Choosing a puppy
Each breed has its own characteristics. If you match these with
your personality and lifestyle, it is much more likely that you
will have a happy and fulfilling relationship with your dog.
Consider whether you and the prospective dog
are:
- Energetic and lively or couch-potatoes.
- Strong-willed and ambitious or easy-going and indulgent.
- Friendly with humans or reserved with strangers.
- Playful or disinterested in toys.
- Friendly to other dogs or disinterested or incompatible.
- Friendly to cats and other pets or disinterested or
incompatible.
- Affectionate or aloof.
- A useful suitability grid reference is available on the Kennel
Club website
www.the-kennel-club.org.uk
featuring all Kennel Club recognised breeds.
Where to look? Who
to ask?
A good match between owner and dog is essential to a happy
long-term partnership. Whether it is a puppy, pedigree, crossbreed,
rescue or adult dog, the right dog for your lifestyle is very
important.
Seek out responsible breeders - the Kennel Club operates an
Accredited Breeder Scheme and full details can be found on the
Kennel Club website. A list of breeders and Accredited Breeders
with puppies currently available can be obtained through the find a
puppy service on the website.
The Kennel Club strongly recommends that prospective puppy
purchasers obtain information on breed character, health and
welfare needs prior to purchase by contacting the breed clubs. The
Kennel Club website also provides information about the different
breeds of dog together with lists of breed club secretaries and
links to welfare and rescue organisations.
Canine welfare organisations and rescue societies always have
dogs and puppies available that need good homes. Both pedigree and
crossbreeds can be obtained in this way (eg DogsTrust, Blue Cross,
breed rescue).
Veterinary surgeries are an excellent source of information.
Staff will give you general guidance on what you should do once you
have made your choice.
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU BUY!
What to look for
in puppies
- A pedigree dog is more predictable as to its future character
and size than a crossbreed, but puppies can be expensive. Ask the
breeder for the Kennel Club registration certificate or, if it is
not available, ensure that the breeder undertakes in writing to
forward it to you as soon as it is received from the Kennel Club.
This will enable you to transfer your puppy into your name from the
breeder and receive all the benefits associated with Kennel Club
registration.
- Crossbreed dogs are not as expensive to buy. Try to find out as
much as you can about its parents so that you can gauge the end
result.
- Ask which vaccinations your puppy has had and which ones are
still required.
- Register your new puppy with a veterinary surgeon as soon as
possible and ask advice on health, microchipping,
vaccinations and diet etc.
- Just like humans, some breeds of dog can be affected by
inherited conditions. The Kennel Club and the British Veterinary
Association offer three canine health schemes, which aim to detect
and monitor these. It is important that you are aware of these
conditions and know the right questions to ask before buying a
puppy. There are also some DNA tests now available.
- Buy direct from the breeder. See the mother (dam), as this is a
good indication as to how the puppy will develop.
- If buying a pedigree dog always go to a specialist breeder, not
a dealer. A dealer usually advertises several breeds of dog and
these dogs may have been obtained from various sources so their
health and condition may be difficult to determine.
- It is always wise to agree the right to return the puppy if all
is not well and arrange a veterinary examination soon after
purchase.
- Make sure you receive full care instructions from the breeder
(dietary requirements, pedigree, a copy of any Health
Screening Certificates for the parents - if applicable) and any
further documentation such as a Kennel Club registration
certificate.
What
to look for in adult dogs
- If buying from a breeder find out why the dog is for sale.
- See the dog in its home environment before making a
decision.
- If buying from a welfare or rescue organisation, be prepared to
be questioned and possibly expect a home inspection. Very often
dogs in their care have suffered neglect and ill-treatment in their
early lives, the welfare and rescue organisations first priority is
to ensure that the remainder of their lives will be spent in good
caring homes.
- Consider the problems which can be experienced when bitches are
in season and the cost of neutering, should this be necessary.