Collecting puppy if lockdown continues?

[Owledge]

Hi, I've been on the general waiting list for another puppy from the breeder (a couple of hours drive away ) of our current 2 yo dog for some time - it's a rare breed so happy to wait. There's now a litter due in the next month or so (same mum as my dog and her second and last litter) - but I'm concerned about how any ongoing lockdown if it goes on beyond the next 12 weeks or so etc may affect puppy collection and socialisation during the first few months? I've checked the Kennel Club guidelines for collection in England which seem to suggest you can only collect (or arrange transport) in v limited circumstances so I wondered how others have managed? I'm also wondering what issues I should be thinking about re socialisation. Any suggestions would be welcome..

We were in a similar situation –we were on a waiting list for a puppy since the beginning of this year, and Tier 4 restrictions came in the day before we were meant to be picking her up... luckily I had done some research earlier as I wasn't sure what the situation would be regarding lockdowns and pick up and had found a pet courier that I trusted (I also spoke to many that I wouldn't have trusted to do the best by the puppy!) After a frantic phone call, they very kindly agreed to squeeze us in and pick the puppy up on Christmas Eve for us. They are licensed and are able to operate even within lockdown. Let me know if you'd be interested in their details!
RE: socialisation, we are lucky enough to have a park opposite us where we can take her for some people watching and there's a kids playground there too. Some of our local supermarkets are also happy for us to bring her in while we do our shopping, which is great. We're also just making sure to take her out with us on a daily walk in her carrier or tucked into a jacket, and I even took her to the post office the other day. I'm also doing quite a lot of "at home" socialisation - getting her used to hairdryers and other noises (although the breeder was very good with this too and she came to us almost completely socialised to household noises!) It's definitely not ideal –when we put our name down for the waiting list we had no idea this would be the situation!

Our breeder uses a courier who collects puppies for her from France so she trusts her. The breeder asked us if we'd be interested and so we are using that. Courier is only bringing four pups from that litter round to various owners so they won't be with other animals/dogs.

@FrenesiGates - that is really helpful, thanks! If you could let me have the name of the courier that would be fab as it's a bit of a logistical nightmare if lockdown still in place. Luckily I have 3 teenagers and a dog at home to "help" with the general noise in the house but carrying around outside sounds like a good idea too...

No-one knows what the restrictions will be in April-May time (when the as yet unborn puppy will be ready to collect)

But even in lockdown breeders can deliver, or pet transport companies can be used.

Don't worry too much about socialisation 'window' - rare breeds are sometimes rare because litters are tiny, and the breeders tend to be enthusiasts, so will be doing this and doing it well. And you have the huge advantage of the (half?) sibling, as there's nothing like an older dog for teaching a puppy how to be a dog

@myfatiguehastiredness, just seen your comment - I may suggest that to my breeder, do you have details of the courier your breeder would be willing to share? No problems if not!

@owledge We used Woods Pet Transport –www.woodspettransport.com/ Linda and her husband are lovely. They only transport one dog at a time, give updates, and they have experience transporting dogs from Italy etc also.
I was surprised at how much there was to socialise her with on daily walks –construction, noisy kids, cars, trucks, bikes, scooters etc.. so I'm not as worried as I was initially!
I hope all goes well with your pup!

Personally I would not be buying a puppy in current circumstances. There are huge issues with many lockdown puppies due to lack of socialisation and training. Behaviourist that I know have never been so busy. Rescues are getting full.

@Owledge I don't have any details at the moment. Hopefully, by the time your pup is ready, lockdown might be lifted.

@sitdowncupoftea this is my concern - but as this is the last ever sibling litter (and I searched so long for my first dog in terms of background /breeder etc) it's a hard decision to take!

In Scotland. Breeder brought puppy to us.

CSFG (they advise the government on all matters canine and feline) have all the information HERE by country. It is constantly being updated in view of changing lockdown situations.

In all lockdowns so far puppies can be delivered by the breeder or pet courier but in the latest lockdown you can collect the puppy yourself in England.

We are getting our puppy next Monday and are using a pet taxi service - expensive but will be with it :-)

Our puppy is coming home this weekend. She’s being delivered by the breeder, which is required in lockdown

We're also looking at collecting our pup in February - if rules change fabulous, otherwise we'll have to use a courier. Does anyone have any idea of the cost involved?
This is a long awaited pup for us, gutted about the timing.

Registered breeders are allowed to travel. I had been planning to collect our new puppy last Thursday but the breeder delivered him to me.

There was a thread on this last week, at which time at first guidelines haven’t been updated.

Subsequently the update on the gov website (as posted on that thread) is:

"Purchasers are not allowed to visit a litter in person to view a puppy or kitten with their mother in its home environment and so some virtual means of allowing potential purchasers to view is necessary. Puppies and kittens that are ready to be rehomed should be delivered to their new owners by the breeder by appointment providing the
handover can be performed using the business handover protocol set out by CFSG. Where this may not be possible and exceptionally it is considered reasonably necessary for welfare reasons, they may be collected. In these circumstances the collection should be by appointment only and the handover must take place outside using the protocol and maintaining social distance and in compliance with other safety precautions.

When a pet is delivered, handover should take place in an outdoorspace large enough for the breeder/transporter and purchaser to maintain their social distance (2m should be adhered to) using the handover protocol. Whilst it is desirable to give an item of bedding with a kitten or puppy care must be taken to ensure there is no potential for transfer of virus."

Vested interest here, puppy I’m on a waiting list for is due any day, so hoping to be able to collect mid March 😀

Thanks @PicpoulDeMeNay Very helpful. Our breeder has mentioned couriers, but I shall leave it a couple of weeks I think and then ask if they would maybe deliver. If by any chance a few restrictions are lifted mid Feb we might have more luck.

Good luck with your pup @PicpoulDeMeNay - ours is now 4 weeks old. It's been a very long process for us, and I can't wait to bring him home. Just a little bit sad we won't be able to meet all of them beforehand. I have absolutely no doubts about the breeder and the parents though, it's just a shame.

I’m sorry but I’m not getting this. If there are certain covid laws or guidelines which would advise against travelling to collect a new puppy then how is it suddenly okay to have a courier or the breeder themselves making that journey to you? There is no way I would ever home a puppy who I hadn’t visited in own home and met parents etc. This is where puppy farmers are having a field day claiming you can’t collect from them due to covid and offering to deliver directly to you. I’m shocked at some of the responses on here offering courier contacts. Don’t feed the puppy farming market!

The breeder and the courier are carrying out their work, which is permitted.

OP says she's getting a rare breed puppy, from a breeder she has known for over 2 years (first puppy came from there, from first litter from a bitch who is having only two litters). Those are not the hallmarks of a back yard breeder, let alone a puppy farm

@lootraw1- in my case as I said in my original post, I know the breeder (farmers, not a large commercial undertaking) as I bought my current dog off them 2 years ago, have been to their farm, seen the mum and have her 5 generation KC history, and have details of the stud history of father of the pups. So definitely not puppy farmers - but I agree there are issues with homing a puppy without having met it in person.

[quote Owledge]@lootraw1- in my case as I said in my original post, I know the breeder (farmers, not a large commercial undertaking) as I bought my current dog off them 2 years ago, have been to their farm, seen the mum and have her 5 generation KC history, and have details of the stud history of father of the pups. So definitely not puppy farmers - but I agree there are issues with homing a puppy without having met it in person.[/quote]
Oh I see OP sorry hadn’t read carefully enough your post.

I too have regular contact with my breeder and she sends me daily videos and pictures of mum, dad and puppies. She shows and I can already trace my dog's pedigree. Not everyone is a puppy farmer (though there are plenty out there)

@Iootraw1 We also have known breeder for 17 yesrs, unusual breed, and the pup is a direct relative of another family members dog. We have been waiting for this litter for over a year.

Thanks all - just been getting some more details from the breeder and apparently puppy prices have more than doubled in 2 years! No doubt due to scarcity and increased demand in lockdown but that combined with the logistics difficulties makes my DH think it would be more sensible to wait until after lockdown/next year - rationally I agree but it's a real shame as this pup would have been such a good fit for us!