For families adopting from Zook’s Frenchies & Doxies, the journey begins with a scenic drive to our farm in Fort Plain, NY. Because we prioritize socialization and the safety of our puppies, we require all new owners to pick up their pets in person at our USDA-inspected facility. This “Puppy Road Trip” is a vital bonding experience, whether you are traveling from down the road in Canajoharie or making the trek from Ohio or West Virginia.
Preparing for the Trip to Montgomery County
Before you depart from Albany, Syracuse, or New York City, preparation is key to a smooth homecoming. Our farm in the Mohawk Valley is easily accessible via I-90, making it a straightforward drive for families across the Northeast.
Vehicle Safety: Ensure you have a secure travel crate or a pet-specific seatbelt harness to keep your puppy safe on the drive back to Saratoga Springs or Troy.
Climate Control: French Bulldogs are particularly sensitive to temperature. Ensure your vehicle’s AC or heating functions perfectly before heading to Fort Plain.
Safe Passage Home: When you arrive at our farm in Fort Plain, NY, we don’t just hand over a puppy; we provide a valuable information. This ensures that as you begin your drive back to New Jersey or Pennsylvania, you are fully equipped with the knowledge to care for your new youngster. We recommend keeping our contact information saved on your mobile device for easy access during your travels, so you can quickly reach out with any questions while navigating rest stops or pet-friendly areas in the Mid-Atlantic region.
The Essential “Puppy Homecoming” Packing List
To accommodate families traveling long distances to Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Maryland, we recommend packing a “go-bag” for your new companion:
Hydration Station: Bring a gallon of fresh water and a portable bowl. Puppies can be picky about different water sources during a long drive to Vermont or New Hampshire.
Scent Blanket: We encourage you to bring a small blanket or towel. Rubbing it on the puppy’s littermates at our farm helps carry a familiar, comforting scent to their new home in Latham, Delmar, or Guilderland.
Sanitation Kit: Pack extra paper towels, pet-safe disinfectant wipes, and several waste bags for those inevitable stops on the way to Clifton Park or Schenectady.
Puppy Wellness & Comfort
Rest Stops & Road Safety: While our French Bulldog puppies are socialized for confidence, they are still developing their natural immunity. During your journey back to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or elsewhere in the Northeast, prioritize quiet, secluded grassy areas for potty breaks. Avoid high-traffic pet areas at public rest stops near Albany or Syracuse to keep your new companion safe. Keeping your puppy comfortable and secure in a travel crate or harness ensures a peaceful transition from our Fort Plain farm to your home in Latham, Delmar, or Guilderland.
Why an On-Site Pickup at Zook’s is Worth the Drive
We understand that families from West Virginia, Ohio, and even further travel to Fort Plain for our puppies. Choosing a breeder who requires on-site pickup ensures:
Transparency: You see exactly where your puppy was raised and meet the family who socialized with them.
Direct Education: We provide a hands-on orientation, showing you how to care for your new companion before you head back to Johnstown or Little Falls.
Health & Home Environment: Zook’s French Bulldogs & Longhaired Dachshunds is proud to be a reputable pet breeder for Upstate New York and the surrounding states. Whether you are coming from Ballston Spa, Malta, Milton, or Galway, our farm is the starting point for a lifetime of memories with your new best friend.
Verified Health & On-Site Vitality: By visiting our property in person, you aren’t just picking up a pet; you are witnessing the health and vitality of your puppy in its natural element. We prioritize a clean, professional breeding program where every companion is cleared of genetic defects via health-tested parentage. Meeting your puppy at our farm allows you to see their physical development and energetic temperament firsthand, providing peace of mind that your new family member has the strongest possible start.
Raised on a Beautiful Upstate New York Farm: Our puppies are raised in the heart of the Mohawk Valley on a stunning farm property in Fort Plain, NY. We believe that fresh air and wide-open spaces are essential for developing well-adjusted, confident companions. Instead of a sterile kennel environment, our French Bulldogs and Longhaired Dachshunds grow up surrounded by the natural beauty of Montgomery County, with plenty of daily interaction and room to play. This beautiful rural setting ensures that when you arrive from Albany, Syracuse, or the Capital District, you are meeting a puppy that is socialized, happy, and truly at home in the Northeast.
Serving the Entire Northeast and Beyond
Zook’s Frenchies & Doxies is proud to be a premier companion breeder for Upstate New York and the surrounding states. Whether you are coming from Ballston Spa, Malta, Milton, or Galway, our farm is the starting point for a lifetime of memories with your new best friend.
