What to look for when buying a puppy

• Before visiting, ask the breeder about the breed and try and gain an insight into whether they have a passion for the breed and thus are knowledgeable and may be a source of support and advice or are they once off breeders who just want the best for the pups, or unscrupulous breeders in it, only for the money. Avoid pet shops, puppy farmers and dealers. Look for registered reputable breeders or ones recommended to you.
• Beware of advertisements offering puppies of several breeds as they are likely to be puppy farmers or dealers and have profit and not the best interests of the bitch and puppies at heart.
• Never take up an offer of a breeder who wants to deliver a puppy or offers to meet you half way or at the side of a road filling station etc. This should sound alarm bells.
• Always meet the puppy’s mother or ideally both parents as this will give an indication of the puppy’s future temperament and type. She should be friendly, healthy and well -behaved and although she may be attentive she should not be aggressive when her puppies are handled. Responsible breeders will not let a bitch have more than one litter per year.
• Ask to see the rearing environment. Ideally this should be in a caring environment in the home or if in a kennels the bitch and pups should be regularly handled by all the family and brought into the house often in order to learn to interact in the real world. The breeder should interact with the dogs and treat them with respect.
• Ideally go and see the litter at or before 6 weeks old and this gives the opportunity to re-visit if needed. A puppy is usually weaned and ready to go to its new home at 7- 8 weeks old. Do not take on a puppy younger than this as it is still learning canine behaviors at this age. If the puppy is 12 weeks or older only take it if it has been socialized well and part of a busy household.
• Avoid nervous, withdrawn or overly excited puppies as they can be difficult to train and bond with and are more likely to cause difficulties later.
• Ensure the parents are healthy and tested for any genetic problems relating to that breed e.g. Hip dysplasia. All reputable breeders who are dedicated to producing puppies that will bring the breed forward will have the relevant tests done and only breed from those that have scored well and are excellent specimens of the breed and of equally excellent temperament.
• Ensure the puppy is healthy, plump, but not fat and free of any lumps or bumps. Check for an umbilical hernia (swollen belly button) and check for a ‘pot belly’ often a sign of a heavy worm burden. Check the eyes (should be bright and clear), nose (free of discharge), ears (clean and not smelly), coat (no rashes, fleas, hair loss, redness and the pup should not be itchy). Check around the bum for any signs of diarrhoea. The pup should be bright and playful and interested in all that is going on.
• Ask what vaccinations and worming treatments he has received and what he is due to get. Ideally he should have started his vaccinations. Request a vaccination certificate so you can be sure the puppy got what the breeder said he has and that he has been thoroughly health checked by a vet.
• If you are buying a pedigree puppy, ask to see the 5 generation pedigree of the parents and the puppies papers and the microchip details (compulsory if pedigree). These should be ready when collecting the puppy and if in any doubt regarding the authenticity of the puppy, refuse to collect him until they are ready.
• Get written advice on training, exercise and feeding and get a sample of the food the puppy is on, when you collect the puppy, so there will have to be no sudden change of diet if you cannot source the food or opt to change it.
• Bring someone more experienced with you who could give an independent view. Don’t be afraid to walk away if all is not as it should be. Get the puppy health checked as soon as possible by your own vet if you have any doubts once you get him home.
• Finally be prepared for the breeder to ask just as many questions as you did. This is an excellent sign and it shows that they care about their puppies’ prospective new home and is a true sign of a reputable breeder who will be at the end of the phone if you have any queries.