FARM FRESH PUPPIES READY FOR CHRISTMAS by Andrew Ash, Director of Grove Lodge

“Farm fresh” sounds like a good healthy message. So why do puppy farms go to such lengths to hide the origin of the puppies they sell?

I firmly believe that the owners of these businesses are in it for the cash – not for the animals. They know that the British public wouldn’t knowingly support the industry so they resort to internet and FridayAd cash sales.

However, it’s not the puppies that we should be most worried about, it’s the adult breeding bitches that have endless litters in a dull and stressful environment and are then abandoned.

Farmed puppies tend to be sold as soon as they can be removed from their mother. At least they have a chance in their new home to be properly looked after and socialised,  but there are still the concerns about diseases such as parvo virus and campylobacter – often worsened by long stressful journeys from the farm to the cities where they are sold.

Spare a thought this Christmas for the parents of these puppies, getting ready to have yet another litter. Will they have a frosty walk on Christmas Day or some tasty treats with a loving family?

There are basic rules when you are looking for a puppy that you must follow, some of which are detailed below. Check out the Dogs Trust website for a great list of dos and don’ts when getting your puppy:

• ALWAYS see the puppy’s parents, preferably both but definitely the mother. There is no good reason why the breeder will not show you the puppy’s mother
• Always see where the puppy has been bred, NEVER buy a puppy from the back of a car even if both “parents” are supposedly there
• A reputable breeder should be able to tell you the worming products they have used
• A good breeder should have fed the puppies on a high quality puppy food, not scrambled egg, porridge or goats milk!
• If you want advice, please call Grove Lodge – we are always delighted to help you find a new addition to your family