Questions for potential puppy owners.
This is a list of some of the questions you will need to answer before you take a puppy.
How did your learn about this breed?
What do you think the exercise requirements of this breed are?
Who will carry out this exercise on a daily basis – where would it be?
What is the environment the dog will be kept in– is it a house or flat, what is the garden like, is it secure, do you live in town or country?
Where in the country do you live, please provide your address?
Tell me about an average day of the dog in your home?
Socialisation – tell me a bit about who you are, the family, the regular interactions the dog will have – canine, people, other pets?
Do you or anyone in your household have any personal or health conditions that could affect your ability to provide a long term forever home to this dog?
What arrangements will you make when you go on holiday.
What is your previous history of dogs?
What is your previous history of Belgian Shepherds?
Affordability – are you aware of the ongoing costs involved in having a Belgian Shepherd, can you confirm you can comfortably meet this?
Home check – are you willing for a home check to be carried out should I require it?
You will be required to sign a contract and Breeding restrictions will apply – no KC breeding will be possible if purchased as purely a pet, if purchased for competition or breeding I need to know at the time of purchase , and no breeding will be allowed until suitable health tests such as hip scored, clear eye tested and competition success. Are you happy with that clause?
I personally believe that Dogs/bitches do not require to be neutered unless there is a medical need. Indeed there is much evidence that neutering has a detrimental effect on the dogs health, which can include hip dysplasia, joint problems, and various cancers. Belgians in particular tend to put on too much weight, become obese, slow down, and sometimes it changes their character, are you happy not to neuter unless deemed medically necessary, and you are able to cope with that?
Recommendations – is there anyone you’d put forward as a reference – your current vet, or someone in the Belgian Shepherd circuit (breeder/competitors), who knows you well and would be a reference as to your suitability as an owner.
This may all sound daunting to you but these are the things I need to know to ensure my puppies, who are like children to me, go to suitable loving homes where they will be loved and looked after for their entire lifetime.
This is a list of some of the questions you will need to answer before you take a puppy.
How did your learn about this breed?
What do you think the exercise requirements of this breed are?
Who will carry out this exercise on a daily basis – where would it be?
What is the environment the dog will be kept in– is it a house or flat, what is the garden like, is it secure, do you live in town or country?
Where in the country do you live, please provide your address?
Tell me about an average day of the dog in your home?
Socialisation – tell me a bit about who you are, the family, the regular interactions the dog will have – canine, people, other pets?
Do you or anyone in your household have any personal or health conditions that could affect your ability to provide a long term forever home to this dog?
What arrangements will you make when you go on holiday.
What is your previous history of dogs?
What is your previous history of Belgian Shepherds?
Affordability – are you aware of the ongoing costs involved in having a Belgian Shepherd, can you confirm you can comfortably meet this?
Home check – are you willing for a home check to be carried out should I require it?
You will be required to sign a contract and Breeding restrictions will apply – no KC breeding will be possible if purchased as purely a pet, if purchased for competition or breeding I need to know at the time of purchase , and no breeding will be allowed until suitable health tests such as hip scored, clear eye tested and competition success. Are you happy with that clause?
I personally believe that Dogs/bitches do not require to be neutered unless there is a medical need. Indeed there is much evidence that neutering has a detrimental effect on the dogs health, which can include hip dysplasia, joint problems, and various cancers. Belgians in particular tend to put on too much weight, become obese, slow down, and sometimes it changes their character, are you happy not to neuter unless deemed medically necessary, and you are able to cope with that?
Recommendations – is there anyone you’d put forward as a reference – your current vet, or someone in the Belgian Shepherd circuit (breeder/competitors), who knows you well and would be a reference as to your suitability as an owner.
This may all sound daunting to you but these are the things I need to know to ensure my puppies, who are like children to me, go to suitable loving homes where they will be loved and looked after for their entire lifetime.