A GUIDE FOR PUPPY BREEDERS

Your litter is ready to be placed into homes with their new owners, or perhaps you are planning a litter and want to advise potential buyers of the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list.How can you make sure that your puppies stand out to prospective owners?

Provide a little extra information

The advertisement is your first contact with a buyer and determines whether they call you!  Why is your litter special?  Describe the parents: what features made you choose to breed them?  What health care have the puppies had?  Have the puppies started their socialisation?  Can you provide more pictures or additional information for interested buyers? 

Price

A general guide to pricing can be gained by looking at other advertisements for similar breeds.  If you feel that your litter has a special quality that sets it apart from others, this can be reflected in the price, but take care to explain this in the description. 

Be informed

All breeds – even cross breeds or “designer dogs” - have tendencies towards certain health problems and buyers will be reassured if you are knowledgeable about your breed and can describe the steps you’ve taken to avoid possible problems.  Your veterinarian can help you with information about predisposed problems. 

Make the environment inviting

The first impression of the litter counts.  Puppies raised in clean, comfortable surroundings are more appealing and may be healthier.  Bedding should be fresh and unsoiled, waste collected regularly and food and water bowls washed and tended frequently.  If one or other of the parents are present, it helps to have them looking their best as well. 

Know your litter

Some experienced owners will know exactly what they’re looking for, but novice pet owners may look to you for advice.  A breeder familiar with the personality and temperament of each of the puppies in the litter can offer help with choosing a puppy to match the owner’s personality. 

Health care

As well as providing evidence that the puppies have been well looked after, good health care produces active and vigorous puppies.  Intestinal worming treatments should start at 2 weeks of age and immunisation against viral diseases begins at six to eight weeks old.  Flea treatment may be needed in some cases.  

Socialisation

From 3 weeks of age, puppies begin to take an interest in their surroundings and what happens there.  Although very young puppies should not be taken for walks, they may be regularly handled by people (men, women and children), meet other household pets and be exposed to a range of household sounds including television, dishwashers, washing machines and vacuum cleaners. Positive exposure from an early age to the usual things a dog may encounter in his life creates a confident, outgoing and relaxed puppy.

Feeding information

Most new owners will find some basic information about how their puppy has been cared for very useful in settling him into his new home.  Details of feeding quantities, times and the food being given helps to reduce the number of changes the pup has to get used to.  If possible, a food sample of the usual food provides a good start for the puppy. 

Keep good records

A potential buyer can be confident in a breeder who has all the paperwork for the litter organised and close at hand.  These may include, as appropriate, the parents’ health records, puppy vaccination certificates and medical records, breed registration certificates and microchip registration forms.  The originals or copies of these records should be available to give to the puppy’s new owner. 

Your legal obligations

Contact your local authorities to find out about any legal obligations you may have as dog seller. For example, in some parts of Australia microchipping may be compulsory and sales of certain dog breeds may be illegal.

Congratulations! You’re well on the way to quickly finding enthusiastic and responsible new owners for your puppies.