Questions to ask breeder during your visit
This list is not exhaustive and you are encouraged to ask more questions of your own based on what research you have done and what you see at the time.
Can you meet all of the puppies?
It’s good to see the puppies interact with each other as it gives you a little window into the puppies characters e.g bold, shy, more/less playful, bully etc.
Can you meet the mother (and the father if he’s there)?
Your puppy will inherit 50% of both mum and dad’s genes. The puppies behaviours are all heavily influenced by the mother’s behaviours as it would normally be she who raises the pups. If either parents seems shy/nervous/aggressive in any way, please remember that there is a real chance that these behaviours will be shown by the puppies – if not now, later, as they grow up and mature.
What life skills has the breeder given the puppies so far?
The breeder should provide a variety of safe toys and items for the puppies to explore. The puppies environment should be stimulating for them. They should be permitted outside (even if it means being carried) to experience the outside world with all its smells, sights and sounds. The puppies should be introduced to a collar, various types of people including (supervised and calm) children, grooming, noises including household noises and being in a car and also crate training – to name but a few things!!
Will there be a contract of sale?
This can also include either using your puppy for breeding purposes (dogs and bitches). Please read the contract carefully before committing.
Can you see the pedigree (family tree)?
If the puppies parents are KC registered you should be able to see a copy of their pedigrees. This will let you see any close breeding/champions in the line/what lines are used etc.
Can you see any health certificates for both the mother and father of the puppy?
Sadly these days unscrupulous breeders will try to tell you that health testing has been done and is all fine. Please do not just take the word of the breeder – a good breeder will have all these certificates looked out ready to show you!
Will you be given any written advice when you take the puppy home?
The breeder should provide you with a worming schedule, when the puppy is due it’s vaccination/s, the microchip details, what food the puppy has been fed and a feeding schedule, perhaps a piece of the bedding the puppy has been used to or a toy so that he/she has a familiar smell with them, breed specific information including grooming advice and appropriate amounts of exercise. Above all the breeder should be interested enough in the puppy’s welfare to advise on most if not aspects of ownership.
How were the puppies fed?
If the puppies were fed out the same trough and it was simply topped up every day – this can encourage some pups to get access to more food than others,
especially if the breeder leaves them to feed unsupervised. Far better that the breeder feeds each puppy out it’s own bowl or at least monitors the puppies at feeding time to ensure that each puppy has it’s fair share of food at every meal.
Water
Check to see that the puppies and mother have plenty of fresh water available and that it is clean, not covered in hair or dirt.
Insurance – does the puppy come with a few weeks of free insurance?
Some breeders will sell you a puppy that comes with 4 weeks (or more) free insurance. You can then choose whether or not to continue with that insurance company and take out a full, FOR LIFE policy for your pup.
As well as you asking lots of relevant questions, remember to look for signs of medical problems including:
- Sore areas of skin, scratching, dull coat and/or dandruff
- Red or runny eyes or nose
- Difficulty/straining to toilet (pee and/or poo)
- Coughing, noisy or heavy breathing
- Visible ribs
- Signs of diarrhoea around the tail/bottom
- Areas of hair loss
- Weakness, wobbliness or difficulty standing up
- Getting tired very quickly
- Limping, difficulty/uncoordinated walking or lifting legs
- Hunched or crouched body
If you have any doubts or concerns about the health of a prospective puppy, the breeder should be happy for a vet to check the puppy over before you purchase it – and provide proof of this.
Meet Mary – our certified behaviourist
Our dog behaviour service is led by Mary Howat, who many of you may recognise from our Blairgowrie team!
Mary started working with Thrums in 2003, and has progressed to qualify as a certified animal behaviourist and certified Elite Fear Free professional. She also runs her own dog behaviour and training consultancy, K9INTUITION, taking veterinary referrals, behaviour consultations, one to one sessions with puppies and their owners and also providing advice for clients on choosing a puppy and before they have brought their puppy home.
She shares her life and home with her husband and their Labrador, Murdo and cat, Harray.
Call our Kirriemuir team today to book an appointment on 01575 572 643.