Bloody Backyarders

[PoppyDog]

one of my puppies wasnt microchipped when we received it

i naively took the breeders word for it that they were too little and the needle too big (like yourself, poppydog)

i am in victoria, am trying to find out if it is law here

Glad Im not the only one who believed this! I must admit I THOUGHT I was buying from a breeder...it was a lady selling them for a breeder who lives out west. She had 2 puppies left and I didnt get to meet the Mum or Dad.

Thanks for your kind words! If we add another puppy dog to our family it will be a rescue! I am in Qld... is that the law here?

Depends on which council area the pup was bred and sold in. This link will tell you which councils introduced the law last year and which ones will do it this year.

Personally I recommend pups be obtained from a registered breeder. If you can't meet mum and dad, you have no idea what health or behavioural traits your pup had inherited. A young adult dog from a rescue that temperament tests is a more known quantity and few baby pups end up in rescue anyway.

Thanks! I am in one of the councils that introduced it in 2009!!!

Can I contact the "breeder" and ask her to pay for micro-chipping or am I dreaming???

[SpikesPuppy]

There is a pound here with a respected rehoming programme that lets litters of pups go at 5 weeks because "there is no point them being here if they can eat solids"....

If it were any of the pounds I've seen, I agree. A tiny baby is far better off in a caring family home than a concrete and steel pen where they don't even move the dogs to hose them out each day.

Ditto. My first dog was from the Lort Smith Animal Hospital, where she had been since 3 weeks of age (she was 14 weeks when I got her), they did their best but she was so timid and afraid of everything and spent the most vital socialisation periods in a kennel situation being bullied by older pups and not really seeing much other than the shelter staff/volunteers etc. I don't condemn the LSAH at all, but she would have been much better off in a one on one situation IMHO.

So no law on the 8 weeks, only a code of conduct through ANKC?

I believe in Victoria pet shops may not sell a puppy under 8 weeks of age??

[Snout Girl]

one of my puppies wasnt microchipped when we received it

i naively took the breeders word for it that they were too little and the needle too big (like yourself, poppydog)

i am in victoria, am trying to find out if it is law here

Glad Im not the only one who believed this! I must admit I THOUGHT I was buying from a breeder...it was a lady selling them for a breeder who lives out west. She had 2 puppies left and I didnt get to meet the Mum or Dad.

Thanks for your kind words! If we add another puppy dog to our family it will be a rescue! I am in Qld... is that the law here?

Depends on which council area the pup was bred and sold in. This link will tell you which councils introduced the law last year and which ones will do it this year.

Personally I recommend pups be obtained from a registered breeder. If you can't meet mum and dad, you have no idea what health or behavioural traits your pup had inherited. A young adult dog from a rescue that temperament tests is a more known quantity and few baby pups end up in rescue anyway.

Thanks! I am in one of the councils that introduced it in 2009!!!

Can I contact the "breeder" and ask her to pay for micro-chipping or am I dreaming???

i did buy directly from a registered breeder and it wasnt microchipped i guess you live and learn

[poodlefan]

i did buy directly from a registered breeder and it wasnt microchipped i guess you live and learn

To the best of my knowledge, microchipping isn't compulsory in Victoria yet. That said, my Whippet was bred in Victoria and was microchipped before he left his breeder.

[SpikesPuppy]

one of my puppies wasnt microchipped when we received it

i naively took the breeders word for it that they were too little and the needle too big (like yourself, poppydog)

i am in victoria, am trying to find out if it is law here

Glad Im not the only one who believed this! I must admit I THOUGHT I was buying from a breeder...it was a lady selling them for a breeder who lives out west. She had 2 puppies left and I didnt get to meet the Mum or Dad.

Thanks for your kind words! If we add another puppy dog to our family it will be a rescue! I am in Qld... is that the law here?

Depends on which council area the pup was bred and sold in. This link will tell you which councils introduced the law last year and which ones will do it this year.

Personally I recommend pups be obtained from a registered breeder. If you can't meet mum and dad, you have no idea what health or behavioural traits your pup had inherited. A young adult dog from a rescue that temperament tests is a more known quantity and few baby pups end up in rescue anyway.

Thanks! I am in one of the councils that introduced it in 2009!!!

Can I contact the "breeder" and ask her to pay for micro-chipping or am I dreaming???

i did buy directly from a registered breeder and it wasnt microchipped i guess you live and learn

Recent thread from Breeders section: http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=186379

ETA: Our 3 registered dogs from Victoria were all microchipped by their breeders (with the oldest being born in 2004 - gosh Caber is old ), and I will be chipping my litter when they get vacc'd.

Edited February 10, 2010 by SpikesPuppy

[poodlefan]

Glad Im not the only one who believed this! I must admit I THOUGHT I was buying from a breeder...it was a lady selling them for a breeder who lives out west. She had 2 puppies left and I didnt get to meet the Mum or Dad.

What breed or crossbreed is your pup Poppy? If you bought from an intermediary, there's every chance you've got a puppy farm pup.

Thanks! I am in one of the councils that introduced it in 2009!!!

Can I contact the "breeder" and ask her to pay for micro-chipping or am I dreaming???

It's not where you live that governs this but where the pup was bred and sold. I think you've got a snowballs chance in hell of getting any money out of the "breeder".

[Snout Girl]

i did buy directly from a registered breeder and it wasnt microchipped i guess you live and learn

To the best of my knowledge, microchipping isn't compulsory in Victoria yet. That said, my Whippet was bred in Victoria and was microchipped before he left his breeder.

i know that you cant register a dog in my council without it being microchipped, but am unsure of the laws statewide.

after coming on here, i realise that most breeders worth their salt microchip their dogs before they leave their care.

this dog also came with main register papers, which we didnt realise the significance of until we did a little research.

sorry, didnt mean to hijack the thread

[PoppyDog]

Glad Im not the only one who believed this! I must admit I THOUGHT I was buying from a breeder...it was a lady selling them for a breeder who lives out west. She had 2 puppies left and I didnt get to meet the Mum or Dad.

What breed or crossbreed is your pup Poppy? If you bought from an intermediary, there's every chance you've got a puppy farm pup.

Thanks! I am in one of the councils that introduced it in 2009!!!

Can I contact the "breeder" and ask her to pay for micro-chipping or am I dreaming???

It's not where you live that governs this but where the pup was bred and sold. I think you've got a snowballs chance in hell of getting any money out of the "breeder".

She is a Cavalier cross a Cavalier X Poodle. I HATE the word 'puppy farm' and didn't think I was getting a puppy from there but after learning more and more I fear you may be right!

As far as I can see the law governs the council she was born in, sold in and the one we live in (all within a 1 hour radius). Do you think its worth a shot?

[poodlefan]

She is a Cavalier cross a Cavalier X Poodle. I HATE the word 'puppy farm' and didn't think I was getting a puppy from there but after learning more and more I fear you may be right!

As far as I can see the law governs the council she was born in, sold in and the one we live in (all within a 1 hour radius). Do you think its worth a shot?

Sadly PoppyDog, as she is an "oodle", I'd be prepared to put money on the fact that you have a puppy farm pup. How did you find her?

You can only ask..but expect disappointment. Personally, I think you'd be better off not bothering.

[PoppyDog]

She is a Cavalier cross a Cavalier X Poodle. I HATE the word 'puppy farm' and didn't think I was getting a puppy from there but after learning more and more I fear you may be right!

As far as I can see the law governs the council she was born in, sold in and the one we live in (all within a 1 hour radius). Do you think its worth a shot?

Sadly PoppyDog, as she is an "oodle", I'd be prepared to put money on the fact that you have a puppy farm pup. How did you find her?

You can only ask..but expect disappointment. Personally, I think you'd be better off not bothering.

I found her via a google search...the "breeder" (or who I thought was the breeder at the time) sells these puppies along with a few other cross breeds which I also thought at the time were great

Anyway you get the picture...I think your right about the not bothering part. Will just get it done myself...or at least get my fiance to take her as I don' think I can handle the HUGE needle part.

[poodlefan]

I found her via a google search...the "breeder" (or who I thought was the breeder at the time) sells these puppies along with a few other cross breeds which I also thought at the time were great

Anyway you get the picture...I think your right about the not bothering part. Will just get it done myself...or at least get my fiance to take her as I don' think I can handle the HUGE needle part.

The microchip needle isn't huge at all. The Toy Poodle in my avatar didn't even flinch when she was done. Stay with your dog and remain calm for her sake unless you think you'll faint. You don't have to watch it go in but it's over in a flash anyway.

[PoppyDog]

I found her via a google search...the "breeder" (or who I thought was the breeder at the time) sells these puppies along with a few other cross breeds which I also thought at the time were great

Anyway you get the picture...I think your right about the not bothering part. Will just get it done myself...or at least get my fiance to take her as I don' think I can handle the HUGE needle part.

The microchip needle isn't huge at all. The Toy Poodle in my avatar didn't even flinch when she was done. Stay with your dog and remain calm for her sake unless you think you'll faint. You don't have to watch it go in but it's over in a flash anyway.

Thanks! Your right! Have to be brave now I'm a fur Mummy!

Do you know about how much I will be looking at for micro-chipping? Might get it done with her next needle? Or is that not a good idea?

[poodlefan]

I found her via a google search...the "breeder" (or who I thought was the breeder at the time) sells these puppies along with a few other cross breeds which I also thought at the time were great

Anyway you get the picture...I think your right about the not bothering part. Will just get it done myself...or at least get my fiance to take her as I don' think I can handle the HUGE needle part.

The microchip needle isn't huge at all. The Toy Poodle in my avatar didn't even flinch when she was done. Stay with your dog and remain calm for her sake unless you think you'll faint. You don't have to watch it go in but it's over in a flash anyway.

Thanks! Your right! Have to be brave now I'm a fur Mummy!

Do you know about how much I will be looking at for micro-chipping? Might get it done with her next needle? Or is that not a good idea?

No idea on price I'm afraid. It's been years since I had my dogs done. No reason why it can't be done at vaccination time though.

Have you booked her in for puppy school? Given that she's probably missed out on some important early experiences, you'll need to do that AND get her out and about plenty once she's fully vaccinated. Make sure she meets lots of people.

What sort of coat has she got? If she's going to need professional grooming you'll need to schedule her first visit soon.

Edited February 10, 2010 by poodlefan

[Kynta]

She is a Cavalier cross a Cavalier X Poodle. I HATE the word 'puppy farm' and didn't think I was getting a puppy from there but after learning more and more I fear you may be right!

It's great that you found DOL. As you will already know you get some good info here. Now you know how tricky these (breeders ) can be you can spread the word.

Oh and don't forget to enjoy your puppy.

[twodoggies2001]

Any pups i have bred left home at 8 - 12 weeks of age..

Saying that, I have bought pups at 6 weeks of age previously and have never had any issues. All healthy.

Is there a "golden rule" that a pup must be 8 weeks before it goes to a new home. (canine council?)

My pups came to me at 12 weeks of age, and they were well adjusted little boys. A pup should be with the litter until 8 weeks, because that is when they are learning from litter mates and mum.

Having said that, bringing home a six week old puppy to an experienced dog home should be no big deal, as you stated about pups you have bred. This poor woman seems not to have that experience, otherwise she wouldn't have accepted the puppy at that age.

In Victoria it is mandatory to microchip puppies.

[ellz]

Shop around, chipping prices vary considerably. Vets here were charging from $30 - 50 for chipping whilst the TCA only charged $20. I had 11 done at the one time so the discount was very handy.

With regards to the size of the needle. Some vets seem to make a song and dance out of it and offer a local anaesthetic. To me that is overkill. It's like having a local anaesthetic before you donate blood.....why have a needle to have a needle?

I had 9 Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies, 1 American Cocker puppy and an adult American Cocker bitch chipped and NONE of them even reacted. They made more noise when they had their vaccinations which obviously stung a bit.

[casowner]

If shelters microchip 8 week old kittens, then surely puppies can be. My chi cross pom was done at 8 weeks with no issues

[FD26]

She is a Cavalier cross a Cavalier X Poodle. I HATE the word 'puppy farm' and didn't think I was getting a puppy from there but after learning more and more I fear you may be right!

As far as I can see the law governs the council she was born in, sold in and the one we live in (all within a 1 hour radius). Do you think its worth a shot?

Sadly PoppyDog, as she is an "oodle", I'd be prepared to put money on the fact that you have a puppy farm pup. How did you find her?

You can only ask..but expect disappointment. Personally, I think you'd be better off not bothering.

I don't know much at all about this - but if it were me I would be contacting the council to let them know a pup was sold without being microchipped, if it's against the law. Not sure they'd do anything about it, but I'd still be letting them know!

[FD26]

If shelters microchip 8 week old kittens, then surely puppies can be. My chi cross pom was done at 8 weeks with no issues

Happens all the time, usually around 6-7 weeks, do I don't see why anyone would spout that BS...oh except for $$$

[lappiemum]

i did buy directly from a registered breeder and it wasnt microchipped i guess you live and learn

To the best of my knowledge, microchipping isn't compulsory in Victoria yet. That said, my Whippet was bred in Victoria and was microchipped before he left his breeder.

From a VCA info sheet on microchipping-

When does compulsory microchipping apply?

All cats and dogs being registered with a Victorian local council for the first time must be microchipped prior to registration. You can be fined if you do not comply.

In addition, councils will have the power to require compulsory microchipping of all cats and dogs housed in their municipality. If your pet is already registered with your local council, you do not have to microchip it unless your council introduces additional requirements.

All cats and dogs aged three months and over must be registered with the local council.

Laws are already in place requiring microchipping of restricted breed dogs, and declared menacing or dangerous dogs.

It is also a requirement to microchip all cats and dogs when they are sold or given away from pet shops, commercial breeders and pounds or shelters.

In the unusual event that the implantation of a microchip is likely to significantly prejudice the health of an animal, a supporting letter from a vet will exempt the owner from microchipping requirements.

Essentially, the loophole for non commercial breeders is that legally, they can sell a puppy that is not microchipped. However, the law states that it must be microchipped prior to being registered, and given that all puppies are legally trequired to be registered by 3 months (12 weeks) either the breeder does it prior to sale, or the buyer has around2 weeks to do it themselves (assuming they get their pup at 8 weeks, I do know some toy breeders hold on to pups until 12 weeks).

I'll have to check the code for inheritable diseases to double check that there is nothing there on chipping (I had heard there was, but haven't found anything yet). However, I do agree that there are too many registered breeders who ignore the guidelines and codes, on all sorts of things, and microchipping is just one of a few. I always cringe when I see the word 'should' as I know there will be many would consider that word to give them license to ignore whatever comes after it!

For what its worth, any litters we'll have will be microchipped. The needle is big, but the bit that goes in is very, very tiny.

Edit to add - the VCA Code of Practice has this -

20.1.17 A member shall not, within Australia, sell or otherwise transfer from that member’s care any puppy

under eight [8] weeks of age without the approval of the Victorian Canine Association Inc.

So *if* you are buying from a registered breeder here in Vic, they are required to wait until 8 weeks unless they have VCA approval to do otherwish. Mind you, bybers can do as they please...

Edited February 11, 2010 by lappiemum