Our policies, in plain language.

Privacy Policy

Chihuvas (“we”, “us”, “our”) respects your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect when you visit chihuvas.com or submit an inquiry, how we use it, and the choices you have.

Information we collect

When you fill out our inquiry form, we collect the information you provide — typically your name, email, phone number, location, and the details of your message. We may also collect basic, non-identifying analytics about how visitors use our site.

How we use your information

• To respond to your inquiry and communicate with you about a puppy
• To match you thoughtfully with an available or upcoming puppy
• To send occasional updates if you’ve opted into our newsletter
• To improve our website and the experience of using it

How we share it

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share it only with trusted service providers who help us run our business (for example, our form provider and email tools), and only to the extent needed to provide their service.

Your rights

You may request to see, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you at any time by emailing info@chihuvas.com. We’ll respond within a reasonable timeframe.

Data retention

We keep inquiry information only as long as needed to serve you or as required by law. Newsletter subscribers can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email.

Terms of Service

By using this website and inquiring about or reserving a puppy, you agree to the following terms.

Inquiries and applications

Submitting an inquiry begins a conversation; it does not reserve a puppy or create an obligation on either side. We reserve the right to decline any application if we feel a placement isn’t the right fit.

Reservations and deposits

A $500 non-refundable deposit reserves a specific puppy or a spot on an upcoming litter. The deposit is applied toward the total price. The remaining balance is due before the puppy goes home, at approximately eight weeks of age.

Pricing

Puppy prices are confirmed at the time of reservation and include AKC registration, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, a health certificate, and a starter kit. Delivery costs, if any, are separate (see Shipping Policy).

Use of this website

All content on chihuvas.com — text, images, logos, and design — is owned by Chihuvas and may not be copied or reused without our written permission.

Return Policy

A puppy is a lifetime commitment, and we take that seriously — for the life of every dog we place.

Lifetime return

If at any point in your dog’s life you can no longer care for them — for any reason — we will take them back. We ask only that you contact us first so we can arrange a safe return. A Chihuvas dog should never end up in a shelter or rescue.

Deposits

Reservation deposits are non-refundable, as they hold a specific spot and take that puppy off the table for other families. In exceptional circumstances, a deposit may be transferred to a future litter at our discretion.

Refunds

Because of the nature of placing a living animal, we do not offer refunds on the purchase price once a puppy has gone home, except as specified in our Health Guarantee below.

Shipping & Delivery Policy

We care deeply about how our puppies travel. We never ship a puppy as cargo.

Pickup

We warmly welcome in-person pickup at our home in Traverse City, Michigan, by appointment. It’s our favourite way to send a puppy home and a chance for you to meet the parents.

Ground delivery

For families within approximately 500 miles, we offer personal ground delivery for an additional fee, calculated based on distance.

Flight nanny

For families further afield, we offer an in-cabin flight nanny service, where a person accompanies your puppy in the cabin of the plane. This is arranged at an additional cost and scheduled once your puppy is old enough to travel.

Timing

Puppies go home at approximately eight weeks of age, once they’re eating well, vet-checked, and cleared for travel. We’ll coordinate exact timing with you ahead of the date.

Health Guarantee

Every Chihuvas puppy comes with a written health guarantee that exceeds standard expectations.

What’s covered

• A two-year guarantee against life-threatening congenital or hereditary defects
• Parents health-tested (OFA cardiac, patella, and CERF clearances) before breeding
• A full veterinary health certificate dated within one week of going home
• Age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming, and a microchip

Your responsibilities

To keep the guarantee valid, we ask that you have your puppy examined by a licensed veterinarian within 72 hours of bringing them home, keep vaccinations and vet care current, and maintain the puppy on appropriate nutrition.

If something goes wrong

If a covered condition is diagnosed within the guarantee period and confirmed by a licensed vet, we will work with you on a replacement puppy or other remedy as detailed in your written contract. The guarantee does not cover conditions arising from injury, neglect, or improper care.

Cookie Policy

Like most websites, chihuvas.com uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to function properly and to understand how the site is used.

Types of cookies we use

• Essential cookies — needed for the site to work, such as remembering your preferences
• Analytics cookies — help us understand how visitors use the site so we can improve it
• Functional cookies — remember choices you make for a smoother experience

Managing cookies

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings at any time. Disabling some cookies may affect how the site functions. Most browsers let you refuse cookies entirely or alert you when one is being set.

Third-party cookies

Some cookies may be set by third-party services we use, such as analytics or embedded content. These providers have their own privacy and cookie policies.