Advice on getting the right puppy and The Kennel Club. please

blue_monkey_2

New_Collier wrote: »

Don't give up! I do think two dogs are better than one.

Have you considered a rescue dog?

We have two dogs, got from a local animal shelter a few years ago. Both were innoculated, chipped and neutered, and both had been psychologically profiled by the shelter's dog whisperer. The psych information they provided was remarkably accurate. Several years on, the dogs, although very different, are an excellent match for our family, and for each other.
I know some people thing the only 'good' dogs are pedigrees - but our mutts are super family dogs and are healthy and fit. [hybrid / crossbreed rigor is what our vet called it!] But if you want a particular breed of dog - there are plenty of breed rescue centres out there too. You probably won't get the certificates but from what you say - you wouldn't need them anyway.

So why not consider a trip to a dog rescue shelter - the dog you really want may be there, needing a new home. And the small fee you pay will help them with their vital work.

LOL, I do too. We have one dog - what more do we need (apart from the extra money) the house and garden are now 'dog proof' and we have all the extra equipment she outgrew.

I do understand what you are saying, we have a cross breed already and she is wonderful and so good with the children, I just feel she needs a companion to snuggle up to too.

Because has have children most of the rescues will not entertain us and this was the problem we had before when looking for our other dog so we knew this was the only way. There are some smaller ones but half of those never called us back, however, we do need a young dog that will fit into our house and grow with us.

Thanks for listening and helping.

chris_n_tj

First question blue hunnie what breed are you looking for? As you have found just because some one is KK reg it doesnt mean they are good breeders.
Many of us know good breeders dependant on what breed you are looking for.

Chris n TJ X

Just read your last post, believe me there are plenty of puppies in rescue centres x

ka7e

I would say that most good breeders have their dogs KC registered. It shows they are carrying out basic health tests on their breeding stock to keep the breed as disease-free as possible and that their blood-lines are clear and traceable. However, not all KC accredited breeders are good breeders! The Kennel Club rarely checks on the conditions puppies are raised in and has no qualms on registering multiple litters from the same breeder. It does stipulate that female dogs are not bred from too often, but puppy farmers have been known to forge the sire's paperwork, using their own, possibly sub-standard dog!

I think the Kennel Club is a good place to start looking for a puppy, but there are lots of other factors to take into consideration. Ruffles has lots of good advice!

If you go on a waiting list for a puppy, you are not compelled to have a pup once they are born. You are really just registering an interest and a breeder will not expect you to buy a male pup if all the females are spoken for. You should be able to see the mother and be kept up-to-date with the puppies progress before you visit and see if there is a suitable pup for your family. The breeder will supply you with KC registration papers for your pup and transfer of ownership forms and hopefully, lots of back-up information and guidance.

If you have the sire and dam's full kennel names you can check on the KC website that they have had the relevant health checks recorded against them. Full details of the whole litter (who owns the parents, how many were in the litter, DOB etc) can be found in the Breed Register for the period when the pups were born - but you have to pay extra for that.

orlao

BM,

You might have had problems in the past as a lot of the rescues won't rehome to families where the children are under 5 but your kids are older than that now! Might be worth having a look again?

blue_monkey_2

Well, I am back from the visit, I called up and pretty much called in straightaway so that they did not have time to 'prepare' (one of my worries) but it was a house and it was clear that all the dogs lived in the house with the family and they were very friendly and mum and dad were more than happy for the pups to be handled by a stranger. I was shown the dads certificate and the pups papers and ownership forms from the KC. Pups were clambering all over the kids and mum and dad were really friendly dogs - pretty much like mmy one I have now. It was their first litter but dad has sired before (I recognised his name). Beautiful dogs. Pups also live with a rottie so are used to having a big dog around.

I am going back again on Tuesday - I deliberately took no money with me this time although I have registered my interest in one of the girls they have and I am going back with a friend to ensure that my heart does not rule my head. There were 2 girls, almost 4 weeks, one was really nervous, the other clambering all over the place and came and crawled up my cardigan and sat on my arm nuzzling my face. I said 'she has chosen me', LOL.

But seriously, would this be an acceptable place to get a puppy from, they answered all questions I asked them - we will be away when they are ready to go but they have said they will hold her for me and will get her jabs done if I want, but I am happy to do that.

You see, this is what I mean about it being so hard. This would be the kind of place I'd get a puppy from I guess as they are moving from a family house into another family house - but is it the right place? And this is why I am torn.

I am going to call the KC tomorrow and speak to them - although I am not 100% sure I trust their 'accredited breeders scheme' in all honesty.

blue_monkey_2

orlao wrote: »

BM,

You might have had problems in the past as a lot of the rescues won't rehome to families where the children are under 5 but your kids are older than that now! Might be worth having a look again?

No, it was because the kids were not teens most of them said no because we wanted a staffie. Wood Green is the only place I can think of to be honest but it's quite a trek for us and it has to be a puppy.

Going to think on things for a few days now. My head is spinning at the moment and I've got to get tea and get the kids homework started.

Its easy to just get one, I just want to do the right thing.

foreign_correspondent

How about a rescue puppy? Some pups are born in rescue, or are given in when the breeder hasnt managed to sell them.

KC accreditation means little on its own as far as I know. The breed club is a good place to start though. Whatever you do, please avoud pet shops - I know your present dog was a pet shop pup, but the lives their parents live are often tragic and miserable, and it really is not ethical to encourage that trade.

there are a few rescue youngsters here:
http://www.dogsblog.com/category/age/0-1-years/

Raksha

Did the breeder ask you any questions - why had you chosen their breed? Your lifestyle? Who lives at home? What would your arrangements be for holidays etc.... And most importantly - do they offer any kind of back up service - what if you can't keep the pup any more? Do the owners of the sire offer the same support?

blue_monkey_2

Not questions as such but yes, we was chatting about why we loved the breed and obout our lives, I was there with them for about 20 minutes and we was talking for the whole time. Going to keep on checking back on here. I forgot to ask about back up but I will do that on Tuesday. Do you mean if my dog does not get on with the pup?

They have both mum and dad so I met them both.

KC - I want this breed, I have wanted one forever but only now is the time right. I know it is superficial to some people but I know I'll just keep on looking and it will niggle away at me until I've finally had a chance to own one of these dogs - I just want to be sure of buying from the right place. These pups are here now, I just want to be sure I am getting from someone reputable and wanted to check out what the kennel club really meant.

In all honesty, papers mean nothing to me, these pups were clearly loved by all the family and this dog will be going on to be a family pet - not a show dog, they do not need fancy names or pieces of papers, we are all just smitten by the breed. However, this woman having a go at me has put me all on edge about everything.

foreign_correspondent

What breed are you looking at? There will be breed specific health checks that should have been carried out on both dam and sire before a decision to breed them is arrived at, and any good breeder will have these and be happy to provide evidence.