What questions should.......

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Abandluc

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I ask when enquiring about a puppy for sale??

We've been thinking about getting one for a while and I've started to look at adverts.
If all the info is in the advert ie KC registered, mum can be seen, fully healthed checked, 1st Vacc etc what else is there to ask at this point?

Also what questions should I expect them to ask me?

Thanks!
 
Ask to see mum, indeed, see their 'box' where they run around, do not accept one pup being brought to see you.

Make sure all the papers are legit, watermarked etc, not 'Joe Bloggs Kennel Club' printed off the computer.
Also ask to see the results/certificates of the relevant health checks on parent ie hip scores, eye tests.
Also proof of the vaccs taking place - never just take people's word for it.

Also bone up on any health problems or hereditary problems your chosen breed may have and ask questions accordingly!

Some may disagree, but I dislike seeing places that have lots of litters on the go at once, especially of different breeds (two fine, any more, sorry, don't like) and I would be a wee bit wary of places that have both mum and dad and have repeat matings every time the bitch is open (if they have mum and dad, just innocently ask if they have had a litter together before etc)
However if dad is there, and it is an occasional mating or a one-off, would do no harm to ask to see him too.

They should be quite rigorous in terms of what you want to do with pup, ie, pet, show, work, breed (they may have a no-breeding clause) and your premises, how much time and exercise you can give, if you have other dogs/cats/etc.

Also, steer clear of pups who seem timid or hide behind mum (may look cute as a button, but creating problems for yourself in the long run) , or pups from a mum who seems submissive or overly aggressive (many mums are protective, just not something that looks as if it will take your arm off)

Keep us posted!
 
What she said !
Only thing I would add is ask if pups have been in the house, used to things like tv, vacuum cleaners etc. Not vitally important but does help if pupy is used to such things when he/she goes to a new home. Oh, and if it is a breeder with a few dogs ask to see any that are related to the litter, will give you an idea how the pup is going to turn out.

ETA. Again if it is a breeder who has bred a few litters ask if they have any pictures of pups from previous litters in their new homes. I used to keep a scrapbook of photos, letters, christmas cards I had received from people who had pups from me, prospective owners always liked to see it.
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Thank you for your help.

I'm looking at bull mastiffs. We have always had boxers but they have been rescue ones from people rather than centres.
Would it put people off if we told them that a reason we want this breed is as a guard dog - It will live indoors with us but would help protect us should someone break into the house or on to our land.
My husband goes away alot and I worry that our elderly boxer sleeps to deeply to hear anyone!
 
Ok, well I think they are prone to (hip dysplasia) HD and perhaps eczema. With the HD, you will be looking for the results of a hip x-ray with 0:0 the lowest and best and I think a total of 100, ie a score of 50 on each hip as the absolute worst.
I would not accept breeding animals (dog or bitch) with a score of a total of 20 or over (I personally would be even more fussy than that, but it's just me)

For me, if someone came to me asking for a GSD as a straight out guard dog, I would say no.
If someone came to me asking for a companion dog, but something that would make itself known on the yard and could protect person and property, I would be slightly more understanding.

TBH 'guard dog' on it's own conjures up a dog who spends a lot of time on its own with not much stimulation, wandering in a yard with little human contact.
 
This is getting boring CC, agree again. If someone told me they wanted a guard dog they wouldn't get a puppy from me, however wanting a family pet/companion who would also guard the family and house is a different matter altogether.
E and J, if you are absolutely honest with breeders I am sure they will have no problem. It might be worth checking Bull mastiff breed clubs to see if they have a code of ethics or similar that approved breeders have to sign, will hopefully help you to find a decent breeder. Good luck and keep us updated.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thank you for your help.

I'm looking at bull mastiffs. We have always had boxers but they have been rescue ones from people rather than centres.
Would it put people off if we told them that a reason we want this breed is as a guard dog - It will live indoors with us but would help protect us should someone break into the house or on to our land.
My husband goes away alot and I worry that our elderly boxer sleeps to deeply to hear anyone!

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe you should get an alarm??
Im all honesty if you said to me you wanted one of my puppies for a guard dog i would say no.
This generally means the dog will be the dominant one in the house and live a purposely aggressive life and thats not a life i would put my dog up for . sorry.
 
Again Thanks.

I completely agree with what you are saying. Primiraly the dog will be our pet, it will live indoors on a cosy bed in the living room. But as I say we are also getting it to make me feel safer when i'm here on my own.
I guess I need to work out my wording before I ring anyone!

I have also read about the Hip scoring but it isn't mentioned in any adverts I've seen. Again I'll keep doing my research.
 
Well if you are looking at pedigrees online, the code will be KC/BVA then 0:0 or 2:3 for example behind the name of each parent.

Maybe bullmastiff breeders might not be so stringent in terms of breeding from scored adults (I have no idea!) but if it is something the breed is prone to in a big way, I would definitely prefer to have a dog from parents relatively clear of HD, it could prevent problems in the long term - big dogs like that have a lot of weight to bear and with joint problems it could make them very uncomfortable.
 
It depends how you interpret the term "guard dog" as I have said above. My 3 dogs will all guard the house, as in they bark if anyone comes to the gate and if pushed I think at least 2 would protect me. However they are not dominant and certainly don't live a purposely aggressive life, but I am sitting here on my own in a rural house and have no worries about being burgled.
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As I understand it this is what the OP is looking for and imagine most breeders won't have a problem with that.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Thank you for your help.

I'm looking at bull mastiffs. We have always had boxers but they have been rescue ones from people rather than centres.
Would it put people off if we told them that a reason we want this breed is as a guard dog - It will live indoors with us but would help protect us should someone break into the house or on to our land.
My husband goes away alot and I worry that our elderly boxer sleeps to deeply to hear anyone!

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe you should get an alarm??
Im all honesty if you said to me you wanted one of my puppies for a guard dog i would say no.
This generally means the dog will be the dominant one in the house and live a purposely aggressive life and thats not a life i would put my dog up for . sorry.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yer I see what your saying, which is why I mentioned it. I think guard dog is the wrong word as it certainly won't lead an aggressive life as I have two young children.
I'm hoping it will be protective of us.
 
[ QUOTE ]
It depends how you interpret the term "guard dog" as I have said above. My 3 dogs will all guard the house, as in they bark if anyone comes to the gate and if pushed I think at least 2 would protect me. However they are not dominant and certainly don't live a purposely aggressive life, but I am sitting here on my own in a rural house and have no worries about being burgled.
smile.gif
As I understand it this is what the OP is looking for and imagine most breeders won't have a problem with that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Amen. And EEEEP! about the hipscores.

EandJ, like I say, up to you but I personally would try and go for HD clear or low-scored parents
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Really? Meh
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Bloat and torsion are a curse, several of the top GSDs in Ireland have succumbed to these in recent years.


(Always advised - do not feed or excessively water within at least an hour, possibly even an hour and a half, of vigorous exercise or car travel, anything exciting, for dogs prone to these two conditions- don't know if that works or not, no experience of it ourselves but know a lot of people who have been hit with it
frown.gif
)
 
We lost a shepherd with bloat, 6 year old male. It was the most terrifying thing, he started blowing up within 10 minutes of eating his meal (no running round or anything). Got him to the vet very quickly and he survived surgery but we lost him 24 hours later, with hindsight poor vet treatment didn't help but outcome may well hve been the same
frown.gif
I am paranoid about keeping mine calm after feeding etc even though it wasn't the cause in his case.
 
I have read about bloat - sounds like an awful illness. I have contacted a lady today who has some pups and I have asked for some advice about feeding etc when I'm there.

She has got mum and dad, so will ask if she has experienced bloat or if she does anything out of the ordinary to prevent it.
I have also contacted another breeder which have been breeding for 20 years and although they don't have any pups at the moment they have offered their knowledge should I ever need it, so any questions I think of I may ask them also.

Getting really really excited now!
 
It is a good idea to speak to a breeder who hasn't a litter at the moment, you should get some unbiased advice. Don't forget to ask to see the actual hip score sheets of the mum and dad when you go to see them. Good luck.
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