On what grounds you need to choose a puppy and when you should not get a dog. Choosing a puppy: how to choose? What can be puppies

However, it all starts with choosing a puppy. And here it is better to rely on the experience of professional dog handlers.

How to choose a puppy so you don't regret your decision later? What are the criteria for choosing a puppy?

To make a final decision on the acquisition of a puppy, you must first of all carefully and in detail study the history of the origin of his breed, the goals and objectives of its breeding, and the main provisions.

This will give you enough knowledge to make the right choice.

Collecting information about the puppy

Every future responsible dog breeder is puzzled by a lot of questions before purchasing a puppy.

It seems that with the modern abundance of various information, finding answers to them is quite simple in books on cynology, thematic films and videos on the Internet.

But even a professional is often unable to understand this information chaos, but what should a beginner do?

Therefore, let's consistently understand the essence of the issue and draw up an approximate plan of action for a novice dog breeder.

First you need to talk with other owners of dogs of your chosen breed, learn about the features of their pets.

Observe the behavior of the animals, their activity, reactions to the commands of the owners, communication with other dogs, etc.

Photo 1. Choosing a puppy begins with collecting the right information.

Meet your dog handler.

An experienced specialist will provide invaluable assistance in the process of acquiring a puppy, advise you to visit certain dog shows, choose a reputable club, an experienced breeder, practically help in choosing a pet, advise on its maintenance, and training.

Don't skimp on a specialist. Everything you invest will definitely pay off in the future!

Once again ask yourself: why do I need a dog of this particular breed, what are the long-term plans for our life together.

In accordance with the natural qualities, representatives of almost all breeds are used by humans in several ways: for participation in exhibitions (show dogs), performance of official duties, breeding, as companion dogs, etc.

Almost every novice dog breeder dreams of seeing his pet in all these roles, but in real life this is impossible.

Decide on the choice of the direction of using your dog and, together with the instructor, start searching for a puppy, while studying the breed standard and attending various cynological events (competitions, contests, exhibitions, preferably specialized directly on your breed).

In the meantime, be patient. It may take a long time to find good parents for your future pet and even longer to wait for the birth of puppies. Do not be discouraged, such an expectation will only benefit you.

Along with the canine “aristocracy”, outbred dogs also live in the world, called by some dog breeders disparagingly - mongrels.

They are no worse than thoroughbreds, and in some cases much better. Outbred animals are often accused of uselessness, but this is absolutely not the case.

Unlike many "pedigreed brothers", mongrels, for the most part, are much better brought up and trained. The choice is yours!..

Boy or girl?

And now you have given preference to one of the many breeders and their pets. The upcoming event - the choice and purchase of a puppy - should bring you only positive emotions and pleasant excitement.

Do not forget that getting a dog is a serious and responsible step, you make a decision, the conditions of which must be observed by you for more than one year. You assume full responsibility for the new family member.

To the chagrin of new owners, there is no universal instruction for choosing a puppy, since each of them is individual.

Regardless of your level of training and the opinion of a specialist, a small puppy is always a mystery. A seemingly “ugly duckling” can grow into a “beautiful swan,” so you should never dismiss your intuition.

Photo 2. Each puppy is good in its own way

Who to choose - a female or a male? There is no single answer. You must decide for yourself.

Bitches are usually more obedient, they have a softer character, they are calmer and more attached to the house and the owner, they are easier to bring up and train, more independent.

At the same time, twice a year they have a “heat”, provided by nature for procreation.

On certain days (individually for each individual), females begin to actively look for a "groom", sometimes ignoring the commands of the owner and getting out of control.

During this period, they should be walked for a short time, always on a leash, in order to avoid unwanted contact with males.

The latter are straightforward and simple in nature.

Their most “weak” side is the constant attraction to the opposite sex.

Usually males are stronger and larger than bitches, so the owner sometimes has to make some physical effort to effectively control their behavior.

During the period of growing up, males may want to prove their superiority, so the process of their upbringing and training will have to be controlled more strictly.

Purchasing a puppy

Finally, the happy moment has come - the time to go for the puppy. Making a choice will not be easy. Therefore, you need to take a specialist with you.

Some criteria even a beginner will be able to do.

Photo 3. Purchasing a puppy is a responsible step

For example, one should meticulously assess the conditions of the mother and her cubs, do not disregard the attitude of the breeder towards them, catch a glance on the general condition of the puppies.

The presence of dirt in the kennel or apartment, an aggressive and emaciated mother of puppies, emaciated and dirty cubs, a general rush due to the breeder’s desire to quickly “cut the loot” are sure signs of going to look for other options.

Pedigree dogs, even after a difficult birth, are able to look decent.

Of course, it is hard for a mother to keep herself in shape when she is almost constantly attacked by five, six or more stubborn little live lumps.

Pay attention to the character of the dog, its behavior and appearance, characteristic movements (reasonable activity, head high stance, careful control of your movements, obedience to the breeder).

Puppy checkup

It is better to purchase puppies at the age of 2-2.5 months.

The puppy should have a clean, shiny, soft to the touch coat, clean ears and eyes, clipped claws, moderate fatness, a calm, slightly curious, cheerful and happy look.

Look at the puppy in motion. The kid must love it.

It is important to pay attention to the temperament of puppies. One is a leader by nature, the other is more compliant, one is self-confident, the other is cautious, one is friendly in the game, the other is aggressive, and so on.

It's good when the temperament of the owner and the puppy he likes match.

Be sure to take the puppy in your arms and stroke it. The pet should not be afraid of touching.

A mentally healthy puppy is active, inquisitive, cheerful and sociable. The process of weaning from the mother passes for him without stress and complications, he reacts calmly to a change in the environment.

Photo 4. Good puppies are always cheerful, curious, mobile and carefree

Entrust the primary assessment of the exterior to a specialist, while carefully monitoring his actions and listening to comments.

For a more convenient examination, he will definitely put the puppy on the table, pay attention to the correct structure of the chest, neck, back, lower back, body, paws, head and tail, and check the bite.

Together with a specialist, get acquainted with the pedigrees of the parents, the diplomas they received at exhibitions and training competitions, if any.

A self-respecting breeder will proudly show you all the achievements of their parents, tell you about the "careers" of their previous puppies.

You should not take a puppy with serious health problems (even if it is given almost for nothing). Why do you need extra problems and financial costs?

When picking up a puppy, do not forget about cynological club card in which the litter is registered. Subsequently, it will be replaced by a pedigree.

Need to get veterinary passport with a list of vaccinations already done and a plan for subsequent vaccinations.

The above diagram is an example of the likely actions of a novice dog breeder.

Even the purchase of a puppy from a responsible and competent breeder from parents with excellent health, high-profile titles, numerous awards and diplomas does not guarantee the absence of problems in the future.

It’s great if they don’t occur, but, unfortunately, the likelihood of their occurrence is much higher than we would like.

Some nuances in relation to health, psyche and exterior may simply not be noticed by either the breeder, or the specialist, or you.

Of course, both the breeder and your specialist consultant and you will do everything possible to choose a healthy, active, obedient puppy, but nature will put everything in its place and sum up the final result of your activity.

For convenience, we have prepared a table containing puppy selection criteria. It can be viewed. It clearly presents information about the most important characteristics of the most common dog breeds.

Good luck to you and your pets!

Choosing a dog is a very serious matter, and it must be approached with all responsibility. The main thing that a novice breeder needs to understand is that you let a living being into your life that will completely depend on you, need your love and affection. With proper maintenance and care, some breeds of dogs live up to 15 - 18 years, and during this time they become full members of the family, friends and companions.

Never make sudden decisions, decide what kind of dog you want to see next to you for many years, active or calm, large or small. Remember all puppies are cute, small and funny, but six months to a year will pass, and your pet will not be recognized. From a cute fluffy ball, he will turn into an adult, and the size of many adult pets for the owner is often a surprise.

Even if the features of the breed and the working qualities of the future pet are not important for you now, and you are looking for a good and reliable friend, you should not take a puppy without considering all the pros and cons, simply because you liked it.

Unfortunately, many pets end up on the street or in nurseries after a few years or even months, because the owner did not calculate his financial capabilities or housing conditions.

Photos of different breeds of puppies

Waking up in the morning, remember the details of the dream and the behavior of the beast, since a calm and affectionate dog in a dream is a symbol of affection, goodwill and fidelity. Sometimes such a dream is a warning of impending troubles or enemies, it shows a person that he is not alone, he has a faithful and reliable friend.

How to choose the right puppy

When choosing a purebred puppy, carefully study its pedigree and the state of health of the parents, since a purebred puppy is not cheap, so you will at least somehow protect yourself from deception.
Check out the puppy papers. The veterinary passport contains marks on all vaccinations carried out. They are secured by the signature of the veterinarian and two seals, one of which is the official seal of the veterinary clinic, and the other is the doctor's.

Breeders are not allowed to vaccinate and their seals are invalid.

Choose the breed of the puppy. According to the FCI, there are more than four hundred officially recognized dog breeds in the world, although the number of new and unrecognized breeds is growing every year. All of them differ in appearance, temperament, size, characteristics and different content criteria. After choosing the right breed, consider your financial options and living conditions. For example, large breeds of dogs with dense hair do not tolerate dry and warm air from heating systems in the apartment.

We read about the needs of the selected puppy. Having opted for a particular breed, be sure to find out as much information as possible about the dog you like. Visit different sites and forums about breeds, be sure to communicate with the owners of your chosen breed on the street.

Choosing a puppy for the family. You want a true friend and companion for yourself and your family. You can consider those breeds that are friendly to people and calmly react to children. They should be flexible, mobile, playful, able to actively spend time. For a family, an English Cocker Spaniel, Labrador, Jack Russell Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Jagdterrier are suitable.

How to choose a puppy for security and watchdog service. These breeds are devoted, independent, more often than others wary of strangers. In most cases, these are dogs of large or medium breeds, they lend themselves very well to training and are ready to serve their master until the end of their days. The most popular guard dogs are German Shepherd, Cane Corso Italiano, Giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher.

How to choose a puppy for hunting and travel. Such breeds need a hunter owner, regular export to nature, at least once a week. Their need is to release energy and fulfill the task laid down by nature. They cannot be locked up, they need freedom of movement. You should not break the nature of the pet and turn the hunting breed into a sofa dog. An unexhausted pet energy resource will be reflected in your apartment in the form of peeled walls, damaged furniture and things. Ideal for the owner - hunter: drathaar, kurtshaar, Hungarian vizsla, Rhodesian ridgeback, beagle harrier.

How to choose a puppy for exhibitions and competitions. You are a fan of show breeds, have the opportunity and desire to take part in championships and win awards. Feel free to choose any thoroughbred breed, based on the size and type of wool. Mandatory criteria are a pedigree, a pet's veterinary passport with all marks and a certificate from a veterinarian about the dog's health. In this case, the genes and pedigree of the parents are an important factor. Of course, the price of such a pet will be high. Chow-chow, Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese, Pomeranian are popular.

How to choose a puppy for allergy sufferers. To date, there are bald dog breeds or without undercoat, whose coat, in structure, resembles human hair. In addition, it has been proven that allergies manifest themselves primarily, not from wool, but from dandruff in it. These include: Yorkshire Terrier, Chinese Crested Dog, Shih Tzu, Poodle. But, nevertheless, the future owner should spend some time in the company of such breeds to exclude the manifestation of allergies.

We take a purebred puppy. If the breed of a puppy does not matter to you, then feel free to take a mongrel dog, although the size and habits may surprise you unpleasantly. But everything is in the hands of the owner, and with the right upbringing, mongrels make best friends.

Surprises that await you when choosing a purebred puppy

Photos of outbred puppies
There are also pleasant moments in choosing a purebred puppy:

Purebred dogs are healthier

They are very trainable and make very loyal friends.

Be that as it may, you need to choose an animal first of all, listening to your inner voice. Even if this is not a purebred dog, but you have contact and complete understanding with it, then you should pay attention to this animal and take time to make a decision.

Choosing a male or female

Having chosen the right breed for yourself, be sure to decide on the gender of the pet. Both have their pros and cons, differences in character and appearance. Always pay attention to them when choosing a puppy. Perhaps you want to get a dog or a bitch for the purpose of further breeding offspring, then the information below will help you.

Features of males:

They look bigger than bitches, more powerful and muscular

Hardier, have a strong nervous system

Due to their physiology, they are able to work all year round, unlike bitches, which are less efficient during estrus.

Disadvantages of males:

Less attached to the owner than bitches.

They mark the territory regularly.

In the presence of a bitch, especially during estrus, they are simply uncontrollable. It is recommended to walk the dog on a leash, otherwise he will run away, attracted by the smell of a nearby bitch.

They are able to show an aggressive and dominant character in relation to relatives and even to the owner. If you miss the period of growing up (5 - 6 months), and do not pay attention to training, they can become uncontrollable.

During puberty, he will imitate "love joys" with a soft toy or simply stick to his leg. Consider this point if children live in the house.

Bitches Features:

Very attached to the owner and home

Smaller, look smaller and stockier

The character is soft, docile character, easier to train.

Very smart, but unlike males, which are more emotional.

Bitches Disadvantages:

Less hardy than males

Bitches go into heat several times a year. During this period, she is less efficient, may be naughty.

During an accidental mating, she can become pregnant and bring unwanted puppies into the house. So always walk her on a leash. Do not let one out of the house if you are afraid of unpleasant surprises.

During pregnancy and feeding puppies becomes less active and unfit for service.

A lactating bitch loses her attractive appearance, cannot adequately participate in exhibitions.

Why do you need me?

In order to choose the right puppy and subsequently not regret your decision, first of all, you need to sincerely answer yourself the question: "Why do I need a dog?" Depending on the breed, dogs can serve as guards, watchmen, hunters, companions, or just true friends. Perhaps you have been dreaming all your life about walking in the fresh air with a Siberian Husky, or you are closer to the evening on the couch with a miniature toy terrier at your side, or maybe you want to spend time royally in the company of a Welsh Corgi? Some owners are crazy about long-haired breeds that you can experiment with hairstyles and buy them fun accessories, other owners prefer short-haired animals that do not have to be vacuumed daily.

Before you get a dog, carefully weigh the pros and cons. Make sure that your family members are supportive of this venture, and the psychological climate in the house is calm enough. Read articles about the care and maintenance of dogs, evaluate your strengths.

If the decision to take a puppy is made, and it is unshakable, you need to decide why you need a dog, and, accordingly, what breed, gender and category of pets to consider.

Dogs of any breed are divided into 3 classes.

Pet. Translated from English, pet means "pet". From the name it follows that simple dogs "for the house" belong to this category. They cannot compete in shows and are not suitable for breeding due to any deviation from the breed standard. Such animals are castrated or sterilized so that the marriage is not passed on to offspring. But non-standard does not mean bad, a pet-category puppy can grow into a beautiful smart dog and become your devoted friend. Pet-class puppies are cheaper than others.
Breed. Breed is translated as "breed". Breed-class dogs have a good pedigree, they meet the breed standard, but with minor features. They participate in exhibitions where they do not claim to win. Their main task is to produce offspring in which the genes of outstanding ancestors can appear. Breed puppies are significantly more expensive than pets.
Show. The word show does not need to be translated. Show class puppies are the best of the best. Experts know such pets by name, and they have no equal at exhibitions. Often, you have to book a champion puppy even before he is born. Show class is the most expensive category of dogs.

How to choose a puppy breed

Every year there are more and more breeds of dogs. At the moment, their number exceeds 500, ranging from classic German Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels or Pekingese, ending with exotic ones for us, or. Fortunately, in order to choose the right puppy, it is not at all necessary to study them all. Usually each person likes only a few dog breeds, from which he chooses the most suitable for him.

The breed not only determines the appearance of the pet, but also affects its character, as well as how it will be necessary to spend time with the dog, how much it will cost to keep it. Caring, playing and raising a pet should not be a heavy burden for the owner, on the contrary, a dog in the house is an inexhaustible source of love and fun!

Dog breeds for an apartment

For life in urban conditions, calm, friendly, non-aggressive pets of small and medium sizes are suitable. A dog living in an apartment should not be hyperactive, otherwise it will begin to destroy the home. The absence of a thick undercoat is also desirable, because of which the shedding will be very plentiful. Pay attention to the "drooling" - rocks with profuse salivation stain walls and furniture. It is important that the dog be friendly to others, adapt to the rhythm of the owner's life and be able to make a worthy company for a walk in the park.

Popular breeds suitable for an apartment: Welsh Corgi, Pug, Yorkshire Terrier, Golden Retriever, Poodle, Maltese, Labrador, Spitz, Basenji, Chihuahua, Toy Terrier.

Dog breeds for the home

When choosing a dog for a private home, you need to decide in advance whether your pet will spend most of the time in the house and periodically go out to the site, or he should live in an aviary and protect the territory. In the first case, the same pets are suitable as for apartments, as well as their more active relatives, such as Airedale Terrier or Beagle. Life in the enclosure will be comfortable for large guard, service and shepherd dogs: German Shepherd, Bloodhound, Alabai, Border Collie, Doberman, Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

If you want a real good-natured person to live with you, who would only warn of danger with a menacing bark and frighten uninvited guests with their size, pay attention to bernese mountain dog, newfoundland and st bernard.

Hunting breeds of dogs, driving crazy "apartment" residents, feel good outside the city and will be indispensable on outings in the forest. Hunter dogs are quite independent, they can run far from the owner in search of prey. Dachshunds, Russian Greyhounds and Jack Russell Terriers, without sufficient walks, will search for prey by digging up beds.

It is also worth taking a closer look at the group of northern sled dogs. Huskies, Malamutes and Samoyeds have a charming appearance, amazing kindness and will keep company in any sports entertainment.

Important: only northern breeds with thick wool with undercoat can live on the street in winter. The rest of the dogs should winter in the house or insulated booth.

Dog breeds for busy people

If you devote a significant part of your time to work, but still dream of a dog, take a closer look at independent and relatively unpretentious breeds. Such pets will not suffer, being left alone for a while, they will not have to be looked after for a long time “with the last of their strength”.

The cardinal solution to the problem of dog loneliness is to have two pets. If they are different breeds, the more interesting. For example, it has been observed that Labrador Retrievers get along well with Papillons. By the way, both breeds are in the top 10 smartest dogs in the world.

Dog breeds for families with children

By nature, dogs love children, with some breeds showing a special awe and friendliness. Boxers and Beagles will play and mess with the little ones all day long. Border collies, huskies and samoyeds will become real nannies. And in the company of good-natured Labradors and St. Bernards, children will always be protected.

Families with toddlers should avoid miniature breeds, as a child can accidentally injure the animal. Giant dogs like Tibetan mastiffs, on the contrary, can accidentally push the baby.

St. Bernard puppies

Boy or girl

After choosing a dog breed, future owners think about what gender a puppy is better to take. In this matter, we recommend focusing on personal sympathies, however, males and females have differences in appearance and behavior that should be borne in mind.

Pros and cons of males:

males are more suitable for participating in sports competitions;
stronger and larger than females;
lazier in matters of training;
males have a stronger sex drive. It will be necessary to compensate for his needs with the help of prolonged physical activity;
during the walk, the male is active, tends to his compatriots. If there is a female in heat nearby, you will have to keep him firmly on a leash.

Pros and cons of bitches:

more domestic and affectionate, more attached to the owner;
less aggressive and pugnacious;
sleeker and smaller;
more obedient and easier to train;
Bitches go into heat twice a year. They become nervous, naughty, the risk of infections increases. During these periods, the dog must be protected from males and monitored especially carefully, because he may try to run away.

In general, it can be seen that the distinguishing feature of males is independence, and that of bitches is complaisance. But a lot depends on the temperament of a particular dog.

How to find a good nursery

So, if you have already decided which breed and gender of a puppy is right for you, it's time to look for a reliable breeder. In the matter of buying a dog, there is no need to rush. The animal will live with you for about 15 years, which is why it is so important to choose the right puppy. Refrain from spontaneous purchase in the bird market or through free classifieds on the Internet. At a minimum, a puppy may not meet the breed standard when it grows up, and as a maximum, there is a risk of buying a sick animal, which will take a long, expensive and unsuccessful treatment.

The best place to buy a puppy is a specialized nursery. You can choose a pet together with a dog breeder who understands the topic or on your own, following the call of your heart. As a rule, nurseries have their own websites, you can find customer reviews about them.

Life hack: go to a dog show of the breed you dream of. There, see which dogs you like best, meet their owners and find out where they got their puppies. Usually dog lovers are happy to share this information, as well as give valuable advice. Representatives of the leading nurseries are also actively involved in exhibition events and will not forget to provide you with business cards.

The number of kennels depends on the popularity of the breed and the region. Having chosen the option that inspires confidence, call there and arrange a meeting. During the conversation, ask the breeder about the conditions of the puppy and his parents. If you have the feeling that they are trying to sell the puppy with all their might, this should alert you. A good breeder will ask you a lot of questions about your family, living conditions, free time and even hobbies to make sure that the puppy will be in good hands and fit your personality.

How to choose a healthy puppy

It's time to go to the nursery for your future pet. Please note that puppies should be in a clean room that does not have a strong unpleasant odor. Often the breeder will start showing all his diplomas and list the show titles of the puppy's parents. Listen to this information, but do not lose your vigilance. In addition to potential championship regalia, it is very important what character the dog will have.

If you have the opportunity to meet the puppy's parents, do not miss it. Thus, it will be possible to evaluate their behavior personally. If you can't arrange a meeting, ask the breeder if they were aggressive, pugnacious or cowardly. These qualities are inherited, as well as the desire to howl, tear furniture and bark for no reason. Look at photos of the puppy's grandparents, if available.

From buying a sick puppy should be abandoned immediately. However, many diseases are not obvious, or may appear only in the future. Try to “talk” to the breeder, he may accidentally mention points that may indirectly indicate the puppy’s illnesses:

test for hip dysplasia in giant breed sires is mandatory, its absence is suspicious;
if the puppy does not eat well, he may have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or liver;
allergic dogs often have puppies with the same problem;
if the animal is terrified of fireworks, thunderstorms and other loud sounds, then its nervous system is unstable. Hysterical parents are unlikely to have a bold and balanced puppy;
dogs escaping during walks are undesirable offspring producers;
in the pursuit of profit, unscrupulous breeders can breed dogs with epilepsy, which will not be noticed until there is an attack.

A healthy puppy will be active and friendly. If you kneel down and call him, he will come to you. The baby will show curiosity to new people and toys. He should look happy, frolic with his brothers and sisters. In the hands of the breeder, the puppy is calm, allows himself to be stroked, including normally perceives touches to the paws and muzzle. Refuse to buy cowardly and intimidated pets, as well as aggressive and dominant individuals. With age, the character of the dog will not change significantly.

A big plus in favor of the breeder will be his agreement to conclude a written contract for the sale of the puppy. In case of detection of significant defects prescribed in the contract, the animal can be returned. In addition, the very presence of "insurance" will discourage the seller from wanting to slip a problem pet.

Who to choose? You are all so cute!

At what age to pick up a puppy

Important: do not take the puppy away immediately after weaning. Up to 9 weeks, the baby learns dog language and socializes in the process of communicating with other puppies. Let him spend a couple of weeks in a "dog manger."

A decent breeder will never give away a puppy that is less than 6 weeks old. If the buyer has extensive experience in keeping dogs, he can count on a 6-7 week old baby. This option is not suitable for beginners.

The age at which it is better to take a puppy depends on the breed. So, large and giant dogs develop more slowly than medium and small ones. Large dogs are bought only at 3 months. It is important to properly feed such pets and monitor their weight in order to avoid sudden jumps that promise problems with the musculoskeletal system.

If you want to buy a breed or show class puppy, pick it up even later. It is possible to fully assess compliance with the breed standard and championship inclinations no earlier than 6-9 months of age. Despite the desire to pick up the baby as soon as possible, please be patient!

For your information: even when selling the most expensive puppy, a conscientious breeder will never guarantee that the dog will become a champion. He can only assess the potential of the puppy and make a prediction. It happens that the appearance of the animal changes significantly by the year. Also, a lot depends on the actions of competitors and how the owner will take care of the dog and prepare it for the show.

What questions to ask the breeder

First of all, find a brand on the ear or in the groin area of the baby and ask the breeder to present a puppy card (metric). The hallmark code and the code in the metric must be the same.

The metric is the puppy's primary document, which is issued when the baby turns 45 days old. A cynologist comes to the nursery, examines all the babies from the litter and fixes the defects. Subsequently, the owner of a dog aged 6-15 months can exchange the metric for a pedigree, which will give the pet the right to participate in breeding.

Note: the metric is not paid separately, its price is included in the price of the puppy. If you are not given a puppy card, then this may be a signal that the mating was unscheduled. It makes no sense to buy purebred show and breed class dogs without a metric, since they will not be able to make a show career or become sires.

It is desirable that the puppy has a veterinary passport with marks on deworming and vaccinations. If there is no veterinary passport, you can make it yourself.

After checking the documents, you can proceed to the questions. Do not be afraid to look stupid, ask everything that worries you. Take the breeder's contacts - for sure after a while you will have additional questions.

Don't forget to ask:

How many puppies were in the litter (the optimal number is from 3 to 7)?
Was the litter planned?
What vaccinations and when to do?
What food does the puppy eat? When and how to transfer to a new one?
When will it be possible to walk and in what mode?
How to take care of a pet?
What commands does the puppy know?
Will the breeder advise a veterinarian and provide support in the future?

If the answers you receive satisfy you, and the puppy no longer wants to part, congratulations, you have found your little miracle!

Puppies from a shelter or from the street

Puppies do not always get into the house straight from the caring hands of the breeders. Sometimes people are ready to save a dog by taking it from the street or from a shelter. In this case, first of all show the pet to the veterinarian to immediately find out about possible diseases.

Puppies from the shelter

When choosing a dog of a "noble" breed, it is important to understand that such animals have a more independent character than their purebred relatives. Dogs living on the street adapt to vagrancy, they have highly developed instincts. A puppy can be cowardly or, conversely, show aggression. Negative additions can be poor learning and frequent escapes.

On the other hand, among the mongrels come across very sensitive, intelligent and affectionate dogs. It seems that they thank the owner daily for the kindness shown. Do not forget that purebred dogs are the descendants of those pets that were once left on the street by their owners.

The right choice of puppy for each person will be different. Evaluate your material and mental capabilities, and then do not be afraid to take a step towards responsibility - the dog will become your true friend and give you many happy moments!

The decision to get a dog is a serious step, because the pet will become your friend and companion for the next 10-15 years, so the choice must be approached responsibly. You can buy a puppy in different places (bird market, through an ad, from friends, through a club, etc.), but, regardless of the chosen method, you need to know the basic principles for choosing your future four-legged friend.

Which puppy to choose

When choosing your future dog, there are several important factors to consider.

male or female

Photo: Julep67 When deciding on the sex of a puppy, keep in mind that each of them has its own characteristics of character and the required care.

Bitches are more affectionate, calm and obedient, but they come into heat twice a year. In the absence of mating, false pregnancies can occur, the consequences of which can sometimes only be eliminated by a veterinarian. Actually, a normal pregnancy and childbirth is also a very responsible matter, especially since a number of dog breeds have problematic childbirth.

When choosing the sex of your future dog, you need to take into account the advantages and disadvantages of both sexes, which will determine the characteristics of behavior.

Males do not have estrus and it is not necessary to knit them for the normal functioning of the body, however, a male can run after a bitch in heat, conflict with other males, and can also mark territory even in the house.

It is worth finding out what litter the puppy is from

Photo: SonnyandSandy It is undesirable to take a puppy from the first litter of a female, he may not be strong enough. Also alarming is the small number of puppies in the litter - perhaps some of the puppies died. A large number is also undesirable, because it is not easy for a bitch to fully feed more than 10 puppies.

It is customary for breeders of thoroughbred dogs to name puppies of the same litter with one letter in alphabetical order - the entire first litter should have names starting with the letter “a”, the second - with “b”, and so on. So by the name of a puppy with a pedigree, you can always determine which litter he is from.

How to choose a healthy puppy

Photo: John_DL It is not necessary to be a specialist to identify the shortcomings or defects in a puppy - this will allow you to do a simple examination:

a healthy puppy should be round (not plump or thin);
pay attention to the puppy's coat - it should be clean and lie flat;
eyes, ears and nose should be clean, without crusts around and outflows, the anus should also be free of dirt;
by the time the puppies are given to new owners, all milk teeth should have grown, so check their full presence and condition;
if you decide to take a dog, then pay attention to his testicles, normally at 1-1.5 months both testicles should already descend into the scrotum;
It would be useful to pay attention to the smell from the puppy's mouth - it should not be sour or putrid.

How to determine the nature of a puppy

A puppy's temperament is largely laid down in early childhood, so you need to know:

a healthy puppy should be active, playful and inquisitive; if you clap your hands over the puppies, the most active ones should pay attention to it, raise their muzzles, and may even bark;
your puppy should not be overly shy, this behavior is quite difficult to correct later

If you want to buy a purebred puppy, and also in order not to become a victim of scammers, you should not buy puppies through ads on the Internet or in zoological markets, as well as from unverified breeders. Even the documents provided for a puppy, confirming its pedigree, can, unfortunately, turn out to be fake.

How not to become a victim of scammers

Having opted for a fashionable or rare breed, you should understand that the cost of a puppy of such a dog will be considerable, given the costs of maintaining a mother, mating, childbirth and raising a puppy. If you are offered a puppy of this breed for a price that is much lower than usual, then you should know that they are trying to deceive you.

Remember: selling a purebred puppy at an unusually low price should be alarming.

Zoobusiness. The low cost of puppies of a thoroughbred dog can be explained by the breeder’s dishonesty and irresponsible attitude (dogs of such breeders can even be registered with a kennel club, but their pets are unlikely to win prizes and the club will not advise them for purchase and breeding). The explanation is simple - dogs for them are not faithful companions and pride, but a source of income.

Such breeders save on the maintenance and nutrition of their dogs, knit them 2-3 times a year, which is extremely harmful to the health of pets (hormonal preparations are often used for this).

Photo: Jeff Slinker A mixture of bulldog and rhinoceros. The most common scam in the sale of puppies in bird markets and via the Internet is the sale of mestizos under the guise of purebred puppies. Such dogs are usually sold at a fairly early age (1-1.5 months), when the lack of pedigree is imperceptible to an inexperienced eye and a puppy can be passed off as a certain breed, which it looks like in color.

Video about the sale of purebred puppies by a scammer under the guise of thoroughbreds

Often such dogs grow up completely different in appearance from the issued breed, and they can differ greatly in size.

Photo: Ana C. Goofy. Another danger of purchasing a puppy from an unverified seller is diseases. As a rule, such sellers will not let you in on the true state of health of the mother and litter, in the conditions of their maintenance and feeding. And most often, puppies are collected from different litters and kept crowded, literally without the ability to move freely, they do not carry out any necessary treatments (mandatory deworming and vaccination, treatment if necessary).

In the market, they spend the whole day in a cramped box in any weather - in the heat and in the cold. Nutrition, as a rule, is insufficient and poor in the necessary nutrients. Therefore, often puppies purchased in the markets and through advertisements are either already sick (not excluding hereditary diseases), or weak and extremely susceptible to diseases. It is not always possible to save the life of such an animal.

Sickly puppies will bring a lot of trouble and suffering to their owners, not to mention the considerable financial costs of trying to cure a pet, because many chronic diseases acquired in childhood can manifest themselves throughout the life of a dog.

When you buy a puppy from the market, you run the risk of getting an emaciated and sick dog.

If you still decide to purchase a puppy on the market or through an ad, we advise you to draw up a sales contract at the same time, which will secure your rights to the pet and the responsibility of the seller (the contract form is easy to find on the Internet). The seller's refusal to sign such an agreement should alert you - most likely he is deceiving you in some way.

Buying a puppy from a breeder

In order to protect yourself and the future of your pet, it is best to contact the kennel club, where they will prompt and help you with the purchase of a puppy from a member of the club and in the future they will register your dog for exhibitions and matings.

The safest way to get a dog is to purchase a puppy from a breed breeder with all the necessary documents.

Photo: BJ Neary It is preferable to take a puppy from a breeder, as they are quite experienced in breeding, feeding and keeping their breed, they treat dogs very carefully, so their puppies are usually well-groomed and healthy. In addition, it is usually possible to choose a puppy from the litter on your own, assessing the mother of the puppies, the conditions of their maintenance and feeding.

Unscheduled knitting. This is the name of the situation when the bitch is in the club, but the mating by this club is not registered for some reason. For example, if the bitch was mated for the second time in a year (in this case, the puppies may have weakened immunity) or an unwanted mating occurred.

Puppies from such mating can both meet the breed standard and be mestizos (participation in mating of a particular male is not fixed and cannot be proven). Such puppies are much cheaper, but you cannot draw up a pedigree for them, regardless of the possible breed of the parents.

How to safely save when buying a puppy

Long-haired corgis (fluffies) are not allowed for breeding and may cost less non-compliance with the breed standard (for example, in color or coat quality). Such defects are not always obvious to the untrained eye and the dog will also please its owner. Such puppies are sold with a pedigree, but are not allowed for breeding, and are much cheaper than their "standard" counterparts.

What to Check When Buying a Puppy

When transferring a puppy to a new owner, a conscientious breeder must:

Provide a puppy's veterinary passport with marked vaccinations and treatments. From the age of three weeks, puppies are given drugs against worms. If the puppy is already two months old, then a note should be made in his passport about the polyvalent vaccination against common dog diseases. If the puppy is three months old or older, also look for marks on the repeated administration of the polyvalent vaccine and the rabies vaccination. All notes on vaccinations and deworming in the passport must be certified by the signature and seal of a veterinarian;
Issue a puppy card (metric, "puppy") - in the future, on its basis, a pedigree is drawn up;
Pre-apply a tattoo with the brand number or hold the puppy - the brand or chip number is entered into the puppy's metrics for its identification;
Conclude a contract of sale with you - this document confirms your right to own a puppy, and may also contain additional conditions, for example, the possibility of returning a puppy in some cases;
Give recommendations on keeping the puppy, feeding and care; sometimes the breeder gives the new owner a small amount of food that was fed to the puppy, so that the owner has time and the opportunity to stock up on the same or gradually switch to another food.

What you need to know when buying a puppy

The appearance of a puppy in the house is not only a joy, but also worries, and there are some care points that it will be useful to know:

Remember that a dog is not a toy, but a responsibility and discipline. A puppy in the house is like a small child and it requires a lot of attention and care, and in order to become an obedient adult dog, you will need to devote a lot of effort and time to raising it. So, before you take a puppy, think carefully about your decision whether you are ready to raise a baby.

A dog has been living side by side with a person for more than one millennium, changing with him, mastering new skills and abilities, bringing great benefits to his owner. Sometimes a pet in the house appears suddenly - a puppy is brought from a walk by children, someone close offers a charming baby as a gift, or he gets in other ways. But often people themselves think about the need to have a four-legged pet.

Having decided to buy, a lot of questions arise - how to choose a puppy, where to buy it, for what purposes do you need a dog? But even more important is to decide at the family council whether all members agree to accept a new tenant into the family, because it is very important for a dog to feel love from the owner and household members.

There are several important steps that go directly into the process of choosing a suitable puppy, and one of them is which breed to choose or choose a purebred pet. The International Cynological Association speaks of impressive numbers - today there are over four hundred breeds of dogs and every year there are more and more of them.

Representatives of each of them have different characteristics, characters, breed skills. Some are excellent companions, but cannot guard or guard, others are excellent hunters, but cannot live in the same house with a person.

If the future owner clearly knows what breed of pet he wants to have, then he is very lucky. Then you can not be tormented by doubts and immediately go for the baby. But, if the question is open, then you should not panic, you can calmly figure out for what purposes the dog is being acquired. There are several options:

Mongrel or abandoned dog

If the future owner needs a friend and comrade, and it doesn’t matter if he is thoroughbred or not, then you can consider the options offered by shelters for homeless animals and volunteers involved in the placement of abandoned animals. This is a great way to give a homeless dog a home and he will be grateful for the rest of his life.

But in this case, there are certain risks that you should think about in advance:

But, despite the existing risks, there are advantages to puppies without a breed:

due to natural selection, such babies have better health than their purebred counterparts;
noble dogs lend themselves better to training and education, they remain devoted to their master, regardless of the conditions of detention and attitude.

Professionals involved in breeding, treating or training dogs believe that it is not so important whether the dog is purebred or mestizo, it is more important to find a common language in animals, learn to communicate and always remember responsibility. After all, a dog is not a toy that you can refuse when you want to relieve yourself of obligations.

Features of a pet depending on gender

When the family has decided on the breed of their future pet, you can think about whether it will be a male or a female. If there is no doubt about whether a female is needed for further breeding, or if only a male is required, then you can proceed to the next step.

But if future owners are still weighing the possible pros and cons, then they should familiarize themselves with the characteristics of each gender.

Features of males

Among the advantages it is worth noting the following:

Despite these advantages, males still have a number of disadvantages:

more aggressive and prone to dominance, and this is manifested not only in communication with their own kind, but also in the owner; if the owner cannot immediately take a leadership position and does not engage in raising a puppy, the dog may grow up uncontrollable;
usually less attached to the owner than bitches, and some of them may obey exclusively the owner, ignoring the rest of the household;
smelling a female in heat, the male may lose control of his behavior and ignore the commands of the owner; some males may run away during this period;
an important ritual is the marking of the territory, so walks can be longer than with a female.

Experts pay attention to one important point - if the owner, who has taken a boy puppy, is not going to breed the breed, then it is best to castrate the male in the future. This will improve his behavioral characteristics, as well as reduce the risk of developing cancer in a pet.

Features of females

Females, in comparison with males, have several advantages:

But females are not without certain disadvantages:

less hardy than males;
1-2 times a year there is estrus - the dog can become naughty, refuse to work, in addition, during walking it is of interest to almost all males in the area;
if the owner did not look after his pet during estrus, then there is a high probability of receiving unplanned offspring in the form of mestizo puppies;
a pregnant or lactating female is less active and not fit for service work.

For breeding, a female is more suitable, since it takes more effort, time and money to grow an excellent stud dog. If the owner does not intend to use the pet for further breeding, then it is recommended to sterilize the dog, this will help to avoid various diseases in the future.

Where is the best place to buy a mestizo pet

In this case, everything depends on a number of factors and, above all, on whether we are talking about a purebred or outbred baby. A pet without a breed can be taken from a shelter, from hands or at a bird market. But here, too, one should not forget about caution: it is important to assess the conditions of the puppy, how he is treated and find out if the baby has been in stressful situations.

This will help to establish contact with the pet and facilitate its adaptation. You can not immediately take the animal into the house, but first visit him to find out about his character and habits, watch him from the side, this will allow you to understand whether the puppy is suitable or not.

If the baby is taken from the street or from other not very trustworthy places, then it is imperative to show it to the veterinarian to make sure that the newfound friend is healthy.

Where is the best place to buy a purebred puppy

When a person is serious about choosing a breed, evaluating his own capabilities and expecting a certain result, it is not worth buying a puppy from random breeders or at a flea market. In this case, the risks of buying a mestizo puppy with genetic abnormalities or other health problems are high.

Experts recommend not saving, but contacting a nursery or experienced breeders. There are certain guarantees to get a healthy, vaccinated pet that meets the standard requirements and has the necessary documentation. If the seller is unable to fulfill at least one point, then the buyer of the puppy can demand their implementation or contact another breeder.

Do not rush to purchase a pet, the future owner, if possible, it is better to visit several nurseries or breeders, assess the conditions for keeping animals. After all, if dogs are kept in dirty enclosures, the territory is not cleaned, they are not taken out for walking, they are poorly fed, then they are unlikely to give good offspring.

It is important not only to see the puppies themselves, but also to pay attention to their parents. Of course, a lactating female may look tired and thinner, but she must still be healthy. Interested questions about the parents of the baby, you can always ask the owners.

When purchasing a healthy puppy with an excellent pedigree, the owner must remember that in order for him to grow up to be a large and obedient dog, natural skills alone are not enough. All responsibility for the further education, training and training of the pet falls entirely on the shoulders of the new owner.

People who are ignorant in this matter may not know certain subtleties that are best taken into account:

If a person needs a show-class dog that successfully performs in the ring, then it is best to choose a dog that can stay in the stance better than the rest and behaves calmer than the rest in this situation. It is desirable that the parents of the crumbs have high titles, he must have a veterinary passport and have all vaccinations, according to the schedule.

Having decided to acquire a four-legged comrade, a person must approach this idea with all responsibility. When choosing one of the largest and most mobile babies from the litter, it is better for him to immediately realize that only with the right approach to upbringing and training, an excellent dog will grow out of a puppy - faithful, devoted and obedient, capable of becoming not just a pet, but a true friend and helper .