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BUYING A DOG OR A PUPPY
If you've chosen to buy a Flat Coated Retriever then congratulations! You won't
regret it - they make great loyal companions, full of energy, life, affection and vigour.
Their enthusiasm and optimism is so infectious and will brighten up your every day. Before
choosing your dog a few health and breeder checks will help you in your decision:
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CHOOSING A BREED OF DOG
Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment so please do give plenty of thought before buying a
dog. Choose the right breed for you and your family and you'll all be rewarded with a
lifetime of love and happiness. The average dog lives for 12 years with some breeds living
up to 17 years.
It'll help you in your choice to answer the following questions:
Is your house big enough for the breed of dog you'd like?
Have you a garden or access to a grassed area where your dog can toilet?
Will you, or other family members be at home to look after the dog?
Can you afford the expense of a large dog that will need a high energy diet?
Do you want a guard dog or a companion?
Has anyone in the home any allergies? Do you need to choose a short-coated dog?
Will you have enough space for a large or small dog basket in your house?
Do you need to choose a dog that is tolerant of children?
Do you want a male or female dog? Males can be more dominant and prone to wandering
off. Females will come on heat twice a year, which results in vaginal discharge, which will
make a mess around your home, unless you choose to neuter the dog.
WHERE TO BUY A DOG
Depending on your budget you could buy a puppy from a recognised breeder to guarantee
pedigree. Alternatively, you may wish to buy a dog or puppy from a recognised animal welfare
organisation such as the RSPCA. I would not recommend buying a dog/puppy from any other source.
Puppies from recognised breeders will cost in the £100's - but you will get a pedigree
certificate, ancestral history and a pure bred puppy.
Animal welfare organisations do occasionally receive pedigree dogs to re-home, perhaps when
their owner has died or is too infirm to care for the dog. You'll also find a range of mongrel
dogs and puppies, which can become loyal and obedient pets and may avoid certain health problems that
are inherent in pedigrees. Most animal welfare organisations will neuter their dogs before
re-homing them and have strict re-homing criteria, which often include a check of your
home to gauge suitability. A donation is often required or requested, which goes towards their
expensive running costs.
CHOOSING A DOG OR PUPPY
Never be tempted to buy the runt of the litter because it looks cute - you're just asking for
trouble - either behaviourally or with health problems. Instead, watch the litter interact with each other
and with the mother. Choose a lively inquisitive puppy. If you will not be showing your dog in the future and you choose a puppy that has incorrect
coloration or markings you could negotiate a discount with the breeder as no-one will want to buy
the dog for show purposes and they will usually be pleased to have sold the puppy, reserving the
aesthetically pleasing dogs for a higher price for enthusiasts. This doesn't mean you get an
inferior puppy - but do avoid puppies that have obvious deformities.
Observe the kennel area for stools - the puppies and mother's faeces should be firm. Loose,
runny stools could be an indication of digestive troubles.
When the puppies go to feed, look for a puppy that confidently feeds from the mother - this
should remain a confident dog - avoid puppies that nervously feed.
Avoid buying a puppy or dog that shows signs of fleas - search amongst the coat to the skin
folds and look for small black fleas. The coats should shine and appear full with no bald patches.
The eyes should be alert and bright and the ears should have no unpleasant smell or
discharge. Feel under the tummy of the dog or puppy searching for any lumps, which
could be a hernia. Walk the dog or puppy around observing for any lameness. They should appear sleek
but not undernourished where you can see the ribs, though you should be able to feel them with no
difficulty. A puppy that has a potbelly could well have worms.
You can usually choose your puppy from 5 weeks old, and collect them when they are 8 or 9
weeks old.
You may wish to read the
Training Tips Section -
early training will help you form a close relationship with your dog who will learn to
obey your commands and be a valuable part of the family. Reading the
Puppy Care Sections
will be beneficial to settling your puppy in to its new home. Please do consider buying
puppy and dog insurance.
Free UK Delivery on Dog and Pet Portraits from photographs at Karla's Creative Capers who did the portrait on the
left from a photo of my flat coated retriever, Lucy. The portraits are ready to hang on the wall and are of a high
quality canvas. For full details see
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Become A Dog Walker
Breed Standard
Buy an RSPCA animal or Dog Gift Box
Buying a Dog/Puppy
Buying Dog Food and Products
Canine Arthritis
Clicker Training
Contact
Cushing's Disease
Daily Blog
Dietary Advice
Dog Cancer
Dog Insurance
Dogs and Wills
Dog Toys
Ear Care
Epilepsy
Flat Coated Retriever Information
Food to Avoid Giving Your Dog
Free Dog Food Samples
Free Pet Stuff
Get your Dog on TV or Magazines
Grass Eating
Grooming
Health
Hip Dysplasia
History of Dogs
How to Bath your Dog
How to deal with Excess Dog Hair
How to stop your Dog Barking
How to stop your Dog Eating Faeces
How to tell if your Dog is Overweight
How to Work out your Dogs Age
Introducing a New Dog or Puppy to an Older Dog
Kennel Cough
Links
List Of Breeders
Mange
Making a Garden Dog Friendly
Nail Care
Other Flat-Coated Retriever Websites
Privacy/Disclaimer Policy
Puppy Care
Signs of Pain
Teach a Dog to Roll Over
Teeth Information
Training Tips
Water/Fluid Advice
Why Dogs Go Round In Circles Before Lying Down
Whistle Come Back
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