd animals and do not interact the way goats do. Horses and ponies make good goat companions but they still need a goat friend to thrive. For this reason we cannot sell single goats unless they are going to a home that already has goats.
All does and bucks will be tattooed and/or microchipped before leaving the farm, for registration purposes as well as the National Scrapie ID Program.(Wether kids do not need ID.) All goat kids are disbudded, no exceptions. We do everything in our power to prevent scurs but can’t guarantee the kids won’t have any as Dwarf and Mini goats are particularly hard to disbud properly. Usually any scurs remain small and don’t present a problem.
Wethers will usually be banded before going to new homes, unless they aren’t mature enough. You don’t need to do anything to the area. It will take a few weeks to a month or so for the process to be complete so if you are purchasing a doe and a wether you may need to separate them for a while or use a buck apron as they can be fertile at a young age, even with the band on.
Doe and buck kids will come with all necessary REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS upon pick-up. If you have any issues or questions during the registration process, feel free to contact us. You will need to check each registry’s website for up to date instructions and fees for registering your new goat(s).Wethers will not be registered if going as pets but if you’re purchasing a show wether we will be happy to provide registration applications.
Goat kids will be eating alfalfa and grass hay and Craftsmin loose minerals and will be able to go without milk when they go to new homes. They don’t need grain and grain isn’t recommended for wethers or bucks, especially, because of the risk of urinary calculi. (If you choose to feed grain feed just a small amount and be sure to offer alfalfa hay to balance out the phosphorus and prevent Urinary Calculi, which is caused by too much phosphorus and not enough calcium in the diet.)
We dam raise our kids as much as possible for the health and well being of the goats and do not generally sell bottle babies. Occasionally we have kids that are rejected by their moms and have to be bottle fed, or kids from large litters who we need to supplement. We use fresh, raw goat milk from our other does to feed these kid and they are kept with the other kids and their dams so that they learn herd behavior. We hold them until the same weaning age as the other kids to allow them to properly grow and mature.
We raise our herd as naturally and holistically as possible, focusing on proper management and excellent nutrition to keep our goats healthy and build strong immune systems. Therefore we have chosen not vaccinate our goats. We do keep Tetanus and CDT ANTITOXIN on hand in case of emergency or injury. If you would like your goat vaccinated you can buy the vaccine at any feed store or Tractor Supply and administer it when you take them home.
We do not routinely deworm our goats as this can lead to dewormer resistance. Instead we rely on clinical signs and fecals and only deworm on an “as needed” basis. Because of our dry climate we have little problems with worms and don’t need to deworm often.
Coccidiosis can be a real problem and deadly with baby goats. Cocci ostocysts live in ALL goats but stress (weather, weaning, overcrowding, going to a new home, etc) can cause them to multiply in the kids’ bodies. We practice Coccidiosis prevention in our kids. Kids are treated every 3 weeks, starting at 3 weeks, with Toltrazuril and just before going to new homes. Any kids that get diarrhea are also treated immediately. WE RECOMMEND ALL NEW GOAT OWNERS KEEP COCCIDIOSIS MEDICATION ON HAND! Dewormers don’t treat Coccidiosis. You can get the medication from your vet. Keep some on hand in case the vet is closed when you need it! We use Toltrazuril but you can use whatever your vet recommends.
New goat owners should be aware that weaning, rapid temperature changes, damp weather, extreme heat, and going to a new home can cause stress in goats. Stressed goats can be more susceptible to parasites and pneumonia. Goats can literally get sick overnight! Learn the warning signs to watch out for: diarrhea, runny nose, congested lungs, lethargy, anorexia, fever, depression, etc. Have a trusted small ruminant veterinarian lined up and/or medication on hand BEFORE bringing home your goats!
Goats are prey animals and it’s their instinct to be wary of predators, including humans. Goats have innate temperaments, just like humans. Some are naturally extroverted and friendly and some are more introverted and shy, even nervous. This really is more related to personality and handling than feeding method. We handle our kids as much as possible to get them used to humans but some will still be shyer than others and even very friendly kids can become shy in a new environment. Goats don’t like to be chased and trying to force them to befriend you won’t win them over. The best thing to do is to sit quietly near them and allow them to get curious about you. Offering food treats helps. If you have another goat that is friendly it often helps the shy goat to trust you. Goats are very curious and smart so just be patient and in time they will learn to trust you.
We highly suggest you try Clicker Training with your new goat, especially if it’s on the shy side. Clicker Training is a marvelous method of positive reinforcement training that works with all species and is great for instilling confidence in animals and is great fun for humans and animals alike. You can find lots of info on the internet pertaining to dogs and horses that will work with goats. A good place to start is by reading Reaching the Animal Mind, by Karen Pryor.
ADULT GOATS:
Occasionally we have adult goats for sale. All registration papers will be signed over to the buyer at the time of purchase. We will provide COPIES of (not originals) any test results, health records, pedigrees, DHIA data or other paperwork at the buyer’s request.
If a doe is sold pregnant we cannot guarentee that she will remain pregnant or what the outcome will be. Change is stressful to goats and moving during pregnancy sometimes causes problems. Therefore we don’t charge extra for a pregnant doe. The sales price is based on the doe’s value and any kids are a bonus. ☺️
If a doe is sold in milk we can’t guarantee what her production will be in her new home, nor what her behavior will be like. Again, change is stressful to goats and production could drop because of stress, change of diet or environment, missing their herdmates, etc. Also not all goats take readily to new people right away so this might affect their behavior on the stand. We can and will tell you what the production and behavior of the goat was under our care, and will provide copies of DHIA records if available, but we can’t guarentee your results will be the same, especially at first. The best advice we can give is to take your time, be patient and get to know your new goat but not to expect too much right away. Once she bonds with you and adapts to her new environment and routine things should improve.
Maremma Puppies:
Here at Prancing Pony Farm we breed both registered and non-registered working Maremma Sheepdog LGD’s Our registered puppies are sold with limited registration (no breeding rights) with the Maremma Sheepdog Club of America. (Breeding quality puppies are available for a different price upon approval.)
Reserving a puppy:
*Please note that as of 1/1/21 we are not taking deposits for puppies until we fill all of our outstanding reservations.
Our puppies tend to sell out very fast, usually months before a litter is even born or bred. Our reservation list is by deposit only. The first step to reserving a puppy is to fill out the puppy questionnaire. Once we receive your submitted questionnaire we'll contact you to discuss your needs and goals for a Maremma Livestock Guardian. If you decide you would like to reserve a puppy or puppies (LGD's are always better with another LGD partner and we highly suggest you have at least two) we will you send you a PayPal invoice for the $500 non-refundable deposit for the next available puppy. If all the puppies are sold in the current or upcoming litter your deposit will be rolled over to the next litter until it has been fulfilled. Your best chance of getting a puppy is to get your reservation in early and then wait for the next available litter, even if it will be several months. If you wait until a litter is born they’ll most likely be sold but of course you can always check to see if any pups are available if you do mot wish to place a deposit,
Because we sell working Livestock Guardian Dogs and not companions we do not take reservations for puppies of a specific gender for working dog only placements. If you prefer a puppy of a specific gender we will do our best to accommodate your wishes but cannot guarantee you will get your choice. Our puppies are sold as working livestock guardians, first and foremost, therefore we will pick the best puppy for each buyer, taking into consideration temperament, personality, the type of livestock to be guarded, the farm/ranch setting the dog will work in and the preferred gender. Working puppies are sold on a spay/neuter contract with no breeding rights.
Our pups are raised in our goat barn and well socialized with goats, horses, poultry, cats, other dogs and people (including small children) from birth. We utilize the Puppy Culture Early Socialization Program and other positive reinforcement training methods in getting our pups off to a great start. All our puppies are weaned onto Diamond Naturals All Life Stages (puppy) food and raw goat milk. They are on a deworming and vaccination program and come microchipped with lifetime enrollment in the Petlink Pet Recovery System. Please see our Sales Policy page for info on
a puppy from us.
Puppies are ready to go no sooner than 12 weeks. (Registered pups may be kept until 4 months or longer to evaluate for breeding potential.) Leaving too soon can affect the puppies’ health and socialization and deprive them of valuable training from their parents. (Both parents participate in training the puppies, not just the dam.) Our number one priority is the health and well being of our puppies and their future success in their new families and jobs!
We can hold a Maremma puppy longer for additional training or until you can secure a properly fenced area but this may include an additional fee in some cases.
All Maremma puppies must go to a working home with livestock to guard and must have proper fencing. While Maremmas do love people they are working Livestock Guardian Dogs, not pets or property guard dogs. They are very different in temperament than most dogs and it’s the buyer’s responsibility to research LGD behavior and training in order to help them be successful in their new jobs. Proper fencing is a must! Maremmas are usually respectful of fencing but any LGD will wander if unfenced and this could be hazardous to the dog.
We highly encourage you to have two Livestock Guardian Dogs working together. This can be an older and younger dog or you can purchase two puppies and raise them together. Two dogs will be better protection against predators, who sometimes work in packs to lure the dog away from stock so that other pack members can attack stock while the dog is occupied. Also, having two dogs helps lessen the chances of a dog chasing or harrassing stock out of boredom. We have found this to be really important with our dogs. They are much happier when they have another LGD buddy and have an appropriate outlet for all that energy! Having two LGD’s together in no way keeps them from bonding with the stock. In fact it makes them better LGD’s, therefore we always have at least two dogs per pen on our farm. If you are unable or unwilling to have two LGD’s you will have to devote extra time to your dog to keep it happy and well adjusted and to make up for the socialization and interaction that a partner LGD would provide.
Puppies will be up-to-date on puppy vaccinations at time of pick-up. Puppies are dewormed every 2-3 weeks starting at 2 weeks old. All pups will be microchipped and enrolled for life in the Petlink Pet Recovery System.
We feed Diamond Naturals All Life Stages and/or 4 Health Puppy Formula (from Tractor Supply) and suggest you feed that to your puppy when you bring it home. If you would like to switch to a different food please transition over slowly to avoid digestive upset. We suggest the Dog Food Advisor website for researching the best options in dog food and suggest you go with a 4 or 5 star food if possible.
Here at Prancing Pony Farm we breed both registered and non-registered working Maremma Sheepdog LGD’s Our registered puppies are sold with limited registration (no breeding rights) with the Maremma Sheepdog Club of America. (Breeding quality puppies are available for a different price upon approval.)
Reserving a puppy:
*Please note that as of 1/1/21 we are not taking deposits for puppies until we fill all of our outstanding reservations.
Our puppies tend to sell out very fast, usually months before a litter is even born or bred. Our reservation list is by deposit only. The first step to reserving a puppy is to fill out the puppy questionnaire. Once we receive your submitted questionnaire we'll contact you to discuss your needs and goals for a Maremma Livestock Guardian. If you decide you would like to reserve a puppy or puppies (LGD's are always better with another LGD partner and we highly suggest you have at least two) we will you send you a PayPal invoice for the $500 non-refundable deposit for the next available puppy. If all the puppies are sold in the current or upcoming litter your deposit will be rolled over to the next litter until it has been fulfilled. Your best chance of getting a puppy is to get your reservation in early and then wait for the next available litter, even if it will be several months. If you wait until a litter is born they’ll most likely be sold but of course you can always check to see if any pups are available if you do mot wish to place a deposit,
Because we sell working Livestock Guardian Dogs and not companions we do not take reservations for puppies of a specific gender for working dog only placements. If you prefer a puppy of a specific gender we will do our best to accommodate your wishes but cannot guarantee you will get your choice. Our puppies are sold as working livestock guardians, first and foremost, therefore we will pick the best puppy for each buyer, taking into consideration temperament, personality, the type of livestock to be guarded, the farm/ranch setting the dog will work in and the preferred gender. Working puppies are sold on a spay/neuter contract with no breeding rights.
Our pups are raised in our goat barn and well socialized with goats, horses, poultry, cats, other dogs and people (including small children) from birth. We utilize the Puppy Culture Early Socialization Program and other positive reinforcement training methods in getting our pups off to a great start. All our puppies are weaned onto Diamond Naturals All Life Stages (puppy) food and raw goat milk. They are on a deworming and vaccination program and come microchipped with lifetime enrollment in the Petlink Pet Recovery System. Please see our Sales Policy page for info on
a puppy from us.
Puppies are ready to go no sooner than 12 weeks. (Registered pups may be kept until 4 months or longer to evaluate for breeding potential.) Leaving too soon can affect the puppies’ health and socialization and deprive them of valuable training from their parents. (Both parents participate in training the puppies, not just the dam.) Our number one priority is the health and well being of our puppies and their future success in their new families and jobs!
We can hold a Maremma puppy longer for additional training or until you can secure a properly fenced area but this may include an additional fee in some cases.
All Maremma puppies must go to a working home with livestock to guard and must have proper fencing. While Maremmas do love people they are working Livestock Guardian Dogs, not pets or property guard dogs. They are very different in temperament than most dogs and it’s the buyer’s responsibility to research LGD behavior and training in order to help them be successful in their new jobs. Proper fencing is a must! Maremmas are usually respectful of fencing but any LGD will wander if unfenced and this could be hazardous to the dog.
We highly encourage you to have two Livestock Guardian Dogs working together. This can be an older and younger dog or you can purchase two puppies and raise them together. Two dogs will be better protection against predators, who sometimes work in packs to lure the dog away from stock so that other pack members can attack stock while the dog is occupied. Also, having two dogs helps lessen the chances of a dog chasing or harrassing stock out of boredom. We have found this to be really important with our dogs. They are much happier when they have another LGD buddy and have an appropriate outlet for all that energy! Having two LGD’s together in no way keeps them from bonding with the stock. In fact it makes them better LGD’s, therefore we always have at least two dogs per pen on our farm. If you are unable or unwilling to have two LGD’s you will have to devote extra time to your dog to keep it happy and well adjusted and to make up for the socialization and interaction that a partner LGD would provide.
Puppies will be up-to-date on puppy vaccinations at time of pick-up. Puppies are dewormed every 2-3 weeks starting at 2 weeks old. All pups will be microchipped and enrolled for life in the Petlink Pet Recovery System.
We feed Diamond Naturals All Life Stages and/or 4 Health Puppy Formula (from Tractor Supply) and suggest you feed that to your puppy when you bring it home. If you would like to switch to a different food please transition over slowly to avoid digestive upset. We suggest the Dog Food Advisor website for researching the best options in dog food and suggest you go with a 4 or 5 star food if possible.
PICK UP INFO:
(Some suggestions for bringing your new addition home) We accept cash or PayPal for any balance due at the time of pickup. We do not accept checks. Please be sure to bring exact change if paying in cash. Also please bring an appropriate carrier, cage, box or other type of restraint for you new animal.
(Some suggestions for bringing your new addition home) We accept cash or PayPal for any balance due at the time of pickup. We do not accept checks. Please be sure to bring exact change if paying in cash. Also please bring an appropriate carrier, cage, box or other type of restraint for you new animal.
- Puppies can be held, but we recommend that you have a crate if at all possible to avoid accidents. The safest place for your puppy is in a dog crate INSIDE your vehicle, not in the back of a pickup or even your lap. ☺️ Car rides are a totally new experience for your puppy and it would not be uncommon for him or her to vomit or urinate during the trip so we suggest bringing towels. If you have a long way to travel home a leash and a collar are also recommended as they are not trained to the "come" on command yet and you may need to stop off for a pit-stop with you new puppy. (Note: not all dogs who visit a rest stop dog walk area are healthy or vaccinated so use caution when taking your puppy out in areas heavily frequented by other dogs until they are fully vaccinated. We suggest once you get your puppy home that you do not take him out around other dogs or in public places until he’s had his full series of vaccinations. There can be “gaps” in the coverage of the vaccines until the series is complete so keeping the puppy isolated is the safest way to keep him healthy.)
- Puppies can be shipped via air if arrangements are agreed upon in writing prior to pick up. The buyer will be responsible for all added expenses including all vet fees for obtaining a health certificate (required for air travel), airfare, crate and supplies and mileage to Fresno Yosemite International Airport if traveling by air. We recommend United Petsafe and will work with you to set up transportation for your puppy.
- Goats may be shipped by ground transport if the arrangements are made in writing ahead of time and the buyer makes all arrangements and pays all associated fees and expenses. We do NOT deliver goats. We cannot meet partway. We can recommend or arrange a shipper (Blarney Heights Transportation) and work with them but ultimately it's the buyer's responsibility to handle all arrangements and pay for all related expenses.
- Miniature Dairy goats do best in a dog crate, large for adults and medium to large for kids. Again, inside the closed vehicle is safer than in the back of a pickup. Goats can also be transported in a horse trailer but this is usually overkill for Mini goats. ☺️ We do recommend that you add hay to whatever they will be traveling in to give them stable footing and something to nibble on to calm them, as well as to soak up any urine. Closed airline style crates are usually better than wire cages for retaining accidents! Trust us on this one! 😂
ADDITIONAL GENERAL SALES POLICY INFO:
All animals will have a "ready by" date on their ad. If you are unable to arrange pick up of your animal by that date or within the time periods stated above (or any other time frame agreed upon at the time of deposit or later) you may forfeit all monies paid to Prancing Pony Farm and the animal may be relisted
RETURNS/REFUNDS/REPLACEMENTS:
All animals are healthy and sound to the best of our knowledge. It’s the buyer’s responsibility to thoroughly inspect the animal before purchase. Illnesses and injury are not our responsibility once the animal leaves our farm, nor will we refund an animal due to sickness or death after they leave our farm.
If at any time you need to rehome any animal purchased from Prancing Pony Farm due to reasons other than animal illness/defect, please let us know and we may be able to network to find a new home for your animal(s). In the case of our Maremma Sheepdogs we request that you let us know before ever taking the option of sending them to a shelter or rescue as we are willing to take any dogs back here to the farm to rehome them. We cannot purchase a dog back from you but we can try to find it a new home and job as a Livestock Guardian. for sale, or you may be charged a minimum daily boarding fee of $5 for dogs and $3 for goats. If boarding fees accumulate in excess of a deposit made on an animal, that animal will automatically be re-listed for sale and all deposit monies will be lost. We will try to be as reasonable and fair as possible in all situations but we ask that you let us know if you have a problem picking the animal up by the previously agreed upon date and we will try to accommodate you.
All animals will have a "ready by" date on their ad. If you are unable to arrange pick up of your animal by that date or within the time periods stated above (or any other time frame agreed upon at the time of deposit or later) you may forfeit all monies paid to Prancing Pony Farm and the animal may be relisted
RETURNS/REFUNDS/REPLACEMENTS:
All animals are healthy and sound to the best of our knowledge. It’s the buyer’s responsibility to thoroughly inspect the animal before purchase. Illnesses and injury are not our responsibility once the animal leaves our farm, nor will we refund an animal due to sickness or death after they leave our farm.
If at any time you need to rehome any animal purchased from Prancing Pony Farm due to reasons other than animal illness/defect, please let us know and we may be able to network to find a new home for your animal(s). In the case of our Maremma Sheepdogs we request that you let us know before ever taking the option of sending them to a shelter or rescue as we are willing to take any dogs back here to the farm to rehome them. We cannot purchase a dog back from you but we can try to find it a new home and job as a Livestock Guardian. for sale, or you may be charged a minimum daily boarding fee of $5 for dogs and $3 for goats. If boarding fees accumulate in excess of a deposit made on an animal, that animal will automatically be re-listed for sale and all deposit monies will be lost. We will try to be as reasonable and fair as possible in all situations but we ask that you let us know if you have a problem picking the animal up by the previously agreed upon date and we will try to accommodate you.
RETURNS/REFUNDS/REPLACEMENTS:
All animals are healthy and sound to the best of our knowledge. It’s the buyer’s responsibility to thoroughly inspect the animal before purchase. Illnesses and injury are not our responsibility once the animal leaves our farm, nor will we refund an animal due to sickness or death after they leave our farm.
If at any time you need to rehome any animal purchased from Prancing Pony Farm due to reasons other than animal illness/defect, please let us know and we may be able to network to find a new home for your animal(s). In the case of our Maremma Sheepdogs we request that you let us know before ever taking the option of sending them to a shelter or rescue as we are willing to take any dogs back here to the farm to rehome them. We cannot purchase a dog back from you but we can try to find it a new home and job as a Livestock Guardian.
All animals are healthy and sound to the best of our knowledge. It’s the buyer’s responsibility to thoroughly inspect the animal before purchase. Illnesses and injury are not our responsibility once the animal leaves our farm, nor will we refund an animal due to sickness or death after they leave our farm.
If at any time you need to rehome any animal purchased from Prancing Pony Farm due to reasons other than animal illness/defect, please let us know and we may be able to network to find a new home for your animal(s). In the case of our Maremma Sheepdogs we request that you let us know before ever taking the option of sending them to a shelter or rescue as we are willing to take any dogs back here to the farm to rehome them. We cannot purchase a dog back from you but we can try to find it a new home and job as a Livestock Guardian.
Due to the biosecurity risk to our dairy goat herd and our Maremma Sheepdog puppies we do not allow visitors into the barn area or pastures. Also our Maremmas are very protective of their goats and puppies! Photos, pedigrees and other information for all of our animals can be seen on our website to assist you in making your choice. If you decide you would like to reserve any goats or puppies first you’ll need to fill out the goat or puppy reservations form and then we will send you a PayPal invoice for the non-refundable deposit. No animal will be held without a deposit. On your scheduled pick up day we will bring your animals to you in the parking area near the barn gate.
We understand that some people prefer to view the animals we have available in person at the farm before placing a deposit. If that is your preference we can schedule a visit for you after you fill out the appropriate form. If you do not fill out the form you cannot visit. Once you arrive we will bring the animals you’re interested in purchasing to our viewing area by the gate for you to make your choice. If we don’t have any available animals for sale you’ll need to wait to schedule your visit until we do, since we won’t have anything to show you at that time. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in protecting the health of our animals from dangerous diseases that could inadvertently be brought in.
We understand that some people prefer to view the animals we have available in person at the farm before placing a deposit. If that is your preference we can schedule a visit for you after you fill out the appropriate form. If you do not fill out the form you cannot visit. Once you arrive we will bring the animals you’re interested in purchasing to our viewing area by the gate for you to make your choice. If we don’t have any available animals for sale you’ll need to wait to schedule your visit until we do, since we won’t have anything to show you at that time. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in protecting the health of our animals from dangerous diseases that could inadvertently be brought in.