| Bean Town Dogs A Service Guide for New England Dogs |
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What Dog?
Deciding on a getting a puppy is a big step to take especially if this is your first
puppy. Amongst other things, you should take into account the size of dog that will
suit your home and car, the grooming requirements, how much exercise it will need,
whether to get a male or female, and the cost of food, equipment, veterinary
treatment, and boarding kennels. If you decide on a pedigree puppy, you are fairly
sure of knowing what you are getting; you'll know how big it will be, how long the coat
is, and the breed's characteristics. You may however decide on a cross-breed or
mongrel where it may not be quite as certain what your dog will end up looking like.
Where to Start
Having decided on the breed that all the family are agreed upon, contact the breed
club who can give useful information about the characteristics of the breed and what
is required for its general care and welfare. They can also put you in touch with
breeders in your part of the country. A contact for breed clubs can be obtained from
the Kennel Club (0870 6066750). You can also visit Discover Dogs which is held at
Earls Court, London every November and at Crufts held every March at the NEC,
Birmingham. Here you will be able to see all the breeds that are registered with the
Kennel Club; you'll also be able to speak to owners and breeders who will be able to
tell you all there is to know.
Whether you are looking for a pedigree pup, cross-breed or mongrel finding the right
puppy that has been reared correctly and has started socialisation may take some
time, so be patient. Try to see as many litters as possible. You may like to take a
video recorder with you which you may find helpful when the time comes to making
your final decision.
What to look for
You may not be able to see the sire but it is essential you see the dam with her pups.
Watch her temperament while she's on her own with the pups and when you pick up
one of her pups. If she appears stressed or shows any sign of aggression, move on
to the next breeder on your list. Any sign of aggression from the dam can be passed
on to the pups.
Ideally the pups should be reared in the home so they can become accustomed to
the sights, sound and smells of everyday household appliances and the hustle and
bustle of people coming and going. This will make life much easier when the pup
makes the transition from the breeder to its new home. If the pup is reared in a
kennel outside it won't get the necessary benefits of socialisation and the stimulation
that a puppy reared in the home will have. However if the puppy is reared in a
kennel, make sure it is dry, warm and clean, and the kennel is in a good state of
repair.
There should be plenty of toys for them to play with which will help stimulate them
and help them develop mentally and physically. Also watch how the pups play and
interact with each other and the dam as this is a very important part of how puppies
learn to behave as a dog.
If possible go and see a litter when they are two weeks old and then each week or
two weeks. During this time, the breeder should start socialising them with as many
different experiences as is sensibly possible, starting with gently handling them at just
a few days of age. This will cause mild stress which will help the pup deal with more
stressful situations later in life. The breeder plays an important part in a starting the
socialisation process which will help pup cope with life when he goes to his new
home. Apart from handling the pups, the breeder should ensure they meet as many
different people of all ages as possible. They can even be taken out in the car for
short journeys.
Hereditary diseases
If you are buying a pedigree puppy, you should be aware of the hereditary diseases
that the breed is susceptible to. Check that the sire and dam have been tested for
those diseases by asking to see the veterinarian's certificate. Ideally, the breeder
should also have the certificates of previous generations. This will not guarantee the
pup won't develop the disease later in life but it reduces the risk. Some hereditary
problems, deafness and Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) for example can be tested for in
the pups when they are 6 or 7 weeks old so make sure this has been done. Ask how
old the sire and dam are as many hereditary diseases may not show for 12 months;
others won't show until the dog is 2 years old, so dogs should not be bred from any
younger than one year old.
Breeding and sale of dogs act
Under the Breeding and Sale of Dogs Act anyone who breeds more than 5 litters a
year must be licensed by the Local Authority. The premises are inspected annually
by an independent vet so if the breeder you intend to buy a puppy breeds more than
5 litters a year, ask to see the license. As well as other restrictions, this bans the
mating of bitches under 12 months of age and on consecutive seasons. It also bans
the sale of pups under the age of 8 weeks.
What age to buy?
If the breeder is not licensed they can sell puppies younger than 8 weeks of age but
there is a fine line between the essential learning period while the puppy learns how
to behave like a dog by playing and interacting with its siblings and dam, and going
to a new home. Buy a puppy that is too young and it will miss out on those benefits;
buy one that's too old and it will miss out the 'critical' socialisation period of between
4 to about 14 weeks of age.
You are what you eat
The dam should have been fed a good quality, nutritious diet before and during
pregnancy and while lactating. This will give the pups a good, healthy start to life.
Also ask what the pups were fed during weaning and what solid food they are fed.
Check out puppy
Check the pups to ensure they don't have any discharge from eyes, nose ears are
the rear end. Their skin should not be dry or flaky and their coats should be clean.
Make sure the puppies and dam have been wormed and the dam and sire are up to
date with their inoculations.
If buying a Kennel Club registered puppy, when you collect it, expect to take with you
a receipt of purchase, the pup's Pedigree, a diet sheet and some food, and an
insurance that covers your pup's health for 6 weeks.
Double trouble
Unless you are an experienced owner or trainer do not be persuaded or tempted to
buy two pups from the same litter. Looking after and training one puppy can be
difficult enough but with two it will be twice as difficult. If the pups are from the same
litter, the bond between them can be very strong to the point where they cannot bear
to be parted from each other and in many cases getting them to pay attention to you,
the owner, may be very difficult indeed.
How to Source a Puppy
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responsibility of the owner of the listing and we cannot be held responsible for any misrepresentation. We reserve the right to refuse any listing at our sole discretion. The
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