You’ve decided to adopt a tiny bundle of fur and joy into your home. But before you make that big leap and buy your puppy there are some things you should do first.
Are you prepared?
You must be certain that your puppy will live with you for the rest of their lives. These are some of the things you should consider:
- How much can I afford to care for my dog? Owning a dog comes with many costs. You should budget for both the initial costs and ongoing costs such as food, vet bills, insurance, and other expenses.
- Can my dog be left alone for long periods of time? Dogs are not happy being left alone for longer than a few hours. You should consider how you will care for them when you’re at work, on vacation, or out for the day.
- Is it possible to give my dog the exercise that it needs? For your dog to be happy and healthy, he needs high-quality exercise. You should consider whether you have the energy and time to give your dog the exercise that they require.
- My home is suitable for my dog. Different dogs require different living arrangements. While some dogs will live in flats, others need plenty of space to exercise and have lots of room to roam around in. Before you allow a pet to be adopted into your home, whether it is a rented apartment or a council-owned property, you must first get permission from your landlord.
- Do I have the right information about the breed of dog I am looking for? Different breeds of dog will have different personalities and needs. Before you buy a puppy, make sure to research the breed and talk to owners.
Before you visit your breeder, ask questions
Before you visit the puppies, it is a good idea to first speak with a breeder. So you can talk to them on the phone about their breeding methods without being distracted by cute puppies. To ensure that you are a good parent of a puppy, reputable breeders will ask questions about your life and home.
Ask:
- Is it required that they are a licensed breeder? If so, can they show proof of their license. A license is required for some breeders depending on whether they are running a business or having a lot of litters each year. Ask your breeder if they would require a license.
- The puppies should be able to be seen with their mother at the birth place. Always take your puppies to see their mother in the same place where they were born. Do not believe excuses made by breeders. It could be a sign that they are involved with puppy farming.
- Are the parents screened for any health issues relevant to the breed? If so, can they provide you with the results. Certain breeds, particularly purebred dogs will be more susceptible to certain conditions. Make sure your breeder has tested the parents for these conditions. They should be able to show you the results. Only purchase puppies from parents who are healthy.
- What number of litters did the mother have? According to the Kennel Club, a female dog shouldn’t have more than four litters during her lifetime. If your breeder has not been Kennel Club registered, it is possible that welfare concerns exist if there have been more than four litters.
- What is the age of the mother? The Kennel Club suggests that female dogs not be bred if the mother is older than eight years old or less than one year at the time of mating. Even if your breeder has not been Kennel Club registered but the mother is an ineligible age, welfare concerns may arise.
- Are you able to visit the puppies at the home of the owners? Can you return to them before you bring the puppy home? It is important that you can always see the puppies at their homes. A breeder asking you to meet the puppies elsewhere could be a sign that they may have puppies from a puppy farm. A home that is able to be visited is a sign of authenticity. Responsible breeders will allow you to visit the home within reason.
- What age can puppies leave their mother to move to their new homes and what is the minimum age? A puppy shouldn’t leave its mother before they turn eight weeks old. If they feel it is beneficial to their puppies’ social development, some breeders may allow the puppy to stay a little longer.
Check these things when visiting the breeder or puppies
There are many things you should pay attention to when visiting your breeder and puppies. If you aren’t comfortable with the situation, be prepared to leave.
- Are the puppies happy and healthy? The puppies should be alert, but not confuse sleepiness with lethargy. They should have a shiny coat, no discharge, and be healthy weight. You can check their hearing and sight by waving or clapping, and make sure they respond in the right way.
- Is the mother happy and healthy? What kind of temperament does she possess? You want to make sure that the mother is happy and healthy. Talk to her about her personality and ask her the breeder about it – you may find your puppy shares some of her traits!
- Is the environment suitable for the puppies? Are the puppies kept in a safe, clean environment that provides stimulation (such as toys) and food?
- Are the puppies being checked regularly by a vet? To identify health problems, a vet should have examined the puppies within the first few weeks. To ensure that puppies are growing at their expected rate, it is important to weigh them regularly.
- Are the mothers and puppies receiving regular worm treatment since their birth? Worming is essential as most puppies are born with the disease.
- Do the puppies need to have their first vaccines before they can go to their new homes. Most puppies will need their first vaccines before they can go to their new homes.
- Are the puppies microchipped before they leave for their new homes? Most puppies must be microchipped before they can go to their new homes.
- Will the puppies be registered with the Kennel Club? Or another official dog club? Will papers and information about bloodlines be given to the puppies if they are registered with the Kennel Club or another official dog club? While not all dogs will need to be registered, it is important that you are provided papers. These papers will often include bloodlines. For more information, contact your breeder or the dog club concerned.
- Do the puppies get along with people? How have they been socialized by their breeder? Your breeder should have begun general socialization and the puppies should be comfortable being handled. Ask your breeder about the socialization they have done, including getting them used to being handled, meeting strangers and learning how to use household sounds.
Selecting a puppy
After you are satisfied that the puppies have been raised responsibly and are happy, it is time to select a puppy.
You might be lucky enough to get the puppy of your dreams. To ensure that you have the best chance of finding the Puppies for sale, here are some things to look out for.
- The appearance of a puppy is not everything . Their appearance is not important unless you are going to show your puppy. Instead, think about the temperament of the puppies and how they interact with other people, their mother and littermates.
- Is it a boy or a girl? Your future puppy’s gender will not affect their ability to be a good pet, particularly if you plan on spaying or neutering them. If female dogs aren’t neutered, they will experience’seasons’ twice a year. They will bleed and become attractive to male dogs that have not been neutered. You’ll need to be prepared for this and to prevent accidental litters.
- Interaction with their littermates. The way a puppy interacts and communicates with their littermates can tell a lot about their personality as well as the challenges they might face in their later years. You should look for puppies who are not easily separated from their littermates or who are boisterous.
- Interaction with you. It is important to observe how puppies interact with people. You should search for puppies who are confident enough to approach people without being overly demanding or playing rough with them.
A puppy is expensive
Different breeders will have different ways of charging you for your puppy’s purchase. These are some things to keep in mind:
- Deposit. A small deposit may be required by some breeders to secure the puppy. A deposit is not required until you have seen the puppy and received details about any health screening. It is important to be clear about what circumstances the deposit will be returned.
- The cost of the puppy. Do not bargain hunt now – your primary concern when purchasing a puppy is the welfare of the mother, puppies, and the conditions in which they were raised, and not the price. Puppy prices that are very low or extremely high could indicate puppy farming or other fraudulent activities. You should visit the breeder to ask the right questions.
- Payment of the balance. You will usually want to delay paying the remainder of the puppy’s cost until they are home. If you are confident in the breeder and have seen them at home, and if they are registered with the Kennel Club or your local council, you may be able to pay the balance sooner. You should get a signed receipt as well as all paperwork regarding your puppy. This includes their microchip details, certificates from any dog clubs they belong to, and veterinary reports.
