Page 13 - EAKC 26th Newsletter MAY

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26 ISSUE; EAST AFRICA KENNEL CLUB NEWSLETTER, APRIL 2018 10
plus the majority of them are willing to take the pups pre-sold, so there will be a waiting list. It does
dog back if there are problems. Although buying happen however, that occasionally there is the odd
a pup from a reputable breeder can be expensive pup available.
compared to other sources, we are buying a pup
that will probably be free from hereditary disease, Your breeder should be asking questions of you,
has the best temperament possible and that to almost like an interview.
me, means it is money well spent. There are no Find out from the breed club if the breeder has a
guarantees in life, but if we do all we can to get the good reputation. This normally means that there
best our money can buy, we really are limiting the name will appear at KUSA and possibly as an
chances of potential problems Accredited Breeder.
When you arrive to view the pup, look firstly if the
Here are some tips:- kennels are clean with happy dogs inside them. A
Contact the breed clubs, tell them what your family good breeder is normally very keen to show you his
requirements are and ask them if they can give you kennels and his pride and joy, his dogs.
the names of several reputable breeders.
Additionally you can go and look at Breed Shows Ask to see the father and mother. There are
of the breed of your choice and speak to the people occasions when the father may not be able to be
there. All the dog shows are listed on the KUSA site viewed due to being at another location, but if
and I have always found that breeders are always possible see both of them and look for signs of ill
more than willing to extol the virtues of their health and especially temperament.
particular breed. A dedicated breeder will know each of the pups
Don’t go and see the pups first, that just leads to well and be able to tell you about their different
an emotional purchase, rather ask the breeder to natures. The majority of these breeders have
e-mail or fax the pup’s papers to you. If the breeder already assigned names to the dogs and will have a
does not agree, again – run a mile! good relationship with the dogs at the kennel.
If there are children in the family, don’ttake them Ask if the pups have been assessed – this really is a
with you when first viewing the pup. As I parent, I plus and will help to assure that the pup is suitable
know just how appealing my children’s faces can for your home.
be when they look at me and say ‘Oh Mum, I just A good breeder will supply you with papers listing
love this one and look how he loves me’! How on the pup’s heritage and if there are any hereditary
earth can you explain to your child that you cant health concerns, and will supply proof that the
take that particular pup home! parents have been certified free of the particular
Ask the breeder if there are any hereditary disease disease. They will supply you with the pup’s
associated with the breed (I would suggest doing inoculations card and generally give you advice on
this research yourself first). Then ask if the pup’s feeding etc.
parents have been tested for same and request A good breeder will only let the pup go home when
proof. Beware here, if the mother or father are less it has reached 8 weeks of age.
than two years of age , then the test may be obsolete, If a pure breed from a reputable breeder is beyond
so check with your own vet first. your means at this stage, then rather consider
getting a pup from a shelter or rescue centre which
A reputable breeder will not breed with a dog normally offers both pure and mixed breeds. You
before it is 2-3 years of age. are then offering a homeless dog a home, but do
Your potential breeder should only breed only your homework as well. Find out what to look for
one type of dog (or a few other breeds) and will be in a pup and ensure that the pup is free from fleas,

knowledgeable on them. worms and that disease has been ruled out.
“www.friendsofthedog.co.za – over 1400 articles
Your potential breeder will normally have his
for you, do have a look”
HOW TO CHOOSE A REPUTABLE BREEDER