Buying a pup from next door

I am thinking of getting a Labrador off my neighbour as he thinks his dog is pregnant. Both parents are KC registered and I was wondering how old they need to be before they can leave their mother and have there vaccinations and when they can go outside for socialising with other dogs and to ear different sounds,
Thanks
Sarah, by email

Dear Sarah
First thing, try to discover if the two Labradors have been tested for Hip Dysplasia and eye problems as this is not a breed to take a gamble on. Hip replacement surgery will cost approx £5,000 so at the very least insure your pup immediately with a very good insurer and get cover for life as many of the cheaper ones won’t pay out for both hips to be replaced.
The other thing to consider is if the two Labs are closely related – was this an accidental mating or a planned one?
With reference to socialisation I suggest you go to this website
There are some great free downloads that will tell you about what needs to happen when. Look out for Before you get your Puppy and After you Get your Puppy.
Most pups leave home at eight weeks, but sometimes experienced people are able to take them at six weeks. Most vaccines are effective at 12 weeks but you still should start doing some careful socialisation before then – but do read Ian Dunbar’s free downloads on the above website, they really are amazing and you won't go far wrong if you follow his simple advice!
I hope this helps
Best wishes
Beverley Cuddy Editor

In addition to Beverley’s sound advice, I have a few points to make. Firstly, and most importantly, do make sure you are making the decision to take on a puppy for all the correct reasons – are you being ruled by your head or your heart? Are you in a position to take on a puppy work-wise, for example?
Any puppy is a huge commitment, in time and financially, but especially so a Labrador retriever. They can be a real handful for the first eighteen months or so, speaking from experience – full of well-intentioned mischief and great fun but they do need a great deal of patience and careful training.
Elbow scoring is an additional screening programme which is recommended before breeding so you should check on that. As well as conditions covered by screening programmes, it is also important that the parents are in good health and not suffering from, for example, epilepsy. Do they have good temperaments. Have you seen both dam and sire? Quite simply, do you like them, both visually and as characters?
With regard to vaccination, check with your local veterinary practice on the schedule it follows. Some vaccine manufacturers have an early finish of ten weeks of age, with your puppy covered to go out on the ground in the big wide world just a week later, ie potentially at just eleven weeks of age. This often needs, however, a first vaccination at 6-8 weeks of age so you need to plan ahead.
I always recommend the owners of puppies to carry them around wherever they can, strength of arms permitting! The more a puppy can experience in the way of sights and sounds from a young age, the better adjusted he or she is likely to be. A daily car trip, even if just five minutes around the block, is also advisable. The school run can be a great chance for not only travel in the car but also meeting children.
Likewise, some veterinary practices run puppy socialisation classes, often once puppies have received their first vaccination. They provide a chance for the puppies to mix as well as some early basic obedience training and general help and advice with caring for your puppy. A chance to ask those niggling questions which crop up!
Following on from Beverley’s pertinent question as to whether or not the mating was intentional: how old is the dam? When was she last vaccinated, which will determine the level of temporary protection conferred on her pups? Is the dam being wormed during pregnancy? Is she being fed a diet suitable to pregnancy? Is she in good body condition?
Think it all through carefully.
Alison Logan, vet