Do the puppies appear healthy and bright-eyed, with no discharge from their eyes or noses? Are they clean? Do they smell clean when you pick them up? When they have bowel movements, are their stools firm and well-formed with no hint of diarrhea? Are their coats fluffy and free of parasites and foreign matter such as grass, twigs, leaves, etc.?
As you begin to focus on particular puppies in the litter, concentrate on studying their behavior, as it usually predicts what they’ll be like as adults. For example, the bully in a litter may turn out to be a very dominant individual who is difficult to control. The smallest one may grow up to be very timid or, conversely, extremely tyrannical, challenging every other dog he meets.
SELECTING FROM THE LITTER
Before you visit a litter of puppies, promise yourself that you won’t fall for the first adorable face you see! Decide on your goals for your puppy—herding dog, show prospect, competitor, family companion—and then look for a puppy who displays the appropriate qualities. In most litters, there is an alpha pup (the bossy puppy), and occasionally a shy fellow who is less confident, with the rest of the litter falling somewhere in the middle. “Middle-of-the-roaders” are safe bets for most families.
A friendly, outgoing, yet not hyperactive, puppy begins life with a lot in his favor. He will be easy to train, work with and live with. His curiosity and alertness indicates his potential intelligence, and raising him will be fun, interesting and rewarding.
One final note: look for the puppy that, by his behavior, indicates that he wants to be with people rather than with his littermates. Some dogs are “dog dogs” and some are “people dogs.” “Dog dogs” are happiest when they’re with their own kind, while “people dogs” find pleasure in human company and are, therefore, easiest to raise and live with.
At some point during your visit, the breeder may mention that he considers one or more of the puppies to be of breeding or show quality. While the focus in the Kelpie breed is on preserving working ability rather than producing show dogs, the breed standard is still a valuable tool. There are those who show their Kelpies in conformation shows. When planning a specific mating, the reputable breeder strives to produce puppies that will grow up to represent the breed as best as possible in the stockyard or the show ring, depending on the breeder. If a puppy develops into a top-quality specimen, the pup must be kept sexually intact. The working-type breeder wants to get this puppy into a home where his working instincts will be utilized; the show-type Kelpie breeder wants the pup to be shown in conformation. These are the dogs that are used for breeding and contribute to future generations of the breed.
Finally, you’ll want to ask the breeder about pedigrees, kennel club registration papers and health records and certificates. A pedigree is a genealogical record of the puppies’ forebears. It will also tell you who of the puppy’s ancestors among the past four generations earned titles in performance events or shows. There are many titles available for dogs to earn, and you may be interested in getting involved in competitions with your Kelpie as he matures. If you are interested in a particular area of competition, look for a pup whose ancestors were achievers in that area. By knowing about the accomplishments of your puppy’s parents and grandparents, you can better appreciate your dog’s future potential.
PUPPY PARASITES
Parasites are nasty little critters that live in or on your dog or puppy. Most puppies are born with ascarid roundworms, which are acquired from dormant ascarids residing in the dam. Other parasites can be acquired through contact with infected fecal matter. Take a stool sample to your vet for testing. He will prescribe a safe wormer to treat any parasites found in your puppy’s stool. Always have a fecal test performed at your puppy’s annual veterinary exam.
You are entitled to registration papers from a national registry, which the breeder will provide. These papers give the names and registration numbers of the puppy’s parents, the name of the breeder, the date and place of the pup’s birth and the litter number from which the pup came. The breeder should also supply you with an individual certificate of application, which you must fill out and submit to register your own dog. That application also requires you to submit the name you have chosen for your new puppy.
A Kelpie in his element. Learn all you can about your puppy’s lineage and the depth of working ability over several generations.
A health certificate from a veterinarian should also accompany the puppy when you purchase him. That certificate should list any immunizations given to the puppy by the veterinarian as well as any future shots that will be required.
Various breeds of dog have various hereditary and other health problems particular to their breed. Australian Kelpie owners, however, are blessed to have one of the healthiest breeds of all. There are, however, some problems that need to be mentioned. In Australian Kelpies, genetic bone disorders have been found as well as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a degenerative eye disease that eventually leads to blindness. Hip dysplasia is occasionally found in Kelpies; this is a problem that has been seen in many breeds of dog. It is the malformation of the hip’s ball-and-socket joint. In some dogs, the problem is severe and causes pain and lameness. In other cases, the problem is mild, and the dog can live his entire life without suffering or showing signs of discomfort. In the case of elbow dysplasia, a similar problem, the ulna (a bone in the upper arm) fails to fuse with the rest of the bone of the arm, resulting in abnormal development that causes lameness and pain.
THE FIRST FAMILY MEETING
Your puppy’s first day at home should be quiet and uneventful. Despite his wagging tail, he is still wondering where his mom and siblings are! Let him make friends with other members of the family on his own terms; don’t overwhelm him. You have a lifetime ahead to get to know each other!
Both of these conditions can be detected by testing once the dog is two years old. A certifying organization such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) will issue the results of the tests and give certification to those dogs deemed suitable for breeding. Ask the breeder to see certification on both of your pup’s parents, as reputable breeders only breed from certified dysplasia-free animals.
The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) issues similar clearances for dogs found to be free of eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts, both of which cause blindness. Reputable breeders are anxious to identify and eliminate dogs from their breed’s gene pool who carry hereditary health problems. This is one more reason why purchasing a pet from a responsible breeder greatly increases the odds of a healthy and sound puppy.
Among the herding breeds, Kelpies are known for their affinity for children.
YOUR AUSTRALIAN KELPIE SHOPPING LIST
Just as expectant parents prepare a nursery for their baby, so should you ready your home for the arrival of your Australian Kelpie pup. If you have the necessary puppy supplies purchased and in place before he comes home, it will ease the puppy’s transition from the warmth and familiarity of his mom and littermates to the brand-new environment of his new home and human family. You will be too busy to stock up and prepare your house after your pup comes home, that’s for sure! Imagine how a pup must feel upon being transported to a strange new place. It’s up to you to comfort him and to let your little pup know that he is going to be happy with you!
FOOD AND WATER BOWLS
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