Buying a New Puppy?
Hot off the press!
Introducing Pup Aid - The Glasto for Dogs!
Sunday 19th September - Brighton
You have to go to this event, whether you are a dog lover, a music lover or both... This is the must go to event of the year!
Tickets go on sale on 1st Aug 2010, so be the first in the queue and register your interest at:
Buying a new puppy can be one of the most exciting things imaginable. Therefore, it is really important that you choose the right pup for your household and lifestyle. This can be a daunting task for any owner, experienced or otherwise. There is a mine of information available on the internet for prospective owners. I would encourage you to contact breed clubs and gather as much information as you can about the breed you are interested in, such as: How much exercise and food they need? Are they generally good with children etc? Reputable breeders will also be happy to talk about their breed and help you decided whether it is the right breed for you.
When you have settled on your breed, you may find that the breeder has a waiting list for the pups, this is quite common and you will find that your patience will pay off in the end. Before settling on a breeder make sure you do your homework, ask for recommendations from previous customers. If you are in any doubt whatsoever, walk away. It is my experience that responsible breeders will question you for your suitability just as much as you them, if not more as they want their pups to go the very best homes.
The one golden rule is to always insist on seeing the pups with their Mother. Accept no excuses, however feasible they sound. "I'm sorry the mother is very over protective and may bite you" is a common one, and vaguely pointing to a dog across the yard is not good enough either. Every good breeder will understand your concerns, so please do not feel too embarrassed to ask.
It is a sad fact that puppy farms still exist in the UK and although the puppy farmers rarely sell directly to the public, they use a network of dealers, pet shops and internet sites to distribute the puppies and they also issue fake pedigrees and vaccination cards. Puppy farm dogs are very often sickly and leave the owners with huge Veterinary bills or worse still, die shortly after the owner brings them home, please do not let it be your heart that is broken.
For more information on puppy farms please visit SPEC - Stop Puppy Farming - End the Cruelty at www.stoppuppyfarming.com
