Buying a puppy is a big life decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s important that you ask the right questions when doing your research to make sure that both you and your new best friend will be well looked after.
There are simple steps to take to make sure your puppy will be happy and healthy in their new home, and that your home will be safe from an overexcited new pup. Do you understand what your puppy will need in terms of feeding, grooming and any health requirements? Can you provide the ideal environment for a puppy to thrive? Is your home puppy proofed for any potential accidents or midnight kitchen raids?
Before you jump headfirst into the puppy world, make sure you ask yourself these six questions so you can be well prepared for the arrival of your new best friend. If you don’t know the answer, drop us a call or a visit – it’s our first priority to make sure our puppies get the perfect new home!
It’s important to realise that buying a puppy is not only a monetary investment, but an investment of your time and research in order to get exactly the type of dog that will suit your lifestyle.
1. Which breed matches my lifestyle?
Are you fairly relaxed, preferring to spend your time relaxing inside? Or are do you love to get active outside? You need to make sure your new family member is going to get along with your activities on a daily basis.
- Easy-going: For individuals and families who prefer quiet times indoors, choose a breed that doesn’t have high physical demands such as: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Maltese X Shih Tzu, Toy poodle, Chihuahua, Moodles, Bischon Frise, Bichoodles, Pomeranians, Italian Greyhound.
- Weekend adventurers: For outdoorsy families who are just as happy going on adventures and hikes as they are lounging on the couch there are great all-round breeds like Cocker Spaniels, Greyhounds, Cavoodles, Spoodles, Beagle X Cavalier, Golden Retriever, Labradoodles, French Bulldogs, Dachshund, Schnauzers.
- Active every day: If you want your best friend to have high activity levels and also intelligence for advanced training, consider Beagles, Pugs, Jack Russel X Pug, Spaniel X Beagle, German Shepherds, Labradors, Springer Spaniels, Border Collies Huskies, Staffys, Cattle dogs, Groodles, Kelpies.
2. How big are the puppy’s parents?
While not always possible when adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue group, if you’re buying from a breeder then it’s always worth seeing the parents of your puppy.
Not only will you be able to gauge the temperament of your new dog’s parents, but also their health needs and size. While size may not be overly important during the puppy phase, if your dog has larger- or smaller-than-normal parents for their breed, it could affect what sort of environment you need to provide for them once they are adults.
3. Does the family have any health issues?
In a similar vein, ask about the family history of your pup to determine whether there are any potential health issues. This might include instances of certain diseases or bone issues later in life.
If you cant find information on your pup’s parentage, you can still find out everything there is to know about their breed. Some breeds, like pugs and French Bulldogs, are more susceptible to respiratory and overheating issues, while Labradors are sometimes struck with hip and elbow dysplasia in advanced age.
While the potential for health issues may not deter you from choosing a particular breed, it’s well worth knowing the risks in terms of what you can provide your pup, as well as how it may affect your pet insurance premiums.
4. Does the puppy get along with people and other dogs?
The first 14 weeks of a puppy’s life are the most important to introduce him or her to all the moving parts of the outside world. While you may get a puppy at a slightly older age, it’s still vital that you socialise them with not just other dogs – puppies and adults – but also people, different environments, and potential triggers like bicycles, skateboards, kites and motor vehicles.
How your puppy reacts to these factors will feed into their temperament in the coming years. If your puppy is frightened to go on walks or to meet new people, it’s more important than ever to continue socialising them so they can become accustomed to what will be their normal life.
In the same way, socialising a puppy with other dogs will help them become playful and friendly animals who aren’t prone to attacks. Puppy school is ideal for all varieties of dog temperaments, and your trainer will be able to adjust sessions to address any aggressive or shyness issues that may be present in your puppy.
5. Does the puppy have any particular grooming, feeding, or health needs?
Buying a puppy is the easy part. Providing an healthy environment for them, feeding them, grooming them, keeping them up to date with vaccinations and flea/worming treatments are are all part and parcel of owning a dog.
It is a good idea to do a bit of research – or ask around at your local pet shop – on the grooming and feeding needs of your chosen breed. A Labrador will require much more food then a chihuahua, for example, while a Cavoodle and a Spoodle will need regular grooming in order to keep their coat healthy and unmatted.
6. Which vet should I pick?
In the first year of your puppy’s life, vet visits will be regular – and very frequent in the initial months. Because of all the shots, vaccinations, de-sexing and other vet-related procedures you may be required to do, it’s worth finding a vet before getting your puppy. This way you can speak to the vet and get a feel for whether they are the right fit. They will also let you know typical costs and opening hours so you can take your puppy to appointments on a schedule that works with your lifestyle.
So Who Do You Ask?
Come talk to us!
As an established family business that’s been looking after puppies for over 30 years, Kellyville Pets is the perfect place to find your newest member of the family.