Three-Year
Health &
Wellness
Partnership
A guarantee should be more than fine print.
It should be a plan — and a reflection of the standard that preceded it.
Not a promise of perfection —
a commitment to partnership.
Ethical Breeding
The foundationHealth testing begins years before your puppy is born. OFA clearances, comprehensive genetic panels, cardiac and ophthalmologic evaluations on both parent dogs. The guarantee is only as strong as the standard behind it.
Client Education
Transparency throughoutWe do not hide the complexity of canine health. We explain it — what hybrid vigor means, what conditions exist in the lines we use, and what your role in prevention looks like across the first three years of your dog's life.
Long-Term Support
The relationship continuesThis guarantee is not a refund policy. It is a support structure. In the event of a serious diagnosis, we walk alongside you — with guidance, referrals, and our full attention. You are not alone in this.
What this
guarantee covers
— and what it does not.
We guarantee your puppy is in good health and free of life-limiting genetic diseases at the time of sale. The terms below define what qualifies under this guarantee and what falls outside its scope — stated plainly, without obscuring language.
No breeder can guarantee a dog will be free from all genetic or developmental issues. What we can guarantee is that we tested, selected, and cared for your puppy with the same standard we would apply to our own.
Your responsibilities
under this guarantee.
This guarantee is only valid when the following care standards are met. They are not burdensome requirements — they are the conditions under which any dog thrives.
Nutrition & Weight
Required throughoutFeed a high-quality, species-appropriate diet. Maintain ideal body condition — neither obesity nor underfeeding. Purchase records for food used must be retained.
We recommend transitioning to raw or whole-food diets for optimal gut health, coat quality, and immune function. Better nutrition produces better longevity.
Spay / Neuter Timing
12 – 24 monthsPuppies must be altered between 12 and 24 months unless medically exempted in writing by a licensed veterinarian. Proof of procedure must be submitted to Stokeshire within 30 days.
Early spay/neuter without veterinary cause may void orthopedic-related protections under this guarantee. Timing is a health decision — not a preference.
Environment & Activity
First 12 months criticalAvoid overexertion, jumping, and high-impact exercise before 12 months. Provide indoor housing, basic obedience training, and routine preventative care.
Monthly heartworm and flea prevention required. Annual veterinary visits required. Trauma, neglect, and over-vaccination should be avoided.
Initial veterinary exam must be completed within 7 calendar days of pickup or delivery, and the signed exam form submitted to Stokeshire. Failure to do so voids this guarantee.
Three distinct
protection periods.
Preliminary Health Window
Life-threatening defect · Full refund eligibleAllergy Return Window
Household allergy only · 10% admin feeFull Partnership Guarantee
Serious hereditary conditions · Support-based
Why hybrid
vigor matters.
Each breed we work with brings distinct strengths — and distinct predispositions. By combining lines thoughtfully, we promote genetic diversity that reduces the expression of harmful recessive genes and improves overall health outcomes.
Our parent dogs come from champion and show-quality lines, with full DNA health panels and OFA certifications. Understanding the genetics is part of what we guarantee.
Better nutrition.
Better longevity.
Diet is not a peripheral concern — it is central to gut health, coat quality, brain development, and immune function. The food your dog eats in the first year of life has compounding effects across the next decade.
We are specific about our recommendations because we have seen the difference. These are not brand partnerships — they are the products we use and trust ourselves.
Salmon + Potato formula. Our recommended starting food — what your puppy will be eating at go-home. Transition slowly over 7–10 days when changing foods.
For optimal gut health, longevity, and coat quality, we recommend transitioning to a species-appropriate raw or whole-food diet within the first year. The research on gut microbiome differences between raw and kibble-fed dogs is compelling.
Giardia & Coccidia: Normal in puppies. Treated with Panacur or Albon. Follow-up fecals recommended. Worms: We deworm proactively; reinfection can occur. Hernias: Often cosmetic; repair at spay/neuter if needed. UTIs or yeast: Linked to food sensitivity and environment — diet plays a significant role.
How to initiate
a claim.
Notify Stokeshire within 7 days of diagnosis
Contact us in writing via email within 7 calendar days of receiving a formal diagnosis. Late notification may affect eligibility. We respond to every inquiry directly and personally.
Submit documentation from two independent veterinarians
We require written confirmation of the diagnosis from two licensed, independent veterinary professionals. This protects both parties and ensures the evaluation is thorough and unbiased.
Provide supporting records
Include all relevant history: complete exam records, food logs and purchase receipts, proof of spay/neuter timing, vaccination records, and any other documentation relevant to the condition and care provided.
Our team reviews the file
We review every claim personally and thoroughly. If the claim is eligible under this guarantee, we provide: educational and wellness planning, referrals to veterinary partners, courtesy credit toward future Stokeshire programs, and in exceptional cases, waitlist access for a future puppy.
This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin and is enforceable in Taylor County, WI. All disputes are subject to Wisconsin jurisdiction.
This guarantee is non-transferable and applies only to the original purchaser. Resale or transfer of the dog does not transfer coverage under this agreement.
All claims must be submitted in writing with full supporting documentation. No cash refunds are offered after 14 days. All replacements are subject to availability and offered at the breeder's sole discretion.
This guarantee is a testament to our commitment to responsible breeding, transparent client relationships, and the long-term wellbeing of every dog we place. It is not a service warranty — it is a support structure built on the standard that preceded it. Stokeshire Designer Doodles · Medford, Wisconsin · Effective July 21, 2025.
Not opinion. Evidence.
Every practice, recommendation, and standard in this guarantee is grounded in peer-reviewed research, veterinary guidance, and independent study. Selected references below.
American Kennel Club, 2024
Anivive Lifesciences, 2019
Companion Animal Parasite Council, 2025
Cornell University, Riney Canine Health Center
Franklin et al., PLOS ONE, 2017
Downey et al., Journal of the AVMA, 2013
Morris Animal Foundation, 2015
University of Washington & Collie Health Foundation, 2019
Van Steenbeek et al., Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2016
University of Minnesota, Canine Genetics Lab
Kim et al., Gut Pathogens, 2017
Vetericyn
NIH, 2023
AKC Canine Health Foundation
Canna-Pet, 2018
The relationship begins
at pickup. It doesn't end there.
Questions about this guarantee? We're happy to walk through any part of it with you before you commit.
