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The doghouse

Going to meet our potential new puppy today

79 replies

Goingtobeawesome · 20/08/2016 07:18

Eek.

Can anyone give me pointers for questions we should ask that we might have missed please?

We won't be bringing them home today.

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davos · 20/08/2016 07:43

Oh good luck.

I asked all the usual about vaccines, microchipping, parents history, saw parents papers, asked about any ongoing support after, what health checks had been done (like hip score, heart) etc

But I also talked to the breeder about us. I have had cockers before so knew lots about the breed. But I told her about our lifestyle, she met the kids so that she could help me pick the right puppy from the litter. She knew all their personalities and which were better with her grandkids etc.

A good breeder should ask you lots of questions too.

Is it a breed you know or have your researched it fully? If you are unfamiliar with the breed, breed questions need to be asked. You don't want a dog that's unsuitable to your life style.

I hope it goes well.

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Goingtobeawesome · 20/08/2016 08:40

So far we know they don't insure the puppies which my experienced dog owner neighbour is surprised about as normally you get six months insurance. Is that an issue?

The puppies are golden retrievers.

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needastrongone · 20/08/2016 08:55

If they are KC registered golden's, then they will usually come with a puppy pack (some leaflets, sample dog food etc) and 4 weeks insurance from PetPlan. You might want to check that possibly.

Our breeders grilled us more than we did them in some ways, they should want their pups to go to the most suitable home.

Good luck.

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davos · 20/08/2016 09:05

I have only ever got 4 weeks. Never 6 months.

Although the breeders have always promised a refund if the dog has a condition that should have been picked up at birth, when we have our vets check. Which has never happened.

The four weeks insurance should cover enough time to get your dog registered at a vets and checked and you can just continue the plan.

Are they kc registered?

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needastrongone · 20/08/2016 09:14

They also should be prepared to have the puppy back at any point if things don't work out.

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Hoppinggreen · 20/08/2016 09:45

Goldies are the best!!!
Just be very cautious and if you are unsure about anything don't reserve one. I took all the advice on asking questions and being asked questions etc and I'm still pretty sure ours came from a puppy farm front, I'm pretty switched on but these people are getting very clever now.
It's turned out OK for us luckily.

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TrionicLettuce · 20/08/2016 12:42

I might be too late posting but this is a great list of questions to ask a breeder. You can see a list of all health tests that should have been done on both parent dogs (and the breeder should be happy to show you all the relevant paperwork) here. Ask what socialisation the breeder has been doing, they should be getting the pups used to different sounds, textures, situations around the home and have started getting them used to being apart briefly. This website gives you a breakdown of the sort of things the breeder should be doing prior to the puppies going to their new homes.

I'd also want to know why they weren't offering insurance, these days it's a pretty basic thing for good breeders to do.

As need says you should expect to be thoroughly grilled by the breeder. Usually the breeder will want to know about your living situation, lifestyle, what you feel you can offer a dog, what you want from a dog, why you picked that particular breed, why you chose to visit them in particular and anything else they can think of. If they're happy to just let you reserve a pup there and then without asking you all sorts of questions then I'd walk away.

A good breeder will generally want to at least help you pick which puppy is the best fit for you and your family. At the very least I'd expect them to narrow down the choice to two or three of the pups they feel would suit you for you to then pick from. I'd be wary if they're happy to just let you pick whichever puppy you want with absolutely no input from them.

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Goingtobeawesome · 20/08/2016 13:12

Thanks everyone.

We get part of her blanket and she will be microchipped and ear tattooed.

We met mum and human owner of dad. Mum was lovely and a brilliant mum. We saw her feed them and saw them have solids.

We have a vet and will sort out insurance as we already insure our cats.

The puppies live with mum and another dog plus three cats.

It definitely wasn't a puppy farm. Mum's first litter. Will only be allowed one more.

Can return up to four weeks for a free refund if puppy doesn't settle.

The puppies have been outside and will have been in a car at least once.

They also live with three children and have got used to noises etc, Hoover, washer, etc.

The children are coming up with names now!

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Goingtobeawesome · 21/08/2016 18:34

Does anyone want to see a photo?

We'd also welcome name suggestions.

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MsAtomicBomb · 21/08/2016 19:19

I would like to see a photo please Smile

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Hoppinggreen · 21/08/2016 19:23

Did someone say Goldie puppy photos?

Going to meet our potential new puppy today
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Goingtobeawesome · 21/08/2016 19:40

Sorry, was reading my doggy book.

Couldn't work,out out to get a photo from my emailed knew so took one from my phone.

Going to meet our potential new puppy today
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Goingtobeawesome · 21/08/2016 19:41

Clearly I can't make my iPad work either

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Goingtobeawesome · 21/08/2016 19:44

HoppingGreen - S/he is beautiful. What is their name?

We need name help.

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Hoppinggreen · 21/08/2016 19:58

It's Bertie, he's 9 months old now though. I've also had an Oscar, Henry and Hattie ( all Goldens). Other names we considered for Bertie
Thor
Loki
Marshall
Buddy
Billy.
Is yours a boy or girl?

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OrlandaFuriosa · 21/08/2016 20:02

Gorgeous... Oh, gone broody...

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Goingtobeawesome · 21/08/2016 20:08

She's a girl.

Would have been easier if a boy for names.

Bertie was my late Guinea pig.

Have one current female pet and three boys. Named two of them.

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Hoppinggreen · 21/08/2016 20:32

How about
Flora
Honey
Missy
Betty
Nell
Lola
Bella
Amber
Pippa
Dolly
Gracie
Sasha
Milly
Tilly
Laurel
Joy
Sunny
Daisy
Stella
Clover
Summer
Sandy
Angel
Bertie has an Instagram account( set up by DD) and has many other Goldie friends. These are a few of the female ones

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Goingtobeawesome · 21/08/2016 20:38

When dismissing my child has that name, know someone, don't like the name etc I'm left with Clover which DD already said no too Sad. It was easier to name the kids DH and dc1 named them

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Goingtobeawesome · 21/08/2016 20:39

Or already have/had a pet with that name.

Thank you very much though.

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Hoppinggreen · 21/08/2016 20:46

To be honest Bertie was the only name off our long list that nobody hated.
See what suits her when she comes home, Bertie was Zeus between our first visit and collection!!
Enjoy and prepare for being bitten a lot!

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Somerville · 21/08/2016 20:55

She's gorgeous.

I'd call her Artemis.

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Goingtobeawesome · 21/08/2016 21:31

DD is coming up with some fabulous names. If she was a boy! Says the puppy won't care..

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OrlandaFuriosa · 21/08/2016 22:41

It will cause immense confusion at the vet if you don't choose a female or neuter name...12 years if explaining...

Nosey
Maisie
Perdita
Artemis/Diana
Empress
Queen
Princess ( cess fir short when she's rolled in something repellent)
Lady
Venus


Lateral thinking,
After the Olympics..

Olympia
Goldie
Mo
A female medallist

After a Sport or activity your dd likes, or someone good at it

After a foodstuff, eg
Haribo
Toffee
Caramel
Syrup
Twix
Marmite ( some will adore her, some not, though better for a brown bitch)
Horlicks ( whore when she's having unwanted pups)

Vom, if that's her first action with you

Where she came from like Florence Nightingale, or places you like going on holiday...

Eg

Lamb for Lambeth
God/ Godiva, for Coventry or godstone
Barca
Paris
Roma
Bognor Grin( suspect am not being helpful now)

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Goingtobeawesome · 22/08/2016 07:46

She's not having a boys name.

Still liking Clover. Kids not keen Confused.

More thinking needed. Thank you

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