Advice relating to getting a puppy

[Bounty1]

Hi,

I am considering to get a puppy Samoyed. I wanted to know if anyone has this dog?

There are so many things to have ready before getting a puppy, any words of advice of what I would need to have in preparation. I do not wish to waste money unnecessarily on items that would hardly be used since from what I can see there is so much out there!

Thanks for any advice or helpful comments in advance

[frostedviolets]

Crate, food and bowls, toys, treats, collar and lead and for a Samoyed a grooming kit, I can’t think of anything else strictly necessary to buy.

[Girlintheframe]

Only other things I found were necessary were done way of transforming pup in car (we used a harness) dog shampoo and a stair gate to keep him from going upstairs

[Ethelswith]

Insurance (get a lifetime policy)

Choose a vet

Check vax and microchip status at time you expect to collect

Find availability of local puppy classes

Find out about local dogsitters (you really can't leave puppies for long)

Start puppy-proofing!

[Booboostwo]

May I ask what attracted you to the Samoyed and if you have experience of the breed?

If you like the look have you considered other spitzes like the German Spitz? The Samoyed tends to be more sensitive and more prone to separation anxiety than other spitzes. Of course they tend to bark incessantly like all spitzes.

[Bounty1]

Thanks all for your messages, very helpful :)

@ Booboostwo - I have always liked the Samoyed but the idea of constant barking puts me off. However, I was talking to a vet and he said if the puppy is trained early on and at the very outset they may not be so vocal and every dog has their own personality. I did also look in to the German Spitz which I also like its all so confusing! I am trying to do as much research as possible about the Samoyed before committing.

[Booboostwo]

The vet is right in that every dog has its own personality but it's a numbers game. If you get a herding breed you may end up with a dog with a low herding instinct but it's unlikely. If you get a scent hunting breed you may end up with a dog with no scent discrimination but it's unlikely. In this way if you get a breed bred to alert the owner to intruders by barking you may end up with a dog that doesn't naturally bark but it's unlikely.

I dislike barking so work really hard with my dogs to contain it. But keep in mind that this doesn't mean no barking, it means limited barking and also, it involves a lot of work. A lot of it includes getting up out of bed every single time the dogs bark and asking them to stop (so I can reward them when they do). It's quire exhausting and something to keep in mind.

If I was to choose between the Samoyed and the German Spitz as a family dog I'd go for the smaller, more manageable, less separation anxiety prone German Spitz.

[SapphireSalute]

a kong/licky mat
all 4 types of toy
a toy box
treats
a dedicated cupboard for it all
food scoop for measuring
old towel
car harness and car towel/blanket
cosy bed....maybe 2
blanket
poo bags and dispenser
garden toys...ball frisbees etc
shampoo
toothbrush/paste
grooming equip
harness and lead
training lead and whistle for recall
bag for all the stuff you need on walks
puppy training mats if using
cloths and proper spray so scents don't linger
copious amounts of kitchen towel
separate mop/bucket
pet air freshener
pet friendly floor cleaner
portable water container for walks
jacket
high viz bandana! night walks..he's all black,I can't see him!
crate insurance
groom room fee
vet monthly worming/flea treatment
puppy classes

thats what i've got and used for our 5 month old lab puppy. oh....and a £4 jar of doggy peanut butter which he loves!!

the pet shops saw me coming!

[ShesGotBetteDavisEyes]

My friend has a German spitz and he’s a gorgeous dog with a lovely temperament - he’s often at my house and around my dc’s and he’s great, very laidback. I’ve only heard him bark once too!

There are no guarantees though, I once had a breed which are supposed to be a lovely temperament and he was a nightmare even with training.

My friend is finding her dog very hard despite his lovely temperament. It’s like having a baby so please think very hard about the commitments.

[Bounty1]

@ Booboostwo - Thank you for your detailed advice - much appreciated.

@ SapphireSalute - A very comprehensive list - thank you

@ ShesGotBetteDavisEyes - Thanks for the advice, i guess in a way it is pot luck as to they fur baby you end up getting!

Thank you once again for all your advice and information guys - it is appreciated. x

[Wolfiefan]

Contact the breed club if you’re starting to look for puppies. KC reg alone just means pedigree. Not reputable.
Are there any health issues with the breed? What health tests should parents have before breeding?
If you’re on FB join dog training advice and support. Lots of stuff on bringing a pup home, crate training (if you want to) toilet training etc. Really useful.

[Bounty1]

@Wolfiefan - Noted, I have been looking at the approved breeders from the kennel club website and contacting them regarding the availability and to go on a waiting list.

I have read the health issues with this breed- of course I would want the reputable breeder to provide the vet report confirming that the parents and the puppy has the all clear !

Not on FB - not a huge fan of social media, but will join for this purpose.

Thank you for your advice.

[Funf]

Firstly you have the sense to ask, we have seen lots of people who dont research a dog breed so end up with one that doesn't fit their life style home etc. Its a massive long term commitment.
Breed club is a good idea.
Make certain if things dont work out you can return the dog.
Sort Holiday and illness cover. Our breeder has the dog back for holidays, we have a local Dog lady and neighbour as back up.
Set the ground rules Crate of not? ( We crate for sleep and in the car)
Words used for commands
Routine.
Some times its the best thing not to get a dog until all the bits fit together in your life, we would love a Wolf hound but just can't give one the care it would deserve so we wait in case one day we can. In the mean time we gave a fantastic terrier who goes 95% of the places we go and is very rewarding.

[Wolfiefan]

KC doesn’t “approve” breeders. They don’t inspect etc.
I would go through the breed club. Many breeders don’t keep a waiting list as they don’t breed to order.

[Booboostwo]

I go about it this way:

I start with a list of breeders, KC or breed club.

I look at the websites of those nearest to me. I reject anyone who breeds more than one breed or large numbers of litters. The breeders I tend to buy from tend to have one litter a year or one litter every two years, so waiting lists are very common.

I see if they keep their retired bitches, if they bring up the puppies in the home, if they socialize, etc. often there is a lot of information on the website.

Then I call my shortlist. I give the impression of being a bit clueless about health screening. If they spin me a story, e.g. my dogs are very healthy no need for screening, they are screened but I don’t have the paperwork, etc. I give up at that stage.

If they have all paperwork and are happy to email me copies then I talk to them in earnest. I ask them about their choice of bitch and dog and their breeding goals. I ask them about early socialization and ask them if they ever had anyone return a puppy (their attitude to this tellls you a lot). I also listen and expect them to ask me loads of questions about me, my lifestyle and experience.

If all goes well I arrange a visit just to meet the dogs.

[Wolfiefan]

That’s great advice.

[Muminabun]

Samoyed are big energetic, intelligent dogs. They are fabulous and beautiful. They need a lot of coat care. They are full on and can be very crazy. If that is what you want then go for it if not maybe consider the similar but smaller and gentler Japanese spitz.

[Bounty1]

@ Funf thank you for your words of advice, kindly noted.

@ Wolfiefan - I should have been clear, the breeder who I will visit etc mentioned that she is expecting a litter very soon and of course I expect the breeder to “vet” me ensure that I am serious and suitable to give a puppy a loving home. If approved, then I would be placed on a waiting list

@Booboostwo Thank you for your advice and words of wisdom, very helpful.

@Muminabun They are beautiful, yes I saw different ones that are similar looking to the Samoyed and smaller but do prefer the Samoyed.

Thank you to all of you once again, I appreciate the information and advice that you have all provided x

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Bounty1, if you want a more chilled spitz breed, have you come across Eurasiers? They are very spitzy and beautiful, and bred as a companion dog.

[frostedviolets]

German spitz klein and mittel too