Considering a pedigree pet?

Friday, January 15 2010

Any pet can be a wonderful addition to your family, and a great friend for many years. It’s always important to do some research before you choose a pet, as rewarding as they are, there is always a long-term commitment to the friendship.

While a rescue animal from The Blue Cross or another organisation is a fantastic way to bring a new pet into your life, many people want specific breeds and pedigrees. It is important to be aware of some of the issues that can affect pedigree animals, so here are five quick tips for choosing a pedigree pet.

Consider what type of pet is best suited to your home and lifestyle, taking into account the cost and time required. Research the size, temperament, exercise requirements, expected lifespan and health predispositions of different species and breeds. Then contact your vet, local animal charity, breed club or rescue society for more advice about the different traits and inherited health issues that are associated with specific breeds.

Thousands of rescue dogs and cats are desperate for a good home and animal welfare organisations can offer support and advice about individual pets as well as qualities relating to the breed. All Blue Cross animals receive a full medical and behavioural assessment and are carefully matched to new owners to make sure they are well suited. They are also neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before being rehomed and given four weeks’ free pet insurance as standard.

If you do want to buy a pedigree dog or cat, ask your vet or relevant breed club to recommend a responsible breeder.

Measures such as hip scores, elbow grades, eye screening and even DNA tests can give an indication of whether a dog is prone to inherited conditions and a smaller number of tests are available for cats. Ask the breeder to show you all the relevant paperwork for the animal, including pedigree registration papers, health screening certificates and a written medical history, including vaccinations and worming.

Ask to meet the animal’s parents and the rest of the litter to observe their temperament and general health and welfare. Find out if the parents or any of their other litters have developed inherited diseases or related welfare problems. Ask to contact the breeder’s vet and other people who have bought youngsters from them to verify this; if they refuse, go elsewhere.

It’s important to maintain the general health of your pet through appropriate diet and exercise. Regular trips to the vet are recommended to keep vaccinations up to date and also to allow for regular examination. Your vet will be able to look for and treat early signs of disease, particularly if the breed is prone to certain conditions. Pet insurance is advisable to help cover most unexpected vet bills.

If your pet is diagnosed with a condition that could be inherited, it’s important to tell the breeder, alert the relevant breed club and The Kennel Club or Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. Make sure you get your pet neutered to prevent them from passing on the problem to future generations. This also prevents unwanted pets and can have huge benefits for the animal’s long-term health, such as a reduced incidence of certain types of cancer.

The Blue Cross - Britain's pet charity

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