24/07/2023
It’s worth the wait.
Before you rush in and buy a puppy or dog, Dogs Victoria suggests that you:
• Take time to learn about the breed, and make sure that the fully-grown dog will fit in well with your lifestyle and family. If you have only ever seen pictures of the breed you like, take time to meet some adult examples of the breed in person, so you know what they are really like.
• Learn about potential health problems in the breed and ask the breeder how they are working to eliminate known breed health issues. How do they select their breeding stock? What health testing do they do? Don’t be fooled into believing that any breed or mix of breeds is completely free from potential health problems!
• Talk to a variety of breeders about how they raise their pups and how they provide positive experiences and learning opportunities from the time the puppies are born until they are ready to head to their new homes. You want to feel comfortable that they are committed to making sure their puppies have the absolute best start in life.
It may be that the breed that best matches your lifestyle is a little harder to come by, and you have to go on a waiting list for a puppy. Or, maybe the breeder who does all of the health testing only has one or two litters a year so they can truly dedicate their time to raising their litters well. Although it might be hard to sit and wait, and the temptation may be to compromise on one or more things to get a pup sooner, you may end up regretting it in the long run.
Remember: A well-bred, healthy pup is worth the wait!