Breeders/Experts - What to look for visiting puppies

[sloulou]

If there are any breeders/ experts who can help with this - would be v. grateful!

Am off to visit some puppies this weekend, with view to buy one. Do you have any advice as to what to look for - I know it's important to see the mother and how she is - also that puppies to be bright and alert. Anything else? What should we ask the breeder?

So far I know this:
KC reg Black lab dog puppies
Both sire (working) & dam (pet) have hip score 6/6 (is this ok? or a bit high?)
clear eyes.
Puppies are wormed and come with 6 weeks free insurance.

Have also been emailed a picture of the puppies, a picture of their sire and the pedigree. I've spoken to the breeder at length and answered questions she had for me about my circumstances etc.

What else do I need to look for? Really want to make sure we get the right puppy!
Thanks x

 

[beh]

oooooooooooooooooooo i dunno wot to say but hope it goes well

 

[Maesfen]

You've got most of it but a lot has to come from gut/heart feeling too!

The insurance is not 'special', don't be fooled they are doing something for you, it is through the KC that this is offered, it comes with all puppy registrations but it is up to you whether you fill in the form and send it off to qualify; you will then be sent a proposal form for a year of insurance, same as for anything. A lot of breeders tag this onto the end of an advert as a selling feature which it isn't!

Pups should be alert, friendly not shy; they should be gleaming with health; their surroundings should be clean and everything look as if it is kept that way, not just for your visit! (my house is never tidy but I do try to keep on top of it!

) The bitch should be exactly the same, clean, healthy and friendly even if she does guard her puppies. Hopefully you should see them out and about in the garden/yard, not just in the kennel/house.
You need to know how often and with what they have been wormed, jabs etc, also what the breeder recommends for later if they know (things have moved on so much since we bred our last litter that this time I asked people to take their vet's advice on further worming treatment even though we had done them religously every fortnight - don't be horrified, I'd be surprised if any pup did not have some worms in spite of treatment!) We always give a week's supply of food when the puppy goes which goes a long way to settling it in so ask if they do similar or what they recommend, whether they do a diet sheet, can recommend any good books for you and so on. You want them to be helpful but not pushy as if it is life or death that you have one of their puppies; you need the impression that if you did not measure up then you wouldn't be allowed one of their cherished pups if that makes sense not they will let them go to any Tom, Dick or Harry!

Don't go with the feeling you HAVE to have one of these; if you're not happy then don't be afraid to walk away even if the eyes try to melt you down! Just remember, hopefully you will have this dog for the next couple of decades so it's got to be the right one! Good luck!

 

[jj4y]

Is the pup going to be a pet, or would you like to work it in the future? If you would like to do some gundog work then you need to ask about the sire's working ability and make an judgement as too whether the dam is suitable temperament wise. You should ask questions such as why they chose the sire, ask about his temperament etc. Why they thought he was a good match for their bitch. Very often people will use a stud that is closeby or belongs to a friend etc without giving proper thought to whether he's the best match for their bitch. I would travel anywhere within the UK to take my bitch my chosen stud.

Ask about the socialisation that the pups have had to date. Have they met children yet? Seen and heard all usual household noises, such as hoover, washing machine etc? Have they been raised in the home or in a kennel/outbuilding? I'd much rather have a pup that has been raised indoors as they generally have been exposed to so much more at an early age.

What have the pups been weaned onto? So if you decide to go ahead and take the pup you can find out where you can get the food locally. They'll very often come with a few days supply of food, but this may not be enough if you need to order it in.

Does the pup have any restrictions on its KC registration document? If it does the breeder is obligued to inform you about them pre-sale, but this doesn't always happen.

Although the hip scores of both parents are below breed average (combined score of 15 at the moment, both parents are have a score of 12) IMO if i was looking for a pup for myself I'd preferably want the scores a bit lower, but that's just personal preference. If the pup is right in every other way, then I wouldn't let it stand in the way because they are still within breed average.

Take your time to observe the pups. Look to see if there are any hiding away in the corner etc, or if they are all bold and happy to interact with a stranger.

If you want to know anything else let me know...I could probably write for hours on breeding/raising/selecting a puppy from a litter!

 

[milor]

loads of excellent advice on here already - it does sound as if the breeder is doing things the right way - ask to see the KC reg documents and health documents ( at least of mum) - dad's may not be available if he is not owned by the breeder.

Expect to get an advice sheet with lots of tips on settling your pup into your home and a supply of his/her food plus perhaps a piece of bedding - all this goes towards making the transition period less stressful for your new addition. The breeder should be happy for you to contact her with any questions and be happy to help should you be unable to keep him/her for any reason - either by taking the pup back or finding a new home themselves.

Look carefully at the pups - they should be happy playful and feel surprisingly heavy when you pick them up - look for clear eyes and watch out for any that look 'pot bellied' - this may mean a heavy worm infestation, part the coat and look for any black specks - this could be flea dirt !. Look for any evidence of the runs such as dirty bums - Don't expect the premises to be smell free ! - pups are capable of emitting some very powerful pongs and are literally eating/playing and s***ting machines at this age

- but the premises should look well cared for with clean bedding and a warm dry area for the pups with plenty of space for them to run about in.

Check out mum too - she may look a little out of coat as most bitches loose loads of coat after having pups but what there is should be shiny and healthy looking, she should be friendly but don't forget that she may not be too keen for you to handle her pups initially so don't be surprised if the breeder puts her away while you are looking at them.

If you decide to go ahead and buy - expect to get the pups registration documents from the Kennel Club plus the insurance details.

Remember if you are not happy then walk away - NEVER buy a pup because you feel sorry for it - every sale made will just encourage bad breeders to continue - it's hard I know whne you are confronted with small shivering sick pups in a dirty kennel but please don't give in

.

I don't think that this will be the case here though and wish you good luck with your new addition !.

 

[sloulou]

Wow - thanks for the replies everyone!

BBB - thanks!

MFH_09 - Didn't know that about the insurance - not such a good deal then! The pictures are of them in the garden, so I hope we will see them outdoors too. Thanks for tips re: asking about jabs etc. And I think your last point is a particular problem for me - I know they will look so cute - so must think rationally!

jj4y - It is going to be a pet - although we did hope to do some basic gundog training and see how we get on. The pups have been kitchen reared and are used to children and cats. Thanks for the tips about asking how they chose the sire - I hadn't thought of that. Thanks also for comments about hip scores, the advice I had been given was that ideally each parent should be ideally 10 or less - so was worried that 12 for each parent might be high.

milor - This is all so useful, I really want to make sure I remember to ask the right questions and see the right documents. Also good to know about the mum looking a bit out of coat - will use judgment on this. I've got my fingers crossed that this will be a good journey up north!

Thanks again all of you!

will let you know the outcome.

 

[jackie36]

can i just add that i think you should feel like you've had a bit of a grilling yourself from the breeder. they should be as concerned about what you have to offer their pups, as you are to find out about their pups.

goodluck

jackie xx

 

[prose]

[ QUOTE ]
can i just add that i think you should feel like you've had a bit of a grilling yourself from the breeder. they should be as concerned about what you have to offer their pups, as you are to find out about their pups.

goodluck

jackie xx

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely. My breeder interviews people interested in her pups and only lets you pick them up on a return visit. I was asked about everything near enough and she didn't shy away from any of the questions I asked her.

Personally, I wanted the breeder I went with to be affiliated with the breed club and be in good standing with them, not just the AKC.