Choosing a puppy
Choosing a Tazy puppy and settling in
Assess your family's readiness, see where the puppy has grown up and prepare for a calm move home.
Time and costs throughout a dog's life
Share out feeding, walks and training; decide who will stay home with the puppy. Budget for food and veterinary care. Dogs need time, company and continuing care throughout their lives.
Meet the puppy where it is growing up
Visit the place where the puppies are raised and meet their mother and littermates. Observe their living conditions and how they interact with people. If you cannot see the mother or are offered a handover in a car park, do not rush to agree. Make another visit rather than decide under pressure.
Health and records
Ask about the parents' and puppies' health, veterinary examinations, vaccinations and parasite treatments. Request the relevant records, microchip details and results of any claimed health tests. Registration with a breed organisation alone does not guarantee health; discuss unclear medical results with a vet.
Prepare your home
Keep cables, household chemicals and small objects out of reach; check the garden fence. Provide a quiet bed. Introduce the home gradually, with a calm routine of feeding, play and rest.
Explore the world without becoming overwhelmed
Gradually introduce people, sounds, surfaces and calm animals, using rewards. If the puppy becomes frightened or avoids contact, reduce the intensity of the encounter. Safe socialisation begins before the full vaccination course is finished; discuss suitable conditions and local infection risks with your vet. Avoid busy dog parks with unfamiliar dogs.