What questions should I be asking when I buy a dog?

Question

Hey guys,
We are just doing some research as we hope to be dog owners very soon! We have decided on either a Labrador or German Shepherd puppy.
We have found several people selling them but could you guys please help me with what questions I should ask or what I need to know when we visit the breeder. We want to know as much as we can before we visit a breeder
Many thanks,
Amy x x x

Answer 1

Make sure that you see the puppy (if you are buying a puppy as opposed to a grown dog) with its mother and preferably the father too. Avoid Puppy Farms - research this online. Links attached. Enjoy your dog - man's (& woman's) best friend.

Answer 2

Ok. The first thing you'll want to do is be very observant. Take a look at where the puppies are being kept. See if the puppies are interacting with each other as well as the people that are there looking at them. This will give you an idea of whether or not the puppies are social. You can always socialize your dog later if they don't seem so social when you get him/her. As for questions: ask about aggression in both of the parents. Studies have been done about agression and the blood line instead of it being a learned behavior. If AKC isn't important, then you won't need to ask about that. The main thing to look for is to see if the puppy looks healthy and if they've been checked out by a vet since they were born. Healthy puppies have a little pudgy belly and are pretty active. A puppy that looks skinny and doesn't move around much may be sick or have something else wrong with it.

Answer 3

You need to ask for Certified Genetic Health Tests results and get them FAXED or mailed to you. These include things like eyes, hips, patellas (knees), and more. These tests help rule out epilepsy, auto immune diseases, hip dyplasia, lupus, diabetes and more chronic and painful diseases. Ask what championships are in the blood lines. If they did not do any genetic testing or championships- PLEASE MOVE ON. I know it will be difficult. But think of the owners who buy puppies who are carrying genetic illness. Then those puppies grow up and get very sick, and the owner is heartbroken. The parents of a puppy like that should not have been bred then. That's why all good breeders have to do these tests. The second most important thing to ask about is a CONTRACT. Will any vet bills be covered if your puppy gets sick right away, will the breeder always be willing to take the puppy/dog back, and other questions that a contract will make binding. ALWAYS take a new dog or puppy immediately to the vet. The very next day.

Answer 4

I have a German Shepherd ( Faxon )and I will tell you a couple of things you need to ask the breeder , ask if there is any occurrence of hip dyspepsia in the bloodline and also if there was any pancreatic deficiency cases in the bloodline. My Shepherd ended up with the pancreatic problem when he was a puppy . The choice was to put him down or put him on medication for the rest of his life,naturally I choose to help him. Anything he eats has to be incubated for 15 minutes in the med ( Viokase )beforehand. He is now 6 (human years :)) and doing fine. At first I felt sorry for him not being able to have treats outside of his feeding window but he didn't mind at all . I hope this helps...
P.S. The meds cost 150 dollars every 5 weeks.

Answer 5

You should be able to see (meet) at least one of the parents. You should get a lineage (family tree) if the dog is purebred.
You should find out if the puppy got all the shots and if the breeder ran any tests (some breeds are prone to certain problems) for genetic issues... You should ask if the breeder demands that you neuter/spay the puppy (a good breeder wouldn't want to limit "good stock" by neutering). You should get references - don't just use the yellow pages... you want to ensure you have a puppy without mental issues who will be a nice family dog and grow with your family - not bite the kids or strangers.

Answer 6

Several things come to mind; are their dogs registered, champions, what other activities do their dogs compete in; ask them if their dogs are x-rayed and certified for hip and elbow dysplasia and find out the ratings, ask about guarantees, if they make themselves available for advice if you should need it, ask what they consider to be an ideal home for their puppies, ask if the puppies have been de-wormed and had shots. It's also very important to meet both parents if possible, but the mother for sure and take a look at their facilities. Ask how much human socialization the puppies have gotten - are they kennel raised or have they spent a lot of time with people?

Answer 7

Go to the breeders home and check out their Kennel make sure it's clean and large. Ask if they have a license, has the puppy had all it's shots? be sure to get the records of the shots.( a good breeder will get the shots done). How are the dogs acting? are the moving away from the breeder? or running to them ..does the breeder pet them at all? Are the dogs all clean? If they won't let you look around, move on.

Answer 8

DO NOT buy from a pet store or a roadside stand or a "flea market" environment.

Consider checking out rescue groups, as well - both Labs and German Shepherds are extremely common in Rescue, and you may find a group who has a puppy available.

http://www.petfinder.com

Do your research on what "registered" means. If the breeder you talk to is trying to sell you a dog "registered" with any of these organizations, RUN:

* Continental Kennel Club (CKC, not to be confused with Canadian KC)
* America's Pet Registry Inc (APRI)
* American Canine Association (ACA)
* National Kennel Club (NKC)
* Universal Kennel Club (UKC, not to be confused with United KC)
* APR (American Puppy Registry) (American Pet Registry)
* NAPDR (North American Purebred Dog Registration)
* DRA (Dog Registry of America)

These are basically bogus organizations that will "register" anything, regardless of whether or not there is any proof of parentage. They'd register a goat as a Great Dane if you gave them enough money and "promised" that your animal was a dog. The papers from them are worthless.

Some other great guidelines, HIGHLY recommended reading: http://www.ahkennel.net/beware.htm

Answer 9

It's more a question of what you see. Is mum and dad around or, certainly the mother should be. Have a look at all the pups playing together - if any of the dogs are separated from the pack be cautious. Ask to see all of the papers including their medical details - have they had all the required jabs etc. Search the internet for website on the breed - quite often there will be a special website for that particular breed and they will give details of recommended breeders in your area. DO NOT buy a puppy from a "puppy farm". Perhaps ask for the phone number of another puppy owner from that breeder so you can phone them to see how they got on. The breeder I bought my cocker spaniel from is such a lovely lady - she is geniunely interested in how he is getting on and we always send a picture of him at each birthday - she adores hearing how her "pups" are getting on!

Answer 10

A puppy from a breeder? Or an older puppy? You said dog and puppy..
-You want to make sure that the dogs are raised in the house and that they get alot of contact with people, held played with.
-Kept with mom as long as possible, at very least 8 weeks of age. Mom has plenty to teach them and if you let her, it makes your job easier as you housetrain and everything else along the way.
If they are saying purebred, they must be registered. -Don't buy from someone who doesn't register their litter and puppies. It costs next to nothing to register the dogs, so if they are eligible, then they should be done. No excuses as to why they aren't.. Some breeders can't register their litters cause they get kicked out of the kennel club for not identifying their puppies or whatever.. And registered with a legitimate kennel club.. American Kennel Club, or Canadian Kennel Club.
- At very least 1 vaccination 2, is better, but don't accept a puppy that hasn't had at least 1. And wormed, and vet checked.
- See MOM.. She bred the litter, she has to be there. Lots of times dad isn't, but Mom has to be... Don't accept excuses why you can't see her.. Even tho she will be wary about strangers maybe seeing her puppies, she should still be a cautious friendly, and warm up the more you are there.
- Buy from someone who wants you to spay/neuter the puppy, and sign a contract asking you to return the dog if things don't work out.
- Get a health guarantee more than 72 hours, more than 2 years is better.. But 5+ years is great!
- Find out what the dogs are currently eating. Make sure that they have been raised on good quality food.
- If it's an older puppy, make sure that it is housetrained. I keep seeing breeders selling 1+ year old puppies that aren't even housetrained.
- Find out the health issues with the breeds, and make sure that the breeder is checking the dogs before breeding them.
- Make sure the puppies are clean, eyes clear, bum clean, and they have no fleas.. Puppies should NOT smell like poop when you get them!
- Make sure the breeder is someone you feel like you could be friends with. You may have to deal with her in the future.
- DON'T be rushed into buying a puppy. Anyone who tries to force you to decide, or push you to agree to the purchase, tries dropping the price to get you to take the dog.. There is a problem...
- Get the number to their vet, so that you can give him a call.. He obviously can't disclose health related information without them agreeing ( I WOULD THINK) but he can tell you about temperament and how they seem to be treated, things like that. Or other puppy buyers who he has treated their dogs..

Don't buy the first puppy that runs over to you, he is alpha. Unless you have alpha dog experience or you want the extra challenge, he can be alot of dog sometimes.
See how the puppies react to the breeder, they should adore her, after all she is the one spending time with them, feeding, caring for, etc.. They might stick a little close to her, you are after all a stranger at first. But they should be very curious about you and eventually end up in your lap.
The breeder should be able to help you decide which puppy would be best for your situtation and experience.. Don't take a puppy if she just shows you the whole litter and you can pick yourself.. She should know them all very well and know which one is best for you and at least be able to point out personality traits of the puppies. Especially once they are 8+ weeks old.

If you don't feel good about it, don't do it.. Don't feel like you need to rescue a puppy from a situation.. If you buy a puppy where you don't like the looks of things, then you are helping someone that shouldn't be breeding a litter, to produce even more.

Answer 11

you should read up on the breads to begin with! maybe look on the kennel club website, decide what you want the dog for - working - family pet - showing etc! you must be able to see at least the mother and where the pups are being kept, see how she is, ask about her temperament, ask about the father! a good breeder will be able to tell you all about them both.if you are after a pedigree ask to see papers that confirm both parents are pedigree. what they are like to have around - if you have never had one. should you decide on actually buying one from the breeder ask to spend some time with the pups and the mum, you will soon see what they are like. and you will then get to like a pup. ask what they have been fed on. and if you do choose a pup ask the breeder if you can come back and see your pup before they are allowed to leave, i found that this was a lot of help when we got our pup as he knew who i was and was not so scared of coming home with me!! best peice of advice i can give is to read up on them and from those books you will raise questions which you should write down and ask the breeders and if they are unhelpful then dont buy from them! also one last thing look at how the pups and mother are being kept if it doesn't look right stay clear!!