Our Standards
This page covers how breeding dogs are selected and tested, what families can expect at every stage of the process, and the commitments that continue long after a puppy goes home.
Health testing, veterinary care, health guarantees, placement policies, and ongoing support. Everything a family needs to know before committing to a new puppy, in one place.
Health Guarantee and Insurance
Thistle Hill stands behind every puppy we place. Every puppy goes home healthy, examined by our veterinarian, and with their first vaccination completed. We encourage families to schedule their own veterinary visit within the first few days, both to establish care and to confirm your puppy arrived in good health.
A two-year genetic health guarantee covers hereditary conditions that significantly impact quality of life. If a covered condition is diagnosed, families have options, including a replacement puppy or reimbursement of veterinary expenses. Full terms are outlined in the purchase agreement reviewed prior to placement.
Every puppy also goes home eligible for 30 days of free pet insurance through Trupanion and AKC Pet Insurance. We recommend maintaining that coverage for the life of your dog.
Registration
All puppies are placed on Limited AKC registration. This registration is perfect for pet and companion homes. Breeding is not authorized under the terms of placement, and unauthorized breeding constitutes a breach of contract. Show and breeding rights are only available under separate agreement and consideration.
Spay & Neuter
Current research recommends waiting until at least six months for males and twelve months for females before spaying or neutering. Thistle Hill recommends waiting until eighteen months when possible. Timing affects long term joint and hormonal health. We encourage every family to discuss the decision with their veterinarian.
Lifetime Return
Every dog bred by Thistle Hill is protected for life. If circumstances change and a family can no longer keep their dog, Thistle Hill must be contacted before any other decision is made. This commitment does not have an expiration date and it does not come with exceptions. Every dog raised in this program has a safety net. It is a promise.
Veterinary Care and Vaccinations
Every puppy in our care is monitored closely from day one. Weight is checked daily in the early weeks, where even a small drop can signal something serious. We maintain relationships with multiple veterinarians including emergency contacts, so prompt care is never a question of availability. If something seems off, we act rather than wait.
Puppies leave with a full veterinary examination and at minimum their first DHPP vaccination completed. The DHPP series requires three doses administered four weeks apart and must be finished. Families continue that schedule with their own veterinarian after pickup. Health certificates are available at the veterinary visit for families who need them for travel. Full medical records accompany every puppy at go-home.
Your puppy is not fully protected yet.
Puppies should not enter public spaces, dog parks, pet stores, or any area frequented by unknown dogs until at least one week after their final puppy vaccination, typically at 4+ months of age . The first shot starts the process, the full series finishes it. Parvovirus in particular is highly contagious, environmentally persistent, and potentially fatal in young puppies. This is not a precaution to take lightly.
How we Select and Test our Breeding Dogs
Every dog included in the Thistle Hill breeding program completes comprehensive health testing before being considered for breeding. Required testing includes OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation, OFA eye examinations, and genetic screening for SPS1 and SHPN1. All results are publicly available through the OFA database.
Health testing matters because it gives breeders information that observation alone cannot provide. Some conditions are not visible until significant damage has already been done. Testing before breeding is how responsible breeders reduce the likelihood of passing preventable conditions to the next generation. It is not a guarantee, but it is a key piece of informed decisions and a long term commitment to health.
Our dogs are also actively shown in conformation, where structure, movement, and breed type are evaluated independently by licensed judges against the breed standard. Outside evaluation serves two purposes. It confirms where a dog is correct, and it identifies where there is room to improve, guiding pairing considerations.
When an outside stud is used, the same rigorous evaluation applies. Health testing, proven history, structure, and pedigree are all carefully considered.