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NORFOLK TERRIER CLUB The ONLY Norfolk Terrier Club affiliated with the AKC.
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Buying and Selling a Healthy Puppy
The most important thing when considering the purchase of a healthy Norfolk puppy is to locate a breeder whom you like and can trust. Make attending dog shows and performance events and visiting the NTC’s website a must. In other words, do your homework. As a prospective puppy buyer, it is your job to learn as much about your breed of choice as possible, especially regarding potential health issues.
The prospective buyer should first and foremost question breeders about their dogs’ overall health. A good breeder is not necessarily one who has never produced a health problem--most breeders have experienced health issues-- but one who is willing to acknowledge problems and furthermore willing to discuss such problems and how they plan to eliminate or reduce their incidence in future litters. Ask what type of genetic testing the breeder performs on breeding stock and how long their dogs usually live. Research different types of pet insurance, and if at all possible plan to purchase a policy for your new family member. Veterinary medicine can work miracles these days, but you may find many such “miracles” quite expensive.
For breeders, producing healthy puppies should be a top priority. Today there are many genetic tests that can be performed on breeding stock in order to detect potential problems. The responsible breeder should take advantage of as many of these tests and screening procedures as possible. This does not mean a breeder should be using only “perfect” dogs and bitches as breeding stock; but it does mean they should be keenly aware of their dogs’ strengths and weaknesses health wise. There is no dog, or human for that matter, that does not carry genes for certain faults. Breeders should explain to prospective puppy buyers the difficulties in trying to produce a healthy dog that also displays the correct temperament and physical characteristics for its breed.
Norfolks are a CHIC breed. Our national club encourages all members to have their breeding stock evaluated for certain hereditary problems and to register those results with CHIC, the Canine Health Information Center. At this time the NTC requires a cardiac ultrasound, an eye exam, and a knee or patellae evaluation to receive a CHIC number. In addition, we recommend that dogs have a hip x-ray certified by OFA, the orthopedic foundation for animals, and be checked for ichthyosis, a hereditary skin disorder.
It is every breeder’s responsibility to be honest and up front with a buyer about any and all health issues. If the decision has been made to breed a bitch with a slightly slipping kneecap (luxating patella) or mildly dysplastic hips because she is a wonderful representative of the breed and healthy in every other way, the prospective buyer should be informed of this. Our terriers are not perfect; however, certain health concerns in larger breeds may not be problematic for our small dogs. Stay connected with your breeder and inform them of any health issues. Only by being kept informed can we, as breeders, improve the health of our puppies.
Carol Falk, Health Chairman NTC
posted March 2009
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