What Breed Would Be Best For You and Your Family?

There are two excellent websites we recommend you check before taking this life changing purchase: www.ufaw.org.uk/geneticwelfareproblems.php

This excellent website has a list of pedigree dogs and their known problems – bear in mind that some of these conditions are extremely rare and your puppy is by no means certain or even necessarily likely to develop it! Other species, such as cats, rabbits, horses, guinea pigs are also covered in this website. Another useful website is: www.dogbreedhealth.com

“The website is an excellent way of informing the public of what to look for when buying a puppy or dog and provides easy to understand information on health issues. Really anyone thinking about taking on the responsibility of owning a dog should look at this website to ensure they know what it entails and what pitfalls there are when making a breed choice.” Neil Parish MP, Chairman of the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW)

Choosing the right pup from the right litter

Checking out those puppies:

There are golden rules we suggest you follow when choosing a puppy, whether it be from a pedigree breeder, a dog’s home or from a family home:

• Certain breeds have known genetic problems ie hip dysplasia in German Shepherds. By only using dogs and bitches who are free of these problems can mean the condition can be eliminated. When choosing a pup ask the breeder if the parents have had the relevant checks and have been deemed clear of the condition. IF IN DOUBT TELEPHONE US AT CHURNET VALLEY VETS AND WE WILL ADVISE YOU OF THE QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK. Only buy from a responsible and reputable breeder.

• Choose the cocky puppy from the litter – being softies we humans tend to favour the ‘underdog’ and go for the puppy who is cowering under the table and won’t come out when you approach them. If you are an experienced dog owner and do not have children then this pup may be the challenge you relish, but if you are a first time owner and have children then perhaps you would be better choosing the confident puppy who is not likely to suffer from fear aggression in a family situation.

• Insist on meeting the pup’s mum if possible – puppies learn everything they know from their mum and if she is unsocialised in the house and distrustful of humans then she will pass this on to her pups. If the mum and pups have been socialised in a house with lots of people-contact then the puppy will be better adjusted when taken away from the security of the litter. It’s a good sign if the bitch allows you to handle the pups and they are comfortable with this. It is not often possible to meet the dad, but if you can it is useful to check that he does not have any aggression problems.

• The socialisation period, ie the first twelve weeks of a pup’s life, is hugely important in affecting how the pup will react to new and potentially stressful situations for the rest of its life. It is important that the pup is exposed to lots of different stimuli, in a comfortable way (if the pup is stressed with lots of different stimuli in this period, then it has a negative effect on the pup). If the puppy is being well socialised in the breeder’s home then it is good if they can stay with their mum until they are about 8 weeks old. If you are concerned that the pups are not being socialised, you may be best getting the pup as early as six weeks and taking the time to socialize the puppy yourself.

The time you put into your pup in the first few months is hugely influential on the chances of success of the relationship between your new pup and your family. Do you have the time and commitment to do this work?