First time owners - what to ask?

[Frankincense88]

After a dreadful year of grief and personal trauma, DH and I have finally decided to take the plunge and explore the idea of puppy-ownership to add some much needed joy and happiness to our lives.

We want to make sure we're fully prepared and researched before we go and visit any. What should we be reading / researching to prepare? I've done some online research with what to ask the breeder / red flags to look out for but would appreciate first hand advice from owners. We would like a Bedlington x Whippet pup and have already joined a couple of Facebook groups to see tips and posts from owners.

We have a 3 bed semi, secure garden big enough for a dog to run around in and DH works from home so pup wouldn't be left alone. 5 mins from the countryside so lots of opportunities for long country walks. My parents are also only a few houses away so if we both need to pop out they can sit with puppy and walk if necessary.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 😊

As you've found, there is some really good advice online - see the dam with the pups where they are reared, expect the breeder to ask you loads of questions, etc etc.

I'd add, find out how many bitches the breeder owns, if you can. If it's a lot, I would walk away.
Also, see if the breeder will FB friend you (of course, they might not for valid reasons): that way you can go back and have a good trawl to see what they do with their dogs (I was able to do that with the breeder of pup-before-last and there were posts with him working his dogs and meeting up with people who had puppies from the previous litter).
Also use your instincts around the breeder and their dogs: are the dogs not only fit and healthy, but also confident, happy and treated with affection?

It's very hard when faced with a litter of puppies to step back and be objective, so it's probably a good idea to speak to the breeder by phone first. They should quiz you, so quiz them: why this litter? Will any be worked (Bedlington whippets are a known lurcher cross)? What are parents' temperaments like? What do you feed them on? Do you vaccinate/treat for parasites?

@GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman lovely that's really helpful thank you so much. With regards to vaccinations, if they reply with 'yes they'll be vaccinated before leaving' can I ask for proof of this or am I expected to take their word for it? Same with 'puppy packs' and insurance etc, should they provide me with all relevant documentation?

I've also read a bit about how it's sometimes considered dodgy if they request cash only. What are the alternatives to this? Should they provide me with a 'receipt' as such? Is it safer to pay a deposit via PayPal? It's all very new to us but we want to make sure we walk into something with all bases covered.

Why that mix? The trouble with mixes is that you don’t know what you will get. You also can’t check how many litters the bitch has had and often the necessary specialist health tests aren’t done on the parents before breeding.

Don't have anything useful to add, just that I adore bedlington whippets and good luck with your search! If I could have another dog I would love one.

@Wolfiefan we decided because it's a mix that we both agree on and like, would suit our lifestyle, they aren't too big, are generally laid back, calm disposition, don't require hours upon hours of exercise and don't shed. We don't agree on lots of breeds (my parents rescue dachshunds which I love but my husband doesn't like them and they are prone to so many conditions amongst other things) and I don't agree with DH's choice of a collie because it'd be too high maintenance for us as first time owners. So it's a happy medium.

@Stellaris22 thank you 😊

There are lots of other dogs that suit that description.
The trouble is that sadly most breeders aren’t reputable. Puppy farmers rent houses and use a stunt bitch as a “mother”. Forged papers and illegal importing. It’s a minefield.

we decided because it's a mix that we both agree on and like, would suit our lifestyle, they aren't too big, are generally laid back, calm disposition, don't require hours upon hours of exercise and don't shed

Now I’m happy to be proved wrong but it was my understanding that Bedlington x Whippets are usually working dogs bred for lamping, coursing, ratting etc..?

Granted they aren’t big and I imagine they won’t shed much but I’m a little sceptical about the generally laid back and calm disposition.

Hopefully some actual Bedlington or Bedlington whippet owners will come in with their experiences.

and I don't agree with DH's choice of a collie because it'd be too high maintenance for us as first time owners
Oh also, this is my breed.
Very misunderstood they are.
They are high strung to varying degrees that’s true, it’s true that many have a strong instinct to herd (often noticeable as a tiny 8 week puppy) and it’s also true that they can be sensitive to noise and sudden movement and this can mean they aren’t always great with children.

However.
If you are careful to check the pups parents temperaments (nervous temperament tends to be inherited) and put the work in as with any other dog like positive experiences with children, obedience training etc they make very lovely pets.

While they arent super lazy like a pug or similar they don’t need hours and hours of exercise either, it’s an absolute fallacy and in some cases too much exercise and mental stimulation can make them hyperactive and hard to handle and unable to settle down.

Mine is quite capable of going all day outside if I want but she’ll spend pretty much all her time indoors asleep and isn’t bothered about missing a walk now and then.

I wouldn’t necessarily discount a border collie (I assume your DH was referring to a border?)

Or, if you are too worried, smooth or rough (lassie dog) collies tend to have very calm, placid temperaments.

Collies are also my breed and it really worries me usually by they same poster that they are easy lovely pets.

This is just not true , some are of course but the majority of collies need to be doing things, not necessarily exercise but they are intelligent dogs and it is not fair on them to expect a walks a day and nothing else. It is not fair to give them such a boring life that they shut down and sleep all day. So OP I agree with you re the collies unless you have time to give to them regulary.

It is harder to give specific advice when buying a mix breed as the breeders may tend to be more "professional" rather than ethical. I would be asking health testing questions for both breeds and also how they plan to bring up the puppies what experience they have on socialisation and what their socialisation plan is.

All really informative and helpful replies - I do appreciate people taking the time to respond.

We live in quite a rural area with lots of farms and all collie pups are from working bloodlines and while I think they are lovely they just aren't the breed for us. Any rescues are snapped up straight away but still usually come from farms where they couldn't 'make it' as a herder.

I will absolutely make a note to research health testing questions.

Should the breeder have documentation to present to show any vaccinations, microchipping etc?

I'm hopeless at offering advice but I wanted to say that we got our eldest last year after a heartbreaking loss and she's helped me so much more that I realised she would.

Yes they should have vaccinations documentation signed by a vet and also the microchip paperwork so that you can change the details to you.

Oh here we go.

I have never said or insinuated that they are ‘easy, lovely pets’ nor that they are lazy, low exercise dogs.

Mine was out walking for four hours yesterday, in the summer she’s regularly out from 8/9am ish to 5/6pm ish.
I miss the occasional walk, boo fucking hoo.
She is well exercised, she isn’t getting 30 minutes a day...

I’ve always said on threads that I wouldn’t recommend them as ideal pets for children, that they are high strung, that they can be noise sensitive, reactive to movement, shed a lot, that their herding instinct can be an issue etc etc and you know that.

What I say, and stand by, is that they don’t need hours and hours of exercise and training everyday and for some it proves really detrimental.

If you have ones that relish heavy exercise and work then that’s great, but they aren’t all like that.

Mine is from a working line, you know what her parents did when they weren’t busy herding sheep?
Nothing bar a walk.

None of the collies I know get the constant exercise and training they apparently need.

I find it quite offensive how you keep assuming my dog has a really awful, boring life and I’m forcing her to just sleep.

I have done the heavy mental stimulation and heavy exercise, because I thought it was the correct thing to do.
It results in her pacing and whining constantly, never able to relax and super reactive and fearful to sounds and other dogs.

She gets overstimulated easily, as do lots of collies and whether you want to believe it or not she’s a far happier, more relaxed dog with less to do.

We live in quite a rural area with lots of farms and all collie pups are from working bloodlines and while I think they are lovely they just aren't the breed for us. Any rescues are snapped up straight away but still usually come from farms where they couldn't 'make it' as a herder
Look at rough collies (the lassie dogs) and smooths (short coated roughs).
They are very different in looks and temperament to the borders.

I only comment because it misleads people into thinking collies are suitable for many homes that they are not eg in this instance a frst time dog owner who works ft. As always on these posts your second post then explains how challenging collies can be, that is what people need to hear not they sleep all day.

You have admitted you used a prong collar on your dog so she has been a challenge - collies are fab dogs but not for first time dog owners who work ft as the op is.

Nothing useful to add on breeds. But we got our puppy in January after a family bereavement. My DH keeps saying its the best thing we ever did - he's been able to transfer all his love to that little dog and got it back in spades.

Meant to say it is not personal just so many collies are in rescue due to people not understanding that they are dogs that need time I feel your posts do mislead people.

@eclipsechips thank you - it really has been one thing after another this year. I'm glad your dog has helped heal you, I just hope we can find one to do the same 😊

@GiraffeNecked that's what we're hoping for. We've had 2 losses since April and likely that we will experience another in the next couple of weeks. We desperately need some positivity - our house is so very quiet x

@PollyRoulson absolutely - we both work full time and even though DH is here all the time he is still working so I don't think we could offer a collie everything it needs even though I think they are lovely dogs. We'd also prefer something that doesn't shed!

@Swimminginroses I'll have a look at the other breeds you've mentioned 😊

OP I’m so sorry. Not sure if it’s been mentioned but dog training advice and support on FB have wonderful files about brining a puppy home, first night and toilet training and so much more. Brilliant resources.

@Wolfiefan thank you - that's so helpful I'll make a note to have a look tonight. I've been looking on the RSPCA, Dogstrust and PDSA websites and have found lots of information about what to do when you bring them home but not so much with the actual visiting / buying process. I just don't want to make a mistake / be ripped off / do anything wrong!

In regards to your question about vaccinations, there are a few brands out there and some breeders have stopped giving first shot as vets often start the whole course again...
If you get a 1st vaccination puppy it will come with a vaccination card.
Make sure that the puppy is microchipped and registered to the breeder as required by law.

IME most breeders don't vaccinate before the puppies leave. I would though want to know that the parents are vaccinated, at least against distemper and parvo. I'd also find a vet and ask about their vaccination protocols. Ours for example gives Lepto 2 not Lepto 4, which was also the advice from the breeder of our most recent puppy.

As for health tests, you will not need to worry about tests for recessive conditions unless they are present in both breeds. The Kennel Club website should help you there.

My (limited) experience of Bedlingtons is that they are jolly little souls and my (slightly wider) experience of whippets is that they are generally fairly chill around other dogs and, apart from a short dose of the zoomies a couple of times a day, bone idle. In general lurchers and longdogs seem to make lovely household pets, though sometimes people end up with a rescue that has been worked and has massive prey drive which the new owners aren't always equipped to handle.

Once you get your pup, start right away on the programme laid out by Pippa Mattinson in 'Total Recall'. It's really helpful, as I think someone (Wolfie?) said upthread.