I often get asked “Do you have a waitlist” and “How does your waitlist work?”
And honestly — I completely understand why. Bringing a puppy into your family is a big decision, and most families want to understand exactly how the process works before joining a list.
At Waterhill, I try to keep things as transparent, fair and low-pressure as possible. Ethical breeding can be unpredictable at times (Mother Nature likes to keep breeders humble!) so I’ve designed my waitlist system to give families flexibility while still keeping the process organised and fair for everyone involved.
Here’s how it all works.
First — there are two different lists
At Waterhill, I use:
- Litterlists (paid reservation lists for specific litters)
- Standby List (free notification list)
Both serve different purposes.
The Litterlist
A Litterlist is for families who would like a place reserved on a specific planned or current litter.
To join a Litterlist:
- Families complete an Puppy Application form online
- Once approved, a $500 reservation fee is paid
- That fee comes off the final puppy price
The Litterlist secures your position in the selection order for that litter. So that Family #1 chooses first, Family #2 chooses second, Family #3 chooses third…and so on.
Selections happen at around 6 weeks of age, after vet checks, when personalities and temperaments are becoming much clearer. I then invite families to Waterhill to visit in-person or by video call to meet the pups, the parents and the rest of our doggy family AND to choose their puppy.
Why I Don’t Match Puppies at Birth
This is something that makes Waterhill a little different from some breeders because I don’t allocate puppies when they’re born based purely on colour or gender. At birth, puppies are still developing and there’s simply too much we don’t know yet:
- temperament
- confidence levels
- coat texture
- structure
- energy levels
- family compatibility
By waiting until around 6 weeks, families can:
- watch the puppies grow through videos and pupdates
- observe personalities emerging
- ask questions
- make a much more informed choice
I truly believe this leads to better long-term matches.
What Happens If There Aren’t Enough Puppies?
This is where ethical breeding gets real. Sometimes:
- litters are smaller than expected
- ultrasounds overestimate puppy numbers
- a litter may be mostly boys when families wanted girls
- pregnancies don’t go ahead at all
Breeding is biology — not manufacturing.
If I cannot offer a suitable puppy from a litter, Litterlist families generally have a few options:
- move to another planned litter
- move to the Standby List
- request a refund of the Litterlist fee
I never want families to feel trapped in a process that no longer suits them.
The Standby List
The Standby List is different from the Litterlist.
It is:
- completely free
- no commitment
- no reservation fee
Families on the Standby List are contacted if:
- a puppy becomes available
- another family changes plans
- selections leave unexpected availability
- I decide to open places on future litters
It’s a really good option for families who are flexible on timing, aren’t set on one exact litter, want to learn about available puppies before they’re publicly advertised
Many wonderful Waterhill puppies have found their families through the Standby List. To join the Standby List, families complete a Puppy Application and indicate this is their preference.
How Puppy Selection Day Works
Families make their puppy selection when the puppies are around 6 weeks old. At this stage, families are invited to visit Waterhill in person or by video call to meet the puppies, their parents, and our wider doggy family. This allows families to choose not only by appearance, but more importantly by temperament, personality, and overall connection.
Families select in Litterlist order, so for example family #2 receives the second choice from the available puppies. I schedule visits and video calls in Litterlist order as well, so each family knows exactly which puppies are available to them at the time of their selection appointment.
In the weeks leading up to selection day, families usually spend a lot of time getting to know the puppies through their private online puppy folder, filled with regular photos and videos documenting their growth, development, and emerging personalities.
Can I Join Multiple Litterlists?
No — I don’t allow families to reserve multiple Litterlist positions for one puppy search.
I do this because:
- it keeps the process fair
- it prevents lists being artificially filled
- it allows me to give realistic availability to other families
If timing changes or preferences shift, I’m always happy to discuss moving to another litter instead.
Why I Run Things This Way
Over the years, I’ve learned that the best puppy matches happen when:
- families have time to observe
- decisions aren’t rushed
- temperament matters more than trends
- expectations are realistic
- communication stays open and honest
My goal isn’t simply to “sell puppies.” It’s to carefully raise healthy, happy, well-adjusted little dogs and help match them with the right families for the next 15+ years.
That takes patience, communication, and sometimes flexibility from all of us.
And I’m incredibly grateful for the trust families place in me throughout the process. 🐾