What to expect when buying a puppy from PPDBA member

When purchasing a puppy from a PPDBA member you can be assured you are purchasing a puppy that has been bred responsibly, in a clean and safe environment with a focus on their physical health and wellbeing. The puppy’s parents are in good health and have been selected for breeding with the intent to breed the highest quality dog.

What a PPDBA member puppy comes with

At a minimum, any puppy bred by a PPDBA member should come:

  • Vaccinated – vaccinations will be up-to-date at time of purchase and buyers will need to follow the vaccination protocol explained to them by the breeder or their local veterinary. A copy of vaccinations completed will be provided with the puppy on delivery/pickup.
  • Vet checked – the pup will be checked by the breeder’s veterinary and have a complete check to assess their overall health and development and this is provided to buyer with the puppy on delivery/pickup.
  • Wormed – worming will be up to date when you receive the puppy and you will take on the responsibility of completing future worming treatments
  • Microchipped – your puppy will have a microchip and details will be entered onto the Pet Registry database.

Desexing: Your puppy may come to you desexed from a young age (Early Age Desexing). This practice is commonplace for PPDBA members and is recognised by the RSPCA as a responsible practice to be undertaken by breeders.

If buying an undesexed puppy it is the responsibility of the purchaser to have this procedure completed at their own cost.

Puppy Owner Expectations

If you are considering purchasing a puppy from a PPDBA member please be mindful of your responsibilities as a pet owner.

Puppies need a safe, secure and loving environment to grow in. If you think you can provide this environment for a puppy, it is recommended you consider the following questions before purchasing a puppy.

Some things to consider before buying a puppy:

  • Do you have the time to socialise and train the puppy? When you go off to work what will the puppy be doing? How long will they be left alone?
  • Can you afford the puppy’s needs – food, training, bedding, toys, collar, leash? Buying a puppy is a commitment of at least 10 years.
  • Can you afford potential health treatment related costs? Be mindful that you are purchasing an animal with the potential of health problems to occur which a breeder cannot foresee or predict.
  • Do you have the space needed to cater for the puppy’s needs? Puppies become dogs, usually increasing in size and amount of exercise needed.
  • Is your house and yard puppy proof? It is imperative that puppies are unable to escape from the house or get themselves out of the yard.
  • What breed of puppy would best suit your needs? You will need to research the exercise needs of different breeds, coat types, size, etc to make an informed decision.
  • If you have children does the puppy have the right temperament for children?

Questions to ask the Breeder

  • Photos of parents or to be able to see at least the mother in person?
  • Can you visit to see the environment in which the puppy is raised?
  • Can you observe temperament of the puppy and the parents?
  • How big will they grow?
  • Are vaccinations up-to-date and when are the next due?
  • Does the puppy come with a health guarantee or terms and conditions of sale detailing what occurs if a health problem is to arise in a puppy/dog?
  • What can you tell me about the breed of dog?
  • How much grooming or coat maintenance is required?
  • Do you provide puppy handover information?

Checklist for New Puppy Supplies

  • Bedding – comfortable, warm and big enough for growth of puppy.
  • Bowl – 1 x food, 1 x water – preferably metal so puppy can’t chew them.
  • Toys to keep your puppy entertained and soft toys in the sleeping enclosure to simulate litter mates.
  • Collar, leash, ID tag.
  • Advocate worming and tick treatment.
  • Puppy food on advice from breeder – try to keep the same for at least the first week so as not to upset their stomach.
  • A brush recommended by the breeder, comb and puppy shampoo.
  • Paper towel or puppy training pads for toileting accidents.
  • Puppy treats for training.

Puppy-proofing your home & yard

  • Secure the yard making sure there are no escape options.
  • Swimming pools and hot tubs will need to be fenced accordingly or covered.
  • Remove breakables from within puppy reach.
  • Check plants in the yard are not poisonous for puppy.
  • Electrical cords will need to be put up so puppy can’t chew them.
  • Place poisons/ cleaning products up high out of reach.
  • Don’t leave items around that you don’t want the puppy to chew.

Bringing your puppy home

  • Continue with puppy’s preferred diet.
  • Let the puppy explore your home and socialize with the family.
  • When the puppy is on its own confine it so it creates less mischief.
  • Allow puppy to sleep undisturbed.
  • Puppy should be offered a place to eat without distractions.
  • Don’t overtire the puppy.
  • Provide puppy with a soft toy to sleep with.
  • Do not leave a howling puppy to go to sleep, wait until they are settled before leaving them alone