Get Puppy Smart!

Thinking of getting a puppy? Read on! Did you know that 19%* of people who bought a puppy in the last two years no longer have their dog??

Figures, released by the RSPCA today (Tuesday) show that too many people are following their heart rather than their head when it comes to buying a puppy.

People are falling into the trap of basing their decision on a dog’s appearance rather than how it will fit with their lifestyle. They often risk ending up with a dog that’s not right for them or suffers health problems because it has come from an unscrupulous breeder or trader.

We want to help people to avoid this heartache and we have made a great little animation at www.getpuppysmart.com which has all the info you could need to make a properly informed choice when buying a new puppy.

The survey also found that a shocking 40% of people spent one week or less doing research before making their puppy purchase. A healthy puppy is a much better buy than a pretty one so potential new owners should always do their homework first.

A full list of advice for potential puppy owners, and what to look out for when looking for a new pet dog, is also available at the www.getpuppysmart.com website. Tips include:

·         Match the right dog with your home, family and lifestyle and make sure that you can afford the long-term costs.

·         Phone ahead before visiting any puppies and know the right questions to ask.

·         Don’t buy a puppy straight away – go home and take time to consider your choice and visit it at least twice.

·         Always choose a puppy based on its likely health and temperament and not just its looks – a healthy puppy is much better than a pretty one.

·         Never be tempted to buy a puppy because you feel sorry for it – another will only be bred to replace it.

* The research was conducted by TNS via OnlineBus, an Internet survey. A sample of 7272 GB adults aged 16-64 were interviewed. Of these, 848 people had acquired a puppy in the past two years. Interviewing was conducted by online self-completion from 23 November 2010 – 20 January 2011.