Emblehope

Ok, so you have decided the Border Terrier is the breed for you, and you set off to purchase one, what do you look for in an ethical, responsible breeder?Firstly, you need to approach a breeder and ask about possible availabilty of puppies.  Most breeders will breed a litter as they want to keep one themselves, if a breeder is breeding for the sake of it, you have to ask if they have the breeds welfare at heart, or are they producing puppies to supply the pet market.  With the popularity of the Border Terrier at an all time high, there are plenty willing to take advantage and breed for the wrong reasons, its up to the prospective buyer to ask appropriate questions to acertain the reason the puppies were bred.

                                 

When viewing a litter, the environment the puppies are raised in is very important.  I prefer puppies to be raised in the house, this way they will be used to the sights and sounds of a normal family home, often hearing the vacuum, the television and TV etc.. all these things will be of huge benefit to a puppy when going to its new home.  Puppies raised outside will not have this benefit.  They may not have the socialising that “indoor” puppies will have and they will not be used to normal everyday sounds.  Although there is nothing wrong with raising puppies outdoors if it is done correctly, in my opinion, puppies raised this way may take longer to adjust to the home environment with everything being new to them.

                                 

Look for a clean and well kept area with happy outgoing puppies that are pleased to see people.  The mother of the litter should be there for you to see, she may not look her best having reared her litter, but she should be healthy and happy as should her litter.  The father, or stud dog may well not be present.  Its common practice to use an “outside stud” a dog that compliments the bitch, both in its breeding and conformation, breeders choose stud dogs very carefully to do everything they can to breed a quality litter that will hopefully fit the breed standard well.Be prepared to be screened by the breeder, most reputable breeders will ask many questions to make sure their puppies go to homes where they will remain for all their lives, the right owner is as much a priority for a breeder, as it is for you to find the right breeder of your puppy. 

So, given everything checks out ok and both you and the breeder are happy, what should you expect from the breeder when you take your puppy?

1. The pedigree certificate and Kennel club registration document, signed by the breeder in order for you to transfer the ownership of the puppy into your name.  Occasionally the registration will have not come through and will be forwarded at a later date.  Some breeders will place “endorsements” on puppies, stopping any progeny from being registered etc.. another thing to help secure the future of the dogs they have bred, and hopefully stop irresponsible breeding.

2. Record of worming dates and vaccination dates and card if appropriate.

3. Details of your puppy’s feeding routine, the food it has been fed on and usually some of the food to take with you.

4. Most breeders will provide new owners with 6 weeks free insurance.

5. Reputable breeders will provide a lifetime back up of help and support for you and will be willing to take back a puppy or dog at any age should it be necessary at any point in the dogs life. Choose wisely, choose a breeder who has the breed at heart and doesnt breed for monetary gain, most breeders will breed just once a year, sometimes less frequent than that, avoid those that breed regularly and “usually” have puppies available.  Do not be fooled by people who say they only breed show dogs.  NOBODY can say how a dog will turn out, all you can do is buy a well bred, well reared puppy and go from there.

Happy hunting!