New Puppy Questions

[alexanderbezza]

Hi everyone, looking for some help with some of the questions we should be asking regarding purchasing a new puppy.

Specifically, around a grace period if the puppy has health issues, KC registration check etc. We have a list of questions, but just want to be sure we don't miss anything.

We are looking at a dachshund - if that helps!

Thank you in advance for your help and advice.

 

[JoanneF]

The first thing is about health tests for mum and dad. Not just a vet check but proper tests - there are several depending on whether the dog is standard or miniature; and wire, long or short coated. However you would want both parents to be clear of von Willebrands disease and to have had X-ray tests for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) between the ages of two and four.

Also (as with most popular breeds) it is really important to familiarise yourself on how to recognise a puppy farmed dog. Please be very careful - puppy farmers often sell puppies from what appears to be a family home (with kids, family photos etc) but it's actually just a front to disguise what they are doing. Would you recognise a puppy farmed dog? Questions to ask yourself include - how did you find the breeder? If it was through anything like Gumtree or Facebook, these are red flags. Definitely see mum and pups together, make sure mum looks like she has given birth - if she doesn't have large treats and nipples you are probably seeing a fake mum and the real mum is in a filthy cage in a barn. And don't think that you are 'rescuing' the puppy from farmers, you are just lining their pocket and freeing up space for the next litter.

Hopefully the pups you look at will be all above board but please read these articles.

What Does a Puppy Farm REALLY Look Like? Could YOU tell?

Animal Welfare Site

Get to know good breeders, go to shows, talk to them, ask questions and expect to be asked questions yourself too.

 

[Biker John]

One thing I have found out over the years and buying quite a few pups. A good breeder will be asking you a lot of questions, making sure you are fit to take one of their pups. If, when you see them, their only concern is if you can pay then I would say leave them alone.

 

[alexanderbezza]

The first thing is about health tests for mum and dad. Not just a vet check but proper tests - there are several depending on whether the dog is standard or miniature; and wire, long or short coated. However you would want both parents to be clear of von Willebrands disease and to have had X-ray tests for Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) between the ages of two and four.

Also (as with most popular breeds) it is really important to familiarise yourself on how to recognise a puppy farmed dog. Please be very careful - puppy farmers often sell puppies from what appears to be a family home (with kids, family photos etc) but it's actually just a front to disguise what they are doing. Would you recognise a puppy farmed dog? Questions to ask yourself include - how did you find the breeder? If it was through anything like Gumtree or Facebook, these are red flags. Definitely see mum and pups together, make sure mum looks like she has given birth - if she doesn't have large treats and nipples you are probably seeing a fake mum and the real mum is in a filthy cage in a barn. And don't think that you are 'rescuing' the puppy from farmers, you are just lining their pocket and freeing up space for the next litter.

Hopefully the pups you look at will be all above board but please read these articles.

What Does a Puppy Farm REALLY Look Like? Could YOU tell?

Animal Welfare Site

Get to know good breeders, go to shows, talk to them, ask questions and expect to be asked questions yourself too.

Fantastic advice, thank you so very much Joanne. Really appreciate it.

 

[JudyN]

A good breeder will also take the pup back if things don't work out, so I'd ask about that too - though in a way that doesn't sound like you are going to bail out as soon as the pup wees on your best rug or chews your remove control.

 

[Buddy1]

I would also recommend that you contact the breed club of whichever type of dachshund you are looking for. They should be able to offer more advice on what to look for, especially regarding health tests (sometimes it is also a case of knowing what the test results should be showing you). The breed club will also be able to guide you in the right direction when looking for breeders or recommending shows to visit.


As for the KC registration, while registration is no guarantee that the parents have been health tested, it does provide you with some other guarantees of good breeding practice. You can check KC registration details online (need to register for free with MyKC first). This will give you details of the parents (and grandparents), recorded health tests, previous litters etc.

Good luck in your search. We have a family member who has a long-haired standard dachshund. He is such a lovely dog.

 

[alexanderbezza]

I would also recommend that you contact the breed club of whichever type of dachshund you are looking for. They should be able to offer more advice on what to look for, especially regarding health tests (sometimes it is also a case of knowing what the test results should be showing you). The breed club will also be able to guide you in the right direction when looking for breeders or recommending shows to visit.


As for the KC registration, while registration is no guarantee that the parents have been health tested, it does provide you with some other guarantees of good breeding practice. You can check KC registration details online (need to register for free with MyKC first). This will give you details of the parents (and grandparents), recorded health tests, previous litters etc.

Good luck in your search. We have a family member who has a long-haired standard dachshund. He is such a lovely dog.

Thank you so much!

 

[alexanderbezza]

One thing I have found out over the years and buying quite a few pups. A good breeder will be asking you a lot of questions, making sure you are fit to take one of their pups. If, when you see them, their only concern is if you can pay then I would say leave them alone.

Thank you John, really good advice.