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I decided to make this page because I get around 5 Emails each week from people who have chosen to buy a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy and need advice about how to find reputabe breeders or who just need advice on what to look out for. Unfortunatley there are times when I receive Emails from people who have bought their puppy only to find that they have severe health problems or have been badly bred.
This page has been designed to stop innocent purchasers falling foul to bad breeders, It is also designed to protect the precious breed from health problems such as Hip Dysplasia that can be prevented through correct breeding.
BASICS
GENERAL HEALTH AND APPERANCE OF MOTHER AND HER YOUNG
Although it is quite usual for a Bitch who is feeding a large litter to be a bit on the skinny side she should look to be in reasonable condition with good muscle definition, Access to clean water and fresh food. The puppies should have a good amount of weight and maybe a bit on the chubby side, They should be free from external parasites such as fleas which they or their dirt can be seen clearly if you lift the fur slightly, Most good breeders treat their puppies with a flea treatment such as Frontline as a preventative measure. Do not be afraid to ask the breeder if the litter has been treated.
Also ask if the puppy has been treated at correct intervals (2,4,6 &8 weeks old) for Roundworm which is an internal parasite that can plague a litter if not treated properly.
It is also reccomended that before you agree to the purchase of a puppy check that the litter does not have any discharge from the nose or eyes, If so this could be a sypmtom of health problems.
A good Breeder will have their litter of puppies vet checked before the sale, This is to check for cleft pallets, Heart murmors and other health problems, Some breeders may state that they have had their puppies vet checked but dont just take their word for it, You should ask to see any receipt or invoice stating the date and the vets outcome.
BREEDERS ETHICS
Most breeders Breed because they have a genuine love and admiration for the breed, There are others who Breed with little or no care for the Mother, Father or the actual puppies they breed. A good breeder will do so with the intention of improving the quality and the health of the breed, They will take every precaution and relevent test to make sure that any puppy they breed has the best start in life, A responsible breeder will be able to show you the bitches and stud dogs hipscore results, Any vet check receipts from the bitch and puppies checks and other relevent paperwork such as the kennnel club papers. Beware of the breeders who justify not having their bitch or stud hipsocred because they are too young, This is nonesense, Surely if they are too young to hipscore (which should be done at around 12 months) they are too young to be bred from! Also beware of the breeders who advertise the fact that their puppies are sold without restrictions, This is indirectly saying that they do not care whether the puppy they are selling is being purchased to be a breeding machine, Equally try not be offended when the more resonsible breeder notifies you that their litters do have restrictions (endorsements), this is a positive step to prevent any of their puppies falling into the wrong hands.
A small number of breeders breed with the sole priority of making maximum profits with minial care and effort towards their helpless pets. It is easy to spot these types because they tend not to pay for health checks or say they have but do not have the paperwork to back up their words, They tend to have many dogs having many litters with no regards to the health of the bitch and her brood. Please beware of thse types of breeders and make it harder for them to continue to use these innocent dogs as money making machines. If you have any concerns about the living conditions of any litter you view it is essential that you inform the R.S.P.C.A or other animal protection agencies.
LITTER CONDITIONS
It is essential that Mother and puppies are kept in clean, Warm and dry conditions. Puppies can be very messy and smelly, We know this ourselves! We tend to change the bedding 4 times a day once the puppies are able to do their business on their own and even with this amount of changes and the mop bucket never out of our hands it can still be a little smelly but a litter should never be full of their own mess and lay on cold wet bedding, This is a sign of the breeders neglect.
It is prefered that a litter be reared within a nice, cosy, warm home surrounded by family and its noises. Some breeders choose to keep the litter in a kennel, This is acceptable as long as it is warm, Dry and clean and there is still adequate socialisation with the litter. Be alert, if you think that the litter is simply locked away 24 hours a day in bad conditions, This is because early socialisation is a very important part in ensuring that the puppy grows up to be a even tempered and balanced dog. If you think any puppy or its parents are being kept in cruel conditions you should alert the relevant animal protection agencies who can rescue the animals from their distress.
Again most breeders are responsible and loving owners, Its the other 10% that worry me! This page isnt here to scare new buyers, It is here to highlight any possible scenarios you may find yourselves in and to protect the innocent animals who can't protect themselves.
