Questions regarding puppies

[SherbertStraws]

Hi I am beginning my research with a view to getting a puppy. I want to avoid such things as puppy farms etc so firstly I was wondering what age a puppy can be taken home as some so-called breeders seem to hand puppies over at very early ages.

Also if there is any other advice about choosing a good breeder please share. Thank you

They need to be eight weeks old before leaving for a new home. Some breeders of the smallest breeds won't let them go before twelve weeks, though seven to twelve weeks is when they learn a lot of their social skills so eight or nine weeks is, I think, best.
Two pretty fool proof ways of making sure you are not sucked in by a puppy farmer is one, go through the Kennel Club website. They have a puppy finder section, though be aware that anyone who registers a litter with them can advertise it on their site so not guaranteed to be experienced, knowledgable breeders.
The very best way is to get the contact numbers of the secretaries of the breed societies of the breed you are interested in. They are all listed on the Kennel Club website. Most breeds have more than one society, except some of the At Risk Native British Breeds( one of which is my breed) that only have one society. Phone the secretaries, they will know of members who are expecting litters. Even if those have none available it will put you into the breed grapevine & you most likely will be told of other breeders to contact who might be able to help. Be prepared to go on a waiting list though, often good breeders can have quite long ones.

Research the breed you are looking for so you know what health checks should be done, see original certificates of these health checks and if it is hip or elbow scoring make sure you know what numbers re important for that breed.
I just vet checked and vaccinate a litter which I feel were breed in ideal circumstances. The breeder has been breeding for 42 years he only has a litter when he is looking for a new dog and previous litter to this one was 2 years ago. He is well respected and known in his breed. He only has 3 adult dogs all of whom live in the house. The puppies were born and reared in the dining room with a proper run that they are secure in and can pop in and out of. They have been handled by adults and supervised children since they were born. They interact with the other adult dogs in the household and other carefully selected fully vaccinated adult dogs. They are lovely bold puppies who come straight to the front of th run when anyone goes in the room.
They will go to their new homes having been wormed every 2 weeks from three weeks of age, had a treatment of advocate, their first vaccination and health checked by me.
I know every year he receives Christmas cards from previous puppies he has breed and for one of the new owners this will be their third puppy in 25years from this breeder.
This is what you are looking for.

All the above, plus if you think the breeder seems at all dodgy, Google the mobile phone number/details. If they come up on Gumtree type sites, offering more than 2 different breeds, then chances are they're a puppy farmer or a front for one. Find out what a well-bred puppy should cost by asking the breed club secretary/puppy secretary, and then be aware that a puppy costing substantially less than this amount could well have been shipped in from puppy farms in Ireland or Wales.

Just because you have a number of litters does not mean you are puppy farming etc. We have 10 dogs they are all in the house and the puppies are born in the sitting room are handled everyday and let out to run riot around the house. Everyone comments on how bold are puppies are. We can take them on a three hour drive in the car and they still get there happy and wanting to met everyone at the vets! If you look at the breed you want there will be assured breeders on the kc website. That means that certin things have to be done to the stud dog bitch and pups the kc also home check etc the breeders.

You could go to one of the dog shows, especially one of the big Championship shows or specific ones run by the breed societies. Hang round the ring of the breed you are interested in & get chatting to the exhibitors. They'll be more than happy to discuss their dogs( an understatement ) & answer any questions you might have. Talk to them when they are standing watching the classes or at the benches, not just before they're due to go in the ring!
Puppy farmers don't show. Showing costs a fortune & the prizes are a pittance, you do it to prove you are breeding quality stock & improving the breed.