What should I look for?
What should I look for when examining the dog?
When selecting a new puppy, choose one that is lively and affectionate and willing to interact with you. A listless, withdrawn puppy may prove to be a liability. A responsible breeder will always give you the opportunity to see all the puppies of the litter with the bitch and allow you to handle them. A similar choice should be made at a re-homing centre. Most of the better quality centres will have assessed the temperament of the dog and may be able to advise you.
What questions should I ask?
- You should ask about any previous vaccinations, and whether the dog has been identified with a microchip? There should be signed certification to prove this. Check when the next vaccination is due. Also check if the vaccine used is of a reputable type, and not “homeopathic”. Click here to find out more.
- Ask about worming – how often and what products have been used? Also find out what treatments have been used to control skin parasites – the name of the product and frequency of use?
- Ask about what diet the puppy has been given, and where possible try to continue with the same one initially to avoid too many changes at once. You should be provided with a written recommended diet sheet.
- Has the dog / puppy or litter suffered from any illnesses and are they on any medication at the present time?
- Where has the dog / puppy been raised? Has it been exposed to contact with people, children, other dogs or cats?
- In the case of a re-homed dog, is there anything about its previous history that you should know? Has it suffered from any known disease or injury in the past? Are there any known behaviour issues?
- In the case of a pedigree puppy, you should be supplied with a kennel club registration certificate and a pedigree detailing your dog’s ancestry. You should ask about any screening for genetic diseases and be supplied with appropriate certification (see below).
