So you've decided you're ready for a new puppy. What's next? Here are some helpful tips to get you started choosing your next best friend.
Adopt
The decision to adopt or shop should be made on personal and lifestyle factors. Dogs from shelters often have an unknown background, and if you adopt a puppy you may not know how big it will grow and whether you will have the space to keep it. If you have allergies or want a short hair dog, you may want to consider the fact that a puppy may end up with more coat than expected. If you wish to adopt an adolescent or adult dog remember it may have behaviour issues or may have been a victim of abuse or neglect in the past. Remember to check with your nominated shelter to check your adopted dog has the right temperament for your home and family (ie is good with cats, children etc if you have any). There is nothing wrong with these dogs, but they will need the right home and a dedicated, and preferably experienced, owner. If the shelter finds a suitable match and you bring your adopted dog or puppy to training along with providing plenty of exercise or stimulus you should have no problems. Remember, sometimes shelters may find it hard to find time to thoroughly evaluate your needs or simply be overcrowded and desperate to send you home with a dog. If you don't feel they have paid enough attention to your specific needs, contact us for a puppy consult and we can determine which shelter dog suits you.
Shop
If you choose to shop, we have created the following list to help you do so responsibly.
We Know You're Eager but Check the Breeder
We generally find it best to purchase from an ANKC registered breeder. Beware of some breeders calling themselves 'registered' as anyone can technically register with the local council and this is not the same. To find a list of ANKC breeders, you can visit this helpful website where all advertisers must have ANKC registration.
Temperament and Environment Testing
Always ask to visit your pup and its parents at their home in order to see the environment they are kept in. If a breeder is dubious of allowing you to visit, it could be because the conditions your puppy is being raised in are not up to scratch. You should be able to ascertain whether the pups are well socialised when you meet them. Are they scared of new people? Don't seem use to be petted? It's possible the breeder hasn't had much interaction with them, which is not ideal. Puppy socialisation takes place mostly between 4 and 12 weeks where a pup has become inquisitive and begins to explore. If they seem like they have been kept in a cage, and are not use to people, there is a good chance they have lacked some socialisation and maybe a handful later on. Visiting your pup in its home is also the best way to meet its mother. Often you may not be able to meet a sire as he will belong to another breeder, so it is imperative you pay attention to the mother's temperament. Is she nervous? High energy? Barking a lot? All these things may reflect in your puppy, both from a genetic standpoint, but also as an example of how they have been raised and socialised.
Still confused? That's ok! We can come visit your future puppy or dog with you and determine a suitable match, simply get in touch.
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