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

Ruffles_2

blue_monkey wrote: »

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.

Is this the breeder with 6 different breeds? Do they all live in the house?

What was their reason for breeding this litter and why did they think the 2 dogs they owned were the most suitable match? Do they show or work their dogs?

Have mum and dad been health tested and have you seen the results? How old is mum and what breed if you don't mind saying?

blue_monkey_2

Are you going to tell me off like that other lady did? I am actually hesitant to say.

A blue Staffie.

Ruffles_2

These are the health tests a responsible breeder should be carrying out on Staffordshire Bull Terriers:

Hereditory cataract - genetic test
L2HA - genetic test
PHPV - screening test
PPSC - screening test annual
Hip score

Have both parents had all the above tests?

foreign_correspondent

ok, well, the upside of that (as a potential buyer) is that lots of people are breeding them, so there is a lot of choice... however, the downside is that a lot of people are breeding them, quite indiscriminately, and many are more interested in colour than temprement or health.

Blue staffies currently command a bit of a premium price wise, but this time next year they will be out of fashion and it will be another colour, or another breed... and you can be sure many of these breeders will be breeding Husky's or somehting similar in a year or two. Many of them have little knowledge about the breed, and these are best avoided.

Before breeding both parents should have been seen by a vet, not just or a general health check but specifically they should have had eye screening, and DNA tests (HC N one and L2-HGA) should have been carried out, as a minimum. Sme info here: http://www.staffords.co.uk/sbtbc/health_issues.htm

The pups should also be being wormed etc on proper wormers from the vets - many breeders dont even bother with this.

Advice on buying a staffordshire pup here:
http://www.staffords.co.uk/sbtbc/buying_advice.htm

blue_monkey_2

Ruffles wrote: »

Is this the breeder with 6 different breeds? Do they all live in the house?

What was their reason for breeding this litter and why did they think the 2 dogs they owned were the most suitable match? Do they show or work their dogs?

Have mum and dad been health tested and have you seen the results? How old is mum and what breed if you don't mind saying?

GG no, would not have touched that breeder - this is why I started asking here, I could not see how someone with 6 breeds littered in the space of a few months could be deemed 'accredited'.

They had their own pets, 2 blue staffs and a rotweiler who lived in the house with them - the staffs are the parents. The girl is 2 (first litter) and the boy is 3. They just said they wanted her to have one litter.

No, I did not ask about the health checks, they showed me some papers, I am going back on Tuesday again and will ask then. As I say, I am deliberately not taking money with me for now as I know my heart will over rule my head.

This woman has freaked me out and I'd probably not be asking any of this otherwise - I do not care a jot about pedigrees or anything, I just want a family dog.

shegirl

Oh it's a nightmare isn't it!When I started looking for a pup I got all the 'you should get a rescue dog,don't buy from a breeder and never get a pedigree' stuff,then I got different 'advice' from others.It can get quite frustrating!

I can honestly say though that not all breeders and dogs registered with the KC are good or healthy.My mother bred our spaniels to a ridiculous extent,treated them badly and the dam,dear love her,was completely blind from birth,had hip problems and a back so flat you could use it as a coffee table,she walked funny and was even bred when she developed heart problems.But all the pups were KC registered and my 'mother' made good money from it all:mad:

The breeders I found through the KC all seemed to breed several different breeds of dog which put me off.I did however find a breeder through a recommendation from a local dog owner and our darling pup will be coming home in a few weeks:D The breeders have been brilliant,the dogs are kept within the home,they are well socialised with the kids,real family pets,very well trained (especially considering Beagles are often deemed as awful to train),incredibly friendly and just pure gorgeous They're used to other animals being around too which is great.The breeders asked lots of quesetions and gave lots of breed information aswell as standard info and advice and are keen to ensure that all soon-to-be owners will microchip etc aswell as asking about vets,whether there will eb insurance and enough money to give all is needed for the pups,lifestyle etc.They also sent photos when the pups were born,allow me to visit the pups weekly to see our little lad and best of all they have been desensitizing pup to the noises my autistic son can make They have been truely amazing and I cannot wait to bring our little four legged,waggy tailed bundle of joy home:D

foreign_correspondent

I dont care about pedigrees either - but I do care about people breeding from unfit dogs without little care for the parents or pups welfare.

You are right to take your time and to be wary. On this board recently there has been a very sad thread about a dog with hip dysplasia and an owner who cannot afford the operation their dog needs - often this is hereditary, and many of the dogs who suffer from it do so because they were bred from parents who didnt have a good hip score.

Much suffering can be avoided by not indiscrimnately breeding... if these people own both parents, the chances are they have mated tham through convenience, rather than carefully selecting the best dog to breed with their b1tch, so do be careful here.

blue_monkey_2

OK, thank you. This is what I need to know, I'll print these out and take them with me on Tuesday.

Thank you for not telling me off and judging me. I've wanted this breed and colour dog for a long time, it's not just a whim and it is not just fashion, I decided to wait until the time was right. I just want to make sure I do get it right.

Shegirl, see this to me sounds like the perfect place to get a dog from too. What a shame for your mothers spaniel though, I guess you are right in that you cannot tell.

Hope you enjoy your new baby.

shegirl

blue_monkey wrote: »

OK, thank you. This is what I need to know, I'll print these out and take them with me on Tuesday.

Thank you for not telling me off. I've wanted this breed and colour dog for a long time, it's not just a whim and it is not just fashion, I decided to wait until the time was right.

Shegirl, see this to me sounds like the perfect place t get a dog from too. What a shame for your mothers spaniel though, I guess you are right in that you cannot tell.

Hope you enjoy your new baby.

Oh I will as will ds who says 'my friend' every time he looks at the photos and sees him:D Melts my heart tbh!

Hope you enjoy yours when you get her too

Ruffles_2

Have you seen Lola here, says she's good with kids and other dogs.

http://www.sbtrescue.co.uk/dogsneedinghomes.htm