Should A Puppy Be Vaccinated?

Question

I have just spent a lot of money on a puppy. I spent a long time researching a reputable breeder. On the website it says that all puppies have their first innoculation. When I checked on Saturday the breeder told me he hadn't. The puppy was also brought out to me and I never got the chance to see him with its mother.

When I arrived she was professionally grooming another dog but the kennel assistant said my pup could do with a bath!

It took me over an hour to travel there and the handover was unbelievably quick - the lady barely spoke apart from answering my question.

I'm really underwhelmed with the customer care and cross for not saying anything at the time.

Teddy is fine and so far in good health but should I bill the breeder for the cost of the first innoculation and should I be unduly worried about not seeing it with its mother?

Oh yes of course he will be
vaccinated - he's booked in for Friday - I just wondered if I would have any come back on the breeder.

Bruce - quoting religious passages doesn't help me - or anyone else on here - one iota. It was a genuine question and from everyone else I got genuine answers. Do us all a favour - yourself included - and go and find some friends at your local place of worship.

Answer 1

For goodness sake! What is all that ^^^^^^^^^^^ about?

Anyway, in answer to the question that was actually asked, my puppy was not given her first innoculation when I collected her either. I think it is breeder's choice really as to whether or not to give it, and of course it would depend on what age the pup is - some vets prefer to wait until 8-10 wks for the first dose.

However, this aside, certainly sounds like you got a pretty rough deal when collecting your pup. Maybe they were short staffed that day and all harrassed? However, you should really get to see a pup with it's mum, how else can you know it's not from a puppy farm with all the unpleasant consequences of that?

All the best to you and your gorgeous new addition, hope the training goes well! x

Answer 2

I'm sure the breeder should have at least let you see it's mother and had a formal chat with you on the pros and cons of the new puppy's care and medical needs, (ie, innoculations) but unfortunately not all breeders are this thoughful, no specific rule stating as to wether the pup should already be inoculated before it leaves the breeder,as it is up to the buyer to makes this the first thing to do regarding the pups first injection, wich is a about 6wks or 6 months old then every 12 months,especialy if the dog and puppies are kennnel club registered,but some breeders only see the money and could'nt care less once the puppy has gone, Anyway good luck with Teddy, and have loas of fun,. what breed is the puppy,?b.t.w.

Answer 3

Does sound as if you've been had - you should have insisted on seeing the mother or walked away. Anyway, you didn't, you bought the pup knowing it hadn't had it's 1st injection so I don't see you have any comeback, despite what it said on the website. Having said that, it's not common practice for a puppy to have 1st innoculations for a number of reasons. I never innoculate mine because most new owners are not local to me, use their own vets who may use a different vaccine with different regimes & that means the pups start their innoculations over again & therefore have unnecessary injections.
If the breeder came to you via a breed club, you could complain to them, other than that there's not a lot you can do - presumably, they weren't a Kennel Club accredited breeder?

Answer 4

if you have proof that they said that the pup would have the first injection then i think you have a case to fight it really wont do any harm to get the place checked out because if the are falsely advertising then they are breaking the law if id of been you i would of refused to take the pup until i had seen the mother i take it that the pup was reg and if it was then get that checked out and see if that is genuine because if its not then report them and get them checked out to see what they are up to who knows they could be running a puppy farm so what do you have to lose they should of give the pup a bath before you took the pup from there i groom all my pups before they leave to go to the new owner, and if i was you i would pop the pup to the vet and get him checked out get him wormed, its realy bad because some breeders don't care all they want is the money , and another thing if the pup is KC reg call the kennel club with the reg number and they will tell you if its genuine or not and if not then you will have to sue the breeder as they are false advertising and its against the law good luck with the pup

Answer 5

Sounds like your search for a reputable breeder did not go well. You have been fooled. Now that you have the puppy, please keep him away from other dogs, pet stores, dog parks etc until his immune system is older (10 to 12 weeks).
Do some research on Vaccines and don't over do them. LOTS of info available out there. I suggest no multi vaccines and finding a vet who will do them individually to maxamize protection and reduce risk of adverse reactions. Google Pet vaccines and take the time to read the loads of info about the dangers of pet vaccines and make educated decision on the protocol you choose. Look for a vet to work with you on what you decide.
It's shame you did not find a better breeder but it's a little late now unless you are up to returning him. Good luck.

Answer 6

I think you are right to be worried. Kennels are responsible for the first innoculations, I always understood that it was included in the cost of the puppy. You are also right to believe that it is advisable to see the mother of the pup. This set up sounds horribly like a puppy farm. Your best bet is to get Teddy thoroughly checked out by your vet and tell him of your concerns. You haven't said whether he is a pedigree or not. If so, you should have been given a certificate showing his mother, father etc etc. Don't worry too much though about Teddy - the vet will make sure that there are no problems.
PS I'm bemused by Brice's totally irrelevent and inappropriate religious rant. He should keep it for 'Religion and Folklore.
Best of luck.

Answer 7

Jeez Figgy,i feel like screaming for you.Of course your puppy should have been vaccinated,and have 6 weeks insurance cover.You should have seen the mother to find out what your pup might turn out like.
This kind of treatment toward a genuine caring buyer makes me mad as hell.Give the breeder a call and tell her it's not the done thing to advertise a puppy that will be inoculated,and then sell it without health cover.
What if the pup catches something and is not protected?If you haven't taken your puppy to the vet yet ,go a.s.a.p.for it's first shot,then it will need a booster in 6 weeks time.
I think you have been treated in a appalling way.Speak to this breeder if it's only to give her a piece of your mind.I doubt you will get her to pay toward the cost of the inoculation but it's worth a try.
I'm having a pup in 2 weeks time,the breeder is giving the pup the first inoculation,6 weeks insurance,food,puppy pack,a blanket with the mothers smell on and of course the full pedigree.We have spoken every week,and he has sent pictures,and email videos.
I hope your little pup is fine You just need to get him checked out with the vet,for your own peace of mind.

Answer 8

A puppy should have it's first injection between the ages of 6-12 weeks as they will have lost the immunity that the b1tch has given them. I wouldn't bother chasing up money from this so-called breeder, but I do think you have been led up the garden path, this breeder isn't reputable, as you would have been allowed to see mum with the puppies long before you bought him, you don't say what breed your puppy is? if it is one of the larger breeds then I would be worried about hip/elbow problems in fact most breeds can have problems of some kind, which is why we go to reputable breeders, so that we can see hip and elbow score certificates (or similar) of both dam and sire, and indeed the breeder, (heaven forbid that the puppy developed any problems) would want to be informed, as this information goes towards sifting out where the problem lies!
I hope your puppy continues to be in good health.

Answer 9

You need to inform AKC& put a comment on their webpage as to what you saw & how you were treated. The public needs to know that this may be an illegal or inhumane puppy "mill" type of activity. It wouldn't hurt to also let the humane society for her county know about her business practices.
On a brighter note, you've saved a pup from a bad start. If that's the way they run their business, you're not going to get anything from them. Not reimbursement nor information. Most reputable breeders will give pups their 1st shots at 6 weeks & in their contract, will say that you as the new owner, will have your vet check the pup within 3-5 days. Obviously, that didn't happen. So you need to have him checked, get his shots, deworm him & get him on heartworm preventative. This is the best thing you can do for your new buddy & just love him. I do recommend neutering him at 6 months to control the pet population. You don't really know what his family tree is like & you don't want to breed litters that may have a genetic condition.

Answer 10

Hello Figgy!
Congratulations on your new puppy! What kind of puppy did you get?
Yes, shots are very important! My puppy is now just over a year old! I've taken her to our city's animal control, and they've given her all her shots! The shots cost me only $10 for each set! They also have a traveling vet that comes out and does spay/neuters ! You need to keep track of all your puppy shots in order to get a dog license, and also for obedience classes! It's all a part of being a responsible pet owner! The animal control people are good people to get to know! That's why we pay taxes!
About the bath? I asked my obedience instructor how often I should bathe my dog? She said "Never! Only when needed!" I thought that was an interesting statement! I learn more from Yahoo Answers than anything! Have fun!