Buying A Puppy

Finding a Chow puppy in Canada is not that easy, be prepared to wait....but if a breeder asks for a deposit before the puppies are even born - WALK AWAY.

If anything about the breeder, the facility, or the dogs makes you uncomfortable or uneasy - WALK AWAY.

Big price tags do not necessarily make a better puppy.  If you are looking for a Pet, do consider rescue, there are some wonderful dogs looking for great homes.  Chows are NOT a one person dog!

Your biggest job in finding a puppy, is finding a good breeder to help you along the way.  They may not have puppies themselves, but should be able to recommend someone that does.

Some questions to ask:

Are they a member of the Canadian Kennel Club?

Are they members of their national and/or provincial breed organizations?

How long have they been breeding?

How many litters do they typically breed per year?

Can they give you names of people who have purchased puppies from them?

You can expect the breeder to ask you lots of questions about your family, your home, your lifestyle, and why you have chosen this particular breed of dog. A good breeder wants to ensure their dog is a good fit with your family, and that you will provide the best possible home for their puppy. A fenced yard is a must.

A good breeder will only breed registered dogs, and will be able to tell you the pedigree of the puppies. They should have full information about the puppies' parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. Spend time with the mother and other dogs in the kennel if possible. Beware of animals that seem aggressive or overly nervous or shy. Temperament problems are the number one reason people give up their dogs. If there are puppies already on the ground, ask to see where they are being raised. A good breeder will be proud and happy to show you their facilities. 

The first 8 to 12 weeks of your new puppy's life will be spent with the breeder. Find out how the breeder plans to socialize the new puppy and what early training is planned. 

After the puppies are born you should visit a couple more times to see their development. A good breeder will be able to tell you the personality traits of the individual dogs from their observations of them, even at this early stage.

Ask what vaccinations the puppy will receive before you pick it up and make sure you have a copy of them. Within 24-48 hours of picking up your puppy, you should see your veterinarian and have the animal thoroughly examined.

Ask about the sales contract. Everything should be in writing, but do remember in reality, a contact is only as good as the people that signed it.

The contract should have listed the breed of dog, confirmation that it is purebred, confirmation that it is eligible for registration by the Canadian Kennel Club (remember, registration is the job of the seller and does not cost you more), and the tattoo number or microchip number of the dog.

The refund/return policy should be clearly laid out. Under what conditions would you be eligible for a refund? There should be a health guarantee against genetic health problems. A good breeder will not hesitate to provide such a guarantee. The contract should be a non-breeding agreement if this is to be a Pet and indicate a date by which you must spay or neuter the dog (if it is not intended for showing/breeding) The Canadian Kennel Club by-laws state that the seller shall provide the buyer with the registration certificate or papers no later than six months after the full purchase price has been paid. So be aware that you may have to wait a while for the papers to come in. If 6 months goes by, contact the breeder, then CKC to find out the problem.

Do not buy on an impulse or a whim. This Chow expects to be part of your family for the duration of its life - usually more than 10 to 15 years.

Why does my new puppy have a tattoo?

Under Canadian Kennel Club regulations, all new puppies must have a unique identifier in the form of either a microchip or a tattoo. A microchip is placed just under the skin of the dog between its shoulder blades. The tattoo is a series of letters and numbers which identify the year of birth of the dog and the litter it belonged to. The tattoo may be located on the puppy's belly, or either flank. The codes from the microchip and tattoos are kept in the CKC's database and are used for identifying dogs should they become lost or require assistance. Tattoo and microchip identification are the responsibility of the breeder and must be done prior to you taking ownership of your puppy.

Hope you and your new Chow Puppy will have a long and heathly life together.