Advice for buying a dog

tom717

Hi

I'm looking to buy a dog for the first time but want to make sure I do it responsibly. What should I be aware of / look out for? I am used to having dogs from when I lived with my parents but never had to buy one myself.

Some of the adverts I have seen look dodgy.

Mojisola

Get a dog from a rehoming centre instead of buying from dodgy adverts.

Dunroamin

Definitely buy a dog from a refuge rather than privately and think what sort of dog will fit in best with your lifestyle.

thorsoak

1. First of all, look at what sort of dog you want - what sort of dog will suit your lifestyle - contact the Kennel Club or go to ww.champdogs.co.uk and have a look there at breeds, their characteristics etc.

2. Once you've decided what sort of dog will suit you, then approach breeders - you may well have to go on to a waiting list, but anything in life is worth waiting for! Be prepared to be given the third degree before being accepted by a breeder.

3. You may conclude that a puppy is not for you - in which case, go to a breed rescue and go on to their lists.

Please don't fall for any of the dodgy adverts, and be aware of the fact that puppy farms aren't necessarily farms! Always ask a breeder "what was the reason that you bred this litter?" Good breeders will breed only when they themselves want a puppy!

Good luck!

thorsoak

Be aware of some "Rehoming/Rescue" places - with the best will and intentions in the world,some of them are actually financing puppy farms in Ireland and Wales:(

Dimey

Read up about the qualities of different breeds to suit your lifestyle, budget and environment. There are threads on here that discuss the qualities of different breeds.

Consider how often you can walk a dog and where you can walk it, what room you have in your home and how much you can afford to spend on food & vets fees & insurance. Consider whether you have a smart home where you don't want dogs who shed hair & slobber.

Find out about puppy training classes locally and make sure you dedicate the time to attend regularly. Ask other dog owners which vet they recommend so you start off with a good one.

Yes buy from a refuge/re-homing centre, not a puppy farm or pet shop. You'll find a list of centres near you online. They'll let you know about vaccinations, worming etc.

How exciting. You're going to have such fun.

tom717

When I said dodgy adverts I meant the private sellers who seem to have umpteen breeds available. I'm not going to use one of those.

Have seen an advert for an 18 month crossbreed, so not going to be a puppy farm, but he looks so cute I think we might go and see him. If he doesn't seem right for us we'll go to rehoming centre.

warmhands.coldheart

look at re-homeing...... I got a pure bread German Shephard from a local authority pound for £10. Was due to be put down the next week and the guy running the place just wanted it to go as he couldn't bear the thought of putting such a great dog down. Got him neutered for £10 through Dogs Trust and Micro chipped for free through Dogs Trust.

Pechow

Also, remember there are breed-specific rescues if there's a breed you're particularly interested, and that rescues don't only have old dogs with behaviour problems. Puppies and young dogs are often dumped too, and neither of my dogs-first a seven year old Border Collie, then a 9 month BC cross-had any issues. The first was actually the best dog I've ever known.

JencParker

If you can travel to London I would recommend going to Discover Dogs 9 - 10 November 2013
http://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/
You will be able to meet the different breeds and talk to breeders within their respective breeds about their needs, whether they would suit your lifestyle and also how to find a good breeder, including what health tests the parents should have had before being bred.

I would avoid the freeads like the plague, they are full of byb and puppy farmers (and they often dupe potential buyers by coming across as friendly people who have bred the family pet.

A good breeder will have a lot of knowledge about the breed, will be telling you the health tests that their dogs have had (not a standard health check from the vet), these are specialist tests, and will be asking as many questions about you and your situation as you will ask them - and they will expect you to ask them. Any enquiry I have that just asks how much is ignored .

If you are looking to rehome from a rescue centre, then a visit to http://www.dogpages.org.uk/ will give you a list of both general and breed specific rescues in your area. Be aware that getting a rescue means that you will have no history of the dog both for health and temperament and can vary from just taking time to settle and build a relationship to have to put a great deal of work into them. They can however, be very rewarding. The rescue I volunteer for says the following and I think it sums it up nicely.

Note to adopters:

Lassie, Rin Tin Tin and Toto don't show up in rescue. We don't get the elegantly coiffed, classically beautiful, completely well trained, perfect dog. Many never had good veterinary care, kind or consistent training, or sufficient company. Some have lived outside, or left alone for many hours every day. When rehomed they're scared or depressed and anxious and will act out of character but time, patience and love will solve this. When you take on a rescue dog you need to be 100% committed to making it work, “ride the storm” but don't ever give up. We at rescue never give up on a dog. We know that a dog is a living being, with a spirit and a heart and feelings. Our dogs are not commodities, things, or garbage. They are part of life’s sacred creation and they deserve as much love and care and respect as Lassie, Rin Tin Tin or Toto. So please, please don't come to rescue in the hopes of getting a "bargain," or "a fully trained dog”. Come to Rescue to give, to love, to save a life -- and to mend your own spirit. For Rescue will reward you in ways you never thought possible. We can promise you this -- a rescue dog
will make you a better person

UKTigerlily

I'm sure Krlyr will be along soon with some excellent advice, i'd make a list of what you do & don't want in a dog & also what you don't mind either way & then read up on breeds, also the Discover Dogs mentioned above is an excellent place to see all breeds & chat to owners of them

With me I did my research & a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was the breed for me, went to a rescue as I knew I could in no way have a Pup & ended up with a Staffy x, i've had her for 4 1/2 years now & she's been amazing, never barks, walks well on a lead, house trained, friendly, can be left when I go out & doesn't chew, travels well. Her only issues have been not wanting to eat a few times when I got her which soon sorted itself & she's nervous of other dogs but that's not a problem for me

Please do consider a rescue, they have dogs of all ages from Pups to elderly & the smaller rescues seem to have less blanket bans, mine were much more interested in the home I could give to a dog & matched me with the right dog for me taking into account what I was looking for, they got it spot on

I'd avoid Preloved/Gumtree type websites & ads in shop windows or the local paper, the Kennel Club breed secretary can point you to breeders that may have litters if it's a Pedigree Pup you want.