WHY I DON'T ALLOW VISITORS TO MY KENNELS. I have alway been a firm believer in allowing people to come to my home, to view and choose their new baby. Several events over the last few years have caused me to change my thinking and my policy on home visits. I understand my new policy may upset some people, however, through experience this is the best way I can manage my time and peace of mind when it comes to my dogs. First of all, you must understand, I am not running a "business", I am just a small, hobby breeder. I have decided to not allow strangers into my home anymore, for the sake of privacy and safety, for myself and my dogs. This is not just an excuse, because I have something to "hide". I certainly have heard that before, but in fact I have many good reasons for this decision. Puppy diseases are easily spread by even the most casual contact. The best breeders will not allow their puppies to be seen or handled until the puppy has had it's first shots, usually not before 6 weeks of age. This is a very good reason for meeting at another location, as good breeders must do everything in their power to keep their home disease free. Problems can arise when people insist on bringing a small child or their current dog to see the puppies. Children have been known to wander around the breeder's home, peering into kitchen cabinets, even attempting to enter bedrooms, basements and garages!  Careless parents have handed small puppies to a child, only to have the child drop the puppy and break it's leg! A buyer usually does not realize the number of inquiries a breeder, who has puppies for sale, can get every day. Some people just want to see what the puppies look like and just go from place to place with no intention of buying a puppy. Breeders have outside jobs, family obligations and, of course, the dogs to care for. Some people, after getting the breeder's address, will just show up with no warning. They do not seem to understand that they are in a breeders HOME, and do not respect the breeder's privacy. There are also some people who do not know when to leave. The breeder may have to go to work, cook supper, answer the phone or any number of life's activities and the prospective buyer just wants to stay and play with puppies. Then there is the breeder's biggest nightmare - thieves and/or other criminals!  Breeders have had puppies stolen from their home when they went to answer the phone while the "prospective" buyers were looking at the puppies. Others have lost puppies after showing the puppies, only to have the "buyer" return when the owner was not home, to break in and steal all the puppies. Even more disturbing, some have had their home robbed of personal property several days after showing the puppies. This happens more than you think!  It's just not worth it to me. I'd rather lose a sale than to lose one of my family, my dogs or my own life!  So, if not coming to my home is going to make you decide not to buy a puppy from me, then so be it. Although some people may not agree with my policy on this issue, I hope they can at least understand my reasons for making this decision. I am VERY protective of my animals when it comes to their health and well being and will not risk their health and safety, nor my own, for any reason. We do have places we meet and we do offer personal delivery.  Please see our page on Delivery options. Thank you for understanding. Brenda Brown Creekside Puppies