A guide to getting a puppy/dog
The time has come and you’re thinking of adding a new furry addition to the family! Getting a new dog or puppy is a very exciting time in anyone’s life – but before you get besotted by the puppy dog eyes and squishy little faces, there are definitely some very serious things you need to consider when purchasing a canine companion!
We have put together some helpful tips to consider when buying a new pup or dog to help you with your decision making – these tips will ensure you are both set up for success.
1.What breed would best suit my lifestyle?
Unfortunately, some people base their decision making on a puppy looking very cute (which they all do!) and forget about the fact that in a 10 months’ time, they will be a dog and that dog may be around for up to 15 years or more! Therefore, basing your breed choice on the type of life you live/plan to live, is a good place to start.
- If you are adventurous, enjoy daily walks/runs, hiking, weekend outings and are willing to put in hours of time training and providing mental stimulation, then a higher energy breed such a kelpie, staffy or border collie may be for you.
- If you are after a dog that is placid, clever, enjoys walks and adventures but will be happy to chill out, maybe a retriever or greyhound is for you.
- If you are after a dog that is small, fun and enjoys training but is able to nap on your lap, then perhaps a spaniel or a Japanese spitz is for you.
The most important thing to do is RESEARCH; a good place to start is google, but you can go one step further and go to dog shows, dog parks, ask dog owners and ask people in the dog industry. There may be a breed you were never considering that would actually suit you perfectly!
Another very important thing to take note of when choosing a breed are predisposed health problems that the breed you are looking at may be susceptible to. For example – flat faced dogs (brachycephalic) have a high risk of acquiring breathing and eye problems, whereas Shepherds are known to have a high risk of hip problems.
These will potentially affect future vet bills and activities you intend to endure so you must take these potential issues into consideration.
Dog Breed Selector Quiz: https://www.petbarn.com.au/petspot/landing/
2.I know the type and age of the dog I want – where do I get it?
If you know what breed suits your lifestyle, then it is time to decide whether you want to adopt a dog or puppy from a rescue, or buy a dog from a breeder.
RESCUE:
Don’t forget that puppies DO come into rescue! Don’t completely disregard rescues if you are looking for a pup to add to your family – there are a huge amount of breed specific rescues along with the rescue database www.petrescue.com.au that will aid in your search – you are able to filter your criteria, and even adopt from interstate!
When adopting a dog or a puppy – all vaccination and de-sexing fees are covered, cutting the price and most importantly, you are saving a life!
Here is a list of just some of the rescue groups in Perth and Australia.
WA & NATIONAL RESCUE GROUPS:
https://www.facebook.com/WISHANIMALRESCUETEAM/
REGISTERED BREEDERS:
If you have your heart set on buying a pup from a registered breeder, ensure that they are responsible and transparent. It is extremely important to be able to see the parents, the litter, and to ensure that all the puppies have been wormed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet health checked. Do your research on the breeder and any previous litters they may have had, along with hip and joint scores that should be provided for certain breeds. There are also numerous Facebook groups that are dedicated to breed specific owners – find these groups and ask questions about what registered breeder they used and you will be able to get feedback from an unbiased source.
HEALTH TEST INFORMATION:
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/glossary/health-tests.asp
http://www.dogbreedhealth.com/canine-hip-dysplasia-hd
http://www.dogbreedhealth.com/canine-elbow-dysplasia-ed
REGISTERED BREEDER DATABASES:
http://www.dogswest.com/dogswest/BrDogsWest – Breeders Searcht
3.How much should I pay for my puppy?
If you are adopting your puppy through a rescue, most are around $400 – $700 which includes all vetting as mentioned above – transport costs may be added on top of the adoption fee if relocating from interstate.
If you are buying from a breeder – pup prices vary depending on breed and paperwork, however a sound, papered pup from a quality breeder should not set you back more than $2,500 (in my opinion!). Please remember that de-sexing & further vaccinating will not be included in this price.
Dogs and puppies come at a price, and if you cannot afford a puppy or dog from a reputable source, then it is best to wait as ongoing costs must be taken into consideration and even though you are saving money paying less at the time of purchase, in the long term you may end up spending so much more.
BACKYARD BREEDING AND PETSHOPS
You may be getting desperate to find the perfect pup and end up on Gumtree or in a pet shop…
If you have ended up in this situation in the past, that is okay – the life and love you have for your dog is the most important now, but here are some reasons to steer clear from these puppy sellers for future purchases.
The very high majority of puppies from pet shops come directly from puppy farms/mills/ factories – this is where people breed dogs purely to make money off the puppies. There is limited sanitation, limited to no affection, and limited to no health checks or care for well being. The dogs are treated like production animals and their offspring sold for thousands. There is no guarantee on health, breeding or upbringing when buying from a pet shop. The long term risks and effects on the puppies are unknown and by purchasing a puppy, it further aids and rewards the factories, profiteering off the sales.
You can find out more information about puppy farms here:
http://www.smh.com.au/national/rspca-calls-for-boycott-of-pet-shop-puppies-20100710-104vy.html
Buying a dog or puppy from a back yard breeder off Gumtree is also not the best idea, and here’s why…
Although the parents and puppies may be given love and affection and you may be able to view them, there is no guarantee of health or breeding, and future risks are extremely high. Unfortunately people breed their pet dogs because puppies sell for high prices, and dogs have a very short pregnancy of around 9 weeks, making it a very tempting opportunity to make money. Long term health effects such as allergies and skin diseases, along with joint problems and behavioral issues are commonly seen from poorly bred dogs with poorly educated owner/breeders due to lack of nutrition and predisposed health effects.
A further link to a guide for finding a puppy/dog can be found here: https://www.rspca.org.au/sites/default/files/2016-07-SP%26DBG-Booklet-web.pdf
I hope this information is a helpful step on the way to finding your new pooch!
Good luck & happy searching on your quest of your new best friend!!
Article written by
Giulia Szabo
One of the #pawpalsgals
