What to Ask When You Buy a New Puppy

Buying a puppy is a big step. Dogs live for an average of 15 years. That is a long time, and they quickly become treasured family members. The lifetime of love and devotion they provide deserves to start out on a positive note. You can make sure you are beginning life with your new puppy on the right foot by asking the right questions to know if your new puppy is healthy and should live a long life.

  1. Registration

    • Ask to see the registration papers for the puppy you have chosen. If it is not a purebred, find out as much as you can about both parents so you have an idea what the puppy will be like when it gets older. Judging the outcome of a purebred mating is easier because you know for sure what size, coat type and temperament your puppy is most likely to have. If there are only two breeds in a mixed mating, it is still possible to get a good idea for how their offspring will grow up. More than two breeds complicates things quite a bit, but mutts are just as lovable, and often have what is known as "hybrid vigor." They tend to be a little healthier than some over-bred purebreds.

    Vaccinations

    • Get all of the information regarding puppy shots and veterinarian visits. Puppy shots begin at five weeks old, so even at a very young age your youngster should have started the inoculations that will keep him healthy. The diseases that puppy vaccinations routinely guard against are much more severe in young puppies than in older dogs and are often fatal. Do not skip this step. If the puppies have not had any shots, even a change in environment from one home to the other, regardless of how clean it is, can trigger an outbreak that was dormant. A responsible breeder will have all of the appropriate shots completed at the proper stages for the protection of the puppies.

    Hereditary Diseases and Testing

    • Know the breed or breeds of dogs in the puppy's background, and find out if there are any hereditary diseases common for them. Most breeds have inherent problems. Some problems are preventable with careful testing in regards to mating pairs. Question the puppy's breeder well, and make sure they are knowledgeable about all of the potential problems. If you know more than they do, back away.

    Breeder Responsibility

    • Ask about the guarantee they offer on the health and temperament of your puppy. Be clear what your desires are for the puppy entering your home. Let your breeder know if you are looking for a protection dog, a dog that can compete in the breed ring, an obedience competitor, agility, guide dog, or any other personality or type of ability. They will help you select the puppy that most likely meets those needs. Even in breeds designed for specific abilities, the variety between individuals can range to a large degree. The health of a puppy through its life should never be a question. Your breeder should guarantee against hereditary diseases. Some offer exchanges, but it can be very difficult to give back a puppy even when it is sick. If you know you could never give back a dog just because it is ill, request a money-back guarantee.