This questions page is here to highlight the major areas people who have my puppy’s have asked about. I hope these will be of help anyone looking to find themselves a puppy
Where do I look to find a pedigree puppy?
You need to find a responsible breeder. The Kennel Club will point you towards breeders registered in their Accredited Breeders Scheme. Your area Breed Club will have a register of pups available and their committee members will always be glad to help. You can find contact details of all U.K. Breed Clubs in the links page. Beware of puppy farmers.
- Accredited Breeders Scheme. This scheme is voluntary. If breeders choose to join they are monitored to ensure that the Schemes rules are complied with plus all Kennel Club Regulation. The Schemes rules include:-
- Appropriate health screening
- Permanent identification of breeding stock
- Advice and a contract to new buyers.
- Kennel Club Registration certificate must be supplied.
- Breeder available to help after puppy gone to a new home.
- Breed Clubs. The U.K. is covered by thirteen Labrador Breed Clubs who organise activities, competitions, health screening, rehoming, educational and social activities. We have committees made up of people who dedicate vast amounts of time to care for the breed. We are there to help and just love talking about Labradors.
- Puppy Farms Sadly, puppy farming still exists and, although rarely sold directly from where they are bred, litters are often bought by retail outlets or advertised in newspapers. They might be taken to houses were the buyer could be deceived into thinking that pups have been bred there .Basically, puppy farms are places were several bitches are kept and used mainly as breeding machines. They could be bred from too often, when they are too young, kept away from human contact and not cared for in clean healthy conditions. This often means unhealthy and unsocialised pups. There are exceptions to every rule, but, in the main, puppies bred in such a way should be avoided.
- Where ever you go to buy your pup you should always get the relevant paperwork (always Kennel Club) and information that you would expect from a registered breeder.
What to expect from a breeder?
Once you have found your breeder don’t be surprised if you are asked to wait before going to see the pups. The breeder will want to give the mother time to rest and settle with her pups. Also she will want to avoid the risk of bringing infection to the litter. A reputable breeder will always show you he puppies available at their breeding kennel. This will allow you to see the environment they have been reared in
- Hip scores
- Eye Tests
- Preparing for you puppy-visits-home
- Breed spec
Things to buy?
- Things to buy
- Collarlead
- Identity tag
- Bed
- Food bowls
- Grooming kit
- Toys
- Food
Other preparations?
- Move electrical cords out of reach
- move breakables
- secure the garden
- cover ponds and pools
- move poisonous cleaners, pesticides etc
- find a vet and their emergency facilities.
Puppy arrives home?
- Introductions
- Good puppy behaviour
- Sleeping and Resting
Things owners worry about
1. Bonfire Night
As Bonfire Night approaches, people will be busy buying sparklers, catherine wheels and firecrackers and looking forward to an evening of excitement with their friends and family. The one thing that may be forgotten however, is the dog.
Don’t forget about the dog
In the run-up to November 5th, the Kennel Club is urging dog owners across the country to ensure their four-legged friends are not overlooked, and remain safe and sound. Fireworks create loud bangs and flashes which may be exciting for humans but can be utterly terrifying for dogs.
“At this time of year it is crucial for dog owners to remember that their canine counterparts are particularly vulnerable, as fireworks can be very scary for dogs due to their acute sense of hearing.”
“It is advisable for dog owners to keep their dog safe inside the house and to create a stress-free environment where the dog can retreat to. Desensitising dogs to the loud noises beforehand is also recommended, and there are many good specialist CDs which can be bought online to help dogs gradually become used to the noise caused by fireworks as Bonfire Night approaches.”
The Kennel Club has put together some steps that can be taken to minimise a dog’s levels of stress and make things more bearable on the night:
Do:
- Acclimatise your dog to noises prior to the big night. There are many noise CDs on the market which give you the opportunity to introduce your dog to a variety of potentially disturbing noises in a controlled manner.
- Make a safe den for your dog to retreat to if he or she feels scared. Alternatively, let your dog take refuge under furniture and include an old, unwashed piece of clothing like a woolly jumper so that your dog can smell your scent and feel comfortable.
- Distract your dog from the noise by having the TV or the radio switched on.
- Check where and when displays are being held in your local area. Also ask your neighbours to let you know if they are planning anything.
- Consult your vet if your dog has any health problems or is taking any medication before giving remedies to help him cope with fireworks night, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Feed your dog well before you expect any disturbances, as once the fireworks start your dog may be too anxious to eat.
- Walk your dog before dusk. It may be some time before it’s safe to venture outside again for your dog to relieve himself.
- Make sure you shut all doors and windows in your home and don’t forget to draw the curtains. This will block out any scary flashes of light and reduce the noise level of fireworks. Don’t forget to block off cat flaps to stop dogs (and cats!) escaping.
- Shut your dog safely inside a room before opening the front door.
- Keep a collar and ID tag on your dog, just in case they do accidentally escape. Make sure your dog is identified too, as if he or she does escape without a collar on this will ensure you are reunited as quickly as possible.
Don’t
- Take your dog to a firework display, even if your dog does not bark or whimper, don’t assume he or she is happy. Excessive yawning and panting can indicate that your dog is stressed.
- Tie your dog up outside while fireworks are being let off.
- Assume your garden is escape proof. If your dog needs to go out keep him on a lead, just in case.
- Leave your dog on his or her own or in a separate room from you.
- Try to force your dog to face his fears – he’ll just become more frightened.
- Forget to top up the water bowl. Anxious dogs pant more and get thirsty.
- Change routines more than necessary, as this can be stressful for some dogs.
- Try and comfort your dog if they become distressed, as this may make the behaviour worse.
- Try and tempt them out if they do retreat, as this may cause more stress.
The above is here to help if your dog has a problem but most dogs are fine. Behave as normal, as your dog will pick up on any odd behaviour. Remain calm, happy and cheerful as this will send positive signals to your dog. Reward calm behaviour with doggie treats or playing with toys of interest.