You have finally decided to add a precious puppy to your family. Sure, you're excited and can't wait to bring the little one home. But now comes the doubt of finding a kennel that meets your expectations, is reputable and has a real commitment to animal welfare.
If you want to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future, you should only buy your puppy from responsible breeders. If you have searched the Internet, you have probably found various breeders selling all kinds of puppies indiscriminately. Some of them are simply sellers trying to make a quick buck by shipping puppies that may be sick, frightened, and poorly socialized or unsocialized. Even if you are aware of these issues and want to give these puppies a better life, you need to understand the risks involved and the problems you and your family will face.
The supposed bargain can end up costing you more at the vet with bills that far exceed the price of a purebred puppy. Not to mention the behavioral problems that will make it impossible to leave the dog alone at home, or the complaints from your neighbors who are tired of the annoying barking of your poorly socialized dog.
As you can see, just as you should consider and research the breed of dog that best suits you or that you like the most, you should also choose the breeder or kennel of your future companion very carefully.
Dog Kennel. The Importance of Responsible Breeding
In a kennel where responsible breeding is practiced, breeders select purebred dogs for breeding that are in good health and have good character. This ensures that their offspring will be free of hereditary diseases. In addition, we perform the necessary veterinary examinations, vaccinations and deworming so that you can take home a healthy dog.
As responsible breeders, we respect the animals, their breeding times, their needs and we start their socialization from the first weeks of life. In this way, puppies become accustomed to other dogs, people, smells, noises, and environments, so that when they become part of your family, your puppy will be able to adjust easily.
10 Important Questions to Ask a Kennel
To make sure that the kennel you choose meets these requirements, you should ask these 10 questions. If it is a serious kennel, you will see how they will thank you for your interest and answer your questions with pleasure and without doubt.
1. Can you show me what the kennel looks like?
When you call the breeder or kennel, ask for an appointment to visit the facilities and meet the breeder or team. Take advantage of the visit to look at the cleanliness of the entire kennel, if it is spacious and the dogs have room to run, if it is bright and if it is well air conditioned.
If the kennel is not near you, look for their website and check out the photos. If you decide to go with the kennel, remember to ask the questions above when you go to pick up your puppy.
2. Can I see the puppy's mother?
For the puppy to grow up physically and emotionally healthy, it needs to be with its mother for at least the first two months of its life. Therefore, ask to see the puppy's mother so you can observe how she interacts with her puppies and make sure she is purebred and in good health.
If the relationship between the mother and the puppies is not close or even alienating, you should be suspicious and look for another purebred kennel. Keep in mind that the bitch's lack of interest may be due to the fact that she is not the mother of the puppies.
3. Can you show me the vaccination record?
Dog breeders are obliged to vaccinate their puppies on time. Therefore, ask for the vaccination record and make sure that it is authentic and that all the required vaccinations are listed. It is also necessary that the puppies are dewormed regularly.
4. Can I see other documents regarding pedigree and medical tests?
Dogs from officially recognized kennels are registered and have a pedigree. Ask the breeder to show you these documents and take the opportunity to ask about the selection of the male parent of your new puppy.
5. What do you feed your puppies?
Feeding is essential to the health of your puppy. For the first 6 to 10 weeks, he will probably have been fed on his mother's milk, but after that, it is best to feed him a special puppy food that provides essential nutrients. Ask the kennel what feeding schedule they use to make sure it is correct so you can follow it at home.
6. What recommendations and special aspects of the puppy do I need to consider?
Because we responsible breeders live with the puppies for so long, we know the peculiarities of each one, so the breeder will be happy to discuss with you the details of the upbringing of the puppy you will take home, such as feeding schedules, sleep and exercise time, coat grooming, etc.
7. How do you socialize puppies?
To make a puppy a fearless dog with correct and stable behavior, it is necessary to socialize it from the first weeks of its life. In this way, the dog understands that there is more to the world than his mother and siblings. That is why it is important that he gets to know other dogs, other animals, other people, noises, smells, colors, places... so that he will not be afraid and will be able to adapt better to strange situations and people.
Ask the breeder to explain how he has developed the puppy's socialization in the kennel. You may even ask him to instruct you on how to continue this socialization with his new family.
8. Is there anything you would like to know about me?
For responsible breeders, our dogs are part of our family. We care for them from before they are born and we care for their present and future health and happiness. That's why, after spending so much time and effort on each puppy, we want to know what our puppies' new families are like. Don't be surprised if the breeder asks what kind of home you have (small apartment or house with a yard), what kind of people will live with the dog, what kind of job you have... Basically, the breeder wants to make sure that the puppy you choose is the right one for you.
9. What is the price?
Obviously, asking about the price is important, and this is another question you will need to ask the owners of the kennel. Keep in mind that if the cost is less than $800 for a purebred puppy, you should be wary of the breed of dog and the breeder. The vet, the tests, the vaccinations, the food, the care, the training... it is a lot of time and money that we invest in each puppy. If the price is so economical, it is because you are saving something.
10. Once I take the dog with me, can you solve some doubts?
We know that the adaptation of the puppies in the first days generates many doubts to the new families, for this reason the responsible breeders continue with our work of advice even when the puppy is no longer in our kennel.
Need help choosing?
Buying a dog is not a decision to be made lightly. Take time to think about the impressions you got at the kennel and all the information the breeder gave you. And if you have any doubts about the breed that best suits your family and lifestyle, he will surely know how to recommend and help you with your choice.
As you can see, it is important to know how to choose the breeder and the kennel where your furry friend will be born. You have to be very careful because there are many scams and any precaution is too little. Have you ever been in an unpleasant situation with a supposed breeder? Have you considered all of these questions when buying a purebred puppy?