Leaving aside the adoption fee or cost of buying a puppy, you will also need to consider the following costs:

• Dog Licence
• Food
• Bedding
• Toys
• Treats
• Pet Insurance
• Vaccinations
• Flea, Tick and Worm Treatments
• Neutering
• Dog Sitters/Kennels/Doggie Day Care
• Emergency Vet Treatment
• Sickness
• Collar/Tags/Lead/Harness
• Grooming
• Training Classes

After your puppy has settled in, if you are in work or need to go somewhere, do you have somebody reliable and trustworthy to mind them in your absence?

Puppies often explore the world with their mouths so be prepared for the chewing of things you hold dear. They don’t understand the difference between something cheap or expensive. You will need to teach them everything they know to fit into your home and lifestyle – including toilet training.

Puppies require a lot of patience and a lot of encouragement. Remember, they don’t speak our language, and we do expect a lot from them. Think of how long it takes a baby to become potty trained!

Please don’t raise your voice at your puppy if they’ve had an accident or chewed something they shouldn’t have. Giving out to them can result in them becoming fearful of you and lead to longer term behaviour issues.

If anybody has doubts – please listen to them and their concerns. While dog ownership has so many benefits, it’s not for everyone and it can be hard work, so everyone needs to be on board.

Some people prefer to get an adult dog rather than a puppy. It’s important to note that some adult dogs, especially those who have spent time in kennels may not be toilet trained.

All dogs need time to settle into a new home, and this is dependent on the individual dog, so please be patient as they learn that you are their new family as this can take months!

As dogs are social animals who need company, we don’t recommend getting a dog if they will be left on their own all day without toilet breaks or be left outside.

• Depending on their age, older dogs will be out of the whirlwind puppy phase
• Some adult dogs are already housetrained
• Some will have basic training such be less likely to keep you up at night
• Adult dogs’ personalities are already formed but dogs who have spent time in kennels can take a few months to come out of their shells
• If you’re looking for nice long walks from day one, an adult dog will be better suited. Puppies need to wait several months before they are ready for this level of exercise.

Many pedigree dogs have a small gene pool due to selective breeding, often to create a specific appearance. This sadly means that there are inherited health problems in many breeds. Some of these issues can be prevented if breeders screen dogs they are thinking of breeding from.

There is a perception that crossbreed dogs are healthier, however there is a risk that the ‘bad’ genes from both parents could be passed on to their puppies.

So, if you are thinking of buying a ‘Cavachon’, for example, insist on a breeder who has screened both the Cavalier and Bichon parents for the problems inherent in both their species.

Unfortunately, genetic screening tests do not exist for all conditions, like a shorter life span. However, some problems can be detected from physically examining a dog.

50% of Cavalier King Charles spaniels have a heart murmur by the age of five, and brachycephalic dogs, including pugs, English bulldogs, French bulldogs and Boston terriers have been bred to have flat faces. Their flat faces means they suffer from breathing difficulties and other problems which can limit their ability to enjoy a happy life. In breeds like these, even a good breeder won’t be able to produce a truly healthy litter!

If you decide to get a breed that suffers from a genetic disease, you will need to be prepared for the costly vet bills. This could include needing one or more surgical procedures during their lifetime and any costs for any additional care.

Due to the serious breathing issues many flat-faced dogs struggle with, we wouldn’t recommend buying these breeds.

A reputable breeder will:

• encourage you to meet your puppy and their mum several times before taking them home
• have lots of information in adverts (see info above)
• encourage you to meet your puppy several times before taking them home
• have a clean and safe area in their home for puppies and their mum
• ask you lots of questions about why you want a puppy
• want you to ask them lots of questions about the puppies, their mum and their history of breeding dogs etc.
• provide any evidence of relevant health testing, if needed – before you choose your puppy. Some breeds and crossbreeds should have genetic testing to rule out inherited diseases.
• give you their vet’s details so you can ask their vet questions about the litter and their parents

• want to keep in touch after you’ve taken the puppy home
• have your puppy microchipped before you take them home (this is a legal requirement)
• encourage you to meet the mum & father (if they own him) of your pup and of course, the other members of the litter
• be able to tell you all about the socialisation they’ve been doing, like meeting people of different ages, other animals, car rides, trips to the vets etc.
• have started housetraining your puppy by the time they are old enough to leave

• different noises, including normal household noises (kettle, vacuum cleaner, washing machine)
• travelling in the car
• visiting the vet
• various smells

1. Will my puppy be vaccinated, wormed and microchipped and can you show me evidence of this before I come to mee the pup(s)?
2. Have any of the puppies been unwell or had any veterinary issues?
3. Can I see all the puppies in the litter and see them interact with each other and me and my family? (If you are told all the other puppies have been sold already – this is a red flag!)
4. Can I see the puppy with their mum and do you have their dad too? (not seeing a mum interacting well with a puppy could be a sign the pup is not theirs and is another red flag)
5. Can I see where the mum and pups live and sleep? (They should be in a home with regular human love and attention throughout the day)
6. What training and social interactions have the puppies had so far?
7. Have you started toilet training the pups?
8. Is my puppy registered with the Irish Kennel Club registered (pedigree dogs only)? If so, can you provide the relevant certificates – prior to me meeting the litter of pups?
9. If you’re buying a breed that suffers from inherited health problems, is the breeder able to provide evidence of screening the pup’s parents for these?
10. If there are any problems, will you (the breeder) take the puppy back?

• You should see your puppy, their littermates and their mum at least twice before you take them home
• Watch the puppies and their mum interacting together to make sure they are happy. If they don’t appear happy, or if you’re not allowed to see the litter with their mum – as difficult as it is – please walk away.
• Is the mum a happy and relaxed dog and comfortable with your presence or is she nervous and worried? Parental influences have a big effect on future character.

Tip: Take a blanket to leave with your pup. This will smell of them, their littermates and their mum so will provide comfort them for their first few nights away from mum.

• Bright, clean eyes with no discharge
• Clean nose – no discharge or sign of sores
• Shiny and clean coat, with no sign of flea dirt. They shouldn’t smell bad.
• Clean teeth
• Clean ears – no redness, discharge or dirty, thick wax
• Clean bottom – no sign of diarrhoea or worms
• Neither skinny (though some breeds are slim), with the bones visible or easy to feel, nor too fat

Every puppy should have had their first vaccination by the time you buy or adopt them and their second vaccination about four weeks after the first was given.

Please see here for more information on puppy vaccinations.