Although they are not many breeders of hovawarts in the UK, we are not the only one. So what makes a Spicemill puppy different?

1. Our breeding stock is: DNA profiled, Hip scored, Elbow scored, Thyroid tested and wherever possible Eye tested
Please do not hesitate to contact us or your veterinary surgeon for more information regarding these matters which can be quite complex.

2. We work with other breeders, both in the UK and abroad to ensure we always choose the best stud dogs for our bitches. Our goal is to have puppies with a sound temperament, good working abilities and as close to the breed standard as possible. Genetic is complex and there can be no guarantee, but a strict selection means we get the odds in our favour.

3. Our breeding is in accordance with the Kennel Club rules and code of good practice regarding the number of litters, the age of dams and sires, etc.

4. We were the first hovawart breeder to join the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder scheme, showing our commitment to reponsible practise. It is now our 4th year as a member of this scheme. We did not suddendly joined because it became fashionable following the BBC documentary "Pedigree dogs exposed". We also carry additional tests to those required by the scheme (see point 1).

5. We do not breed more than one litter at a time so we can dedicate sufficient time to the puppies we have at home and ensure excellent early socialisation. Our puppies grow up in the house with us, they meet many people and dogs and get accustomed with the usual domestic sounds and noise (vacuum cleaner, washing machine and much more).

6.Our puppies receive homeopatic "vaccination" while in our care to boost their immune system and are regularly wormed. They have a visit at home from the vet in their first 48h for a check (which include listening to their heart) and we take them to the veterinary surgery just before they reach 7 weeks. They get checked again and microchipped and we ask the vet for a health certificate which they go to their new home with.

7. Help is at hand when you have a Spicemill hovawart. Advice will always be given freely regarding training, feeding, etc. Once you have gone home with your puppy, remember we are always available to answer your questions and we will still be when your dog is 12 years old or more.

8. Should you be in a situation where you cannot keep your Spicemill hovawart, we will be happy to take it back, no question asked. We feel responsible for the puppies we have chosen to produce and would not bear seeing one of them ending up in a shelter or being moved from one family to another.

Matchmaking

We believe we offer a lot and we are very concerned with the welfare of our puppies. We will therefore carefully select the homes where they go to. We will do everything we can to ensure you and your hovie become and stay great friends for the rest of its life. Therefore, if you are interested in owning a Spicemill puppy, we will ask you to provide us with some background information about your lifestyle and situation when you contact us.

Please note that we will not sell puppies to dealers or any kind of 3rd party purchaser.

Ideally, we would like you to come and meet us and our dogs before we actually have a suitable litter. It is the best way for you to see what it is like to live with a hovawart. It also gives you a better chance to see the temperaments of our bitches. A bitch who just had a litter can be tired and it is then more difficult for you to see her usual temperament, her working abilities, etc. To arrange to come and see us and the dogs please contact us.

If you are living outside the UK and are interested in a Spicemill puppy, you may want to read our overseas prospective puppy owner page.

Patience is a vertue

There can be a long wait when looking for a hovawart puppy. We are happy to help prospective owners find the right puppy, and will recommend serious buyers to good breeders with current litters if we are not planning a litter ourselves at the time you contact us. But you should be aware that there are only a few litters born in this country every year so it is best to enquire early to avoid disapointment.

A word about the breed club list

If you are looking for a hovawart puppy, you may well have also contacted the Hovawart Club of Great Britain, which we are a member of. It seems that there are some misunderstanding and a number of people have assumed that if they have contacted the breed club and expressed an interest in a puppy, then they are on the various breeders' waiting lists. This is NOT how it works. Breeders who are a member of the club have the option to contact the club to "top up" their own waiting list if needed. Spicemill has had no need to do so until now. So by all mean contact the club if you want to, but if you are potentially interested in one of our puppy, please make sure you contact us directly. I hope this clarify the situation.

More information about our next planned litter.