Hi Forum members, I have just joined and would appreciate some advise. I have been looking for a while for a black lab puppy, I didn't want a formal breeder, as I thought pups raised from a family pet, with children and cats would be more suitable. ( I have two small cats and grandchildren who visit ). I contacted an advertiser who's lab had just had a litter of six, one little boy, asked lots of questions. I txt the owner later to inquire if first injections and microchipping would be done before collection. Her reply was, no we prefer to let the new owners do that. ??? I am in the UK, isn't it law that the breeder or hobbyist, ie first keeper microchips the pup. I am due to pay the deposit on Thursday, any advice would be appreciated. Julia
Hi and welcome. I am in the Uk...I think practice varies...as far as I am aware there is no law regarding what is done...it's down to best practice. I have had 5 dogs and each breeder has done things slightly differently. Now I prefer to have all the jabs and microchip done by my vet. That way I know the chip address.contact details are correct and that the first jabs will be able to follow the same course. In the past I have had first jabs done by breeder then my vet slightly change things. Also now I think most vets give you the microchip for free when you have the jabs. Make sure you post some puppy pics when your pup comes along. Best wishes Emma and Meg
Hi, Think I posted you're reply, So don't do technology, Many thanks for you're reply, just want to get this right. I am quite nervous about having a pyp with my two cats, just hope they done leave home. Take care Julia
We picked up Lilly a bit later than usual - around 11 weeks. The breeder kindly organised the first vaccinations, but our vet used a different brand so the first vaccine had to be repeated anyway. We were responsible for chipping too, and our vet deferred that until she had her spay at 6 months. I think that was pretty unusual at the time, but even more so now. Our breeder was just a newspaper find who had the odd litter from his working dogs.
I think since April this year it is the law in the U.K. that puppies must be microchipped by 8 weeks of age. Have a look at the kennel club's micro chipping factsheet. Re vaccinations, I would think it was better to start the course with your own vet, as they don't usually have the first jab till at least 8 weeks old anyway.
Hi there - when you say 'you don't want a formal breeder'....the best 'formal' breeders will make sure that the parents of the puppy have full health tests, that means tests hips, elbows, eyes and things like EIC, and so on. Plus, they will bring up the puppies inside a family home, and make sure they are socialised to kids and so on. So you absolutely must see all the relevant health tests for the parents of your puppy. As far as a microchip is concerned, as @Joy says, it is illegal to now sell a dog that isn't microchipped, and breeders must microchip puppies before they sell them. It is not unusual for breeders not to carry out the first injection and it is better for new owners to do the vaccinations with their own vet. Your puppy should come with a complete worming record though.
It is the responsibility of the breeder to microchip the puppy, by law. Here is the fact sheet http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/microchippingfactsheet Here is more information on the health testing that should be done on both parents - this should be non-negotiable, whether you want a pet dog or one for competitions: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/health-screening-for-labrador-diseases/
Ooh just had a Google...yes pups needs to be chipped by 8 weeks...that said not sure how they police that and I still would want my vet to do it. Perhaps ring your vet and see what they advise
I would be bitterly disappointed in any vet that didn't know that to be lawful, a breeder needs to microchip a puppy by 8 weeks. Every vet I've been in for the last year has had posters everywhere advertising the new laws....
Hi thanks for you're reply. I had looked at Google 're micro chipping, and I was sure it is the responsibility of the breeder. It isn't the cost that concerns me, not sure what does really just didn't seem the right answer when she said they don't do it. So trust my instincts and walk away or pick him up in eight weeks. Julia
Hi and welcome - yes please trust your instincts. Also pups really shouldn't leave their mum/litter mates until 8 weeks old anyway. When we picked up Bailey he was 8 weeks old to the day (yup I was impatient!) and he was microchipped and all registered to me. He also had his first vaccination done via the breeders vet, I got a record card, copies of parents hip and eye tests, and copies of fur-dad's KC registration papers. Frustratingly the vaccine the first vet used was not compatible with the one my vet uses, so had to be redone, but apart from waiting for a few extra days till our first walk it affected nothing. Good luck and post pictures when you have a pup
Yes I get that and trust my vet...I guess I was trying to say if there was any way my vet could do it I would feel more confident that the correct details for contact would have been captured. I got my last pup a couple of days before she was 8 weeks old...I would have gone straight there for him to do it. I totally support the law and have always had my pets over the last 20 years chipped...my vet is awesome too
We visited Ella the day after she had her microchip put in at the breeders. The vet and the breeder filled in all of the paperwork, except for my name and address. I then checked the microchip number against the paperwork (breeder had a microchip reader), filled in my details and posted the registration docs. That way, Ella was registered to me from the start.
Just wanted to say that Lilly being chipped at 6 months was 6+ years ago now. Clearly things have changed.
