Rediscovering Dogs

It’s been over three months since Nancy passed away and she is really missed. After a few attempts at looking for a rescue dog we decided to get a puppy from a reputable breeder. I feel guilty about buying a dog but we have some very specific requirements and want to know the new dog’s history. So where to start? The Kennel Club’s website is a great first step; they have a very nifty questionnaire that asks you what you are looking for in a dog. After answering questions the site lists the breeds most fitted to your requirements. There were five we were interested in: Poodle, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Schnauzer, Tibetan Terrier and Portuguese Water Dog.

Then off we went to Discover Dogs at Earls Court. It’s a much smaller version of Crufts but it’s closer to us in London; held every year in November. The Kennel Club was there to answer any questions and each breed is represented by that Breed Club with a selection of dogs for you to view. This way you see all the dogs in one place and you can ask any questions you have about the breed you are interested in. Discover Dogs have lots of vendors selling everything doggy, there are some entertaining and informational activities and alot of rescue organisations are present as well. We saw a competition for the best trained dog with a cooking twist and a demonstration on how canine partners train their dogs for the disabled. Didn't take many pictures because we were constantly moving; wish we had more time. What a great day, I would recommend going.

The Kennel Club was very helpful and showed me how to look for puppy breeders on the internet, they also gave me two very useful pamphlets.

1. Information Guide - Choosing and bringing home the right dog for you www. thekennelclub.org.uk. The information guide has an easy to use suitability grid reference with all the breeds answering the question of size, grooming, exercise, locality and lifespan. If everyone read this and thought carefully before getting a dog I don’t think there would be as many dogs needing re-homing.

2. Assured Breeder Scheme – I want to buy a puppy. Why should I buy a pedigree dog www.findapuppy.org.uk. This scheme is an attempt by the Kennel Club to put puppy farms out of business. Although some good breeders do not subscribe because it costs money to register with them.  Another good reference for good breeders is the breed club websites.

Everyone at Discover Dogs was very helpful and after asking questions about known illnesses, grooming, temperament and availability we decided on the dog for us. We decided to buy a puppy from a breeder registered with the Kennel Club’s assured breeder scheme. The breed we chose has some hereditary diseases so we can be reassured that the mum and dad will have had the proper tests. Next step find a puppy...