We strive to make the process of adopting your new family member personal, informative, and easy.

  • Step 1: Get on the Notification List

    Start your adventure by filling out a quick form on our site, no strings (or payments) attached! You'll snag early peeks at new litters and the best shot at reserving your furry friend before everyone else. As soon as you’re ready to commit, fill out our Buyer Approval Application.

  • Step 2: Reserve Your Dream Pup

    When that exciting email lands with available puppy pics and details, you've got 24 hours to claim your favorite before they are posted on our website. It's first-come, first-served! Put down a deposit via easy options like credit card or Apple Pay to reserve your pup.

  • Step 3: Settle Up and Pick Up Your Pal

    Wrap things up by setting a meet-up time in Modesto or arrange a delivery ride home at 8 weeks old. If meeting in person, final payment is due then, and if you choose a delivery option, final payment is due two days in advance. Your new pup comes with a starter kit to kick off the cuddles right!

Pick-up or Delivery

  • We offer free delivery to your home within 45 minutes of La Grange, CA, or we can meet you at a convenient location within the same distance.

  • Ground Transport Delivery

    For locations beyond, we offer personal ground delivery within California and surrounding areas. We calculate mileage and time using standard GPS estimates. 

    Ground Delivery Rates

    • Mileage Fee: $0.70 per mile (round trip from La Grange, CA 95329)

    • Driver Fee: $30/hour (round-trip driving time)

    Example:

    • Delivery to Sacramento (190 miles round-trip, 3 hours round-trip)
      → Mileage = $133
      → Time = $90
      → Total = $223

    Flight Nanny Service

    For families outside of driving range, we offer in-cabin flight nanny delivery to most major U.S. airports. A nanny will accompany your puppy on a commercial flight and deliver them directly to you at the airport. All flight nanny deliveries must be approved in advance and paid in full before transport.

    Flight Nanny Rates

    • Mileage to/from airport: $0.70 per mile (round trip from La Grange, CA)

    • Nanny Time: $30/hour (round-trip total from departure to return)

    • Airline Pet Fee: Actual airline charge (usually $95–$125)

    • Airfare: Actual round-trip flight cost

    Example Trip:

    • Sacramento Airport: 100 miles round trip = $70

    • 8 hours total nanny time = $240

    • Pet fee = $125

    • Flight ticket = $400
      → Total cost for nanny transport = $835

    Cargo Shipping (By Air)

    We also offer air cargo shipping through select major airlines that provide specialized pet transport services. This is not the same as baggage or freight shipping. Your puppy travels in a pressurized, temperature-controlled compartment specifically designed for live animals. Cargo shipping must be discussed and approved in advance. Buyers are responsible for full cost and assume responsibility once the puppy is in the airline’s care. Insurance coverage is available through the airline, and the cost is approximately $1 for every $100 of value declared. 

    Cargo Shipping Overview

    • Available to major U.S. airports serviced by pet-friendly airlines

    • Pickup is done by the adoptive family at the airline cargo office (photo ID required)

    Cargo Shipping Rates

    • Shipping Prep Package (crate, health certificate, documents): approximately $250

    • Airfare (varies by airline and destination): generally averages $300-$450, depending on distance

    • Mileage to/from airport: $0.70 per mile

    • Time at airport (drop-off, coordination): $30/hour

    Important Notes

    • All deliveries must be scheduled in advance and approved.

    • Final payment and signed Puppy Purchase Agreement must be submitted before delivery.

    • If we are unable to reach you or coordinate scheduling in a timely manner, there is a possibility that your puppy may be placed with another family and any payments made may be forfeited. We deeply value your commitment and want to make this process as smooth as possible for you, while also caring for the puppy’s well-being and respecting the needs of other waiting families.

Country-Ready Checklists:

What to expect:

  1. Loyalty
    Mini dachshunds are affectionate and bond deeply. They are laidback and love to please their people.

  2. Potty Training Takes Time
    House-training takes patience and routine. Pups come pad trained to a certain extent, but they will need time to adjust to the new schedule.

  3. Protect Their Backs
    Due to their longer bodies, avoid stairs and jumping, use ramps and a harness instead of a collar.

  4. They Crave Company
    These pups thrive in homes where someone is often around. And if you aren’t often around, we recommend getting them a companion to snuggle.

  5. Smart, Curious, and laidback
    They are chill, it’s true. They’re also quick learners. They can be quite curious and will alert you to anything unusual.

How to prepare your home:

  1. Create a Safe Puppy Zone
    Set up a crate and a gated or penned-off area with easy-to-clean floors. This gives your puppy a secure place to adjust, play, and rest without getting into trouble.

  2. Block Off Stairs and High Furniture
    Dachshunds are prone to back injuries (IVDD). Use baby gates on stairs and ramps for furniture access.

  3. Puppy-Proof Everything
    Hide electrical cords, secure loose rugs, pick up small objects, and remove anything chewable or toxic.

  4. Stock Up on Essentials
    Before your puppy arrives, have the basics ready: food and water bowls, appropriate food, harness (not collar), toys, grooming tools, and cleaning supplies for accidents.

  5. Set Up a Calm Introduction Plan
    Keep the first few days quiet and low-key. Introduce new sights, sounds, and rooms gradually.

Policies:

  • At Cream with Clover, all of our puppies are raised as companions and are sold as pet-only.

    We do not sell dogs for show or breeding purposes.

    Each of our puppies is eligible for AKC Limited Registration, which means:

    • The puppy is registered with the American Kennel Club, the most respected registry in the U.S.

    • Breeding and conformation showing are not permitted under Limited Registration.

    • Puppies may still participate in AKC events such as obedience, rally, and agility.

    Our puppies come from carefully selected AKC-registered breeding stock, and we are committed to preserving the health, temperament, and beauty of the long-haired miniature dachshund.

  • Families interested in adopting a puppy can join our Notification List by submitting a short form on our website. No payment required.

    Members of this list receive early access to litter announcements 24 hours before puppies are made available to the public. Newly interested homes must go through the same vetting process.

    • Once a litter is announced, families on the Notification List can apply to adopt via our Buyer Application.

    • After your Buyer Application is approved, a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 is required to reserve a puppy. This amount goes toward your final balance.

    • Reservations and payments are processed through our website via Square (Apple Pay, Klarna, Visa, etc.).

    • Once your deposit is received, your chosen puppy will be marked “Reserved.”

    Payments

    • If meeting in person, final payment is due then, and if you choose a delivery option, final payment is due two days in advance.

    • Final payments are made via our website.

    • Puppies will not be released until full payment is received and confirmed.

    Pickup & Delivery

    • We do not deliver on Saturdays (Sundown Friday to sundown Saturday).

    • Puppies go home at 8 weeks of age.

    • Pickup is available near La Grange, California, or via ground transport or flight nanny (additional fees apply).

    • Buyers must coordinate pickup/delivery within 10 business days of the go-home date to avoid forfeiting their deposit.

  • At Cream with Clover, our top priority is the lifelong well-being of every puppy we raise. As the breeder, we reserve the right to refuse the sale of any puppy at any time, for any reason.

    We may cancel a sale if we believe:

    • The home is unsafe

    • The buyer intends to use the puppy for unauthorized breeding

    • The puppy is being purchased on behalf of a broker, flipper, or third party

    • There is evidence of dishonesty or misrepresentation during the application process

    If a sale is canceled at our discretion, we will refund any deposits within 30 days, minus a $200 handling fee.

    We do not knowingly sell or release puppies to:

    • Pet shops or retail stores

    • Puppy brokers or commercial breeders

    • Animal testing or research facilities

    • Dog fighting operations or any affiliated parties

    Our goal is to place our puppies in loving, ethical, and permanent homes. Thank you for understanding and supporting responsible breeding.

  • As the breeder, Cream with Clover reserves the right to retain first pick of the litter from any pairing. This allows us to thoughtfully continue our breeding program and preserve the quality and character of our bloodlines.

    If we choose to exercise this right, it will take priority over all reservation requests—unless otherwise stated and agreed upon in writing prior to breeding.

    We appreciate your understanding as we work to uphold the health, structure, and temperament standards that make Cream with Clover puppies so special.

  • At Cream with Clover, we’ve chosen not to maintain a traditional wait list or collect deposits before puppies are born. This approach simplifies the adoption process and offers several advantages for our families.

    You Know What You’re Choosing

    When a litter is announced, we share photos so you can choose your actual puppy, not just a gender or color months in advance. No guessing. No surprises. Just clarity and confidence in your decision.

    Less Pressure, More Flexibility

    Joining our free Notification List allows you to express interest in future litters without any financial commitment. When puppies are born, Notification List members receive early access before the public—giving you the first opportunity to apply and reserve a puppy you connect with.

    How to Reserve a Puppy

    1. Join the Notification List on our website.

    2. Watch for litter announcements sent by email.

    3. Submit a Buyer Application if you're ready to adopt.

    4. Once approved, pay the $1,000 non-refundable deposit via our website to reserve your puppy.

    Final payment is due 48 hours before delivery. If you are doing a pickup, payment can be made the day you pick up your puppy.

  • At Cream with Clover, we keep things modern and streamlined—all Puppy Purchase Agreements are completed electronically using a secure digital signing service.

    Once you’ve been approved to adopt a puppy and are ready to move forward:

    1. We will email you a secure digital contract to complete and sign electronically.

    2. You will fill out the buyer’s section only—we’ll take care of the rest.

    3. Your $1,000 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of signing and is submitted through our website using Square.

    You do not need to print or mail anything—it’s all handled online for your convenience and security.

    Please note:

    • Your puppy is not considered reserved until both the signed agreement and deposit are received.

    • If we do not receive both within 24 hours of your approval, your spot will be forfeited and the puppy may be offered to another approved home, unless other arrangements have been made.

    • We do not hold puppies without a signed contract and paid deposit.

    If you have any questions during the process, we're here to help every step of the way!