New owner

[Stuart1969]

Hi All
Just thought I’d say hello, we have found a breeder in Colchester who seems legitimate and is registered with the KC, so hopefully after our last awful experience buying from a puppy farmer, (my fault, impulse buy, no research) we should be fine this time.
Wife also had bad allergic reaction to the bichon we had so after a few visits with this schnauzer pup everything is looking good so far!
Just wanted to see if you guys had any further thoughts as to what else I should ask?
Mum and dad have had eye check
She has booked pups in for eye check
She micro chips the dogs herself? Is this normal?
Thanks
Stuary

[zeta1454]

Welcome to the Forum

Do check out the Puppy Care and Breeding sections (via the Board Index) as there are several threads on both with lots of useful information for anyone looking for a puppy and regarding breeders.

Re the breeder microchipping their puppies themselves, there have been some breeders who have done this for many years but, when the legislation was introduced in 2016 making it illegal to sell a puppy that is not microchipped in the breeder's name, many more regular breeders are doing this themselves. Microchipping, however, can only be carried out by someone who has undertaken a specific, recognised course and is registered with one of the main database companies such as Petlog.
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/microchippingfactsheet" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you can (or already have done) find out the KC registered names of both parent dogs as this will enable you to check further back in the pedigrees of both dogs regarding the eye testing.
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/servic ... fault.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would register for MyKC too as this has a wealth of information that is useful to pedigree dog owners. You can find details on the Kennel Club website.

Personally, I would want to know what has been or is being done in terms of raising / socialising the puppies. Will house training have started? Will they be introduced to sleeping alone before leaving? Are they being taken out of the home to see their surroundings (after 6 weeks of age)?
http://www.thepuppyplan.com/the-science ... jeDCtGnyf0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You could also ask if the parent dogs have been DNA tested for MAC as this is now a recommended test for anyone breeding miniature schnauzers. The condition is still rare in the UK and traces back to dogs imported from the USA but, to avoid the condition being widely spread by lack of testing, it is something every breeder should be doing.
http://northernschnauzerclub.co.uk/myco ... ction-mac/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Do not worry if the breeder has not had the DNA test carried out as it is a relatively new test but it is worth asking about if only to flag up to the breeder that it is a concern.

If the breeder you are visiting is a Kennel Club Assured Breeder you will have the reassurance that they have been inspected and that you can report back to the Kennel Club if they are failing to meet the conditions of the Scheme and they can be removed from it. However, breeders themselves are not registered with the Kennel Club aside from the ABS. Advertisements which state "KC registered" refer to the puppies only (not the breeder) which means they have parent dogs that are already registered and they have paid the relevant fee to the Kennel Club. There are minimal welfare requirements but no inspections of premises, no mandatory health tests etc. There are good breeders who operate outside the ABS but you will need to check yourself whether you feel they are knowledgeable about the breed, passionate about the welfare of their dogs and offer a lifetime of the dog support and advice for puppies they sell.

Good luck and look forward to seeing photos and hearing more about your new puppy in the future

[Stuart1969]

thanks for this - helps me start to build a list of questions!

Cheers
Stuart

[Stuart1969]

One other thing, how active do you think a 5 week old puppy should be as the ones we saw seemed very subdued?

[mikegoodson1]

We went to see some 7 week old puppies mid-November, as we were seeing the one we were getting and two were brought out (both girls). One was very 'forward', she was into everything, very nosey, wanted to see us, pick at our shoe-laces/jumper/hands and generally explore around. The other little girl was more subdued/quiet and she stayed very much in the background and was, I'm guessing, more cautious and wanted to suss things out. Both were lovely girls.

I'm not a breeder so others here will probably better answer your question but surely puppies are like humans, all with different shapes/sizes and personalities but if they were all subdued and not just tired from playing, I'm not sure what I would think....

[zeta1454]

One other thing, how active do you think a 5 week old puppy should be as the ones we saw seemed very subdued?

As Mike said, puppies can have individual characters and some are more forward than others and puppies do also need plenty of sleep in the early weeks so they are not always bouncing about and playing. Did the breeder offer any explanation regarding the puppies being "subdued" ?

It is difficult to say for sure without seeing the pups but, if they were wide awake and not showing signs of having just woken up or wanting to sleep, I would expect puppies to be quite lively and playful or certainly showing interest in visitors or at least interacting with the breeder / their Mum and siblings.

Did you have an opportunity to hold one or more of the pups and see them out of their playpen with toys /siblings?

Some puppies can be more forward with a new visitor and others more shy but "subdued" does sound a bit strange.


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[Stuart1969]

Hi There
When we got there they were all snuggled up with mum, a couple of them stumbled about over their brothers but they were really sleepy, mum gave a soft growl towards me when I went to stroke the pups, the breeder did pick the girl up and we held her for ages and passed her between us and she showed a little interest but was happy to lie in our arms but I thought she would get a little more jumpy and playful - they just seemed young.
The breeder seemed really genuine, she had another litter in the same room next to her and she said these were only 3 weeks old - I have searched on the internet of 5 week old puppies and they seem bigger and more mischievous. But I also know young puppies spend a lot of time sleeping so I'm a bit cautious.

[zeta1454]

Hi There
When we got there they were all snuggled up with mum, a couple of them stumbled about over their brothers but they were really sleepy, mum gave a soft growl towards me when I went to stroke the pups, the breeder did pick the girl up and we held her for ages and passed her between us and she showed a little interest but was happy to lie in our arms but I thought she would get a little more jumpy and playful - they just seemed young.
The breeder seemed really genuine, she had another litter in the same room next to her and she said these were only 3 weeks old - I have searched on the internet of 5 week old puppies and they seem bigger and more mischievous. But I also know young puppies spend a lot of time sleeping so I'm a bit cautious.

The puppies' Mum is likely to be protective of her babies so it is not unusual for her to be less than happy about a stranger trying to pick them up. If it was their time for sleeping, it could explain why they were not very lively. Does the breeder have any video clips of the pups at play that she could let you see?

The pups in this video clip are just over 4 weeks old (playing with one of our affens). This is an old video clip as we no longer breed schnauzers:

https://youtu.be/KH2VmY6WPR4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I would have some slight reservations about a breeder trying to raise 2 litters of puppies effectively at the same time as it is really hard work to do the right level of socialisation for puppies going to a family home and this time of year is never good to have puppies from the point of view of house training / socialisation generally being so cold and wet!

However, you need to trust your instincts to some extent here. If you believe the breeder to be honest, experienced in the breed, able to offer a guarantee that they will provide ongoing support /advice for the lifetime of the dog and would always take back or assist to rehome the puppy etc. etc. then try to arrange another viewing to see the pups before making any financial commitment. I would say that, although you do need to see Mum and pups together, it is best to allow potential families so have some time with a puppy or puppies without the mother present too if she is inclined to be over protective as it can have a negative effect on the puppies' reactions to strangers and will inhibit you being able to really interact with them.

[Stuart1969]

Thanks all for your comments - I have found another breeder which we are more comfortable with and have chosen our new puppy, Darcie, who is 2 weeks old I would post a picture but it seems you need a degree in black magic to post it here!

Cheers
Stuart

[Stuart1969]

I uploaded which I worked out - even tried to rotate but for some reason that did not save even though I saved it after I rotated it! - go figure

[zeta1454]

Great to hear you have found a breeder you are happy with

Darcie looks very sweet. Look forward to seeing more pictures when she comes home with you next year.




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[jacdales]

i liked her name