Can I see the puppies with their mum?
Be sure mum is a nice, friendly dog because temperament can be inherited.
She might be defensive of her puppies so take that into account. If you’re not
allowed to see them together, it might be that they’re not really her puppies!
How old are the puppies?
They must be at least seven to eight weeks old to leave their mother.
Are the puppies weaned?
At seven weeks they should be fully weaned. If they are not, they could be
younger than the breeder claimed.
How old is mum?
To breed from a bitch (especially if KC) If Mum isn't over 2 years old, then the Kennel Club would not KC the litter. It is also important to make sure that the Mum isn't too old.
How many litters has mum had?
It is against the law to breed a bitch more than six times in her lifetime.
If the breeder breeds frequently they are required to have a licence.
Have the puppies been wormed?
All puppies have worms at birth. Worming should start with the breeder at
about two weeks old, be repeated every two weeks and be continued by you.
Have the puppies had any vaccinations? If so, when is the next dose due?
Puppies should be vaccinated at 6-9 weeks of age and then again at 10-12
weeks. They will become fully protected two weeks after the second vaccination.
You will need to do this if the breeder has not.
Does the puppy look healthy – clean eyes, ears and bottom?
If the puppy is unwell, collect him another day. If he’s still ill then, do
not take him and try another breeder.
What should I feed my puppy?
A good breeder will give you enough food to continue exactly the same diet
for a couple of days. They should also give you a diet sheet that shows how
feeding should change as your puppy grows.
What sort of socialisation or experiences has my puppy had so far?
Puppies should preferably be raised in a home environment with all the
noise and through traffic of a normal home. Those raised in kennels away from
the house will need more intensive socialisation training to ensure they can
cope with daily life as a pet. If puppies have already met other dogs, domestic
animals and people they will have more confidence than those that have not.
Can I return the puppy if there are any health problems?
You should take your new puppy to a vet for a health check within 48 hours.
A good breeder will offer to take the puppy back at any point should you be
unable to keep him.
Is the puppy Kennel Club registered?
If so, make sure you are given the registration certificate and pedigree
when you pick up your puppy. You should also get some free health insurance for
the first few weeks.
When can I take the puppy home?
It is absolutely essential to see the puppies with their mother. Some
unscrupulous people claiming to be breeders might in fact be dealers who have
bought the pups in. They are likely to be poorly bred, might be ill and are
usually too young to leave their exhausted, ill-treated mothers. If they
survive, these puppies rarely make good pets, and you will be fuelling this
cruel trade where money is the priority and welfare of the dog is ignored.