Hi all, I'm new to this forum. The reason I joined is that I'm thinking about getting a WFT pretty soon (I don't need breeder numbers or anything, already have all that stuff).  Here's why I wasnt to get a WFT:  recently I've seen so many little lap-dogs who, though cute, seem to be just ornaments (no offence meant, just not my type of dog!).  I want a real dog who will be a bit mischevious and roll around in muck, who will run and play etc.  I've had a fair amount of experience with dogs, although the WTF will be my first dog who is MINE, not the family's or my dad's etc.  I know they're quite stubborn and can be a bit of a handful, but this will make life interesting and challenging, as I'll have to work harder with him!

So: here are my questions:  I will be visiting the breeder to have a look at the pups quite soon, and if anyone has any advice about choosing pups, it would be nice to hear from you! (I read somewhere that it's good to leave a little blanket in the puppies' bed on the first visit and then take the blanket when you take the dog home so he can have his family's smell on it.  What do people think of this idea?)

Also, food... I've been reading the food threads and I'm now quite alarmed as we fed our last dog Eukanuba!!!  I was under the impression that it was a good dog food but i guess i was wrong! Any food recommendations?

Last question: I want to join a puppy training class, does anyone know of any good ones in North London?

Thanks in advance,

Hi! Welcome to the Forum! You've made a great choice of breed - the WFTs I've met have been great little dogs, full of energy and go, yet not too large - proper dogs!

When you got to see a litter, take your time. Don't be rushed. First, make sure you meet the mum, and see that she's friendly with you. If she's nervous or snappy, walk away - don't even look at the pups, because they may well have inherited her dodgy temperament.

Make sure they're all sweet-smelling (though they may have pooy feet etc, they shouldn't have a 'sour' smell to them. Their coats should feel 'healthy' (hard to describe) with supple skin and no sign of scurf. Their eyes should be bright and clear, and their ears clean. Check for hernias etc.

Assuming all is well on that score, sit on the floor with the puppies and let them climb all over you and play with you. Study them all, picking them up, stroking them, playing with their toys, handling them as much as possible. Watch how they interact with you and with each other. Soon you'll find yourself being drawn to particular pups, and these are the ones to take your choice from.

Oh, and once you've chosen one, definitely leave a blanket or old jumper or something with them in their bed, for when you collect him. It makes their first nights very much easier for them.

Good luck!

Ditto to all the above! I always send a "comfort blanket" home with my pups. As for food, a good breeder will give you a diet sheet and a week or so supply of the food your pup is used to. Dont be in too much of a hurry to change, even if you feel you want to in the future as getting him used to his new surroundings and settled in is the main priority.
Enjoy :D

Thanks Jeangenie and Fillis for your advice :)

another question... I had a phone call today from a breeder I contacted before, offering me a male Lakeland terrier.... we talked it over and I told him I was getting a male WFT, so it's probably not a good idea to get another male in the house!! (according to him... i agree).  He said he had a WFT bitch available if I want her....

Initially we wanted to get 2 dogs so they can keep each other company and play together, but don't want 2 from the same litter (I read somewhere that this is not a good idea).  So, if I take up this breeder's offer on the WFT bitch, we would be bringing her home about a month before the male puppy comes home.  Is this a good idea?    I don't want to make any very huge mistakes on this, so have been doing a lot of research on training and everything, but I haven't been able to find a good source of information about bringing in more than one dog... it would be great if someone could offer some advice :)

Tuti

WFT's are certainly not ornaments!  They are definately full of 'naughtiness'  the best way to choose a pup is to spend as much time as possible with the pups & eventually the pup will pick you.

I would not advise getting 2 terriers at the sametime.  Terriers when young can be very much of a handfull.  For the first 9 months my welsh was a complete nightmare.  Only now that he is coming up to 3yrs old I would condsider getting another terrier.

As for feeding - having a white, wire haired breed you should aim to feed natural.  Tripe, etc would be good.  From my experience both in show terrier kennels in the USA & with my own dogs here white dogs are more likely to get hot spots, etc.  These issuses are usaully caused by reactions to processed grains.

It's not only having two from the same litter that's a bad idea, it's having two puppies (from any litters) at the same time! It's not double-trouble, it's trouble squared, and even if they're unrelated there can be quite serious heirarchical problems when they reach adolescence.

Personally I wouldn't get a second pup for at least six months (if you're an experienced owner); if you're still a novice (and no shame in that) then I'd wait at least a year. We all make mistakes in raising our pups, and easier to correct ourselves with just one at a time!
:)

phew... thanks for putting into words what I was thinking!!! LOL, when the breeder called, I told him straightaway no, thanks, we already found a pup! Then I told my mum about it and she nearly drove me crazy, saying it had broken her heart and poor little puppy, would the breeder drown him if he didnt find him a home, LOL!!  I keep telling her not to be so impulsive, I have been researching WTFs and dog training for a few months,  and I'm waiting another month before I bring a puppy home! My mum wants to go get the puppy now, she's so impatient :D

Anyone else feel like they're their mum's mum?! :D

Will take your advice, Jeangenie, as my sister wants an Italian Greyhound bitch, but she's on a waiting list for next January.  My mum keeps going on about the puppy being lonely, but I very much doubt it as i know we will all fall in love and become idiots next to the dog! (these things tend to happen in my family!)

Yes, I am still a novice (I know terriers are probably the naughtiest little dogs around, but I'm completely in love!).  To be honest I've never imagined my  life without a dog, and the reason we don't have a dog right now is that our last dog died very young of heart disease, and my mum couldnt bear to get another. :(

In my terrier breed, we recommend 18 months to 2 years before getting another. This is partly because the coats are hard work at the adolescent stage and partly because they are a slow maturing breed, so speak to other owners of the breed for their opinions. Partly it will be down to the individual dog, but enjoy the puppyhood of one and then you can start again :D