September 2014 Newsletter
HELP TO END PUPPY
FARMING!
Written by Helen Pratt BVSc MRCVS GP Cert SAM
Early in September, the Kennel Club are highlighting the disgraceful trade in Puppy Farming. We support PAW
(Puppy Awareness Week), which emphasizes ways to promote the best start for puppies to have a happy
healthy life, with a suitable well informed owner, and advise people to go to a Kennel Club Assured Breeder
(KCAB). It also links to the Pup-Aid e-petition against puppy farming, which we urge you to sign.
Although many other responsible dog breeders fulfil this KCAB scheme requirement, it guarantees that the
puppy-buying public know which breeders are declaring to follow good practice. We would encourage all
potential breeders, even if only of 1 or 2 litters, to register to the scheme, so this becomes the basic
benchmark that all potential puppy owners look for. Every single KCAB will be inspected by the Kennel Club in
order to ensure that the scheme is recognised as the essential quality seal for puppy breeding to assist owners
in making a responsible buying decision.
The Kennel Club research has shown that as many as 1 in 3 pups may have been unknowingly bought from a
puppy farm, by buying online, via social media or in pet shops, and also 1 in 5 bought online or in pet shops
need long-term veterinary care or die before six months old- a dreadful statistic. There are also concerns about
pups from abroad being directed through these trading outlets. Pups are sold cheaply to the UK having been
bred in unknown and unrestricted conditions, imported at a questionable age with questionable vaccination
and passport statuses.
To make sure you don’t buy from a puppy farmer, or a breeder who has not taken steps to ensure your pup
has the best start in life, consider the following;






Always ask to see the mother and kennelling facilities- if they will not show you, they are probably
unsanitary and inappropriate. Puppy farmers will transport across the country to sell through the
internet, dealers, pet shops, service stations etc. If you can’t identify where they have been bred and
kept, don’t buy!
Be prepared to be put on a waiting list- the right pup is worth waiting for.
Be suspicious if more than one breed is sold.
A pedigree certificate means nothing as far as the facilities at the breeding kennel are concerned. It
may not even be authentic..... Check with the Kennel Club! Also check out the health schemes
available for that breed through the Kennel Club, and check out what the expected results for that
breed actually are! It’s no point knowing that the parents are hip scored if you don’t know what a
good result for that breed should be.....
Ensure you have a Puppy Sales Wallet as with a KCAB, or similar, with written advice on socialisation,
training, feeding, exercise, worming and vaccination as well as copies of any health or other relevant
certificates.
Don’t ever buy a pup from a suspected puppy farm source thinking you are rescuing it- it only fuels
further trade, and leaves a space to be filled by the next farmed pup, continuing the industry.
Breeders, the Kennel Club and YOU can work together to force irresponsible breeders, or puppy farmers, out
of business, as they will no longer be able trade on people's ignorance. Help to STOP PUPPY FARMING!!
Colne 01282 863892, Barnoldswick 01282 852390,
Burnley 01282 421215, Nelson 01282 616650 Email: liz@stanleyhousevets.co.uk
Focus on…
THE POODLE
Toy, Miniature or Standard, all three types are clever dogs; light hearted, trainable and a show off!
Coming into France from the marshes in Germany with the troops, they were originally a German
water retriever, “the pudelhund” (puddle dog) due to its water resistant curly coat. In France it was
known as the “Duck dog”, but then became rapidly popular in the French courts as a pet with
elegance, versatility and clownish nature. The smaller types were also used to search for truffles,
although most remained on the laps of middle and upper class ladies! In Victorian and Georgian
England the ability to dye and groom into somewhat ridiculous styles also fitted the fashion of that
historical age.
Poodles shed minimally and are considered relatively hypoallergenic due to a single layer coat
composed of dense, curly fur. This causes shed hair to become entangled rather than coming off, but
can lead to matting without proper grooming care.
Grooming and styling is the love of some poodle owners, with the highly bouffant “Continental clip”
a flamboyant over-coiffured look of the show poodle much fun to see, though a watered down
“Scandinavian style” is now more common.
Health
Hip dysplasia, a clotting disorder (von Willebrands) and an eye disorder (PRA-progressive retinal
atrophy) are all diseases that can be screened for in the Standard Poodle and parents should be
checked before breeding. Other diseases of note are bloat (gastric torsion), Addison’s (a
hormonal disorder), epilepsy and a skin condition (sebaceous adenitis). Miniature poodles can
have a hereditary cataract DNA test and annual eye examinations are available for all types of
Poodle. Smaller Poodles are also more prone to dislocating kneecaps, diabetes, Cushing’s
disease and heart disease.
A loveable companionable dog, the standard Poodle makes a good family dog. Smaller Poodles
do not tolerate children as well. They are more likely to be highly strung, timid, yappy and
snappy if not socialised well and given boundaries when young. However, they can be very
perky, cheerful little characters that are playful, intelligent and thrive on company.
Colne 01282 863892, Barnoldswick 01282 852390,
Burnley 01282 421215, Nelson 01282 616650 Email: liz@stanleyhousevets.co.uk