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If you are thinking of buying a puppy, you might be thinking about how great it will be to have a puppy to play with or for the children to interact with; how much more motivated you’ll be to go out on all those walks that will be so good for you.  You probably already have a particular breed or size of dog in mind.

But you may not have given much thought to where you will buy your puppy from.  There are plenty of adverts for puppies or dogs for sale, and of course there are pet shops that offer puppies and dogs for sale as well.

In fact it is very important where you buy your puppy or dog from, because the treatment that dog or puppy has had before it reaches your home can greatly affect its temperament and its health.  There are good breeders out there, who put the health and wellbeing of the puppies that they sell at the forefront of any transaction.  They breed and sell puppies for the love of the breed and usually take part in competitions to display their breeding talents.

But there are also breeders out there that only breed dogs to make money.  They do not worry much about the temperament or personality characteristics they may be creating; as long as the puppies have the right physical features for the breed then people will buy them.  They may not properly socialise the puppies and may take them away from their mother prematurely.  Just like a human child who has been neglected or unloved, they can grow up to be unhappy and aggressive.

That’s why it is important to do your research before you start looking.  Find out as much as you can about the breed you are interested in, and what sorts of health problems are common to that breed.  A reputable breeder will have had their puppies and dogs certified by a vet to show that that particular line is free from certain congenital conditions. 

Look for a breeder with a good reputation; many will have waiting lists and will not need to advertise in papers.  Ask at your local vet or Kennel Club for recommendations. 

Then visit the breeder and the dogs.  Meet the puppy in its natural environment and get to know its mother.  Check the conditions of where it is living.

A good breeder who cares about the dogs and puppies they are selling will want to know that their animals are going to a good home.  Expect a good breeder to ask about your home circumstances including how much space you have and whether you have any other pets or children. 

Always remember that an alternative to buying a puppy or looking for dogs for sale is to adopt from an animal charity such as the RSPCA. Their staff will be familiar with the temperament of the dogs and puppies in their care; the dogs and puppies will be vaccinated and neutered or spayed and will have been checked for any health problems by a vet.  You probably won’t get the chance to meet a puppy’s mother this way and the paperwork certifying that it is a pedigree may not be available, but neither will you be adding to the demand for new puppies to be bred.


 
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There are few breeds of small dogs that don’t have a reputation for snapping or yapping.  Yet Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very popular and part of their attraction is their lovely nature. 

They are very much family dogs that like to live inside and be part of whatever is going on.  They are basically a lapdog that will happily spend time with you and your family at home or following you around on a walk.  They have happy, outgoing natures that make them a pleasure to take out as well as to spend time with indoors and whilst no dog can be guaranteed to be free from all aggressive tendencies, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are as safe as they come.  They even get on well with cats as well as other dogs and children.

They do need you to spend a lot of time with them, though, because they are a social dog and get lonely if they are left alone for long periods.  Part of the reason for this is that they are intelligent dogs.  This quality also makes them easy to train.

Don’t expect your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to be able to manage long walks in the countryside: they are small dogs and prefer short but frequent walks: a couple of trips round the local park each day would be more suitable for this breed than a single long walk or hike. 

If you are thinking of getting one of these dogs, there are plenty of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies for sale, though you have to take real care to find a reputable breeder.  There are many unscrupulous breeders out there and plenty more careless pet shops that will sell puppies and dogs regardless of their health condition or temperament.  Whilst most pedigrees can be relied on to display certain characteristics in terms of their personality, being bred by a bad breeder can mean that they are un-socialised and can be aggressive regardless of how docile their breed is normally known to be. 

A good breeder should be able to let you meet your puppy’s mother and have information dating back at least two or three generations plus all the relevant paperwork.  But if you want unbiased advice and a puppy that has already been vaccinated, checked for health by a vet and neutered or spayed, then why not adopt one through an animal charity like the RSPCA?

RSPCA staff will be able to advise you on which particular dog has a temperament that suits your needs and family arrangements.  Pedigree dogs turn up on the doorstep of rescue centres just like any other dog but if you want a particular breed you may have to wait a little while until one becomes available, or be prepared to travel to collect one.  


 
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The name ‘Labrador’ is simply shorthand for the breed known as ‘Labrador Retrievers’ – they are the same breed but it’s often easier to use the shortened name.  So if you see Labrador puppies for sale, they are in fact Labrador Retrievers.  Their name can be shortened even further to just ‘Labs’.

Labradors are probably the most popular breed of dog in the UK and it’s not hard to see why when you get to know one.  No breed of dog can be absolutely guaranteed to be friendly, loyal and obedient or good with children – Labradors included.  But Labradors would be the breed to put your money on if you were to bet whether it would make a good family pet.

They are very intelligent, despite their rather daft and dopey appearance – they want to be friends with everyone and are unfailingly cheerful and happy to see people (they are deliriously happy to see their owners, even if they have been apart from them for only five minutes or so). 

They learn skills well and can be taught basic commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘fetch’ and ‘lie down’ very early on as puppies.  Their instinct to retrieve stems from when they were originally gun dogs: their job was to bring back whatever prey had been shot by their masters.  The prey would be no good with teeth marks in it or chewed to bits: Labradors have very soft mouths and will retrieve anything with great care and gentleness.  Be warned though that Labradors have been known to drown from the exhaustion of continuing to search for items thrown for them (sticks or balls) when these have been lost in a pond or stream.  They won’t give up easily unless commanded to return without an item that they have been sent for.

Labradors generally enjoy swimming and splashing in the water and they love spending time with their family.  They have bags of patience for children and it really takes an awful lot to get a Labrador annoyed – and even then, they will normally just retreat. 

There are plenty of Labrador puppies for sale, but consider adopting one from an animal charity such as the RSPCA.  This is a much cheaper option than buying from a breeder or pet shop, and is a more responsible choice: it reduces the demand for new puppies to be bred, and you won’t be inadvertently supporting a disreputable breeder.  Some breeders can keep puppies separate from their mothers and each other and fail to socialise them properly.  It is very important that you meet the mother and the puppy itself before committing to buying from a breeder or pet shop: if adopting, the RSPCA will already have carried out extensive assessments of temperament before allowing a dog or puppy to be rehomed.

Labradors are gentle, loyal, friendly and fun to be with: what more could you ask for in a family dog?  


 
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The British Bulldog is a very misunderstood breed.  Its history stems from breeding designed to increase its prowess as a fighting dog, but it is now often kept as a family pet.  What is the true character of a British Bulldog?

Bulldogs are so named because of their original role, which was to chase and attack cows and bulls, grabbing them and keeping them still until their owners could get them under control and bring them back to the shed.   Their job also involved pinning bulls to the ground by their nose ring.  This job led to their reputation as an aggressive and cruel breed and coupled with their rather dour facial expressions they do not make many people want to keep them as pets.

But careful breeding over the years has led to a much friendlier dog and bulldog puppies are often bought as family pets. All pedigrees are bred for appearance and for temperament: the features or personality traits that are less attractive are bred out whilst the more attractive features and traits are encouraged. A male dog that has displayed aggression, for example, would not be allowed to breed by a responsible owner.

Bulldogs do have their flaws, but mostly these are seen as charming and rather endearing by people who love that breed. For example, they are stubborn and will not learn anything they do not want to – so don’t expect a very obedient dog that will sit on command. But their lack of willingness to learn tricks and commands has more to do with their general laziness and easy-going nature rather than any unwillingness to obey per se.

They don’t make brilliant guard dogs, but often their mere appearance can be off-putting to a would-be burglar. 

But they love being with their family, they are affectionate and protective. 

Remember always, though, that if you are searching for Bulldog puppies for sale or to buy a Bulldog from a pet shop or breeder, you must research the breeder or shop as thoroughly as you research the breed. Unscrupulous breeders do not care about what personality characteristics they breed into their puppies and do not take care to socialise them properly before sale. Many of these breeders sell directly to pet shops and breed purely for profit. 

A really good alternative to buying Bulldog puppies is to adopt from an animal charity such as the RSPCA. Their staff will carefully check a dog or puppy for temperament and take great care to match a dog with a suitable owner. They will also have their puppies and dogs checked for health problems by a vet (Bulldogs, like all pedigrees, are known to have certain tendencies towards developing health problems, mainly affecting their breathing). You can ask the RSPCA to alert you if a Bulldog becomes available to adopt and to give you advice on how best to settle your new best friend into your family home. 


 
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If you are planning on taking your dog with you when you go on holiday this year, you will need to make sure that you are fully prepared.  Packing and organising luggage, tickets, bookings and so on for you and your human family can be trying enough; add to that the need to ensure that your dog is healthy and vaccinated and that they have everything they need for the journey and holiday and you’ll have a long ‘to do’ list!

So get organised nice and early and plan for all eventualities and you’ll be fine.  There are many dog friendly cottages and pet friendly cottages in the UK that offer accommodation that will welcome your pet(s) and that option reduces the amount of planning you’ll need to do, compared to planning a holiday abroad with your pet. 

Here is a list of things to help you to prepare for your holiday with your dog, wherever you are headed:
  •  Take your dog to the vet to make sure all its vaccinations and treatments for worms and fleas are up to date.   If you are travelling abroad, you will need to get all your paperwork sorted out for your pet passport (see next point below), so ask your vet how early you need to visit before your holiday starts.  Whether you’re travelling abroad or not, you’ll need to visit your vet a few days before you leave, for the most up-to-date treatment for worms and fleas.  Most places – even dog friendly cottages in the UK – will ask for proof of this (if they don’t, you should be worried about what your dog might pick up whilst they’re there).
  •  If you are travelling abroad, your pet must be micro-chipped and vaccinated at least 21 days before travel.  If you are going somewhere where there is a high incidence of rabies, you will also need to have a Blood Titer test done soon after vaccination – ask your vet for details.
  • If your dog tends to get travel sick, ask your vet for help in managing that before you travel.  If your dog gets really distressed by travelling then think hard about whether to take it at all – if you really must (say, if your dog would be more distressed by being cared for in a kennel) then ask your vet for advice on how to keep your dog calm.  Medication might be necessary.
  • Find out before you travel about where the local vet is, and take a note of their address and telephone number.  
  • Make sure you have appropriate restraints for travelling with your pet, either to keep them safe in your car or for transporting them on public transport (e.g. a pet carrier with proper ventilation and waterproof base).
  • If transporting your pet in a carrier, write your name and address and phone number on the case.
  • Remember to take:
- all your documents from your vet proving your pet’s health;
- Sheets and towels for lining the places where your dog might sleep, to keep shedding to a minimum;
- Your pet’s own bedding, for comfort and familiarity;
- Food and fresh water for the journey and for your stay. Dog friendly cottages often stock dog food but don’t assume that it will. A change to your dog’s normal diet might make it unwell anyway so take your own food.
- Food and water dishes;
- Dog toys and chews;
- Grooming tools;
- Bags to pick up your dog’s waste;
- Disinfectant and cleaning supplies;
- Any prescribed medication for your dog. 

Once you’ve got organised, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your holiday as a family.


 
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The summer is finally here!  If you haven’t already booked to go away this year, have you considered booking somewhere that will allow you to take your pet with you?  Even if you have already booked a holiday, is it somewhere that would also welcome your pet?

Taking our pets with us on holiday is a growing trend and one that seems set to increase as the price of boarding accommodation for pets rises.  Fortunately the number of pet friendly cottages is also increasing in number as people offering accommodation realise that there is a market for holidays catering for people and their pets.

Dog friendly cottages abound in the UK countryside, and this is arguably the best place to take your dog on holiday: all that free space for your dog to run around!  There are also plenty of dog friendly cottages close to the coast, so you can take your best friend for some fantastic walks along some of Britain’s best beaches.

There are other pet friendly hotels that welcome a wider range of pets such as cats and birds, but always check with the owners whether your particular pet would be able to stay.  Also check the rules before you book – many pet friendly cottages or dog friendly cottages state that pets must stay downstairs or keep off the furniture, for example, and if you feel that your pet would find that difficult then book somewhere else.

Most pet friendly cottages require proof that your pet is in good health and has been properly vaccinated (you can get this proof easily enough from your vet).  If they don’t ask to see this, think about how many other pets may have stayed there before you and what your pet might bring home with them (e.g. fleas, infection, worms) as a result. 

If you are taking your pet on holiday with you and are travelling by car, make sure that you take regular breaks for them to get some exercise and water.  If your pet suffers from travel sickness, ask your vet for advice well in advance of your travels.  And of course, never leave your pet in a car as they can suffer heat exhaustion and die within a very short space of time.

If you don’t want to take your pet on holiday or feel that you can’t because they don’t travel well, then finding suitable boarding accommodation that will care for your pet properly is the next best alternative.  Animal charities like the RSPCA receive lots of calls every year from concerned neighbours about pets that have been left at home alone: leaving bowls of food and water out for your pet is not good enough.  Water bowls can be knocked over; pets can eat all their food supplies in a couple of days; pets can become very distressed, confused and lonely at being left by their owners.  Even if you have someone who will call in and feed them every day, animals can feel very unhappy at being alone for most of their day.

So consider taking your pet on holiday with you this year.

 
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Puppies are gorgeous, aren’t they? Is there any other creature more likely to make us go all soppy and want to take them home? Probably not – their big eyes and too-large ears are enough to make anyone want to give them a home.

Puppies handed in to rescue centres or animal charities such as the RSPCA are much more likely to find new homes than older dogs. Yet adult pre-loved dogs often make the best pets and there are plenty of reasons why you should consider rehoming one.

For one thing, when you meet a puppy you are meeting a partly developed dog. You don’t know how it is going to grow and develop: how big it will get and what its temperament will be like will be largely dependent on its genetics, and you may never meet its parents. Even early experiences in a puppy’s life can affect how it will develop, so even if you take home a puppy and give it the best, most loving home it could imagine it could develop a temperament that you wouldn’t expect.

Dogs, however, are already grown up, so you know what size of dog you’re going to need to accommodate. They are also fully developed in their temperament and nature and this will have been largely determined by the temperament of its parents but also of its upbringing. If you meet a fully-grown dog in a shelter, you will be able to tell whether it will fit in with your family and whether it is a dog that you will want to take home.

They also take far less training than puppies – they are normally house-trained and know basic commands like ‘sit’ or ‘stay’. They don’t need round-the-clock care like a puppy can, though you’ll both probably want to spend much of the early days together until your dog starts to feel secure and safe in its new home.

Preloved dogs are usually given to animal charities like the RSPCA because their owners cannot care for them anymore. Most dog-owners do everything they can to avoid having to give their best friend away, but sometimes financial and home circumstances can be bad enough that giving the dog to a charity is the kindest thing. Other dogs available for rehoming have been neglected or abused and these dogs can be unsocial or aggressive – or they can be incredibly grateful for being given the chance of a new life. These latter dogs make fantastic, loyal pets. 

If you adopt your dog through the RSPCA, their staff can advise you on a dog’s background and temperament so that you can choose carefully the ones that you want to get to know a bit better before making a final choice.  edit.