We will not sell a dog to people who have not read this page or the Breeding Philosophy page. We will not sell a dog to those who cannot take the time to fill out the application on the Puppies page.
At Flatlands Kennels we sell and give several categories of puppies and dogs.
Sporting: These dogs will have the structure, temperament and other traits that will ensure their success and enjoyment in a home interested in doing various sporting activities with them to varying title levels. These dogs can be purchased by screened, known homes, or co owned with newer owners to ensure success.
Show: These dogs may lack some of the higher drives needed in a sporting home but may have more of the structure and type that is currently desired in the show ring. These we produce on a lesser basis. These can be sold outright to screened, known homes or co owned as well.
Pet: While all our dogs have stable temperaments, some lack both structure and the temperaments to move further in a sporting or show home. These dogs would not enjoy attempting to live in a home with these expectations. These dogs are sold on spay neuter contracts and cannot nor should not ever be bred for the reasons listed above. REMEMBER these are STILL APBT or AST, and will STILL have high drive and high energy likely! Be prepared to engage with a knowledgeable, force free trainer.
We tend not to sell dogs to service dog homes, as we are realistic about the temperament and drives we strive for in the breed and our personal program suiting this work.
It is to be expected that APBT and AmStaffs can show dog and animal aggression and any buyer should make themselves aware of the potential management and training this may entail to curb.
We adhere to the American Staffordshire Terrier Club of Canada Code of Ethics, and we sell and give any puppy or dog who leaves us on a contract with first right of refusal. If you cannot keep the dog or puppy for any reason, it must be returned to us, with no refund unless within 72 hours of purchase.
If you would like a copy of our contracts regarding the sale of a dog or puppy please contact us to discuss which category of dog you may be looking for and which may suit your home and goals. We will answer with further questions.
We do all the health testing required of our breed(s) as the current research indicates is necessary. There is new research out showing that diet and environment can affect a lot of things we used to warranty in our dogs, so our guarantee has changed slightly. We will offer a half price refund on a dog who has a genetic fault that REASONABLY affects their ability to do the job they were purchased for. The expectations of a pet quality dog are lower of course than a sporting dog, or a dog intended for breeding. A warranty or guarantee on an adult dog will also vary greatly from that of a puppy.
We raise our puppies integrating Puppy Culture and AviDog protocols, and we do extensive testing both structurally and temperament wise to gather information about each dog. As we have interviewed you, our potential buyer, we can match traits and expectations and goals and match you to the puppy that will suit you. We provide you with an ongoing training plan to take home, and expect you follow it. We do not allow puppies to be chosen based on color, or prior to 8 weeks, or by the buyers typically unless there are 2 or more which may suit your family. We have been working with this breed, our bloodlines and we have the unique position of being able to see many breeds and mixes from puppyhood to adulthood that gives us great experience in being able to judge temperaments and match homes and we have the expectation our buyers respect this.
We expect our buyers have done thorough research on the American Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier, and understand the temperament and structure and care needs of the dog that they are looking to bring into their home. We expect you understand these dogs are NOT the breed for the average home, but someone who has an understanding of the time it takes to develop a dog. We expect you have planned ahead, prepared, and may be put on a wait list of varying time – potentially up to one year (we cannot control nature) for the quality pup you will be getting. We expect you to understand the potential for high prey drive, and dog aggression, ESPECIALLY same sex aggression.
We expect you to have formed contacts with positive reinforcement trainers, veterinarians, and made decisions on vaccination schedules, spaying and neutering, and the food and supplements you will be providing a dog or puppy from us. We expect from this you understand what you’re intending to feed and why, and make an effort and be enrolled in training classes and ongoing training daily for the dog’s life including downtime when you may work or be away.
We expect that you will include us throughout your dog’s life in photos, videos and updates so we can see regularly how the dog is doing. We have a Facebook group for puppy buyers and potential puppy buyers to post these activities for others to see as well, and receive support from. We encourage you to join us as a family and form a relationship with us for the next 15ish years as that is the dog’s life expectancy.
There is the expectation of most homes that we choose that you take on the expense of some health testing whether it be genetic or orthopedic so we can ensure our lines remain healthy and we can adjust and support you along the way. We expect in relation to this that you keep your dog fit, NOT obese or underweight in it’s lifetime. Research shows this is the healthiest for dogs.
If these expectations sound suitable to you, please feel free to contact us for more information and to chat more and begin forming a relationship.