Viewing Puppies

[Huntswomanonthemove]

We're going to see some two week old Miniature Poodle puppies, next week. Can anyone suggest what questions to ask and what to look out for? We found the litter through the Kennel Club.

Before anyone suggests a rescue, we have looked into a rescue and for various reasons, it's not for us.

Thanks.

Health tests from the parents is a good start.

I tend to look on the KC website and search their pedigree names to see how many litters the breeders have had, whether they’ve bred bitches and dogs under the age of two. I’ve discounted many breeders by looking at this - they seem good on the surface then I’ve discovered they’ve bred 200 puppies in a couple of years which isn’t for me.

What support they’ll offer you. If they’ll take the puppy back in the future. Um, I’m sure there’s lots more!

Make sure to see the mum

look at her paws to see if they’re urine stained and check her teeth to see if they’re looked after

make sure to see where the mum and the puppies are sleeping

proof of health checks and puppy vet visit

As above with health tests etc.
I hear so many people say ‘we picked the cheekiest one, he sad the most personality…’ then wonder why it’s hard to train it. Don’t pick the dominant puppy that’s jumping all over its siblings, biting ears etc but also not the one who is cowering in the corner.

I looked at better than average health scores. EBV scores. COI of litter. All available on kennel club website.
I looked at how many litters breeder has bred. I think they can give better attention to puppies if one litter at a time. I avoided multiple breeds being bred. I avoided breeders that didn't quiz me about the home I was offering.
When at breeders
Pups must be with mum
They should be friendly and obviously well handled. Bitch should greet you with waggy tail
Pups clean and lively and area clean.
I like pups in a home not kennel
I know some people will disagree with some of these but that's what I looked for
Oh and pups mustn't leave mum before 8 weeks.
Breeder should give contract with a return clause.

If you don't feel like you've been properly grilled by the breeder then walk away.

I would want to know about the sire, and why he was picked.

I would want to assess mum's temperament, as it's likely to be reflected in the pups.

All brilliant, thanks very much.

Some good advice already given to you.

Firstly, I’d do some research on the breed. What genetic health problems does it have? Which ones can be tested for? A responsible breeder will have had the bitch health tested and go ahead with breeding only if the health test results indicate she is suitable. The stud dog should also have been tested of course. Some breeders will choose a stud dog that’s been tested but not go to the expense and trouble of testing their bitch. Obviously this gives only partial protection to the puppies so should be avoided.

Ask to see the health test certificates which any good breeder will be happy to show you.

Find out how often the bitch has had puppies. No more than 3 times is recommended but 2 is better. She shouldn’t have pups until she’s 2 years, preferably 3 years and not over the age of 6 years.

Bitch and pups should be in the house, very clean, and very well cared for. At 2 weeks their eyes will still be closed but they should look plump and healthy. The breeder should tell you about how the pups will be socialised when they’re older, what food they’ll be eating, when they’ll be wormed. They shouldn’t go to their new homes until they’re 8-10 weeks old.

The breeder should be welcoming but also grill you on your home situation. We had 4 litters of puppies over a 10 year period and were very picky. The breeder should want to know if someone is at home most of the time and if there’s an enclosed, easily accessible, garden. The family needs to have time for the puppy also.

A responsible breeder will have a contract for you to sign, expect you to keep in touch throughout the lifetime of the dog, and take back the dog if you can no longer keep it. Our contract stipulated that we could visit their home without warning and take back the puppy at any time. Regular Skype/phone calls should be expected especially during the first few weeks.

You should receive a pedigree, KC registration document, chip registration when you collect the pup.

Cost of the pup should be discussed but not be the main topic. The pups’ welfare should come first.

Go along to see the pups but be ready to say no if there’s any problem.

There are unfortunately some breeders who will not be absolutely truthful with you, so double-check any information they give. They may well be members of their local breed club and if they are, the breed club should know they have pups. A call to the breed club can give useful information.

Please PM if you’d like any more info. Good luck.

If it’s anything like when we first saw our dog, the breeder quizzed us, did we have the time for puppy, walking, exercise, training, what our home set up was, did we work etc., We didn’t see him till puppy was 7 weeks old, so information on feeding, worming, flea treatment and microchip was given. We also paid a 20% deposit, which we were given a receipt for.

Rule 1… see mum. Don’t accept any excuse at all if you can’t. If they are ina house check for signs they are used to being there, things like are they nervous of the telly etc, also they shouldn’t stink, if mum honks they are probably kennelled and brought in to look good.
Breeding more than one breed is a big no for me unless it’s maybe two very similar types… like say… rough and smooth collies, and definitely not someone who breeds a cross, especially if they give it a nonsense name.

Another huge yes is feeling like you’re being grilled by the breeder, they are finding a home for their pup as much as you want to buy one. Also one that offers after support, puppies are jerks, you need support and also someone who would take one back

Just to warn you, at two weeks old, you won't get much idea of puppy personality. They all look like plump, furry slugs at this stage, squirming around trying to find mum.

If you can go back when they're four to six weeks old, you'll get much more idea of their characters.

Thanks so much for all the excellent advice.

Check and Google the breeder thoroughly. Look at the pedigree and Google it. Look at the health checks on the sire and dam. All you can do is vet the breeder thoroughly. Make sure you see the mother too. Personally I've never chose any dog they have chose me.

We’ve cancelled the viewing of the puppies. I dug out some information on the breeder. She breeds four different types of dog and she has three different litters for sale, all of a similar age. It just didn’t feel right.

Good call.

Massive red flag. Any decent breeder will only have one breed because they are absolutely committed to that one breed. They live and breathe said breed.

You’ve absolutely made the right call

You've definitely made the right call there HuntsWoman. Well done for walking away.

Gosh well done OP. Brave decision but the right one.

My first dog's breeder bred two breeds for about four years technically. She had goldens then got into cocker spaniels. I think she had a golden litter then 18 months later a cocker one, then another golden at some point but then she stayed with cockers only, and over those few years she never had litters close to each other.

Good luck finding a new litter, I use Champdogs first and foremost.

Well done OP, it’s hard to change your mind, but easier now before you’ve seen them. It’s actually quite unusual for a breeder to have visitors at two weeks old, all that I know wait until at least four weeks.

If you want a miniature poodle I would suggest contacting the breed club in your area. They can put you in touch with breeders and may have a list on their website

Today we viewed some puppies. They were in a pen in the breeder's living room with their mother. The mother and the grandmother are both kept as pets and we were able to stroke and interact with them. The puppies and the dogs were immaculate, and so was their pen. All health checks, details of the father and pedigree stuff was out ready for us to view. We were made very welcome and we were encouraged to handle the puppies. We had a choice of three bitches and three dogs, all adorable. They are four weeks old. The breeder answered all our questions and asked us appropriate questions. There wasn't a red flag in sight. We're going for one of the girls. I'm very excited.

Thanks for all the help on this thread.

There is something really, really wrong with your post @Huntswomanonthemove.

You forgot to include a picture!

I wouldn't hand over a penny unless the breeder has health tested both mum and dad. Kennel Club Registration means absolutely nothing regarding a health guarantee. I learned the hard way over the last 15 years 🫤

Sorry meant to add

www.champdogs.co.uk/?classic_site=1

is an excellent website for breeders who health test. Also a UK breed club will probably know of breeders who are recommended for this. Good luck.

Congratulations @Huntswomanonthemove!
Is she the same breed as the one you didn't get, which I think you said was a miniature poodle?

If you have never had a puppy before I hope you have read up about generic puppies, as they will almost certainly be a handful 😁 Yes, sometimes you may think can I send it back (not to the breeder) just as did sometimes when I was walking the middle of the night floors with my first very young baby!

But when I look back I only remember all the funny and wonderful times. I found both my second puppy and my second baby so much easier to take care of - a big part of which I think was due to knowing what I was doing, and therefore also being nowhere near so terrified 😍

Can you share a photo please OP?

Oops sorry OP and anyone else, I didn't notice this was an old one - but a then and now couple of photos would still be good 😉

Miniature poodle puppy.