About Us
Dog Training Courses
Professional Dog Trainer
Courses in Your Area

Dog Health
Genetic Conditions
Non- Genetic Conditions
Lifestyle Conditions

How to Buy Pedigree Puppies

What ‘Pedigree’ Means

In the UK pedigree puppies are registered with The Kennel Club - this is the only pedigree registration that is worth its salt.

KC registration guarantees your puppy is of pure breed going back five generations.

If you particularly want a purebred pedigree puppy beware of breeders whose puppies are not KC registered. Given that it costs relatively little to register dogs with the Kennel Club, the only reason a breeder would not register pedigree puppies is if, for some reason, they couldn’t.

Reasons may vary but would probably include problems with the puppy’s parentage (not a true pedigree themselves), not being endorsed for breeding or possibly even stolen. It might also indicate that the puppy comes from a puppy farm. If absolute pure breed with a traceable heritage is important to you, then insist on any pedigree puppies you consider buying being KC registered.

Visiting the breeder

Always visit the pedigree puppies at home, with their mother and litter mates. You want to see the conditions they live in, witness the temperament of the mother, and assess how they react to each other and to strangers (you). Avoid meeting the breeder elsewhere to pick up a puppy, and be wary of any breeder who won’t let you see the mother for whatever reason.

Questions to Ask

Pedigree puppies are adorable and it’s easy to get carried away and let your heart rule your head. No matter how cute they all are, keep a level head and find out from the breeder: 1. Whether all the pups are inoculated, wormed, flea treated, microchipped. 2. Have tests been done for any inherent faults in the breed (your puppy research will tell you more about your chosen breed’s possible faults or weaknesses).

3. Will all the paperwork be ready to collect along with the puppy.

4. Check on the terms of sale - for instance, are thre any breeding restrictions on the puppies?

5. Be ready for lots of questions to you too. A reputable breeder will want to know the pedigree puppies are going to good homes.

Viewing the Litter

Always go to the property of the breeder to see the litter. You need to reassure yourself that the premises are clean and tidy, that the pedigree puppies are clean and healthy, and likewise the mother

Seeing the Mother

This is most important as it speaks volumes about the ethics of the breeder. Most reputable breeders won’t breed a bitch more than once a year. To have healthy pedigree puppies you need a healthy mother, not one that is exhausted from constant breeding and weakened from the demands of constantly feeding and rearing puppies.

Ask About the Father

Many pedigree puppies are bred using the services of a stud dog. Breeders who take pride in the heritage of their puppies will be only too willing to discuss the pedigree of the father and will possibly even have pictures you can see.

Choosing the Best Puppy from the Litter You want to choose a healthy, happy, well-adjusted puppy. Choosing the one who runs up to you and won’t leave you alone may not be the best choice as this puppy is probably more dominant than the others. Similarly, the one who hangs back or seems shy or timid may not ‘come out of his shell’ once you get him home.

Middle of the road pedigree puppies, the ones who’re happy to play, seem curious without being too pushy, are happy to be petted or handled but will also amuse themselves are much more likely to have a good balance of independence and obedience - vital when it comes to training.

Buying Pedigree Puppies isn't difficult, but to be sure you get the puppy who'll fit into your family and your lifestyle and who'll grow into the dog of your dreams you need to exercise just a bit of caution and take your time in choosing.

Back to Puppies <<<