Advice for choosing a puppy

So it's the right time for the family to get a puppy dog, well before you fall for the first puppy you see..! Read this article on advice and tips for helping in this process. I give all the advice when to visit the puppies, what energy level of puppy to look for.

To start we need to ascertain what energy level is the whole of the family at..! This is important for selecting the type of energy level with the right breed of dog. For example you decide that the families energy level is on average, at medium level. You decide that you like a Labrador, however when you visit the breeder you find out the breed is pure working background, then it is likely to be of a high energy. To compensate for this energy difference I suggest trying to select the lowest energy puppy. I will go into this in more detail later. Have a look at the table below of the example I have just spoke about..!

My Tip..!

Always select the breed energy and puppy energy that suits the energy of the whole family or yourself or below. Never select any dog breed energy, more than two above your own or the average of the families energy if possible, but we all have our favourite breed..! So if you are really determined to have the dog of your dreams knowing the breed energy level difference to your own, then select the lowest energy level puppy..! Refer to my puppy test.

Energy levels play a big part

So now we know what energy of the breed we are looking for, and lets say it's medium I can tell you that is where my chocolate Labrador falls into, the reason for this is that he was bred for show, so all the working and energy has been bred out of him, and because Iam of a high energy I am able to drain his mental and physical energy. But there are many more breeds that fall into medium energy breed, it's a case of doing your research and finding a breed you like. Next I am going to talk about what factors we need to think about before we make the pledge, which is 'a life time commitment..!

Taking on a dog is a lifetime commitment

Factors we need to take into consideration are, malting, allergies, house size, grooming needs, time to be able walk during the day or night with the dog, kennel cost for when going away, car related equipment, insurance, allowance for dog food, dog bed, dog crate, dog training time, initial cost of the puppy, Dog walking clothes etc.. Please take a thought to the financial costs of having a dog before taking one on, it is important to know that a medium size dog could cost you on average for it's lifetime a whopping £37,000. So please make sure you consider all factors before taking on this commitment..! Thank you.

Questions to consider asking the breeder

Right you have made your mind up for the dog breed you want, based on energy as we have already spoken about. Well have a list of questions to ask the breeder something along the lines below, but it's important to ask the questions about your own circumstances and thoughts as well.

• 1 Can I view mother with the Pups..?
• 2 Can I view the father of the pups..?
• 3 Can I visit at different times of the day and evening..?
• 4 Which vets are the puppies under, this helps by knowing that care is being taken. You can contact the vets to clarify.
• 5 Have you bred many litters from this mother.? Eliminate puppy farming..!
• 6 Do you have documentation ie; kennel club etc.
• 7 How many boys and girls ar in the litter..? You don't want to view a litter with just boys when you are after a bitch, it's best to view more than one of the sex in the litter to make the best selection if possible..!

Puppy test..!

Please note that this will definitely not predict the outcome of your puppy, because many things come into play later that shape our dogs behaviour, but we can at least check for energy...

When approaching the litter be as quiet as you can, observe from a distance and ask the breeder to point out the bitches from the boys. Now you know who to focus on if you have a preference. Observe if any are using their nose, this is important for any dog to do so..!

Which one is looking more energised, walking around, playing more with the others, is this the biggest pup..? This can indicate that this dog has top pickings for a teet and is bold. This dog in my opinion would make an excellent working dog, if this is a working strain you are viewing. This is because it has something about it already.

Of course visiting at different times during day and of an evening can hep to judge energy levels, ask the breeder who is the most active, who is the least active. This can help to evaluate the litter as well for energy levels.

Now you have established the energy level amongst the bitches and boys, take each pup individually and away from the mother dog to a quiet place. Hold the puppy up of the ground and take a good look for health issues, runny eyes, cuts, lumps and bumps, over bite, or under bite. Call the puppy and see if they are responsive to voice and that they like being stroked.

Keep visiting and repeating the test to check on any differences and if there are, does this fit with the family, especially the energy level. Maybe the dog you thought was low to medium energy has now raised up the ranking to high..!

Call me, I can give you some more advice

As I stated this is only an indication. Still need some advice, use the general enquiries form. Or alternatively give me a call where I would be glad to give some advice..