FAQ/Links

CLICK HERE TO SEE USEFUL LINKS

SCAM ALERT: It has come to our attention that scammers have been stealing our photos and creating fake Avalon Pomeranians Facebook pages and web sites. Please read the following information carefully to protect yourself from scammers. Our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/avalonpoms, has over 5K likes as well as many comments from the happy families who have adopted our puppies over the years. Fake Facebook pages generally have very few likes and very few comments. Our area code is 208 (Pocatello, Idaho). We are a small, family-run business. All of our family members and puppy nannies have 208 area codes. If you are contacted from a different area code, it is NOT us. You can text Annette at 208-251-3916 any time to verify that communication is coming from us (calls are also accepted after business hours and on weekends).  We always offer a choice of secure and/or verifiable payment methods for deposits and payments on account. Please scroll to the bottom of this page for details. If someone is asking you to pay via a non-secure or non-verifiable means, please do not pay them!

Frequently Asked Questions


Q: How much does an Avalon puppy cost?
A: Our puppies start at $3500. Click here to see estimated prices.

Q: Why do your puppies cost that much?
A: Our Poms come from top winning American Kennel Club (AKC) show lines. We have worked hard for over 30 years to develop excellence in quality, type and temperament. We also work very hard to give the puppies in our care an excellent beginning by socializing them daily, starting the potty training process for you, etc. We feel that our prices are very reasonable for Poms of our quality. Please click here to read more about us.

Q: At what age can I receive my puppy?
A: Puppies are generally ready to go to their new homes at 8-10 weeks depending on how well they are eating and if they are being picked up or shipped. We occasionally also offer older puppies that we kept for evaluation and then ended up too small for our show/breeding program.

Q: Will I get AKC papers with my puppy?
A: Yes, all of our dogs are AKC registered and papers will be supplied after you have paid in full.

Q: Do you ship your puppies?
A: Yes, normally we can ship our puppies to most US airports served by Delta & Delta Partners, however, there are currently restrictions on most pet flights due to the pandemic, so for now clients will need to pick up their puppy or use our puppy nanny to have their puppy delivered.

Q: How does puppy nanny service work?

A: Our wonderful, experienced puppy nanny will hand-carry your puppy on a flight and meet you at your nearest major airport. Your puppy will be with our nanny at all times from start to finish. Note that most airlines require puppies to be 8 weeks old to be carried on, however Delta requires puppies to be 10 weeks old.  We will send a baggie of food and a toy. You will need to bring your own carrier to the airport unless you want us to buy one for you. Puppy nanny expenses are the responsibility of the buyer and include: $500 delivery fee, round trip airfare to your nearest major airport, pet carry on fee of $100 charged by the airline, travel from Pocatello, ID to Salt Lake City airport (we have a small, regional airport so it’s generally less expensive to drive to Salt Lake City to take the flight), airport parking, and hotel room if an overnight stay is required. These fees are separate from your puppy charge and will be paid directly to our puppy nanny. The flight cost varies depending on your location, however the current average cost for puppy nanny service with all expenses included is around $1,000 (or if you only need delivery to Salt Lake City airport, the puppy nanny delivery fee will be $300 total). Our puppy nanny will give you the exact price for your location once you are ready to have your puppy delivered.


Q: Is it safe to ship my puppy?

A: Yes, a common misconception is that puppies are flown in the airplane’s cargo hold along with the luggage. This has been illegal for many years and we would never ship a puppy that way. Airlines safely and securely ship puppies in a live animal compartment which is heated, cooled, and pressurized just like the passenger areas. Puppies have access to food and water throughout their travel. We’ve been shipping puppies by Delta for over 20 years and the Delta crew has always taken great care of them. Note that puppy flights apply to normal times and are not currently available due to pandemic imposed pet flight restrictions. Please see the information about puppy nanny service above, or you are welcome to pick up your puppy. We are happy to meet you at one of our local airports: PIH or IDA.

Q: What colors do you offer?
A: We offer exotic colors such as white & cream, traditional orange and red colors, and occasionally black and tan. Unlike many exotic color poms you may find, all of our poms come from top winning show lines.

Q: What does a typical Avalon puppy look like?
A: Click here to see photos of typical Avalon puppies. Click here to see photos of our Pom parents.

Q: How do I pick my puppy?
A: We send photos of your puppy for approval before shipping. We can also send a video upon request.

Q: Do you allow kennel visits?
A: We are happy to allow clients to pick their puppy up at our home (by appointment). Note: to protect the health of our young puppies, we do not show puppies before they have been vaccinated, nor do we allow visitors into our nursery area. We are happy to send photos and video so you can choose your puppy.

Q: Do you offer teacup Poms?
A: Pomeranians are classified by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a toy breed.  The AKC web site states: “Keep in mind that the AKC doesn’t register or endorse “teacup” breeds.” In other words, there is no such thing as a “teacup” pom, nor does any official “teacup” breed exist. The term “teacup” was invented purely for marketing  purposes. If a breeder offers you a “teacup” puppy, this should be a clear warning sign that you are being scammed!

Q: What is the average weight of your Poms?
A: Our Poms average 4-7 pounds at maturity which we feel is the ideal size for the health of our Poms. While we sometimes have puppies that mature in the 3 pound range, we don’t intentionally breed Poms that small. (A good rule of thumb to estimate the mature weight of Poms is to triple the 8 week weight or double the 12 week weight.)

Q: Will my puppy have his shots and worming?
A: Yes, your puppy will have been given his first vaccinations and will have been wormed with Panacur. The next shot (5 way puppy combo) shot will be due approximately 3 weeks after arrival.

Q: Do you offer a guarantee?
A: Yes, health and satisfaction is guaranteed.  Click here to see our guarantee.

Q: What supplies do you suggest I purchase before my puppy arrives?
A: Please see our Links & Resources Page and also read our Puppy Care Sheet.

Q: How can I tell that a breeder is legitimate?
A: This is a very important question. I have heard many reports of people sending money to people who are merely running a scam operation to steal their money. When looking for a breeder, be sure that they are listed as members of the APC (American Pomeranian Club). Being an AKC Breeder of Merit gives you an additional assurance that a breeder has proven their line by meeting the American Kennel Club requirements for this distinction. We are one of the few breeders that are both APC Members and AKC Breeders of Merit. Another safeguard is to speak personally on the phone with the breeder and then only send money securely or through a payment method you can verify. With so many scams going on, it’s very important that you do not send money to a breeder you cannot verify.

Q: Do you keep a waiting list?
A: Because we receive so many inquires for our puppies, we are only able to place clients who have placed a deposit onto our waiting list. Please scroll down to see details on placing a deposit and then send us a copy of your puppy application.

Q: How long is your waiting list?
A: Click here to see if any puppies are available now. If there are no puppies available now, your wait time will be 3-6 months. If you are sure you want a puppy, we suggest that you place a deposit in order to get in line. Placing a deposit will put you to the top of the line in the order that deposits are received.

Q: How do deposits work (please see the alert at the top of this page before paying your deposit)?
A: Placing a deposit is the best way to secure your place in line for an Avalon puppy. Clients who place a minimum $500 deposit get first choice of our puppies in the order that deposits are received. Deposits may be placed securely with your credit card through gooddog.com, Apple Pay, Zelle or bank transfer. Once puppies are available, we send photos so that you may choose your puppy. Please note that deposits are non-refundable but may always be transferred to another puppy if you decide to wait for a future litter. If you cannot wait up to 6 months to be offered a puppy, please DO NOT place a deposit. Please also review our pricing before placing your deposit to make sure an Avalon puppy will fit within your budget. We need you to please confirm the litter that your deposit applies to by the time puppies are 4-6 weeks of age so that we may offer them to the next person in line if you have decided to wait for a future litter. If you would like to send a check, please contact us for instructions. Please note that your full balance must clear before we can ship your puppy, or allow you to take your puppy if picking up. You are welcome to pay your balance by Apple Pay, Gooddog, Zelle, bank transfer or check as long as there is time for the check to clear.

Q: How can I pay my secure deposit or payment on account with my credit card?
1) Click here to pay your secure deposit of $500 through Goood Dog (preferred): Good Dog Secure Payment
2) Click here to pay your secure deposit of $500 through PayPal (please add 3% to over the PayPal fee): PayPal Secure Payment
2) If you want to pay by another method such as Apple Pay or Zelle, please see our puppy application for details.
2) Note that placing a deposit means that you agree with the terms on our sales agreement and guarantee (please click link to sign and return to us).