Check List for a new puppy
ENSURE YOU BUY A PUPPY FROM A REPUTABLE SOURCE.
Ask to see a pedigree before making any decision and ensure that you receive the new registration documents, signed by the breeder to be transferred into your name, when you collect your puppy.
Check sire and dam’s hip scores, these should be shown to you and should fall within the Leonberger Club of Great Britain’s breeding code of ethics.
Ask if they have had the relevant eye checks and again, look at the certificates yourself.
Ask for a recommended diet. Many breeders will also provide you with a starter pack of puppy food so that the pup’s diet is not changed suddenly when it leaves for it’s new home.
Expect to get a health sheet that gives information on vaccinations, worming and other relevant health details.
Make sure you see the mother and look for a kind, tolerant temperament. It is also worthwhile to meet and assess other immediate relatives where possible.
Expect to receive a puppy that has some form of permanent identification, either a tattoo or microchip, which ensures its identity can always be checked.
Discuss the health and attributes of your pup’s ancestors; does the breeder know what is behind them?
Ask for advice!!
If in doubt take someone along who has some sound knowledge of dogs.
Never buy a puppy from a pet store.
Never buy a puppy if you have not seen where and how it was raised.
Never buy a puppy that appears sickly, shy, skinny or in any way unwell, no matter how hard it pulls at your heart. To do so only encourages the unscrupulous to carry on producing puppies under unwholesome conditions.
ENSURE YOUR PUPPY HAS ITS FULL COURSE OF INOCULATIONS
This should be done as early as possible. Most breeders will advise you to take your new pup and register them with your own vet to be checked over as soon as you can. Discuss vaccination procedures with your vet. The Guide Dogs for the Blind have built up a great deal of experience with this over the last few decades and are confident that it is perfectly acceptable to give the first jab at six weeks although 7-8 is perfectly acceptable and is the norm within most vet practices. The follow-on jabs are usually scheduled for 2 weeks later. Check with your vet on their opinion on booster jabs. This might vary depending on the area you live in.
ENSURE YOUR DOG IS REGULARLY WORMED AND GIVEN APPROPRIATE TREATMENT FOR THE PREVENTION OF PARASITES.
Although the risks to humans of disease from worms are not as great as is often quoted, they certainly should not be dismissed as they can have a big impact on the quality of life for your new dog. Also, fleas appear to be increasing as the weather pattern changes and many dogs are very sensitive to their saliva. As international travel with pets becomes ever easier, new illnesses are bound to come into the UK. Some of these will be carried by ticks, so do be sure to protect your dog from these as well. Finally, lung worm has become an ever growing danger, especially to puppies and young dogs who are most likely to investigate the snails and slugs who carry this parasite. Check with your vet to ensure that your dog is safe from this danger as well.
ENSURE YOU ALWAYS CARRY SOMETHING TO COLLECT ANY FAECES DEPOSITED BY YOUR DOG
This is the acceptable face of dog ownership! Apart from the anti-social aspect of leaving mess everywhere it also gives the anti-dog people more ammunition, Never leave home withiout a poo-bag!
ENSURE YOUR DOG ALWAYS WEARS IDENTIFICATION.
A microchip or ear tattoo is not enough. In fact it is illegal for a dog to be out in public without a collar with an ID disc on it. This should have an address/phone number although one tip is not to put your dog’s name. Knowing a dog’s name often makes it easier to steal and dog theft is a growing problem. Even if it strays, it is surprising how many people are more tempted to keep a dog when they know its name.
ENSURE YOUR DOG IS SOCIABLE WITH HUMANS.
This is usually achieved by buying a puppy which is genetically sound for temperament and then socialising it as soon as possible. If the dog has a doubtful temperament then do not allow him or her to get into situations where they can cause distress, or could be the cause of distress to others. After all, this is your dog and you are totally responsible for its behaviour in public.
ENSURE YOUR DOG IS SOCIABLE WITH OTHER DOGS.
As above! It is vital that your dog learns how to behave in the company of others of its kind. Early socialisation is the key to this. If your dog does happen to enjoy the odd punch-up then it is a simple matter to keep it on a lead where there is a possibility of an altercation. In extreme situations, simply put a muzzle on your dog as it is not worth taking any chances.
ENSURE THAT YOUR DOG, IRRESPECTIVE OF ITS AGE, IS NEVER LEFT ALONE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
We would strongly advise that infants or very young children and dogs are NEVER left unsupervised by an adult no matter how much you trust your dog. No one can be absolutely certain how a dog will react in all circumstances.
ENSURE YOU KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD IN BUSY URBAN AREAS AND ANYWHERE WHERE THERE IS LIVESTOCK
Dogs will often behave unpredictably. Even the most steady and well-behaved dog can suddenly give chase, run into the path of a vehicle, or pursue stock. Oh, and another point- If walking your dog using a flexi-lead keep it tightly retracted when alongside a road. Failure to keep your dog on a lead where there is livestock nearby could easily mean he receives both barrels of an irate farmers shot gun.
And finally...
SERIOUSLY CONSIDER HAVING THIRD PARTY INSURANCE
You should seriously consider being fully insured for damage or injury that your dog may be accused of causing, even accidentally. We all know how readily people sue. DO NOT ASSUME that you are covered by your house insurance for all cases!!
Whether a dog is for show, working or a pet -the same rules and responsibilities must apply.
Return to the Puppy Buyers' Guide
Ask to see a pedigree before making any decision and ensure that you receive the new registration documents, signed by the breeder to be transferred into your name, when you collect your puppy.
Check sire and dam’s hip scores, these should be shown to you and should fall within the Leonberger Club of Great Britain’s breeding code of ethics.
Ask if they have had the relevant eye checks and again, look at the certificates yourself.
Ask for a recommended diet. Many breeders will also provide you with a starter pack of puppy food so that the pup’s diet is not changed suddenly when it leaves for it’s new home.
Expect to get a health sheet that gives information on vaccinations, worming and other relevant health details.
Make sure you see the mother and look for a kind, tolerant temperament. It is also worthwhile to meet and assess other immediate relatives where possible.
Expect to receive a puppy that has some form of permanent identification, either a tattoo or microchip, which ensures its identity can always be checked.
Discuss the health and attributes of your pup’s ancestors; does the breeder know what is behind them?
Ask for advice!!
If in doubt take someone along who has some sound knowledge of dogs.
Never buy a puppy from a pet store.
Never buy a puppy if you have not seen where and how it was raised.
Never buy a puppy that appears sickly, shy, skinny or in any way unwell, no matter how hard it pulls at your heart. To do so only encourages the unscrupulous to carry on producing puppies under unwholesome conditions.
ENSURE YOUR PUPPY HAS ITS FULL COURSE OF INOCULATIONS
This should be done as early as possible. Most breeders will advise you to take your new pup and register them with your own vet to be checked over as soon as you can. Discuss vaccination procedures with your vet. The Guide Dogs for the Blind have built up a great deal of experience with this over the last few decades and are confident that it is perfectly acceptable to give the first jab at six weeks although 7-8 is perfectly acceptable and is the norm within most vet practices. The follow-on jabs are usually scheduled for 2 weeks later. Check with your vet on their opinion on booster jabs. This might vary depending on the area you live in.
ENSURE YOUR DOG IS REGULARLY WORMED AND GIVEN APPROPRIATE TREATMENT FOR THE PREVENTION OF PARASITES.
Although the risks to humans of disease from worms are not as great as is often quoted, they certainly should not be dismissed as they can have a big impact on the quality of life for your new dog. Also, fleas appear to be increasing as the weather pattern changes and many dogs are very sensitive to their saliva. As international travel with pets becomes ever easier, new illnesses are bound to come into the UK. Some of these will be carried by ticks, so do be sure to protect your dog from these as well. Finally, lung worm has become an ever growing danger, especially to puppies and young dogs who are most likely to investigate the snails and slugs who carry this parasite. Check with your vet to ensure that your dog is safe from this danger as well.
ENSURE YOU ALWAYS CARRY SOMETHING TO COLLECT ANY FAECES DEPOSITED BY YOUR DOG
This is the acceptable face of dog ownership! Apart from the anti-social aspect of leaving mess everywhere it also gives the anti-dog people more ammunition, Never leave home withiout a poo-bag!
ENSURE YOUR DOG ALWAYS WEARS IDENTIFICATION.
A microchip or ear tattoo is not enough. In fact it is illegal for a dog to be out in public without a collar with an ID disc on it. This should have an address/phone number although one tip is not to put your dog’s name. Knowing a dog’s name often makes it easier to steal and dog theft is a growing problem. Even if it strays, it is surprising how many people are more tempted to keep a dog when they know its name.
ENSURE YOUR DOG IS SOCIABLE WITH HUMANS.
This is usually achieved by buying a puppy which is genetically sound for temperament and then socialising it as soon as possible. If the dog has a doubtful temperament then do not allow him or her to get into situations where they can cause distress, or could be the cause of distress to others. After all, this is your dog and you are totally responsible for its behaviour in public.
ENSURE YOUR DOG IS SOCIABLE WITH OTHER DOGS.
As above! It is vital that your dog learns how to behave in the company of others of its kind. Early socialisation is the key to this. If your dog does happen to enjoy the odd punch-up then it is a simple matter to keep it on a lead where there is a possibility of an altercation. In extreme situations, simply put a muzzle on your dog as it is not worth taking any chances.
ENSURE THAT YOUR DOG, IRRESPECTIVE OF ITS AGE, IS NEVER LEFT ALONE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
We would strongly advise that infants or very young children and dogs are NEVER left unsupervised by an adult no matter how much you trust your dog. No one can be absolutely certain how a dog will react in all circumstances.
ENSURE YOU KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD IN BUSY URBAN AREAS AND ANYWHERE WHERE THERE IS LIVESTOCK
Dogs will often behave unpredictably. Even the most steady and well-behaved dog can suddenly give chase, run into the path of a vehicle, or pursue stock. Oh, and another point- If walking your dog using a flexi-lead keep it tightly retracted when alongside a road. Failure to keep your dog on a lead where there is livestock nearby could easily mean he receives both barrels of an irate farmers shot gun.
And finally...
SERIOUSLY CONSIDER HAVING THIRD PARTY INSURANCE
You should seriously consider being fully insured for damage or injury that your dog may be accused of causing, even accidentally. We all know how readily people sue. DO NOT ASSUME that you are covered by your house insurance for all cases!!
Whether a dog is for show, working or a pet -the same rules and responsibilities must apply.
Return to the Puppy Buyers' Guide
