I work with all my future puppy owners to help them pick the right puppy for their family. I reserve the right to refuse sale of any puppy to any family if I feel it is not a good fit. Our puppies are chosen in order of deposits received. I do reserve the right to put a breeder at the top of the list when needed, since they have more criteria when picking a puppy. This happens occasionally with the Cavalier deposit list, but rarely on the Cavapoo list. When the pups are 5-6 weeks old, we get their first vet check (in case there is anything you need to know before picking a pup) and we take a bunch of new pictures and videos and post them on our FB page. Then we go down the deposit list and when it is your turn you can either choose from what is available or wait for another litter, your choice. If you pass on a litter, you stay on the list and move up as people ahead of you choose puppies. We just ask that people be prepared to pick (or pass) when it is their turn so that we can get through the list as quickly as possible. If I can not get a hold of you within 24 hours, I may have to pass you and come back to you. If a litter you are interested in is coming up to be picked for (always around 5-6 wks) and you know you will be hard to reach, just let me know ahead of time. It takes a little cooperation on everyone's part so puppy picking can go smoothly and not take more than a couple of days. We can do Facetime or extra videos with you too, if needed, to help you pick. After we finish going through the deposit list, we will publicly post any pups still available from that litter. You are welcome to wait and see which pups are available and then put a deposit down on a specific pup. I can not hold a puppy without a deposit. If you want to come out and pick a puppy in person, you can do that too. If you are on the deposit list, you have to let us know ahead of time that you want to come in person and then remind us when the litter you are interested in comes up. You will want to come out the week or weekend they are 5 weeks old and then pick your top favorites. Another option is to put a deposit down on the pup you like best and then when you come out to take your pup home, if we have other pups still available, you can meet them all and switch pups at that time if you prefer. If you are not on the deposit list and want to meet a puppy (or several) before deciding, that is fine too. While we can't hold a puppy without a deposit, once you start driving we will hold the pups you are interested in until you get there and decide. We wouldn't let you drive out only to find we'd sold the pups before you got there! The deposit is $250 and goes towards the purchase price. The best way to put down a deposit is PayPal, Venmo or Zelle. I only send out deposit information privately when you are ready to put down a deposit. I will accept other forms of deposit, but checks, money orders and cashiers checks do need 2 weeks to clear before I can release the puppy. All deposits are non-refundable. I hold your puppy or place in line as soon as you tell me the check is in the mail, but if your deposit does not arrive in a timely manner, I reserve the right to re-advertise the puppy. I am fairly flexible and understanding, so if something comes up or you change your mind and do not send the deposit, please just give me a call or send me an email.

Your puppy has to be at least 8 weeks old before it can leave to a new home. Some puppies I will keep even longer, depending on the puppy's readiness. I like my puppies to be 2 lbs old and eating dry food before they leave. If you prefer to have your pup stay longer, that is an option too. Our policy is to hold a pup for one week for free and then we charge $25 a week to hold them, but we keep up with all their vaccinations, etc. We do not like to hold them past 12 weeks of age in most cases.

Yes, we ship puppies anywhere in the continental US. We usually use a company called Ozark Jet a Pet to book your flight. They fly out of St. Louis on Tuesdays and Fridays, weather permitting. To ship your puppy, we would pick an airport near you that AA flies in to. We would pick a shipping date that works for both of us and I book the flight on my end and send you all the information as soon as the flight is confirmed. The puppy gets a special vet visit to get the health certificate needed to fly. You would pick up your puppy at the airport by showing your photo ID. You will pick up at either the baggage claim office or the cargo facility, depending on your airport. Your puppy will come in a plasic crate you get to keep, with a leash and collar and bag of food on top. Sometimes AA doesn't fly close enough to a customer or their temperature requirements make it so we can't fly. NO, the pups are not put on the baggage carousels. Yes, the area of the plane where the pups ride IS climate controlled. No, puppies do not enjoy being shipped, but I have never had one harmed or traumatized by being shipped and I have been shipping for 16 years now. Shipping my puppies is the best way for me to get them to loving homes all over the United States. The puppy will be awfully glad to see you at the other end and is ready to be comforted and loved on after their long day! Payment for the puppy, including shipping, is due in full at least 48 hours before the shipment day. Most people send the payment after I send the flight information and they call and confirm it. If you are not using PayPal, Venmo or Zelle, then the payment is due at least two weeks before the flight to give it time to clear before shipping. If we can not ship your pup due to temperatures being too hot/cold, we do have other transportation options. However, AA cargo is usually the fastest, most reliable and most affordable option if you are far away from us.

Your puppy will come with up to date shots, and worming, at least one thorough vet check (and usually two), AKC reunite microchip, a 2 year genetic health guarantee, a paper with his birth date, shot records and all other pertinent info, a leash and collar, and a small baggie of his current food. If your puppy is registerable, he will come with his AKC puppy papers. All papers are limited registry (pet only) unless negotiated otherwise.

**Going to a new home is stressful for your new puppy which lowers their immune system and can make them more vulnerable to getting sick during this adjustment. For this reason we highly recommend that you get the NuVet vitamins (wafers) that we’ve had them on since birth (and that we have all our adults on). You can order them here: www.nuvet.com/42997 1. If you are picking up at our home: Since we have moved, we are still working on the best scenario for puppy pick ups. I no longer have an office (but will again, eventually I hope!) If it's nice outside, we usually meet outside. If it's too cold or rainy, we have a temperature controlled room in one of our barns. We are on a farm and there is plenty of mud when it's wet and you never know what animals may greet you upon arrival, so please dress for the experience. If you have allergies to certain animals, let us know that too. We have some overly friendly cats here and we can put them up if needed. **Please remember, if picking up in MO, we do have to charge 6.3% sales tax. 2. If you are far away and prefer your puppy be transported to you: A. Air Cargo: We are very comfortable with flying pups via air cargo. However, since the pandemic we now only have one airline (AA) still flying pups, so that makes options more limited than they used to be. Shipping has gone up, too and is now $475, but it's still usually the most affordable option if you are far away. B. Puppy Nanny By Air: We would meet the puppy nanny at the airport (Springfield, MO) and he/she would fly with your puppy in the plane and you would meet him at your airport and pick up the puppy. I have a few trusted contacts that are willing to fly pups on weekends occasionally. Prices vary by nanny. If the nanny flies standby, you're looking at a flat rate of about $700-800, but cancellations are common. If the nanny buys the ticket, you'll pay for the ticket, the nanny's time, and sometimes a hotel room depending on if they can't fly there and back in one day. Those nannies are more reliable but can easily cost $1200 or more. C. Flying in yourself to pick up: If you would like to fly with your puppy, that’s an option, too. Our closest airport is Springfield, MO. We do charge $50 charge to meet at the airport (it’s about a 1.5 round trip, maybe a little longer). You will have to check with us to make sure it’s a day that we have someone available to make the trip. If working with another customer, you can even take two small pups in one carrier. You would bring your own soft sided airline approved carrier and we would bring you the puppy and paperwork, etc. D. Ground Transportation--Long Distance: Since the pandemic, we've had a lot of different ground transporters spring up. I do not currently have someone I've used regularly, but I do have a few that I've used occasionally. There are generally two types of ground transporters. The ones that just transport your dog charge a lot. Those that are more affordable are picking up and dropping off pets all along their route and so it can take them a lot longer to get the pup to you. There are some very good transporters that do this, but the timing has to be right, and I'm very, very selective about who I will use. I usually only use them in a pinch when we have no other options. E. Ground Transportation--Short Distance: I get asked a lot if I ever meet part way. Unfortunately, I do not have time to do this. However, if we are already going that direction, we are usually willing to meet you if possible. I have several ladies that will do puppy deliveries for me. These are ladies that I know well and trust and they don't generally do deliveries for anyone else. They usually can only deliver on weekends, but occasionally they are able to do a weekday. We frequently are able to set up deliveries to Kansas City, KS. They generally charge $250 for this (prices are subject to change). F. Clients working together Some of you like driving and road trips, and some of you are not able to do a long trip at this time. When you work together, it’s an awesome solution. We’ve had clients from as far away as NY drive out here and go back with their puppy and another’s. For this reason, we are posting your locations after your name on the deposit list. That way, if you want to look into working with someone, you can see who is near you. We've also had a client fly in and fly back with two pups--theirs and another client's pup. If this option interests you, let me know and I will reach out to the other person and put you in touch if both parties are agreeable. After that, it’s up to you to work out the details and just let me know what pups you’ll be picking up.

For deposits, we accept PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Cash (if you're here in person) or checks if you send it and it arrives at least two weeks before you pick up your puppy. For the final payment, we also accept PayPal, Venmo and Zelle, but PLEASE DO NOT SEND IT AS PAYING FOR GOODS AND SERVICES or we will have to charge you the additional fees. Zelle and Cash are always a great option for your final payment since there are no fees. If you pick up in person, final payment is due at that time. If we are shipping, final payment is due at least 48 hours before we ship your puppy, but not before we have a confirmed flight for you. If we use a transporter or nanny, final payment should be made 24 hours before the delivery date. If you plan on using an electronic method like PayPal, Venmo or Zelle, make sure you know what your daily limits are. They vary according to your bank, etc. and you don't want to delay shipping by not being able to send the final payment in time. We can not ship a puppy without full payment. We do not accept checks when you pick up your puppy. We do not accept credit cards.

All of our puppies are $2500 and the $250 deposit goes towards that. If picking up in Missouri, we do have to charge Missouri sales tax of 6.308%. If you need your pup delivered or shipped to you, that costs extra as well (see shipping options). We do not have different prices for our different breeds (Cavalier, Cavapoo), colors, sizes or sexes. Not wanting papers does not reduce the price of the pups. If we have a puppy available after 12 weeks of age, we will sometimes reduce the price at that point. You can always message us and ask!

Since moving to Missouri in 2020, we were able to build an all new facility for our dogs and pups. So while it is no longer attached to our house, like in Kansas (it's those Ozark hills!) it is next to our house and there are generally more people out with our dogs and puppies than in my house! With over 100 acres on our farm, we are able to have big yards (fields!) for our dogs to run and play in. In fact, we often have a goat, horse or donkey in the same yard when the dogs are not out (for safety reasons). The building the pups are raised in has a large indoor area for each litter with access to a doggie door to go outside as soon as the pups are old enough and the weather permits. We have started using potty pans for the pups when they are little and only inside, that we then move to the outside so that they get used to going outside to potty. I believe that puppies that are raised outdoors with lots of room are healthier, happier and easier to train in general, so when they weather is agreeable, they are usually outside in big yards. Once the pups are old enough, we usually put several litters (of around the same age/size) together so they can socialize and play, and our mamas are usually great at co-parenting. We start our pups with the early neurological stimulation method as part of our plan for raising healthy, well adjusted dogs. When they are a little older, we expose them to other dogs and plenty of noises and different surfaces to walk on. If the pup is still here after 9 or 10 weeks of age, we also start crate training--the pups spend time alone in a crate during the day and we gradually increase the time they spend so that they learn to hold their bladder until we let them out to potty. My sister in law, Nikki, and her family live on the property with us and she and her kids work with us loving on and caring for all these pups, as do my 3 children. We also have several teens and adults that come in weekly to clean, groom, socialize pups, and help with pictures etc. so our pups get lots of attention and handling. My kids and my nephews frequently have a pup tucked in with them on the couch while watching tv or doing homework. We consider all our dogs as pets and they are all well loved members of the Black Powder Farm Family. You are welcome to contact us with any questions or issues for the life of your pup! And we will always take a pup back no matter how old the dog is.

We feed Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy food. The Naturals line is very good food and we highly recommend it. You can usually find it at your local feed store. However, your puppy will come with enough of his current food for you to be able to switch him over to any high quality puppy food you like. If you would like a good site to compare different dog foods to find a good one, try www.dogfoodadvisor.com. We also use and highly recommend NuVet Plus immune boosting wafers or powder. NuVet helps build whole body wellness. It contains human grade amino acids, vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants that work together to fill in the nutritional gap that exists in virtually all pets. Puppies especially are stressed and vulnerable as their immune system is ‘under construction’. They offer a 60 day money back guarantee and have never been recalled during their 20 years of business. You may order at www.nuvet.com/42997 or call 800-474-7044 and speak to their knowledgeable customer service representative.

We use potty pans for the pups when they are little and only inside, that we then move to the outside so that they get used to going outside to potty. They learn to use a doggie door to go outside to potty. When the weather cooperates, I often move the puppies completely outside at the point when Mom stops cleaning the poo up for them. Puppies that are raised outside generally potty train quicker because they don't develop bad habits. They pick a corner in their pen as the potty corner and they don't go potty in their dog house--they are already used to going out of their dog house to go potty outside.

All of our registered puppies are sold with limited registry papers, unless negotiated otherwise. This means you agree NOT to breed your dog. Usually a full registry puppy costs more. If you are planning to breed your puppy someday, we expect you to be honest and upfront with us. If we should decide to sell you a puppy with full breeding rights, we want to make sure we help you choose a healthy puppy that meets breed standards. We also want to work with people that will have the same standards and policies of honesty that we think are very important when it comes to breeding. We do NOT require you to get your puppy fixed since we know that some people have strong feelings about this for one reason or another. However, we strongly recommend it. Even though our designer breed puppies do not come with registry papers, we hope that you will respect us enough to discuss your desire to breed your new puppy someday. A dog that is going to be bred should be chosen carefully with certain things in mind. When we have decided to sell a dog with breeding rights, we like to work with the person to give them any needed advice and guidance for as long as they should need or want it. We learned plenty of things the hard way and we don't want anyone else to have to do that!

Sometimes our puppies pick up parasites that are perfectly normal to farm living such as worms, coccidia and giardia. The latter two parasites can be difficult to detect and are normal to find in any farm dog. They do not cause a problem in a dog unless the dog becomes stressed and then it activates the parasite which can cause diarrhea which can be severe. There are inexpensive medicines to treat this, however, we have found that giardia in particular has gotten more resistant to the treatment. We treat ALL our puppies repeatedly for these parasites. However, occasionally a puppy will pick something up again after treatment and before it goes to its new home. We are always working harder to find ways to prevent this, but we want you to know that it is normal and we consider it to be a minor downside to puppies and Mamas that truly get to enjoy life and are NOT kept constantly on wire or in kennels. Our dogs are healthy and happy and your puppy will be too. We just like to give people an honest head's up so you know what to expect just in case. The majority of our puppies do not have parasites when they go to their new homes. No, your kids are not going to get these parasites from your puppies. They are species specific parasites. I've never had to worm my kids and they live with these farm dogs and are constantly barefoot. The giardia that I am referring to is not the same that humans get.

You can only DNA test for certain diseases. For example, in Cavaliers you can test for Degenerative Myelopathy, Episodic Falling Syndrome, and Curly Coat Dry Eye. The dog has to have two copies of the gene to be at risk for the disease by that pathway. Poodles have different diseases we test for. We use Paw Print Genetics or Embark to test our adults, and we do the full breed panel. For an overlapping disease, we make sure that we don't breed carriers to carriers when breeding Cavapoos. Genetic diversity is necessary, but it's important to know what your dogs carry for so you can make the best possible choices in pairing dogs. DNA testing for dogs is fairly new and we are learning new things all the time and discovering new genes we can test for. For eye, heart and patella issues, there are no DNA tests. For those, we do OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) certifications. Basically, a certified veterinarian checks the adult dog for eye issues (and that one is done by a vetinarian opthalmologist), heart issues (by listening to the heart carefully), and patella luxation (by manual manipulation). If the adult dogs pass, you have more confidence that your future pups won't have those issues, but there are no guarantees because just like humans, two parents can have perfect eyes and have a child that needs glasses (or any other number of things). OFAs are usually redone every couple of years, so you continue to monitor the dog's health. We also do two vet checks on our pups, hoping to catch any issues BEFORE a pup leaves us, but sometimes pups develop issues after they go to a home, or a vet misses something. Still, we do our best to breed healthy dogs and send healthy pups to good homes. We also keep track of issues that do come up (so please let us know if your dog from us develops something--even if it's minor) so we can make sure we are breeding the right combination of dogs etc. We stand behind all our dogs for the life of your pet.