Q & A

We often receive the same thoughtful questions about our program, our heritage, and our puppies. To help you make the best decision for your family, we've put together answers to the most frequently asked questions. We hope this information helps guide you with confidence and clarity.

Q: Where did the name Third Creek Springers come from?

A: There’s a creek near our home called Third Creek, and it’s always been a special part of our surroundings. When it came time to name our business, we both agreed that "Third Creek" was the perfect fit—simple, meaningful, and rooted in the place we love.

Q: Why did we choose to breed English Springer Spaniels?

A: Both of us grew up with English Springer Spaniels and have experienced firsthand the unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship they offer. These dogs have always been more than pets—they’ve been part of the family. Our goal is to share that same joy with every family that adopts one of our puppies.

We raise our puppies in a loving, hands-on environment where they’re well-socialized from day one. With excellent temperaments, strong pedigrees, and lots of early care and attention, our Springers are ready to become cherished members of their new families.

Q: Where are you located?

A: We are located just north of Charlette, NC in a small town called Troutman, NC.

37 minutes North of Charlette, NC
1 hour 46 minutes East of Ashville, NC
2 hours 31 minutes West of Raleigh, NC
3 hours 40 minutes Southwest of Knoxville, TN

Q: Are we able to visit the puppies?

A: We welcome potential adopting families to visit and meet the puppies in person. If you’re interested, please contact us to schedule a time—we’d love to introduce you to our pups!

As this is also our home, we kindly ask that you respect our privacy and make an appointment before visiting. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone—including our puppies—we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines during your visit:

All visitors must have a confirmed appointment—no drop-ins, please.
Children are welcome, but we ask that they are closely supervised at all times.
Please do not visit if you’ve been around other puppies or kennels within the past 48 hours to help us prevent the spread of disease.
Visits are typically limited to 30–45 minutes, so we can give each family plenty of time and attention.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us keep our puppies healthy and safe!

Q: When can we take the puppies home?

A: Our puppies remain under the attentive care of their dam (mother) and our trusted veterinary team until they are 8 weeks old. This ensures they receive the best start in life—physically, emotionally, and socially.

Please note: If we do not hear from you and are unable to reach you within 48 hours of your scheduled pickup or agreed-upon communication, the puppy will be made available to other families, and your deposit will be forfeited. We take this policy seriously to ensure each puppy finds a committed, loving home in a timely manner.

Q: Do you offer shipping or delivery for your puppies?
A: Yes, we do ship puppies. We work with two trusted local companies that have experience, love, and care for our puppies, ensuring they arrive safely at their new homes. Please note that all shipping costs are additional and separate from the puppy’s purchase price.

We also consider personal delivery or meeting partway for $1.50 per loaded mile (counting only miles while the puppy is in the car), depending on scheduling availability. Both the puppy purchase price and transportation fee must be paid in full before delivery.

Q: I’m ready to purchase a puppy—what do I do next?

A: The first step in our adoption process is to contact us using the method that’s most convenient for you. Once we hear from you, we’ll provide a link to our puppy application on Good Dog.

After your application is reviewed and approved, we’ll reach out to you with the next steps:

If puppies are currently available, you'll have the opportunity to choose from those that are not yet reserved.
If no puppies are available at that time, your name will be added to our waiting list for the next litter.

We look forward to helping you find the perfect puppy to join your family!

Q: How do I send my deposit?
A: You’re welcome to pay your deposit in cash if you’d like to visit and meet the puppies in person. If an in-person visit isn’t possible, we accept deposits through several online payment methods.

Please contact us directly, and we’ll provide the details and options for making your deposit securely and conveniently.

Q: I have decided that I no longer want a puppy. What do I do?
A: If you’ve already chosen a puppy but would like to switch to a different available puppy from the same litter, please let us know. There is a $25 fee to cover the extra work involved with updating AKC paperwork and adjusting our advertising.

If you decide not to proceed with adopting a puppy from us at this time, please understand that deposits are non-refundable. However, we greatly appreciate timely and courteous communication—it helps us find a loving home for the puppy as quickly as possible.

In some cases, with respectful and prompt communication, we may be able to transfer your deposit toward a future litter.

Q: What should I expect when I pick up my puppy?
A: Plan to spend about an hour with us. When you arrive, you’ll likely be greeted by our dogs before you even step inside! We’ll introduce you to your new family member and go over all the necessary paperwork, health records, and care information.

Feel free to ask any questions you have—we want you to feel confident and prepared. Once everything is covered, you’ll be ready to take your puppy home and start your new adventure together!

Q: Do you want us to keep you updated on our puppy?

A: Yes, yes, yes! Every puppy we raise holds a special place in our hearts. One of the greatest joys of being breeders is watching our puppies grow up in loving homes. We never tire of seeing photos or hearing stories from their families, and we truly appreciate referrals.

We want to support you through every stage of your puppy’s life, so if you ever have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We also kindly ask that you share pictures and updates on our Facebook page. If you haven’t joined our group yet, please do—it’s a wonderful way to stay connected and be part of our community!