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Finding Your Dog
So you've decided that a Scottish Terrier is the breed for you - congratulations! But your work is not yet done, where you buy your puppy from is just as important as what kind of dog you get.
Responsible Breeders
A responsible breeder is the best source for a well-bred, healthy Scottish Terrier. The breeder will carefully select the parents of each litter to emphasise desirable attributes and minimise faults in their progeny. Some people breed dogs only to produce puppies to sell, these individuals have no regard for the advancement of the breed; they are motivated solely by profit. Responsible breeders will never breed a litter without considering the advancement of the breed. Each litter should improve the quality of breeding stock, resulting in healthy puppies with improved breed soundness- that is, physical and mental health - that are an advancement toward the ideal.
Another good reason to buy a puppy from a breeder is that it gives you the opportunity to interact with the puppy's siblings and dam, and may be even the sire. You can, therefore, form a general impression of what the future holds for your puppy.
Buying from a breeder means that you are part of an extended family. Most breeders expect a call if the dog has a crisis at any stage in its life, so they can help you understand and cope with the problem. This can be especially comforting for the first time dog owners who cannot imagine what kind of questions they will have in the future.
Most Scottish Terrier breeders sell puppies which have been booked in advance, which works well for breeder and buyer. As a buyer, you will find you can enjoy the suspense of waiting for the litter. Puppies should be clean, well fed, lively and friendly, without any signs of illness such as runny nose or eyes, skin sores, or dirty ears or fleas.
A responsible breeder has put considerable time, study, work and money into the little lives she/he has helped to create and knows that the puppy will depend on you for the quality of its health and happiness for its entire life. The responsible breeder carries on the work of years of careful breeding to preserve our special breed. When you purchase your puppy, you are paying for this expertise. Listen carefully, heed what they tell you, and your life and the puppy’s life will be much more enjoyable! |
Eight weeks is a good age at which to buy a puppy. A pup at this age should be a miniture of the
breed, inquisitive, a little chubby-looking, and have a clean coat and clear, bright eyes. A visit to the breeder will often give you a feel for the temperament or personality traits which may show up in your puppy.
Some breeders sell all puppies for the same price. Some sell pets for less than "show quality" pups, but to choose a future show winner from a young litter is risky. The pup will go through many changes while maturing and there is absolutely no guarantee that it will prove to be a success in the show ring.
North of England Scottish Terrier Club - General Code of Ethics
All members of the North of England Scottish Terrier Club undertake to abide by its general Code of Ethics.
Club Members
1. Will properly house, feed, water and exercise all dogs under their care and arrange for appropriate veterinary attention if and when required.
2. Will agree without reservation that any veterinary surgeon performing an operation on any of their dogs which alters the natural conformation
of the animal, may report such operation to the Kennel Club.
3. Will agree that no healthy puppy will be culled. Puppies which may not conform to the Breed Standard should be placed in suitable homes.
4. Will abide by all aspects of the Animal Welfare Act.
5. Will not create demand for, nor supply, puppies that have been docked illegally.
6. Will agree not to breed from a dog or bitch which could be in any way harmful to the dog or to the breed.
7. Will not allow any of their dogs to roam at large or to cause a nuisance to neighbours or those carrying out official duties.
8. Will ensure that their dogs wear properly tagged collars and will be kept leashed or under effective control when away from home.
9. Will clean up after their dogs in public places or anywhere their dogs are being exhibited.
10.Will only sell dogs where there is a reasonable expectation of a happy and healthy life and will help with the re-homing of a dog if the initial circumstances change.
11. Will supply written details of all dietary requirements and give guidance concerning responsible ownership when placing dogs in a new home.
12. Will ensure that all relevant Kennel Club documents are provided to the new owner when selling or transferring a dog, and will agree, in writing, to forward any relevant documents at the earliest opportunity, if not immediately available.
13. Will not sell any dog to commercial dog wholesalers, retail pet dealers or directly or indirectly allow dogs to be given as a prize or donation in a competition of any kind. Will not sell by sale or auction Kennel Club registration certificates as stand alone items (not accompanying a dog).
14. Will not knowingly misrepresent the characteristics of the breed nor falsely advertise dogs nor mislead any person regarding the health or quality of a dog.
Breach of these provisions may result in expulsion from club membership, and/or disciplinary action by the Kennel Club and/or reporting to the relevant authorities for legal action, as appropriate.
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