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Thoughts on buying a puppy

Selecting a canine family member is something in which the entire family participates. Time restrictions for the family must be taken into account - deciding who is to be responsible for which tasks and who is to take over as and when the need arises, is the first concern. A dog is a living being, something of which we are all aware, yet so many families acquire their pet and then seem to think that apart from feeding and housing the animal it can be left to sit home alone. Decisions which need taking into account are the adult size of the companion being chosen along with the characteristics which will best suit the family's situation. Temperament is of the utmost importance whatever the chosen breed therefore a need to meet at least the mother is essential. Although many publications advise meeting both parents this is not always possible as the sire may well be from another kennel or even out of country.

What time or experience does the new family have when it comes to the grooming needs of their companion? Coated breeds frequently need much more intense grooming than shorthaired breeds. Some require more exercise as an adult than others. While some dogs are very independent others are very people oriented.

Some of the true working breeds have an intensity which many people cannot live with. They make excellent working dogs and usually excel in high activity dog sports but may not be the greatest house dogs. Many breeds have what we refer to as "hard wired" behaviours - Terriers usually are great diggers, herding breeds do just that and have a need to keep the family all in one place at any given time and the protective tendencies of some guard type breeds is not for the feint hearted. Gun dogs are often to be found carrying whatever in their mouths and hounds use either sight or scent to spend their days checking out their surroundings.
Many of the lap dogs or toy breeds loose their appeal when left to bark at any and everything which moves.

Choosing the canine companion to suit your needs obviously requires research as well as patience on your part. The first litter you look at should be the starting point of your search for the correct companion. Yes, you may well come back to them. There are a myriad of publications available to direct you and many resources to aid you in that search.

A phrase we hear all too often is "but we only want a pet".............Pet or super show dog, may I suggest you look for soundness in mind and body. So many breeds today are afflicted with inherited diseases, a responsible breeder will check their breeding stock as regularly as is suggested by their breed club's Code of Ethics. Failure to do so results in published disbarment from the organisation. Their goal should be to further the breed by doing their utmost to produce sound, healthy puppies with the breed standard in mind. A breed standard is a written description of the ideal specimen of that breed. Having done all we can to further this approach we must always remember that Mother Nature sometimes decides to intervene and despite all those tests things aren't as we'd like them to be. This is where a responsible breeder will accept the fact that they produced this puppy and they will reimburse you in accordance with the agreement you will both have signed.

To some, this may sound as though I advocate the new owner renouncing responsibility for their companion, however if dealing with potential blindness, blood disorders or orthopaedic problems then the resultant veterinary expenses frequently come as a nasty shock to most. Something which I feel has to be taken into account, even if we can intervene surgically or otherwise, is the resultant quality of life, and for how many years? If I had a dollar for the number of times owners have told me " he/she has whatever disease or affliction, but is in no pain" I would be one very rich person.

Choosing a companion of mixed heritage is like a grab bag - we have no idea how the adult will look, the size involved and most importantly the temperament to expect. For many, who choose their companion from this background they really do not care. It is disturbing though, the number of owners who having chosen their companion in this fashion decide they do not like what they have and send their present so called companion to the pound, either directly or by abandonment, and set about choosing another in the same fashion.

A pet is a living being, it should not viewed as a disposable possession.

Eileen