A Guide on where to get your puppy from and choosing your puppy:
Look for Reputable Breeders
Dog breeders are a everywhere, but they are not all equally responsible in caring for their stock and breeding for health and perfection. Take the time to really investigate different breeders.
Find out the following:
- Whether they raise for pet or show
- If the puppy has at least had a vet health check and first vaccinations
- If they check or using breeding stock with health checks, like Hip Dysplasia or elbow dysplasia
- What kind of socialization the animal has had so far
- Reputable breeders will only sell puppies to people they know and meet
- Reputable breeders will ask numerous questions of prospective puppy owners
The Jamaica Kennel Club maintains a list of breeders, and this is an excellent place to begin your search. You’ll be directed to the parent club of the particular breed(s), ( such as the German Shepherd Club of Jamaica, Rottweiler Association of Jamaica or the Doberman Club of Jamaica) you’re interested in. The parent club will give you contact info for the breeders who have met their quality standards.
Begin Visiting Breeders
Although meeting puppies is your ultimate goal, don’t let that keep you from sizing up the breeder before you make a decision to buy. What you see and learn while you’re at the breeder’s kennel or home can tell you a lot about how the dogs are raised and the quality to expect. There are no guarantees with livestock, but choosing a reputable breeder with strong breeding stock and ethics certainly minimizes the chances of problems with your new puppy.
Hallmarks of a good breeder include the following:
- The dogs, as well as their living quarters, are clean.
- Fresh water is available for them.
- The dogs seem happy interacting with the breeder and show no fear of that person.
- The breeder keeps health records on the dogs and can show you records for any dog you’re interested in.
- The dogs are not chained.
- The breeder can produce any necessary registration papers if the dogs are advertised as purebreds.
- Th breeder is extremely knowledge about the particular breed and his/her focus is in breeding dogs that meet the breed standard
- The breeder is keen on improving the breed
- The breeder can provide records of their past litters including persons who have had pups from the breeder before.
- The breeder is happy to answer all your questions and not just in a rush to sell you a puppy and send you on your way. This includes offering general care info on feeding, grooming, and training.
- The breeder takes time to ask you questions about your experience with dogs and wants to know details about where your puppy will live.
- The puppies have at least had their first shots and are at least six to eight weeks old minimum before being allowed to go to new homes.
- The breeder encourages you to keep his or her contact information in case you find you have more questions later.
Evaluate Puppies
Assuming the breeder checks out well, you can then focus on the puppies or adult dog you’re interested in. You’re going to look for clues about the animal’s health, as well as its temperament. Although you can’t completely predict any pup’s future health and temperament in a single visit, you at least want to make sure of the following points before you decide whether or not to make a purchase:
- The puppy shouldn’t have any noticeable discharge from its eyes or nose, and it’s free of parasites.
- The puppy is active, moves around easily, and plays naturally with its litter mates.
- The puppy is curious about you and willing to interact with you, even if it may be a bit shy at first.
- The puppy may naturally want to chew on your fingers, but it shouldn’t show any sign of true aggression toward you.
- The puppy isn’t afraid to explore its surroundings, and doesn’t become unreasonably frightened at sudden noises.
- The puppy should turn toward you if you clap your hands when it isn’t looking. Failure to respond might mean the animal has hearing loss, which is prevalent in some breeds.
