Buying a Puppy? Ask the Breeder These 6 Questions First
It's important to do your research when looking for your new dog. Here are the key things to ask a breeder before buying a puppy.
So, you’ve decided to add a furry new addition to your family — how exciting! But, before you go falling in love, it’s essential to do your research first. Unfortunately, not all breeders are ethical, which means it’s up to you to make sure you’re buying a puppy from one that is.
After all, your new four-legged friend could be with you for 15 years (or more!), so it’s not the time to bargain hunt. Below, we’ll arm you with six questions you should always ask a breeder.
Ask These 6 Questions When Meeting Your Breeder
1. Have Both Parents Been Checked for Health Conditions?
Make sure your new puppy’s parents (and grandparents, for that matter) are clear of all major health complications. At a minimum, check for eye, heart, elbow and hip clearances, and don’t be afraid to ask for certificates either!
2. How Often Do You Breed?
Watch out for breeders who say they produce litters every heat cycle — this is too often! Frequent breeding is terrible for the mother’s health and clearly shows that the breeder is more interested in profit-making than the dog’s wellbeing.
3. Are the Puppies Happy and Healthy?
Puppies should appear healthy with no signs of discharge from their eyes or noses, no loose stool or bad-smelling ears. Their coats should be shiny and clean, have plenty of energy to play, and be of a healthy weight.
4. Can I Visit the Puppies at Home?
Puppies should be raised in a home — not a kennel, barn, or backyard. Breeders who don’t allow you to see puppies at their home are a red flag and are likely running a puppy farm.
5. Can You Prove References?
A good breeder should willingly provide you with the names and contact numbers of other people who’ve purchased a puppy from them. Walk away if they’re unable or unwilling to do so.
6. Have the Puppies Been Checked By a Vet?
Puppies should be at least eight weeks old before going to new homes — this is vital for their health and social development. During this time, they should be vet checked, get their first shots, and have started deworming treatments with an effective puppy suspension or tablet to protect them against gastrointestinal worms.
Where to From Here?
A breeder might not get every answer 100%, but you should never settle for more than one or two negative responses. If you’ve done your research and are happy with all of the information, you’re one step closer to taking home your new furry bundle of joy.
So What’s Next?
Before you buy your new puppy, write down everything you’ll need to purchase for them — including Drontal® Puppy Suspension and Drontal Allwormer® tablets. Nursing puppies can pick up intestinal worms from their mother and are at a higher risk of complications due to their developing immune systems. Drontal® protects your pup from multiple intestinal worm groups (more than most brands on the market).
You’ll need to treat your puppy at two, four, six, eight, 10, and 12 weeks, then every month until six months of age. Thereafter, you’ll need to treat every three months or on veterinary advice to keep those pesky parasites at bay!
