Hi!
Phew a lot of questions there!!
Most importantly of all DO NOT BUY A PUPPY FROM AN INTERNET AD, NOR FROM AN AD IN THE FREEBIE NEWSPAPERS!! The people who advertise this way are usually nothing more than farmers who are breeding to line their own pockets and without a care in the world for the health of the parents or the puppies!
The very best place for you to start your search is on
www.cavaliers.co.uk, at first glance this will appear to be a showing site but if you look around you will find their advice on buying a puppy section. This site is run by Eastern Counties CKCS Club, you will find a list on there of the holders of all the Puppy Registers for all the regional clubs, only club members may advertise their puppies on there and we have all signed a code of ethics to become members of these clubs. the breeders who advertise on these lists are like myself breeders who breed litters to further their lines and to improve them, we breed to get something nice to show hopefully and we all health test our dogs! You stand a good chance of getting a well bred baby form health tested parents this way.
Be prepared to wait for your baby, don't rush into this, I understand that you are upset at not getting your little tri girl and that you really want a puppy right now, but act in haste and repent at your leisure!!
When you first ring make sure that the breeder knows exactly what you expect from a puppy, I get so many people who want a show quality puppy at a pet puppy price, the difference between show and pet is very hard to define, but basically the commonest reason for a breeder to let an otherwise wonderful puppy go is because the teeth are wrong or because they don't really want to keep a boy, boys make fantastic pets, don't be blinkered to getting only a girl, there is no real difference and given my choice if I didn't need my girls for breeding I would probably only have boys!!
Some breeders have Dad at home as well as Mum, ask to see as many family members as you can, this will give you an idea of the overall adult size the puppy will achieve, it will also give you an idea of the kind of temperament that your puppy will end up with, if they are all nervous then walk away as this is not the right temperament for the breed.
Always ask to see heart certificates for the parents if possible, eye certificates as well if they have them, again if these cannot be produced then walk away, it is impossible to have a heart certificate for the puppy itself, some breeders have their vet write a letter stating that the puppy is fit and well though.
A good breeder will be able to talk you through the puppies pedigree and will happily chat away about their own dogs and the breed in general, they will not be looking at the clock and trying to get your money from you and rush you out of the door as fast as possible.
Speaking on a strictly personnal note, and I know that the other breeders on the board will echo me on this, the one thing I cannot stand is when the first question is "How Much is it?" :swear: This should be the last thing you ask really and will certainly earn you bonus points when you first enquire, but the main priority is the health of the puppy!
When you visit you should expect to see clean fat healthy puppies and a clean healthy Mum, Mum will not be looking her best though as they all lose their coats shortly after having babies and can look like scarecrows by the time the puppies are old enough to be viewed! Mum and babies should be outgoing and happy to meet you!
Your breeder should be able to talk freely about SM as well, most will tell you that they have not seen it in their line and have not had puppy buyers reporting back that their babies have developed the condition, any breeder worth their salt will know about the condition although only a few are routinely MRI'ing their dogs yet, this is a grey area with most breeders, but they should know of the condition at the very least.
Lastly I always give a detailed letter, a copy of which the new owner signs and I retain on file that basically states that anything such as an umbilical hernia has been drawn to your attention and advice given as to what to do about it if anything, also if the registration is endorsed that should be brought to your attention as well. A diet sheet, a supply of feed, enough to last about 5-7 days should be with the puppy as well. I give all sorts of things away with my puppies from the Royal Canin Puppy Pack, through a couple of toys, bottle of puppy shampoo, doggy toothbrush etc, etc. This year I am considering adding Puppia harnesses and leads to the pack. Why do I do all this? To make the transition between homes go as smoothly as possible, moving home is enough to upset a puppies delicate digestive system, a change in diet even more likely!!
Last of all a breeder should be there to back you up and suppport you as your puppy adjusts to life with you, they should be there for a chat or to give advice, I will always board my babies when their owners go away for example and should the worst come to the worst I am ALWAYS happy to take a dog/puppy back for whatever reason should it prove unsuitable for its's new home!!
Phew!! got to the end :lol: I hope this is of help to you? If you need any further help or advice then just ask, or PM me, I am always happy to help out if I can, but will only ever advise from personnal experience, I do not have all the answers as I am still learning after all these years too!!
Good Luck in your search!!
