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HEALTH & WELFARE |
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The health and welfare of any dog should be the top priority for breeders and owners alike without exception. Buying a puppy is easy just look in your local paper or on your local supermarket advertisement board and you can usually pick one up the same day. But before you do please ask yourself what you are actually buying? An animal that will need your love, care and commitment for a long time, maybe for 14 years, a healthy dog that will be a loyal companion for all it’s days? Unfortunately this isn’t always the case, many dogs end up in rescue or destroyed because unscrupulous puppy farmers don’t care about their animals health and welfare before they have even been born let alone once they have been sold. Or people just don’t realise how much time and effort is required for any breed of puppy because they haven’t done any research. This is a short list of things to think about before you buy your pup, this goes for any breed not just dobermanns! |
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Have you got the time, money and commitment to provide a loving home for your dog? Is it really a breed that will suit your lifestyle? All breeds have different characteristics ie dobes don’t like being left alone for long periods of time. Research the breed and see if it is really suitable not just because you like the look of it. What genetic diseases are prone in your chosen breed? What health tests should be done to help prevent these problems (Hip scores, elbows, eyes,ears or certain blood/dna tests)and what constitutes a good result?(10,23,excellent, grade E clear,carrier,affected?) |
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If you have researched your chosen breed and know it is the one for you then here are some tips on buying your pup. I cannot stress enough how important health tests are, you might save a couple of hundred pounds buying the cheaper option but the pup could cost you thousands in vet bills, not to mention the pain a pup can go through if bred unethically. |
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Be aware that KC registered or litters advertised on the KC website does not mean that dogs are health tested or bred ethically just that they have papers. Many puppy farmers have realised that dogs with papers (full pedigrees) sell for more money. They advertise the fact that they have a pedigree going back 5 generations, this doesn’t mean anything, all KC registered dogs have this. They will also tell you how many champions are in it’s lineage, this too doesn’t mean anything. Previous good, selective breeding can be undone in just one generation. Find a reputable breeder who does health tests relevant to the breed. This is best done via a breed club, they usually have knowledge of any pending litters and are a mine of information and help. Ask to see the paperwork of all the health tests that have been done, don’t take people at their word. A good breeder is proud to show off their results. Most reputable breeders offer to take the pup back for whatever reason, regardless of age and offer support to you for the rest of the dogs life. If the breeder doesn’t ask you any questions about yourself or your circumstances then chances are they don’t care about the well being of their pups. |
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This list is not exhaustive, there are many books offering advice on how to choose your particular puppy from a litter and what to look out for. Fore warned is fore armed, if you buy your puppy from a reputable breeder then chances are your pup will be healthy and it will be one less sale for the puppy farmers who are only out to take your money. |
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