What to Look for When Buying a Puppy

by Lorna Orchard

Bringing a puppy into your life is the start of an exciting new chapter, whether you already have a dog, or this is your first one. It also comes with significant responsibility so doing your research in advance can make a big difference to yours and your puppy’s life. Here are some brief tips to consider.

Breed and Lifestyle

Matching the right breed to your lifestyle is the first step in creating a harmonious partnership. Working breeds such as Border Collies or Spaniels are very energetic and require lots of physical activity and mental stimulation so are best suited to those with an active lifestyle. Smaller breeds like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise or Shih Tzu are more suited to a quieter, indoor life. Poodles and poodle crosses can be hypoallergenic and look cute but are highly intelligent breeds that need lots of training and appropriate stimulation.

Choosing a Reputable Breeder or Shelter

Any reputable breeder should be happy to answer any questions over the phone and arrange for you to meet the puppies before you collect them. All puppies require worming at 2, 5 and 8 weeks old, and legally puppies should be microchipped by 8 weeks old and they cannot be sold before this age. Most reputable breeders will have given them their first vaccination by the time you collect them which means the puppy will have had a veterinary health check that may flag any health concerns. The environment where the puppies are should be clean, dry, well-maintained and the mother should be present. Additionally, responsible breeders may have performed health checks on the parents to screen for hereditary diseases such as hip and elbow scores before breeding. Feel free to ask the breeder on any health conditions that the parents have such as allergies, we may be passed onto the puppies.

Commitment

Take time to consider the long-term commitment and potential ongoing costs of buying a puppy. These costs can include a large amount particularly in the first year with bedding, food, toys, training, neutering, as well as ongoing commitments such as grooming, pet insurance, food and vet bills when they are poorly.

In summary, choosing a puppy is a big decision but taking time to research breeds, reputable breeders and prepare for your new lifestyle ensures that your puppy grows into a happy, healthy member of your family.

The Dogs Trust, The Kennel Club, RSPCA and Purina UK have lots of helpful articles and online tools to help guide you at the start of this exciting journey.