When you come across some puppies for sale, it's really hard to say "no." You may ask what their parents look like and what their personalities are before you buy a puppy — and these are both good questions. However, you should also be sure to ask a few questions about the puppies' health and health care, too. Here are some top questions to put on the list.
What vaccines have the puppies had?
Vets usually recommend giving puppies their first shots when they are 6 - 8 weeks old, and then another round of shots when they are 10 - 12 weeks old. Puppies shouldn't leave their mother until they are at least 8 weeks old, and many breeders like to keep them for 10 or 12 weeks. So, depending on their exact age, the puppies for sale may have had one or two rounds of shots. Make sure you know what shots, exactly, were given and when so that you can follow up appropriately with your own vet.
Have the puppies been wormed?
Worms in dogs are more common than you might think, and so it's important that puppies are wormed when young. Usually, this is done for the first time between 6 and 8 weeks of age. If the puppies have not been wormed, then that is an expense you need to account for once you buy the puppy.
Were any of the litter mates sick?
Of course the puppy you're thinking of buying appears healthy, but it's still a good idea to ask if any of their littermates were sick or passed away. If the answer to this question is "yes," then you want to know a little more about what disease was at fault so you can ensure the puppy you're about to buy is not susceptible.
Does the seller offer a health guarantee?
Some sellers will offer a health guarantee with their puppies. Basically, this ensures that if your puppy does develop any health problems within a certain period — often 6 months — the seller will cover the cost of any veterinary care. This doesn't apply to injuries and the like, but it does protect you in case the puppy has some genetic disease the sellers were not aware of.
If you ask good questions before you buy a puppy for sale, then you will get good information and answers. Reach out to a local breeder to get more tips on what to ask when you are searching for puppies for sale.