How To Choose A Puppy From A Litter!

by **Steve** Sat Feb 25 2012, 12:13

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Choose A

Puppy From A Litter!

How To Choose A Puppy From A Litter!

First of all, make sure you’re ready for the responsibility of taking care of a puppy/dog for the next 10+ years.
Research your puppy.
Ask yourself more questions: Should you save your dog from the rescue? Should you go to a breeder?.

After you’ve settled on a Staffordshire bull terrier and have decided where you want to adopt your new pet, it’s time to find the perfect puppy for you. There are various theories on choosing a puppy, from grabbing the first one you see to spending hours administering the puppy aptitude test to every puppy in a litter. Whether you go by the numbers or prefer to let chance play a role in your decision, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Above all else, you want to choose a puppy that’s healthy and that you have a rapport with. Here are some things you should look for when inspecting puppies from a litter:

The puppies should have bright eyes.
There should be no discharge from the eyes or from the nose.
The nose may not be cold and wet but it should not appear dried out or crusty.
The ears should look, and smell, clean.
The breath should smell of nothing other than ‘puppy’.
The bottom should be clean with no sign of diarrhoea or discharge from the genitalia.
The skin should be clean - no sores, dandruff, or parasites.
Check for hernias - the pup should have no odd lumps or bumps in the abdominal area.
Testicles can sometimes take a while to drop, so no need for immediate panic if you cannot feel them.
Puppies can be very unco-ordinated, but there should be no sign of lameness.
It can take time for some breeds to grow into their ears, feet, and skin, so no need to worry if the puppies appear a little out of proportion in some areas.
Do not be alarmed if the pups have ‘knobbly knees’ this is quite normal.
The immediate surroundings of the puppies should look and smell clean.

If at all possible, spend a little time with the puppy’s parents and see how they react to you and your family. If you’re not happy with the dam (mother) or sire (father), you shouldn’t adopt their puppies. Look at the other puppies in the litter to gauge their overall temperament and make sure they’re uniform in activity and personality. This is a sign of good breeding. However, your final decision should be based on one-on-one time with the puppy, not with the entire puppy pack. This is the only way you’ll know for sure how the puppy will interact with you.

Here are some questions you might want to ask a Breeder...

Question 1:- Are both the dam and the sire registered with the Kennel Club? If the staffordshire bull terrier that you are interested in is recognised by the Kennel Club then both parents should be registered.
Question 2:- Will all the pups be registered with the Kennel Club? Again, if it is a recognised breed, and both dam and sire are registered, the breeder should register the litter.
Question 3:- How old is the bitch? The age of the dam may vary according to the breed, but the general rule is that a bitch is not bred prior to her 3rd season and not bred after 7 years of age.
Question 4:- How many litters has the bitch had? Good breeders will rarely take more than three litters from a bitch.
Question 5:- What health tests have the dam and the sire had, and are the official test results available for me to see? The test results should be available to you.

Choosing a puppy from a litter takes time. Don’t be afraid to walk away and keep looking if you’re not completely comfortable. With careful consideration, you should find a happy, healthy puppy that’s perfect for you.

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Thank you.
Forum Administrator
Steve

A Staffy-bull-terrier Frequently Asked Questions