Adding a new puppy to your life is a big decision and finding a breeder whose values align with yours is just as important. Od Dinare is a small, family-owned kennel with typically just one litter each year. Many times our puppies are spoken for before they're born, which means our puppy families have usually spent months getting to know us, asking questions and learning about the breed. While every journey is a little different, here's what you can generally expect.
Before Puppies Exist
You and I will spend a lot of time getting to know one another before anyone commits to a puppy. We'll talk about your family, your farm and working needs if applicable, previous dog experience, lifestyle, property, future plans and expectations for your Tornjak. Just as importantly, I'll answer every question you have. This stage usually accounts for a huge portion of the puppy process because it's where we make sure everyone is set up for success before a puppy is ever part of the conversation.
Pregnancy Announcement
Once an ultrasound confirms the pregnancy (usually around four weeks after breeding), it's time to celebrate! This is when I contact everyone on the waitlist and begin taking tentative reservations. At this stage we know puppies are on the way - we just don't know how many.
Puppies are Born
Puppy buyers are always excited for delivery day, but for breeders it's equal parts excitement, exhaustion and anxiety. The first few days are critical, so my focus will be on mom and her puppies. Once everyone is healthy and thriving, I’ll send out a birth announcement revealing the number of puppies and their genders. After the announcement, I'll happily share all photos and details of the birth.
The First Seven Weeks
The first seven weeks are so exciting for everyone. Expect lots of photos, videos and milestone news (AKA “pupdates”) as the puppies grow at an incredible rate. These weeks fly by, but are some of the most important in a puppy's life. Every day is thoughtfully planned to expose the puppies to new people, environments, experiences and challenges, helping them develop into confident, resilient Tornjaks.
Behind the scenes, I'm constantly watching how each puppy responds. Who confidently explores something new? Who prefers to observe before joining in? Who naturally gravitates toward people? Together, you and I will use these observations to identify the puppy whose personality best matches everything we've already discussed about your family and goals.
Temperament Testing
At seven weeks of age we perform a formal temperament evaluation. This testing gives us an unbiased look at how each puppy responds to unfamiliar situations and people. Temperament testing is usually a way to confirm what we’ve already suspected about a puppy or to shed light on a possibly overlooked socialization need. I do not use it as a singular, deciding factor for puppy placements. Instead, I like to view the tests as just one tool within a larger toolbox that helps us get to know the puppies.
Puppy Matching
This is the culmination of everything we’ve learned about each puppy and puppy family this far. Puppy matching usually happens between 8 and 9 weeks of age, although some litters mature at different rates. If a puppy needs a little more time for their personality to develop, that’s okay, we'll always move at the puppies' pace.
By this point, I've spent every day watching these puppies develop into little individuals and have sent you countless pupdates on their growth. Now is the time we'll use everything we've learned to choose the puppy that's the best fit for your home and lifestyle.
While Tornjaks come in an incredible variety of beautiful patterns and it's easy to pick the puppy with "a heart on his side", it's the dog’s personality that you live and interact with every day. I firmly believe the best matches are made based on temperament, so I do not place puppies based on coloration.
Contracts & Planning
Once we've decided which puppy is joining your family, we'll take care of the remaining details. I'll send over the contract (which we've discussed prior to now) and begin planning your puppy's journey home.
If you're close enough to drive, we'll arrange a pickup date. If flying is the better option, we'll work together to find the safest and least stressful travel plan for your puppy. Every trip is different, so we'll figure out what makes the most sense for everyone involved. At this time, Od Dinare puppies are only available to the USA and Canada.
Going Home
The big day finally arrives! Puppies can begin going to their new homes at 10 weeks of age. While they're always welcome to stay longer, they may not leave any earlier. Those extra weeks with their littermates and mom are incredibly valuable, and I never rush that process.
Before your puppy leaves, they'll be AKC registered, microchipped with a temperature-sensing microchip and up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming. You'll also receive their health records, registration information, a leash, collar and one of their favorite toys carrying the familiar scent of mom and their littermates. Payment will be due before your puppy leaves my care. Once everything is finalized, I'll transfer your puppy's AKC registration into your name.
Transparency is important to me, and that includes pricing. Puppies are currently $3,000. Families who complete OFA hip radiographs at two years of age receive a $500 reimbursement. Not only does this help offset the cost of health testing, it also provides valuable information that helps guide future breeding decisions.
Lifelong Support
I don't believe my responsibility ends when you drive away with your puppy. I'm always here for you. I love to answer questions, celebrate milestones, listen to stories and receive photos. Just as importantly, staying in touch helps me monitor the long-term health and temperament of my breeding program so I can continue making responsible breeding decisions. We don't have to become best friends (although I'm certainly not opposed to it), but I do like to stay in touch.