NEVER BUY ON A WHIM!!!!!!
DON'T BUY FROM A PET SHOP OR PUPPY MILL.
Telephone or email the breeders and ask about the breed. Most will
be happy to answer any questions you might have and will
advise you of the suitability of their breed to your
situation.
Go and have a look at several different breeds if you are
still not sure which one is right for you. This can best
be achieved by attending an all breed dog show. This will
help you decide which breed you like as well as which
breeders dogs you prefer.
Decide if you want a pet or a show quality pup. This may
determine how long you have to wait and how much you will
have to pay - show or breeding quality pups usually being
fewer in number and more expensive.
Have a look at the health of the other dog's in the kennel.
Are they lively alert and friendly.
(Don't forget most kennelled dogs will bark at strangers
and some breeds will very rarely look friendly but you
can get a general idea - dogs that look
down right viscous might not be good parents for a pet dog).
Does the kennel look clean and sanitary?
Do the dogs react happily to the owner/handler or do they
cringe away snap or growl?
Puppies should be nicely rounded in shape without being
overly fat or skin and bones.
Most healthy pups will have shiny alert eyes and healthy
looking coats.
Check that the puppies are not infested with ticks and
fleas. Ask to see both parents. It is common for breeders
to use a stud dog that they do not own but they may have
photos of the dog. Quite often the bitch will not look in
'show condition' after whelping a litter. The reason for
this is that feeding a litter places huge demands on the
bitch so she may be a little thin (but not skin and bones) and may 'blow' her coat
(shed)due to the hormonal changes caused by pregnancy and
milk production. She should however still appear happy
lively confident interact well with the owner/breeder
and show no signs of illness.
Ask the breeder if they have any references from people
who have bought their puppies in the past.
Make sure that you see all appropriate paperwork
including parents pedigrees medical certificates for
tests such as hip dysplasia if this is relevant to the
breed as well as the puppies pedigree papers and vet
certificate confirming worming and vaccinations.
Be very sceptacle of any breeder who is not willing to
show you paperwork - if you are unable to see the
papers the breeder may not actually have them!
Many people are not concerned about having 'papers'
for their pet however you do want to make sure that
if you are paying the price for a pure bred dog then that
is what you are getting. Also if the breed that you
are buying are prone to certain
medical conditions you want to make sure that the parents
have been 'cleared' by a vet and the puppies checked
(depending on the relevant condition)to ensure that there
is the smallest chance possible that the pup you buy will
develop the condition.
It is also a good idea to ask to see the membership card
for the canine controlling body (Kennel Council)for the
state/country that you are in.
What else should I look for in a healthy puppy?
Nose:
Nose should be cool and moist and not running. If there is a nasal
discharge or frequent sneezing this may be a sign of a respiratory
tract infection.
Mouth:
Check the teeth and gums. Most breeds have a scissor bite which is when
the upper incisors tightly overlap the lower. Gums should be pink and
healthy looking. Pale gums indicate anemia. The puppy should have clean
smelling breath.
Throat:
Check the back of the throat, enlarged tonsils can mean tonsillitis.
Ears and Eyes:
Eyes should look straight ahead and not deviate to the side. If tear
staining is present on the muzzle look for eyelids that are rolled in
or out, extra eyelashes or conjunctivitis. White spots on the surface
of the eye could be scars from prior injuries or infections. Ears should
stand correctly for the breed. Tips should be healthy and well furred.
Crusty tips with bare spots suggest sarcoptic mange. Ear canal should
be clean, wax free and sweet smelling. A buildup of wax or a rancid odor
may be caused by ear mites. Head shaking and tenderness about the ear
indicates an infection of the ear canal.
Chest:
Feel the chest to see if the heart seems especially vibrant.
Puppies should breathe in and out without effort. A flat chest, when
accompanied by trouble breathing in may indicate an airway obstruction.
Coat and Skin:
Skin and hair around the anus should be clean and healthy looking.
Signs of irritation such as redness or hair loss indicate the possibility
of worms, chronic diarrhea or digestive disorder. Coat should be bright
and shiny. Excess scale or itching in the coat suggests mites, fleas or
other parasites.
Structure:
Legs should be straight and well formed. Structural faults include legs
that are bowed in or out. Gait should be free and smooth. A limp or
faltering gait may be the result of a sprain or hurt pad or hip dysplasia
or other joint condition.
REMEMBER:
It is ultimately your responsibility to research the breeds you are interested in as well as
the individual breeder that you finally purchase from and while it is your right to ask as many
questions as possible it is also the breeders right
(and responsibility) to ask you questions as well so don't be offended if
the breeder gives you the third degree!
