It is important before buying a puppy to think about the level of activity of the puppy and the dog it will become and whether you have the time to devote to its needs.

Can I see the puppies with their mum?
The puppies should be seen at home with their mum.

How old is the mum?
Mum should be at least two years of age.

How many litters has mum had?

What health checks do Irish Water Spaniel breeders do?
The Irish Water Spaniel doesn’t have any breed specific health issues. It is advised that all dogs are hip scored before breeding.

Have both mum and dad been hip scored? What are their scores?
Hip scoring is a measure of the degree of hip dysplasia.  Each hip is x-rayed and scored and the two scores added together. The scores can range from 0-53 for each hip 0 being perfect and 53 the being the worse. The average hip score for Irish Water Spaniels is 17.

Are the puppies weaned?

What should I feed the puppy and do you have a diet sheet?

Have the puppies been wormed?
Puppies should be wormed regularly so information should be given as to when the next dose of wormer is due.

Have the puppies had any vaccinations?
If yes, when and what vaccination was given? The vaccination record card should be given to you. If not, contact your own vet to discuss vaccination requirements.

Can I return the puppy if it has any health problems?
The breeder should take the puppy back at any time if there are any problems.

How much exercise should the puppy be given?
Advice should be given to ensure a young puppy is not given too much exercise which could result in joint damage.

What grooming does the puppy require?
Information sheet should be given. You may need to find a groomer to trim your dog if you cannot do it yourself. Puppies should be groomed regularly from the start so they get used to standing still and accepting combing and brushing.

Is the puppy kennel club registered?
Registration papers should be given to you or sent on as soon as possible. Don’t forget to transfer the puppy’s ownership to your own.

Is the puppy microchipped?
If it is the details will need to be updated to your name and address. If not you may want to discuss microchipping with your vet.

Is the puppy insured?
Many breeders give 6 weeks free insurance with a puppy. It is worth shopping around to find the right insurance policy for you if you are going to continue insuring your puppy.

What the breeder should ask you
Be prepared for the breeder to ask you questions to try and assess your suitability as an owner. A good breeder will give you all the information you need to cope with your puppy and will always be willing to give you advice. A good breeder will also want you to agree to return the puppy to them at any time if you are unable to keep it for whatever reason.

You should find out as much about the breed as possible before deciding to have a puppy. Also look into puppy classes in your area, go along to a few to watch before you get your puppy to see if you like their methods. You may need to book a place in advance as puppy classes get filled up quickly.

The following books maybe useful:      
 ‘The Perfect Puppy’ by Gwen Bailey                                      
 ‘Before and After getting Your Puppy’ by Ian Dunbar