Guide: puppy deposit
Puppy Deposit: How It Works and What to Check First
A puppy deposit is money paid in advance to reserve a puppy or a place on a litter list. It is normal practice among breeders. However, it is also the moment scammers aim for. So verify the seller before you pay, get the terms in writing and use a payment method that offers protection.
What a puppy deposit is for
A deposit shows a breeder that you are serious, and it takes a puppy off the market for you. In most cases it is applied to the purchase price, so it is not an extra cost.
There are two common kinds. The first holds a specific puppy that is already born. The second holds a place in line for an upcoming litter, often in pick order.
Before you pay a puppy deposit: five checks
- See the puppy or the parents live. Ask for a visit or a video call. The Federal Trade Commission says real breeders welcome this (FTC).
- Search the seller’s name with the words “scam”, “complaint” and “review”.
- Run a reverse image search on the photos, because scammers reuse them.
- Ask for health results on both parents.
- Get the terms in writing. The American Kennel Club advises asking about anything unclear before you sign (AKC).
Is a puppy deposit refundable?
Policies differ between breeders, so never assume. Ask these questions before you pay:
- Is the deposit refundable, and until when?
- If I change my mind, can it move to a later litter?
- What happens if the litter is smaller than expected?
- What happens if the puppy fails its vet check?
- Is the deposit taken off the price?
A clear answer to each one, in writing, is a good sign. Vague answers are not.
How to pay safely
The FTC warns that sellers who insist on gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers are a scam sign, because that money is hard to recover. A credit card offers the most protection if something goes wrong.
In addition, the Better Business Bureau reports that scammers often ask for money to be sent to a third party, such as a shipper (BBB). So pay the breeder you have actually spoken to, and keep a receipt.
Deposit red flags
- A deposit is demanded before any call or video
- The amount changes, or new fees appear after you pay
- You are told to pay today or lose the puppy
- Nobody will say what happens if things go wrong
For the full pattern, read our guide to puppy scams.
How a puppy deposit works with us
With us, a $500 deposit holds your puppy, and it is applied to the price. When we announce a litter, we list the parents, the expected dates, the price and the deposit in one place. See upcoming litters.
Before you pay anything, call or text Sharitee at (801) 414-6659, ask your questions and arrange a visit or video call if you would like one. Then we confirm the puppy is still available and walk you through the rest.
Related guides
- How to Choose a Puppy Breeder: 12 Things to Check Before You Pay a Deposit
- What Is a Puppy Mill? Signs and How to Avoid One
- Puppy Contract: What Should Be in It Before You Sign
- What Age Can Puppies Leave Their Mother? Why 8 Weeks Matters
- Littermate Syndrome: Should You Get Two Puppies at Once?
See all our puppy guides, or meet our Havapoo puppies for sale and Goldendoodle puppies for sale.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission. Getting a pet? Avoid scams. consumer.ftc.gov
- Better Business Bureau. Puppy Scams: full study. bbb.org
- American Kennel Club. Everything You Need to Know About Dog Breeder Contracts. akc.org
Sources were checked on October 7, 2026.
Planning ahead for a puppy?
We raise every litter inside our family home in Eagle Mountain, Utah. See who is available now, or check which litters are planned.