Puppy Care

Finding the right breeder is crucial to make sure that your pup has received the best start to grow into a happy and healthy dog. Find out what to look for in a puppy breeder with this guide. Adding a new puppy to your household is an exciting time, but it does come with its own little stresses. Before you get your hands on that adorable ball of fluff, there's a few things to consider, such as, am I ready to dedicate my life to a dog? And what breed best suits my lifestyle? Then, once you've answered all these questions you need to find a reputable breeder to ensure that you're buying a puppy that's in good health and is well-cared for. So, if you’re wondering where to buy a dog from and what questions to ask the breeder, we've put together this puppy buying guide to help you on your journey to getting your new four-legged friend. Buying a puppy checklist Before buying a puppy, you will need to be able to answer yes to all the questions on our buying a puppy checklist. Dog ownership can be extremely rewarding as it brings you unconditional love companionship, a healthier lifestyle and a sense of joy. But are you ready for the commitment? • Can I afford to own a dog for its life? Things to think about are food, veterinary fees, possible grooming costs, kennelling fees and insurance costs. • Are my circumstances right for a dog? This includes work hours and size of home. Will there be someone at home if I work long hours? • Can I make a lifelong commitment to a dog? The average lifespan of a dog is around 12 years and so you will need to be able to commit for this length of time. • Will I be able to exercise the dog every day? Will I be able to train, groom and generally care for the dog? • Can I answer yes to all the questions on the buying a puppy checklist, 365 days of the year? If the answer is yes then you can move onto and research the next steps. Which dog breed is right for me? The next step on our puppy buying guide is that you'll need to decide which dog breed is right for you depending on your preferred size, exercise levels, grooming needs and if they suit family life. There are many breeds out there and all will suit different sorts of people and circumstances. A Border Collie, for example, will not do well in a flat with no garden and no access to regular exercise, whereas a smaller breed such as a Chihuahua will likely not mind.

If you're looking to bring a new puppy into your life, you may be wondering about the potential financial implications that come with it. Find out everything you need to know with our handy guide. Deciding to get a new puppy is incredibly exciting, but often, people don't spend enough time thinking about the financial obligations that go with it. While you may believe that it's simply a case of having enough money to purchase your furrever friend, your puppy's first year brings a wealth of costs that you need to account for too. If you're thinking of opening up your home to a new puppy, you may be wondering how much does a puppy cost? Keep reading to find out how much are puppy vaccinations and what other expenses you should expect in your pup's first year. How much is a puppy? The first question on your journey to puppy ownership will likely be how much does a puppy cost? The first factor that will influence this is the breed, as more in-demand breeds like Labradors and Bulldogs will always carry a higher price tag. It will also depend on the puppy's heritage, if they're from a showing background and are Kennel Club registered, this will significantly hike up the price. Another question to consider when asking how much is a puppy is that if you're buying from a reputable breeder, the costs will likely be higher. This is due to the fact that the sale of a puppy needs to cover running their business as well as providing high quality care. There are many costs a breeder will have to cover such as screening tests for the parents (if they're a breed prone to illnesses), possibly stud services, de-worming and vaccination costs, registration fees and so much more. One thing to be aware of is to watch out for low prices, these can indicate a puppy mill or farm or reflect poor quality of care. If you're not prepared to shell out hundreds or sometimes thousands on a puppy, you could consider adopting a puppy instead. You'll still have to pay a fee which will cover their time at the centre, but this will usually be considerably less than buying a puppy from a breeder. Additionally, your adoption fee will also probably cover microchipping, vaccinations and neutering (providing they're old enough). How much are puppy vaccinations? Once you've got your puppy, the next step is vaccinations. These are essential as they'll protect your puppy against diseases or illnesses. The puppy vaccinations cost will depend on your veterinarian. They'll need these first vaccinations when they're 6 - 8 weeks old, with the second following 1 - 2 weeks later. When buying from a reputable breeder or rescue centre, these vaccinations will usually already have been done before you pick them up. After that, you'll need to take your pup for an annual booster. If your puppy hasn't yet had their injections, some veterinarians will offer a 'puppy club scheme' which will cover puppy vaccination costs and may also include microchipping and help with neutering.