Buying a new puppy

Those first steps - The first thing to do is decide on the breed that best fits your circumstances. Do you have the right environment and time to raise a puppy? Buying a puppy from a breeder can be a real hit and miss affair if you don’t know what to look for and what questions to ask. If you don’t get it right you could end up with a sick puppy that may be plagued with behaviour and health problems for the rest of his life. A puppy registered with the Kennel Club isn’t a guarantee that the breeder is responsible. When you have decided on the breed of puppy you wish to buy, probably the first thing you would do is to check out the Puppies for Sale in the local press. This can be risky. Although the majority of people advertising puppies for sale are genuine, reputable breeders, there is a small minority of unreputable people about, these are usually puppy farmers looking to make money from the sale of many different breeds of puppies, just bred indiscriminately for the pet market, their interest in this activity is motivated purely by financial greed.

Homework - Research the breed you are interested in. It is always worth finding out what inherited problems the breed you are considering might have. If testing is available, make sure that both parents of your puppy have been tested and that you see the test results. Viewing the mother and father will help. If the parents look healthy there is a much better chance that your puppy will also grow up to be healthy. Don’t be frightened to ask questions.

Choosing the puppy - Choose a puppy that is interested in you, not the one that cowers in the corner. Be aware, that the most outgoing puppy may develop a more independent character. Check the puppy has no discharge from its eyes or nose and that there are no sores, bald patches or scabs on the skin. Make sure that the puppy is alert and responsive to sounds and is showing no obvious signs of illness, such as coughing.

Some Basic Q&As are:

Knowledge of the Breed? Does the breeder have knowledge about their breed and can they advise you on any queries you may have.

Ask to view the parents? You need to see the Dam to make sure that she is a nice friendly dog as puppies can inherit their temperaments from their parents. Ensure the dogs have a good quality of life such as a balanced diet, housing, exercise, socialisation and veterinary care where necessary.

How old are the puppies?  Puppies must be at least 8 weeks old to leave their mum.

How old is the Dam?  She should be over the age of 2 year and under 8.

How many litters has the Dam had? She shouldn’t have had more than 6 in her lifetime (3 or 4 should be the norm) and not bred from on two consecutive seasons.

Are the puppies weaned?  At 8 weeks they should be weaned. If they have not been weaned by this time, they may be younger than the breeder says.

Have the puppies been wormed?  All puppies are born with worms. Worming should start with the breeder and be continued in the new home. A worming history should be provided.

Has your puppy had any vaccinations?  If so, what type and when is the next one due?

Does the puppy look healthy – clean eyes, ears and bottom?  If the puppy is unwell, collect him another day. If he is still ill, then don’t take him and try another breeder. A good breeder will not breed from a dog or bitch that is likely to pass on any hereditary problems to future generations of puppies.

What should I feed my puppy and do you have a diet sheet to take away? All good breeders will give a diet sheet and some food to start off with.

What sort of socialisation or experiences has my puppy had so far? Puppies should have preferably been raised in a home environment with all the noises and through-traffic of a normal home. Those raised in kennels away from the house will need a lot more intensive socialisation training to make sure they can cope with everyday life. If the puppies have already met other dogs, animals and people they will be happier and more confident than those that have not.

Can I return the puppy if there are any health problems?  You will need to have the puppy health checked by your vet within 48 hours. A good breeder will offer to take the puppy back at any point should you not be able to keep him.

Is the puppy Kennel Club registered?  If so, make sure you are given the registration certificate and pedigree when you come to take the puppy home. Not sell any dog to a commercial wholesaler, pet shop, dealer or other retail outlet.

When can I take the puppy home? A good breeder will not let a puppy go until he is at least 8 weeks old.

Check Out the Breeder

Some tips:

• Always visit the breeders premises and ask about the conditions. (The dogs living environment should be clean, with fresh drinking water in clean containers. There should be indoor as well as outdoor facilities, comfortable beds, toys, and fresh chew items).

• Ask for references from previous owners.

• Ask about the quality of follow up care.

• Ask the breeder to explain the Breed Standard, and how their lines meet or deviate from them. (The responsible breeder should be willing to educate the potential buyer).

• The responsible breeder engages the dogs in training appropriate to the breed. (Learn about the Titles obtainable and inquire about the breeder's dogs' achievements).

• Definitely ask to see and meet the older dogs on the property. Brood bitches past the age of safe whelping and older stud dogs should be either in pet homes where they are valued, or present as house pets. It is especially informative to take a look at these older dogs. Subtle clues such as condition of teeth, nails, and skin tell volumes about the commitment the breeder has made to the well-being of his or her dogs and your prospective puppy.

• Adult dogs should be of good weight, clean, energetic, not aggressive or excessively timid. Look for condition of teeth, ears, eyes, and nails. 

• Find out how many litters are whelped each year.

• Get a sense of whether the breeder regards breeding as an income source. (Profiting from breeding indicates that he or she is not breeding to help or improve the breed).

• Ask to see the dam and sire (if he is on the property). Look for general health, vigour, and temperament.

• Ask to see a history of the breeder's lines.

• Responsible breeders should test for hereditary conditions. Ask to see the test results on both the sire and the dam.

• If the litter is already present, note where it is kept, and what is being done to socialize it. Puppies should be house dogs until they are sent to their new homes. A puppy kept in a kennel or barn will not have had the appropriate social stimulation and interaction with people to be an optimal pet. At the appropriate developmental stages they should have been introduced to children and other people, other animals such as cats, washing machines, vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers, and riding in the car. Littermates should appear healthy and vigorous.

• See the contract/guarantee before leaving a deposit or purchasing a puppy. Read the contract thoroughly. The contract should specify details of the sale, including a health guarantee and the breeder's lifetime commitment. The kind of health guarantee will change from breeder to breeder, but it should be in the written contract in some form.

• The breeder should be able and willing to take the puppy or dog back at any point in its life if you are unable to keep it. Do not accept verbal assurances in place of a written contract on these points. Puppies should be a minimum of 8 weeks old, with appropriate vaccinations and worming, and fulfilment of the contract should be conditional upon the examination of the puppy by your veterinarian within a specified time period.

• Ask about the history of returns. Nearly all reputable breeders, sooner or later, must deal with this inevitable heartache.

• The responsible breeder will provide a packet of information regarding training, diet, and general care, with several resources for you to check out.

• Here is the most important question of all to ask yourself: Do I like this person? Is this breeder someone I want in my life for the lifetime of my dog? Because that is exactly what is going to happen. Rely on your instincts about this person, and follow them.

Be prepared to be inspected as closely as you just inspected the breeder. The more questions asked, and the more references required, often indicate the degree of dedication of the breeder to his or her dogs, and how much follow-up assistance you can expect.