Questions for breeder?

[cJw314]

So we're going to meet the pup and, even after my years of reading and prep, I'm curious what questions I should ask about the pup while I'm at his birth home.

Most information on the 'net about this tends toward questions for pure-breeders; and since we're looking at a mixed breed "accident" pup, my searches haven't been productive.

So far, my list is small, and feel like I'm missing a few...


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Food?

Socialization progress?

Crate training?

Living area?
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Thoughts/Ideas?

 

[*blackrose]

If the parents are known (may not be since it is an "oops), you could still ask about their temperment and whether or not they have had any health issues. It would be nice to know if they are dog aggressive, protective, easy going, hyper, skittish, submissive, etc., or whether or not they have ever had any eye/joint/heart/seizure/etc. problems.

As for the puppy:
- What socialization have the puppies had?
- What diet do they eat? When?
- Does he have a favorite toy?
- What is his temperment like?
- Have they been crated?
- Have they been started on housebreaking? How? (Outside, paper, any speical command or cue...)
- When does he normally wake up/go to sleep? What is his schedule?
- Started on leash training? Any other training?
- Vaccination/worming records?
- Have they ever had a bath/nail trim/brushing?
- been exposed to cats/kids/other dogs?

Ummmm....that is all I can think of at the moment. LOL

 

[Maxy24]

You're sure this is a one time accidental litter right? Not someone who does this repeatedly? You want to be careful that you are not supporting someone who just allows there dogs to breed because they're to cheap/careless to prevent it.

I would ask about the temperament of the parents if they know and meet the mother and father if they own both, ask if the dog has been introduced to collars, leashes, crates, outside, cats (if this concerns you), kids, the vacuum, etc. Ask if they've done any work on housebreaking.

 

[cJw314]

As for the puppy:
- What socialization have the puppies had?
- What diet do they eat? When?
- Does he have a favorite toy?
- What is his temperment like?
- Have they been crated?
- Have they been started on housebreaking? How? (Outside, paper, any speical command or cue...)
- When does he normally wake up/go to sleep? What is his schedule?
- Started on leash training? Any other training?
- Vaccination/worming records?
- Have they ever had a bath/nail trim/brushing?
- been exposed to cats/kids/other dogs?

Ummmm....that is all I can think of at the moment. LOL

That's quite a list; awesome additions I hadn't thought of yet!


@Maxy,

Only speaking from telephone conversations, I felt pretty comfortable with her sincerity. She spoke of previous mini schnau litters from this female and their colorings to the point that I believed her.

Unfortunate reality that should be considered, though, I suppose.


In other news, it's Puppy Day! Woot!