• How old is the mother and how many litters did she have?
Too many litters in a row could mean puppies are bred here only for the money. It is better that the bitch does not give birth more often than once a year, and her first mating was at least at age of two.
• What are the characters of the bitch and the male? Energetic? Active? Are they aggressive?
Aggression is often hereditary, so try not to acquire puppies from aggressive parents.
• Is the breeder the owner of the male?
Many breeders breed their bitches with males from another kennel and this is normal. Just try to find out more about the male, since you do not have the opportunity to see him live.
• What health tests done to parents?
Find out what health tests are needed in the breed you are planning to buy. Now, in almost all breeds, a check of the hip and elbow joints is needed. Find out what other tests must be done to your breed and be sure to ask the results of these tests for the parents of your future puppy.
• At what age did the puppies stop sucking milk?
If the puppies are breastfed, weaning after 4-5 weeks is considered normal.
• At what age does a breeder start giving out puppies?
A responsible breeder will not give away a puppy that is under 2 months old. Until that time, the puppy must be with the mother and littermates in order to properly socialize and grow into a harmonious dog.
• How does a breeder start to toilet train puppies?
A good breeder tries to lay the puppies’ basic hygiene skills: after sleep he takes the puppies out of the nest so that they do things not where they sleep. The grown-up puppies are taught to do things for diapers, and after vaccinations they are already on the street.
• In what environment do puppies grow?
Are the puppies getting new experiences? Do they have a lot of toys? Where do they sleep? Are they familiar with loud sounds, for example, from a vacuum cleaner, washing machine?
• What does the breeder feed their dogs with?
If dogs eat cheap food or table scraps, they are unlikely to be healthy. This means that the puppies, probably will not receive the necessary nutrients during active growth.
• Were the puppies treated for worms, what drug was used? Were they vaccinated?
The responsible breeder gives the puppies anthelmintic several times. And he vaccinates them according to their age with high-quality vaccines. Each puppy must have a veterinary passport, which must contain anthelmintic procedures and drugs info. If there are no vaccinations yet, then you must definitely find out at what age they must be held.
Additional important questions
Puppy Care Questions
• Features of hair care. How often to wash? How to dry?
• What cosmetics to use?
• What to use to treat a puppy from fleas and ticks? How often, what time of year?
• How often to give anthelmintic?
• How often to cut nails?
• Do I need to clean teeth / ears?
• Feeding. What to feed? How often? How much to give? What food is needed, what is allowed and what is strictly prohibited? Soaked or dry food?
• Vitamins and supplements
• Treats
Parenting / socialization questions
• Is he toilet trained?
• Where to put a puppy for the first time, where puppy should sleep and eat?
• How to walk? How long to walk?
• How to teach to a leash?
• What to do if puppy bites?
• Cage. When to use?
Dog shows / trainings
• What are dog shows? What are they needed for? How often you have to go to dog shows?
• What if you don’t want to attend dog shows?
• When to start other types of training and sports with a puppy?
Feel free to ask questions, even if you think they are silly, especially if you are buying a dog for the first time. Take this as seriously as possible, because the life of this little charming creature now depends on you.
I want to convey one thing to you. The breeder is your friend for years to come. Don’t disappear after buying a puppy. Call, ask. Perhaps some things can be solved by only call to the breeder. If your breeder never refuses to help you, be sure you are lucky.
We are interested in making your puppy happy. And we would like you to understand your dog, so that your life with your dog was as easy as possible.
Don’t forget your breeders.
Hanna Dymytrova-Kaihila
Rhodesian Ridgeback Kennel from 2009
“Maanhaar Primo-Creatus”