Lotti
26-07-2008, 12:40
I'm sure this has been done before but it was a long time ago and got lost in a sticky that nobody ever reads anyway :D
Due to the recent number of puppy ads (here and elsewhere) that I have seen I thought I'd add a few tips for buying a puppy:
See the parents the breeder should be happy for you to see the puppies with the mother. Dogs with fab temperaments (those that should be bred from) will be ok for people to approach their puppies although I personally think first time mum's are permitted to be a bit iffy - particularly if you're one of the first to view!
If the breeder doesn't own the sire of the pups, they should be happy to arrange a viewing or give you contact details of his owner.
Health tests - it is essential that dogs have proper health tests required for the breed. Ask your vet or do some online research as to which tests should be carried out for which breed (for example labradors should be hip and elbow scored and eye tested before being bred from. German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia so should be tested for these and, I believe VWD also before breeding) and ask to the see the results for both parents of the pup. Breeding from un health tested stock can result in a severely poorly puppy or problems later on in life and huge vet bills.
Registration - don't fall for the 'we'll forward on papers' rubbish. If you're wanting a registered puppy look for a Kennel Club registered pup, NOT DLRC (dog lovers registration club).
Only the KC offers true registration and it's benefits.
In the 8-12 weeks that a breeder keeps their pups there is plenty of time for the KC papers to arrive. If they haven't the likelihood is they have not been applied for and you'll never receive them. This is even more likely if the pups are going far cheaper than average.
This is not always the case, but unfortunately it happens a lot.
Socialisation - a good breeder will begin socialising their pups from birth. Most will keep pups in the house to help them become accustomed to household sounds and introduce them to people as much as possible whilst keep in mind risk of infection.
Age of release - some breeders prefer to keep pups until they are 12 weeks but no puppy should be leaving their litter mates before 8 weeks. Whilst organisations such as guide dogs etc will take pups at 6 weeks to begin their socialisation with people and their training no pet owner should be taking a pup away at under 7 or 8 weeks. Buyers are often given the excuse: they were weaned early due to being from a large litter. That doesn't matter, the behavioural benefits of staying with their litter are important.
The Mother - the dam, or mother, should not be bred from under the age of 2 years, often smaller breeds are bred from after 18 months of age but the KC puts a restriction of 1 year so no litters born to a bitch under the age of 1 year at the time of mating will be registered.
The dam should not be over the age of 8 when whelping a litter.
The KC's restriction of the number of litters is 6 but I think this is too much personally.
I believe most breeders stick to about three litters per bitch.
The bitch should not be bred from each season, she needs time to recover so at the very least she should have one season between each mating.
If anyone else has any tips to add, add them to this thread.
Due to the recent number of puppy ads (here and elsewhere) that I have seen I thought I'd add a few tips for buying a puppy:
See the parents the breeder should be happy for you to see the puppies with the mother. Dogs with fab temperaments (those that should be bred from) will be ok for people to approach their puppies although I personally think first time mum's are permitted to be a bit iffy - particularly if you're one of the first to view!
If the breeder doesn't own the sire of the pups, they should be happy to arrange a viewing or give you contact details of his owner.
Health tests - it is essential that dogs have proper health tests required for the breed. Ask your vet or do some online research as to which tests should be carried out for which breed (for example labradors should be hip and elbow scored and eye tested before being bred from. German Shepherds are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia so should be tested for these and, I believe VWD also before breeding) and ask to the see the results for both parents of the pup. Breeding from un health tested stock can result in a severely poorly puppy or problems later on in life and huge vet bills.
Registration - don't fall for the 'we'll forward on papers' rubbish. If you're wanting a registered puppy look for a Kennel Club registered pup, NOT DLRC (dog lovers registration club).
Only the KC offers true registration and it's benefits.
In the 8-12 weeks that a breeder keeps their pups there is plenty of time for the KC papers to arrive. If they haven't the likelihood is they have not been applied for and you'll never receive them. This is even more likely if the pups are going far cheaper than average.
This is not always the case, but unfortunately it happens a lot.
Socialisation - a good breeder will begin socialising their pups from birth. Most will keep pups in the house to help them become accustomed to household sounds and introduce them to people as much as possible whilst keep in mind risk of infection.
Age of release - some breeders prefer to keep pups until they are 12 weeks but no puppy should be leaving their litter mates before 8 weeks. Whilst organisations such as guide dogs etc will take pups at 6 weeks to begin their socialisation with people and their training no pet owner should be taking a pup away at under 7 or 8 weeks. Buyers are often given the excuse: they were weaned early due to being from a large litter. That doesn't matter, the behavioural benefits of staying with their litter are important.
The Mother - the dam, or mother, should not be bred from under the age of 2 years, often smaller breeds are bred from after 18 months of age but the KC puts a restriction of 1 year so no litters born to a bitch under the age of 1 year at the time of mating will be registered.
The dam should not be over the age of 8 when whelping a litter.
The KC's restriction of the number of litters is 6 but I think this is too much personally.
I believe most breeders stick to about three litters per bitch.
The bitch should not be bred from each season, she needs time to recover so at the very least she should have one season between each mating.
If anyone else has any tips to add, add them to this thread.