Have just had a call and am having my inspection at the end of this month. Anyone had an inspection recently and know what to expect. All my dogs are house dogs and share the settee etc. I haven't had a litter for going towards 2 years now so although I have a separate room cleared out for when we have pups it is utilised in other ways between times.

Had my visit last year and enjoyed the experience. They were very thorough and their principal concern is the health and welfare of the dogs . They expect you to have a register of dogs kept and records of litters, health check results etc and expect you to know about local council rules regarding licenced breeders and disposal of dog waste. They are dog owners/breeders and it was nice to have a chat with kindred spirits. I got pulled up on my information pack which I thought was extensive and informative but they suggested a few additions which I have complied with. They were also concerned about our busy road and fencing arrangements (also subsequently addressed !) You can PM me if you want.

They expect you to have a register of dogs kept and records of litters, health check results etc

In paper form or on computer or both?

Goodness, it sounds a bit draconian and invasive!  I'm all for raising breeding standards, but surely if you've safely kept your dogs there for a period of time, your fencing arrangements etc are satisfactory for your needs? 

I think I'd have to consider leaving the ABS if I got inspected and had those sort of suggestions.  Do breeders really want to sign up to something as dictatorial and prescriptive as this?

I only had paper form. I have a file for each dog and one file with records of every litter bred. My computer skills are pretty elementary . They also expect you to have evacuation procedure in event of fire and some means of fighting fire -I have an extinguisher and have been intending to get a fire blanket. Also, separate facilities for storing dog food and they ask about daily routines etc. They seemed concerned that dogs get enough sleep/rest time. Wish I did ! As I said, they are experienced dog owners and expect a 'warm' welcome from resident dogs. I was worried because two of my girls don't get on and despite careful procedure to keep them apart they nearly got to each other that day as I was showing the team around.

They may take photographs but this is to remind them which visit was which. Feedback/report takes a long time but they tell you up front whether they are satisfied or not

Fencing was/is a bit of a problem . We lost our beloved Merlin on the road here not long after we moved in. We've spent a fortune refencing but one or two of our guys are real escape artists. We will be moving as soon as we can. I live in fear of losing another dog.

I only had paper form. I have a file for each dog and one file with records of every litter bred. My computer skills are pretty elementary .

Thanks!

As I said, they are experienced dog owners and expect a 'warm' welcome from resident dogs.

Hm let's hope they don't expect that from Malinois! They are far more likely to get that welcome at a show, than at home where they will guard. They will allow people in if we let people in, but apart from the odd one that's different and extra friendly, a Mali is more likely to ignore a stranger that has been allowed into the house, than greet them.

It all just sounds a bit 'health and safety'.  Surely the purpose of the ABS should be to help puppy buyers differentiate between puppy farms and irresponsible breeders (pups bred in the dark in outdoor kennels, no socialisation, no support for new buyers etc etc) and 'good' breeders?? 

I'm all for them checking out anything which I can see to be related to differentiating the two - but I can't see how some of these things are relevant and instead it just seems to involve signing up for yet more 'tick box' culture and conforming to things which are not very related to responsible breeding practices. 

> It all just sounds a bit 'health and safety'.
>which are not very related to responsible breeding practices

But also relevant to prospective owners visiting and seeing how a 'good' home provides the necessary security for the breed :) :)

Have to say I agree to with Rabid.

Surely the way you choose to run your home (I'm no Mrs tidy, more a Mrs clutter) and live with your dogs is highly individual.

Compare it to bringing up children. 

I have never had a health visitor question me about fire prevention, or how I cook and prepare their food, whether the baby sleeps in my bed, it's own cot in my bedroom, or it's own bedroom.

I am yet to have my visit, but I may choose to resign if they are going to be picking at how I choose to live.

Also if your not a registered commercial breeder (and never intend to breed at that level).

Why would you need to know what your council regs are regarding this.  I know that my council expect dog waste to be put in wheelie bin for landfill.

Again puppy info, I often email the new owners the most useful web resources to supplement mien (lets face ti the printer has steam coming out of it when printing puppy owner stuff as it is).

I try and keep things short and sweet in advice sheets, contract, so they will actually read it.

I have had dogs back where it has been obvious my extensive health info from the BVA etc, and other documents have not been even touched, still in the folder as given.

As the average pet owner if they even know the registered name of their dog.  Half of mine never transfer ownership with the KC, and some of these have had more than one pup from me and are super owners in every way.

In case of fire the plan should be get out and stay out and call the fire service out ... It is VERY unwise to recommend people to try and use extinguishers etc as they have very limited use and are very ineffective unless you use them regularly and have update training. This is NOT a Good policy and I WILL not be getting extinguishers for home use and would refer the ABS assessor to Fire Safe guidance.

I try and keep things short and sweet in advice sheets, contract, so they will actually read it.

I also found people don't read the long detailed information, so I compromised. I still print everything out in minute detail, but on a separate sheet I summarise everything. Eg. puppy needs to be wormed on such a date, needs to be vaccinated at such ages, should have so many meals a day of such and such a food, etc. Then it's all there at a glance and the in depth info is there to refer to as well.

Yes I tend to do similar, but the really detailed and further reading stuff I refer them on line or to books.

They also expect you to have evacuation procedure in event of fire

Another question as I have been thinking about this. What do they expect?  I mean I can probably get all dogs out, but then what?  How far away? Tie them up somewhere? What?  And also, much as I'd do anything I could to save my dogs in the event of a fire, I'd have to put HUMANS first and that means my disabled mother in law who lives with us so surely my fire escape plan MUST be to get HER out and if I have to chose, much as I hate to say it, it would have to be her first and if there is no time for the dogs -well. Human life comes first.

I had a visit earlier this year and found it a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours - talking dogs!  My dogs also live in the house and she didn't really ask where I whelped or kept my puppies etc.  My assessor was very friendly and although I was concerned before she arrived, there really is nothing to worry about.

From what I've heard, different people seem to be having different experiences.  Some say, as you Ells Bells, that it's relaxed and friendly.  Others seem to end up with a list of requirements for changes which I just can't see have much to do with their ability to raise happy and healthy puppies...

I had my visit a couple of months ago and hd no problems at all. I heard  may things but it was very informal. I had Bill Lambert and Sue Sampson(he was assessing her) so had 2 of them. They were lovely I have to say. Asked loads of questions. Record keeping and Dogs Safety are paramount issues. All my German Pointers live in the house on sofas etc so can be quite chaotic and never really spotless (though I do hoover every day) but I did not feel they were judging me in anyway.I am sure they come across a very diverse cross section of how breeders live with their dogs.
They do ask loads of obvious questions but never felt they were trying to catch me out in anyway. I enjoyed talking so positively about our breed and our love for the dogs. I had 6 week old pups at the time but apart from a quick look in puppy room they did not seem too interested. They do ask you to supply copies of sales contract/puppy packs you issue and details of Vet.
They also discuss the feedback given when puppy owners have returned the AB questionnaire from the AB folder.
They were impressed that the return of my forms topped 50% when the average is only 20% so ws thrilled to hear that. Asked me what my secret was :-)
If you want any more info please PM me. I have not had my official report back yet. They to;ld me it would take ages as there was nothing they were concerend over so was not a priority. My only amazement is that I was the first GSP breeder to register when scheme started and it has taken till now to get a visit .

Thanks for the info. Mine are sofa dogs and as I have one elderly one who wakes me at 5am just for me to come down to her cos she will not come up anymore I suspect my dogs get a lot more sleep than me as the others seem to sleep right through that. Our life is pretty much devoted to our dogs including giving up my career and now being a dog groomer so I can be with them more often. I know I do the best I can for them, my puppies and the new owners but I'm not so brill at paperwork so have to get that all organised in a file. The contract and puppy notes are all on computer so they can make any comments to improve it they like but as has been said I would object to any criticism of our life style and I have no idea of the council's requirements as I don't think I need to.

Mine are all sofa dogs, no special kennel-like features and I am a hobby breeder. I had all my dogs around us and a litter of pups in my living room.

The visit was friendly, all questions asked were sensible and I was happy for them to see everything they wanted...why ever not?
I have received my report and all was A1 except for the required addition of some more info suggested for my puppy pack.

I would think your house being tidy would be the last thing they were interested in.
Chaotic, unsafe, overcrowded of unsanitary perhaps............ but they must have seen some sights.

Just out of interest (Not been "Done" yet) Did they ask about quarentine accomodation for sick dogs ?
Aileen

>Did they ask about quarentine accomodation for sick dogs

Yes I had bedrooms sufficiently isolated.

Yes I'd have to use a bedroom, and toilet dog in front garden on lead, but we would not be asked to quarantine a sick child.

We are not selling our children though and not rigorously health testing ourselves first :-)

I honestly don't see the sense in quarantining one of your own sick dogs -other than possibly  being able to keep one on it's own if it was seriously ill and had to be kept quiet and wanted to be on its own. They'll all have met all the time anyway, so why separate one that gets sick when it's more than likely too late anyway? You'd also have to change all your clothes in between visiting different rooms for it to be of any use!

I agree, you'd need to be disinfecting your feet before leaving the sick dogs area, and toileting sick dog in another area too.  Much seems to be bureaucratic for the sake of it...

By the way, did I hear that stud dog owners can now join the ABS?  What do they need to adhere to? 

> I agree, you'd need to be disinfecting your feet before leaving the sick dogs area,

Or using disposable shoe coverings.  Not too difficult to barrier nurse with overalls and these I would not have thought.  Just take them off on leaving the room and leave them hanging in a bag for the next contact.

> We are not selling our children though

This is the point that I think a lot of people are missing.  This is not so much about the dogs as our obligation to the public and what they deserve when buying from a carefully selected breeder.

The only person I know to have lost pups with Parvo was ultra over-cautious.    To me the dogs had no immunity because the area was too clean.  My dogs actually stay with my parents when I'm having pups and not with me so how would that work?

> My dogs actually stay with my parents when I'm having pups and not with me so how would that work?

Then that is your infection control taken care of :) at least when you have puppies but I am not sure that the inspectors do not expect you to have arrangement for when a dog may have an infectious condition at any time.

They did ask me if I knew local council ruling on breeding so I looked it up on their website befortehand so knew.Didnt apply to me as I dont breed enough to register but might be an idea so they know you are aware

No way could I use a bedroom. They are all upstairs and my Berns are not allowed up and down stairs.. I do have a couple of big insulated sheds but I would never put one outside, supoose I could if it was really unavoidable. My freezer shed is insulated and boarded out and I could get a large cage in there if needed. I work on the assumption that if one is ill they are all infected before I know it!
If I had a recovering dog from some orthopaedic problem then it would be a cage in the dining room. I could at a push put one in the lounge with access to front garden and pups in conservatory with 2 rooms between and access to rear garden.
Thanks for the tip about local regs....I will look up the local breeding rules..just so I know ;-)
I do have a dog sink though !!!
Aileen

Reply to Merlot
Yes. They ask about facilities /quarantine measures should need arise.

>I do have a dog sink though !!!

Urban myth which is their office standing joke.

They do ask if you have thought what you would do in the event of fire.
They want to see orderly paperwork.
They ask how you dispose of dog waste.

not an urban myth when they had the ex Defra vets doing the inspection, it was certainly high on their list then as one did the inspection of a friend of mine.... now they have got rid of them they're doing their best to rewrite history and say it was all a myth ... lol .... they have though I think finally got their act together and are using real people and not the red tape brigade from Defra thankfully....

> finally got their act together and are using real people and not the red tape brigade from Defra thankfully...

The ex Defra vet still appears on their list :) 

just the one? must be the one who could be reasonable............ trouble was lack of guidance from kc and no checking to see what they were doing, led to a lot of bad feeling, many breeders leaving and attempts to cover things up

I would have thought they could utilise there time a little better to be honest.

If you haven't had a litter for nearly 2 years. You're obviously not a prolific breeder. I know conditions need to be checked eventually but surely they haven't been able to visit all the breeders that are having excessive litters of varied varieties which are registered on the ABS.

> I know conditions need to be checked eventually but surely they haven't been able to visit all the breeders that are having excessive litters of varied varieties which are registered on the ABS.

They do seem to be prioritising those who breed more regularly.

<<<They ask how you dispose of dog waste. >>>

Interesting - do you know what their preferred method is?

Just check what your local authority policy is on waste disposal. Mine is just to bag and bin it but guess if you have commercial type kennels policy might be different

Interesting.  Not sure when I'll get my visit but hope when I do it will be one of the nice reasonable ones! I have no fire extinguisher!  And my dogs are just the same as a previous posters - fine at a show or on neutral ground but on our isolated farm, they will soon see off any strangers, especially men! I'm another whom if I feel like I'm being compared to a scum bag puppy farmer, I'll soon leave the ABS! surely it is simple to tell the difference without too many silly expectations?

Like many of you say, many are just average families not establishments! I can totally understand obvious things like record keeping but it sounds like they canbe a bit too rigid with puppy packs. 

I have to say I do each batch of puppy packs as and when...maybe I should get a few printed off as examples. I would have thought the puppy farmers would be the most likely to have everything at hand...after all they do it so often! If you are selling pups every  day you would no doubt be producing a generic puppy pack and making sure you have a suppy handy...not like me I wait untill I have a litter born and safe before I start to print out information. Plus each litter is a little different, I only have the occasional litter and things can change in the intervening time.
The comment about the sink was a bit tongue in cheek !! but I did make sure OH put one in when he built the dog room/conservatory! Because it is very handy for dirty jobs in the garden ! The one good thing about raw feeding is that I do have a designated dog freezer so food storage is not an issue.
We double bag and deposit waste in the black bin. I must just have a look to see what the local council advise as I never have done. The girlies more often than not go while we are out on our walks and I use the council poo bins....
Aileen

> If you haven't had a litter for nearly 2 years. You're obviously not a prolific breeder. I know conditions need to be checked eventually but surely they haven't been able to visit all the breeders that are having excessive litters of varied varieties which are registered on the ABS.

You would think so wouldnt you? BUT not all register all their puppies, some fly under the radar wherever possible and breed prolifically unhindered.
Some are trying to gain respectability ( at last) for publicity reasons and only now getting around to applying.

With dog breeders, things are not always as they seem.

When I was asked about the dog waste I seemed to surprise her by saying I take them out for walks.

Plus each litter is a little different, I only have the occasional litter and things can change in the intervening time.

Ditto. I have saved files on my computer saying things like A litter, B litter etc as I have slightly changed the information each time, when for instance I have changed how I feed or had other new ideas.

>When I was asked about the dog waste I seemed to surprise her by saying I take them out for walks.

So do I, but I still poo-pick in the garden (and of course when they poo in the village). ;-)

> So do I, but I still poo-pick in the garden

LOL  - so do I :) I have always envied those owners whose dogs ONLY poo when out on walks :) :) Never did work when I told them to 'hang on and wait as we are just about to go out' ;) ;) Since we have moved here, we don't have any dog bins locally so the poo has to come home anyway :) :) Then it has to be disposed of in the bin as it is in a bag. When they use the garden, the poo gets thrown into the drainage ditch, so degrades/disposed of naturally :) So pooing in the garden is environmentally better :) :) Having said that, poo picking in the garden is a nightmare at the moment as there are so many leaves it is difficult to find the poo :(

I must admit I wish mine would not go so often on walks a couple of them will wait until we go out, and almost immediately try and bury their bums in the hedges.

Here it is poo in lined lidded bucket then black bin (as per council advice re dog and cat waste, rabbit etc is supposed to be composted/green bin).

With 6 of them I often have a hand festooned with several bags until I can find a bin,. or get home.

I did have a CO2 fire Extinguisher which I accidentally set of the other day, didn't know how to switch it off, so it's now half empty by time hubby dealt with it.  We'd all burn to a crisp by the time I figured out how to use it.  In the event of fire we would be out in the back garden with dogs and ferrets ringing the fire brigade on my mobile or alerting neighbours.

I'll have to rejoin next year when I hope to have a litter if my girl passes all her health tests. Haven't thought too much about fires but we live on a cul-de-sac off a cul-de-sac so in an emergency just getting out of the house would be pretty safe, if I had time I could grab the leads which are attached to the collars usually. Neighbour is very friendly and I'm sure would take them in his house while I went to buy new leads if I couldn't get to them! Haven't thought about sick dogs either but I guess could use a bedroom and go out front to toilet. I pick up in the garden and out on walks, bag it, and either throw out with rubbish or take to nearest poo bin, is that ok? Puppies are in the dining room (quietest room) at first, then moved into puppy pen in lounge or kitchen when older which I guess is ok. We have a dog sink! :-D So it would just be updating my puppy packs with whatever's needed nowadays. :-)

When I was asked about the dog waste I seemed to surprise her by saying I take them out for walks.

No such thing as bins here in the countryside, of any sort, so wherever they do it, it still ends up having to be disposed of from home.