Going to meet our potential new puppy today

[Goingtobeawesome]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

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!

Does anyone want to see a photo?

We'd also welcome name suggestions.

I would like to see a photo please

Did someone say Goldie puppy photos?

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.

Clearly I can't make my iPad work either

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

We need name help.

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?

Gorgeous... Oh, gone broody...

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.

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

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 . It was easier to name the kids DH and dc1 named them

Or already have/had a pet with that name.

Thank you very much though.

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!

She's gorgeous.

I'd call her Artemis.

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

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 ( suspect am not being helpful now)

She's not having a boys name.

Still liking Clover. Kids not keen .

More thinking needed. Thank you