Purchasing a Puppy from Van Maren Labradors

How does the process work?

Deposits and Statement of Intent

We open our waitlist and accept deposits and your statement of intent when we have an approximate timeline of when puppies are expected.

This begins approximately 6 months before the puppies' birth.

The waitlist remains open until all spots are filled.

Choosing your Puppy

When the puppies are born, you are welcomed to our farm when they are 5-6 weeks old to meet the puppies, and choose which puppy will yours.

Preparing for your Puppy

Before bringing your puppy home, you are expected to prepare for their arrival. This includes signing our contract, choosing your vet and scheduling your first visit, ordering your food and supplies, choosing your puppy's names, and "puppy-proofing" your pup's living space.

Find more information below about each of the steps.

Waitlists, Deposits and Statement of Intent

Please note that at this time, we are unsure of when our next litter will be; we are expecting it to be in Fall 2027. The information below is provided to give an idea of how our waitlist works.

When we have an idea of when a litter will be expected, we will open our waitlist. A $200 deposit is required from those who wish to be on the waitlist. Those on the waitlist receive exclusive information on the upcoming litter.

Anyone who wishes to place their name on the waitlist will first be asked a series of questions about themselves and their lifestyle. It is our utmost desire to see our puppies go to good, loving homes.

Once the litter arrives, those on the waitlist get first choice of the puppies. A further $425 is required to secure the puppy of your choice. The order of puppy selection follows the order in which deposits were first received.

The total cost of deposits is $625. This goes towards the total cost of your puppy.

For those who do not have their name on the waitlist prior to the puppies' birth, a $625 deposit is also required to secure the puppy of your choice.

Your statement of intent refers to your email or text message (and coinciding deposit) stating that you are committed to a male/female puppy from the litter. Deposits are non-refundable (except due to extenuating circumstances).

Choosing Your Puppy

Once a litter of puppies is born, we share the happy news first with the families with their names on our waitlist.

We will remain in close contact with these families and provide periodic "pupdates" as the puppies grow. This way, families feel included in the entire process, even before the puppies are sent off to their forever homes. Each puppy is also given a coloured collar at birth, so families can also begin to distinguish the puppies from one another!

When the puppies are approximately 5 to 6 weeks old, we welcome all families to our farm, one by one, to choose their puppy. As stated above, puppy selection occurs in the same order as which deposits are received.

Choosing your puppy is a very beautiful and sacred event. Many families feel slightly overwhelmed by the process, saying that they have such a hard time choosing! I often encourage families to enter the puppy pen and observe the characteristics, behaviours, and demeanor of the puppies.

Once you've chosen a puppy, they'll remain at our farm until they are 8 weeks old.

If you've chosen a puppy at our farm before, you'll likely remember me saying, "Families don't choose their puppies. Puppies choose their families." I truly believe this, and it is incredible to watch.

Preparing for your puppy

Before welcoming your puppy into your home, there are many things that you should do to prepare for your puppy. Besides the usual things like purchasing a crate, leash/collar, food and water bowls, a bed and toys, there are some other things we require or recommend when you purchase a puppy from us.

When puppies are born, we will send you our contract. We require you to read through this and sign it. Our contract outlines our duties as breeders and what you can expect when you purchase a puppy from us. It also outlines our health guarantee.
We recommend you choose a vet for your puppy and book their second set of vaccinations before bringing your puppy home.
Start thinking about what you'd like to name your puppy. We require you to submit their "registered name" within a week of bringing your puppy home. Then we can register them with the Canadian Kennel Club.
Purchase dog food. We will give all our waitlist families extensive information and research on this.
Puppy-proof your puppy's home!

Other important, but not required things you can do before bringing your puppy home:

Purchase dog insurance. Puppies are notorious for getting themselves into things they shouldn't... and can very quickly leave you with unexpected vet bills.
Research puppy training classes and sign up for these if you are interested in training your dog. Even beginner training is highly recommended!
Go through the information we provide with you of "do's and don'ts" for when you bring your puppy home.