Welcoming a new puppy into your family can be the most wonderful experience and bring so much joy. Choosing the right puppy and, fundamentally, the right breed is so important. You want to ensure that your dog will complement and fit in around your lifestyle and family dynamics, not only so that you are able to still do the things you want to do but also so that you can meet the needs of your dog.
How do you choose a breed?
Here is a list of factors that you should consider when choosing a breed:
* Temperament – this is probably the most important thing to consider when getting a dog. Is the breed known:
⁃ To be good/not so good with children?
⁃ To be able to cope with being left on their own, or are they pretty needy?
⁃ To be an only pet, or do they prefer to have another dog in the family?
⁃ To be prone to barking/digging/drooling?
⁃ To be friendly/unfriendly with other dogs?
⁃ To be easy/not easy to train?
* Size of your living space / garden – Do you have enough space for your breed of choice?
* Exercise – How much time do you have to walk each day? How much do you want to walk each day?
* Your lifestyle - How long are you going to leave your dog each day on average? (some breeds are more prone to separation anxiety)
* Do you, or anyone in your family have any allergies?
How do you choose a breeder?
Once you have decided which breed you are going to get, the search for a new puppy can be quite daunting. Choosing a breeder is paramount to choosing a healthy, happy puppy.
A responsible breeder – someone who is fully invested in their pups and finding them loving homes – will seriously vet you! They should ask you all sorts of questions, including:
* Why this breed/colour/markings? – show them you have done your research and that you are prepared for a puppy to be a part of your family
* Have you had a dog before? If not, this is not a problem, but they should offer to provide help and advice over the first few months of having your pup
* Your family dynamics and lifestyle - job, hours out of the house, how active you are etc.
* Your living space - have you got space for the breed you would like
Other signs of a responsible breeder:
* A breeder should be open to you meeting your potential puppy from 4 weeks of age. This is when puppies have opened their eyes, can hear properly and not be so wobbly on their paws! Meeting the mum should be a given, as puppies need milk until at least six/seven weeks, but it is also really important to ask about who the Sire is. This is so you are aware of any health issues that may affect your puppy either now or in the future.
* A breeder should be happy to show you their Local Authority license if they are breeding and selling pets as a business (to make a profit).
* A breeder should provide genuine paperwork/certificates for puppy vaccinations, microchipping (which is a legal requirement), worming and results for general health tests. Some breeds are known to have specific defects which can be detected from birth and so they should also be tested for these at either the 4-week or 8-week check. For example, Dachshunds must be tested for PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), Dalmatians for their hearing, pugs for BOAS (breathing difficulties), and so on.
* A breeder should offer 1-month insurance to give you time to arrange ongoing insurance.
* A breeder should provide you with the pet food they have been giving the puppy (changing diet suddenly will upset their tummy), as well as a blanket or toy that smells of their mum so that they settle into their new home as calmly and quickly as possible.
* Some breeders might also provide a family tree; however, you can also purchase this from KC if you are interested in finding out your puppy’s genetics and whether any of their ancestors have won at Show.
Signs of an irresponsible breeder:
! They rush you into putting down either a cash deposit or pay the full amount.
! They make up an excuse why you are unable to meet the mum and/or dad – if the mum isn’t there, then the puppy was not bred there.
! They offer to deliver the puppy to you.
Meeting and choosing your puppy
The most exciting thing about going to meet the litter and mum, is finding a puppy that bonds with you. For example, when I met Nala, my miniature dachshund, for the first time she immediately stood up in the pen and made her way to me, sniffing my hand and even jumping up the side of the pen for me to lift her out; all whilst the others slept soundly on! In all honesty, she chose me.
Most importantly, enjoy the experience and trust that you will know when you have found the right puppy for you…or if the puppy has decided he or she is coming home with you!
If you need any help with your puppy, check out our Puppy Visits on kirstydogwalking.com or call 07908579707.
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