Dogs really do make our lives complete and there is nothing better than the cheerful greeting and wagging tail of your dog when you get home after a difficult day at work. However, choosing the right breed to suit your lifestyle and finding a reputable breeder can be difficult. Buying a puppy, or adopting a dog, is a huge, lifechanging decision; read on to find out the dos and don’ts of puppy buying.
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.”
Josh Billings.
On 1st October 2018, there were new regulations enforced in England regarding the sale and breeding of animals. Dog breeders wishing to breed three or more litters in a 12-month period, who intend to sell any of the puppies, now require a breeding licence issued by their local authority. Therefore, you would think that buying a puppy from a licensed breeder would guarantee a healthy, happy dog. Unfortunately, this is not the case as many of these ‘licensed’ breeders do not follow the agreed terms of their permit. If this is the case, how can you find a reputable breeder?
Follow the ‘Buying a Puppy – Dos and Don’ts’ below…
Spot scammers, rogue traders and breeders who are only in it for the money. Find trustworthy, reliable breeders who care about their dogs, thus producing healthy, sociable pups.
1. Do not bring home a puppy younger than 8 weeks of age.
Puppies should stay with their mum and littermates for at least 8 weeks regardless of when they were weaned. Weaning usually takes place at around 4 weeks of age, however, a puppy will need a great amount of socialisation from its mum and littermates in the remaining weeks. There is no better person to teach a puppy bite inhibition than its mother and siblings – this leads to easier training and socialisation as the puppy grows too!
2. Do meet the breeder and the Dam before making a purchase.
You should see the litter and their mother in the home environment before making any decisions. If the breeder gives an excuse for the mother of the litter not being present, either walk away or arrange another visit when it is possible to meet the Dam. Meeting her will give a good indication to the temperament of the puppies. Never buy a puppy before seeing it in the flesh, and under no circumstances should you purchase from a breeder who wants to courier the puppy to you or meet you with the puppy before you have had a chance to visit the pup in its own home with its mother.
3. Do not buy from someone who breeds more than two types of dog breed, or who has multiple litters on the go at any given time.
This indicates that they are only interested in the financial gain of dog breeding rather than the love of a specific breed. It is unlikely that care will have been taken to select healthy, breed-standard parents; often any dog that looks vaguely like the breed required will do.
4. Do your research.
Bringing up a puppy is hard work and it is a big commitment. Research the breed you are interested in. Do they suit your living conditions and lifestyle? Will you have enough money to pay for unforeseen vet bills and/or insurance? Does the breed come with any breed-specific ailments? Gather lots of questions to ask your chosen breeder and make sure you research them too! Visit a few different breeders. A good breeder will ask you lots of questions also. They will want to know that you have the knowledge and skills to continue raising their beloved pup to become a happy, healthy dog.
5. Do not think a Kennel Club Pedigree is proof of health.
A pedigree is only proof of descent, not a guaranteed health certificate. “When you buy a pedigree puppy you need and are entitled to be given the Kennel Club Registration Document by the seller which ensures the details of the puppies’ parents are verified at the Kennel Club. It is, at present, a green document with the Kennel Club insignia on it. The Pedigree on its own is NOT the dog’s registration form.” Bulldogbreedcoucil.co.uk, 2020. Also, sometimes a breeder who has multiple dogs will give false information when registering puppies to make them look like pedigrees when they are not.
6. Do ask for paperwork.
Although there are people out there who forge registration certificates, most pedigrees are genuine and can be checked by contacting The Kennel Club. When buying a puppy, you can also ask for any health test results, vaccination records, a puppy contract and, by law, your puppy should be microchipped before leaving the breeder, so you should be given microchip records also. Any breeder, who loves their dogs, will provide a contract and will offer to give advice for as long as the dog lives.
7. Do not forget the importance of socialisation.
New dog owners do not always understand the importance of early socialisation in puppies. Often, people think that because a dog is provided with food and water and has a dry place to sleep that it is well looked after. Even though it is assuring to see a well-fed dog with access to fresh water and a comfortable bed, this is only a small part of raising a litter of puppies. They need stimulation, company and specific socialisation if they are to grow into well-behaved, relaxed and happy dogs. Dogs bred en masse with little or no stimulation or human interaction are known for having temperamental disorders.
“The best possible start for a puppy is to be born into a busy, lively household where he can experience all the sights and sounds he needs to become familiar with.”
Gwen Bailey, The Perfect Puppy.
There are many wonderful breeders out there, but you have to do your research to find them. Below are some useful links to help you find the right breed and breeder for you. Contacting a breed council for your chosen type of dog is a great place to start. There are also links to finding a rescue (some of which specialise in specific breeds) because there are countless gorgeous dogs out there just desperate to find the perfect human companion.
To find out more information about the Dos and Don’ts of buying a puppy, explore the links below.
New Licensing Information from The Kennel Club
Kennel Club Getting a Dog or Puppy
Click here for ideas to keep your dog entertained on a rainy day.