Should you buy a dog from a private seller or a boutique? If you are thinking about buying a small dog, there are many things to take into consideration. If you are looking for a dog to be your lifelong best friend, you should put a lot of thought into the animal you choose. There are many things to consider when looking for a new pet, but the three main things to consider are the budget, the type of dog, and where you plan to get the dog from. Here are some more tips
Research the background on the seller and the dog
When you buy a puppy, you’re making a big commitment to that little pooch, and it’s important to make sure you’re doing it from the proper source. Online, you can find tons of advice from forums, to Facebook groups, to subreddits. The internet is full of information, and it can be difficult to separate the facts from the fiction. For example, it’s important to research the breeder’s background and history to ensure they’re up to the task of providing a healthy puppy. There are good dog breeders that put up small breed puppies for sale in Brisbane with ample background information.
You have to know if you are getting the real deal. You have to know the background of the seller and the dog. The best way to do this is to try and talk to the puppy’s parents. If you can’t get them, ask the breeder if they can give you any information on the puppy’s parents. Find out if the puppies have been taken to the vet as well.
Meet the puppy in person more than once
When shopping for your next puppy, you want to meet the puppy in person more than once. Once isn’t enough to properly evaluate the puppy. Some breeders make you see the puppies only once, so they can say a dog came from “healthy parents.” You want to see the puppy at least twice to be sure you’re not being sold a puppy that is ill or has health problems.
It’s not just to make sure the puppy is cute; it’s also to determine if the puppy is well cared for and healthy. If the puppy is being sold to make room for a new puppy, it’s probably a good idea to see the parents as well. Since there are no laws governing small breeders, you can’t be sure if the seller is reputable.
Ask the seller questions on the phone before meeting
If you’re serious about buying a puppy from a private seller, make sure you ask the seller some questions over the phone before you meet. A great way to do this is to set up an appointment with the seller and show up with a list of questions that you have prepared. If you don’t feel like you have enough information, don’t hesitate to ask the seller for more information. By asking questions over the phone, you can get a better idea of the type of breeder you are dealing with.
Scan the puppy to view any red flags on disease or misconduct
Buying a puppy from a private seller or boutique is risky because you have no knowledge of the breeder, their practices, or the puppy’s history. You have no idea if the puppy has been immunized for certain diseases such as parvo, distemper, and rabies or if the puppy has an unknown genetic disorder. This can be critical because these diseases can be very dangerous and life-threatening to your puppy.
It is highly recommended to have a vet check out the puppy before bringing it home. The vet would scan the puppy and check for any red flags. If you are buying from a private seller, it is always good to scan the puppy and look for signs of abuse or neglect.
Don’t get delivered but pick up the dog
You may have probably heard of people getting a puppy delivered via mail or even by plane. Of course, this practice is not common, but it’s not uncommon either, especially for a small doggy. When you buy a small doggy from a private seller, make sure you pick it up and see the place where it lived.
Do not pay before you have seen with your own eyes where the dog is living and how they treat it. This is a very important step because you will see if the puppy is well-cared for or not. If you are looking for a purebred dog, it is very important to see if the dogs are in good condition and if they live in the same environment as their parents. You can arrange this when you buy the puppy.
See the paperwork and acquire a guarantee from the seller
When you buy a dog from the breeder, you might ask for the bill of sale or any other important paperwork. Make sure that the animal has been vaccinated and licensed. Also, ask for the registration and confirmation of the breeder. This will help you in case you need to return the dog or get a refund. When you buy a dog from a private seller, try to ask for something in writing — this might be a simple email or a text message. This will help you prove you’ve got a dog from a private seller.
When you buy a puppy that’s under 8 weeks old, you should definitely see a registration certificate and also a veterinary health certificate. This should tell you that the dog is fit and healthy. It’s also a great way to ensure that the seller is reputable and that the puppy hasn’t been sold several times already.
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