Buying a puppy

frazzled

frazzled

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I have finally given in and agreed to have a puppy. This has been under discussion for the last 4 years and I now think the time is right. The children aren't too small, people at home for most of the day,large enough garden and time to give it attention. We have decided on a miniature schnauzer and are going to visit a litter on Friday. Are there any things in particular that we should be asking the breeder or be looking out for?
 
I am not a scnhauzer owner but here are a few pointers....

See mum with pups. Do not accept puppies being brought out to see you
Pups should be clean, bright-eyed, happy to see you, not cowering or shy (it looks cute but could lead to a lot of problems in later life)

If the breed requires health tests (Google or ask a breed club) ask to see results/certificates/x-rays, similarly if they are KC reg ask to see papers, do not be fobbed off with excuses. A vet check is not a health test. Arm yourself with what is required first. You may only want a pet but if dogs with hereditary conditions/carriers are bred from then the cycle of misery continues.

If they appear to have lots of breeding dogs of different breeds, I would personally avoid. If they have a lot of bitches and only use their own one or two stud dogs on them, again, avoid. Both smacks of backyard breeding and puppy farming.

Ask about up to date vaccs and worming.
 
The parents needed to have at least hips and eyes tested DO NOT purchase a puppy if the parents are not eye tested.

Progressive renal atrophy is very prevalent in the breed and you could very likely end up with a blind dog at 2 years old if the parents haven't been tested.
 
Thankyou CC that is very helpful. K-H am aware of the need for both parents to have been eye tested and have the necessary eye certificates. Is it possible for the pups to have had any eye tests or is it not possible to screen them at such a young age?
 
It's the parents that need done AFAIK, ask to see paper results.
With hips 12 months is the minimum to score. Puppies can have prelims at 6 months but not be scored. Again, ask to see either x-rays or paper results with the scores (there will be a number for each part of the hip and a total at the bottom with 0:0 being the lowest possible score).
 
Both parents have been eye checked and are clear but I will make sure I see paper evidence. The pups are KC registered and will have had their first vaccination and come with one months insurance. They have been bought up in a family home. Does this all sound ok?
I thought horse buying was bad enough but I think this is even scarier as it is completely new to me
 
Sounds good, worth a visit. Hip score average for schnauzers is quite low, in the low teens I think, but that would depend on how many animals have plates submitted to the British Veterinary Association...not sure how common it is to score them in the UK.
 
The litter should have been tested for hereditary cataracts prior to sale.
If they haven't been tested walk away.
The parents should have recent eye test certificates -annual testing is recommended.

HD & patella luxation are both known in the breed so the parents should have HD test certificates. Patella certificates are less common.
Entropion is also a problem in some lines.

To add to Cavecanem's general puppy guide;-
A good idea is to ask which one they are keeping - if they are not keeping one and don't have a valid reason eg the only bitch is a pet only they have bred the puppies to sell.
Find a breeder who breeds for "the one " for themselves instead.

Ask about inbreeding coefficient. It can be meaningless but if the breeders have done their research that will at least have heard the term ( low numbers generally good but higher numbers when the common ancestors are superior animals may be better than unrelated mediocre stock).

http://www.schnauzerclub.co.uk/health.shtml
 
Have checked , litter will be eye checked at 6 weeks and have had vet check so will make sure I see documentation for this as well. They have a 5 generation pedigree so I presume this means can check for inbreeding. God this is a minefield but want to get it right as is such a big decision.
 
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