Puppies are totally dependent on you to provide for their health and well-being to grow into healthy adult dogs.
A proper diet, vaccination and worming programs, Puppy school, flea & worm treatment and desexing are issues you need to know about. Your best allies are your breeder and your veterinarian who will be happy to give you advice on all aspects of your puppy’s health.

Vaccination
Most puppies will have already received at least one vaccination by the time they go to their new home. The first vaccination is at 6 weeks of age (usually with breeder) for Parvovirus. At 8 or 9 weeks of age the first or second (if had 6 week) vaccination is given for Parvovirus, Leptospirosis and Kennel cough. At 12 weeks vaccinate against Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Kennel cough. It is VERY important to your Puppies health and well-being that your Puppy is vaccinated fully and continues with their annual vaccinations thereafter.
Keep puppy away from public places until fully vaccinated. Parvovirus is fatal to puppies, so it is worth being careful. Parks, footpaths, rivers are all areas where puppies can pick up germs. Even at the vet it pays to carry your puppy so it won’t get germs from the floor.

Worming
Your puppy will have been wormed every 2 weeks up to the age of 12 weeks. Then continue worming them once monthly to 6 months of age. Then once every 3 months. Your veterinarian will be able to give advice on different worming and flea treatment preparations and their use.We use Endogard  at Shephaven the liver flavoured tablet is more palatable than other allwormers making administration of tablet easier. Endogard converts an unpleasant task into a real treat for your dog.
Endogard has been assessed by the National Regulatory Authority and approved for the treatment and prevention of roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm including hydatids in dogs

Regular worming is essential to make sure your pet enjoys the best of health - and it's easy to do!

Fleas
There are many different flea preparations available, some of which are combined with other parasite control. Regular and frequent treatment is recommended - by the time your actually SEE the problem it is OUT of control! Ask your veterinarian for the most appropriate flea control for your puppy.
Your puppy will have received a Duogard treatment for fleas just before you collect it from us.  Duogard provides 4 weeks control of the flea population, inhibiting the fleas development to the adult stage. Pyriproxyfen is extremely safe for pets, humans and the environment. It is a hormone analogue, not an insecticide.

DE-SEXING

SPAYING YOUR BITCH
This is the removal of both the ovaries and uterus via a very small incision in the abdomen. Dogs may be spayed at any age although preferably between 3 and 6 months and certainly before their first heat.

Advantages:
no unwanted litters of puppies
no male dogs sitting on your doorstep
no bloody discharge when in season
Old Wives Tales:
Bitches need to have 1 litter
Early spaying will alter their personality
Bitches need to have one season
Obesity after spaying

CASTRATING YOUR DOG
This is the removal of both testes of the dog via one small incisions at the base of the scrotum. Castration is best performed before 5 months of age before he develops a number of undesirable male behaviour patterns.
Advantages:
decreased territory marking i.e. urine marking in and around the home
reduced unwanted litters of puppies
reduced wandering which results in less chance of being hit by a car
reduced fighting with other dogs
reduced incidence of prostate enlargement in old age

TO DESEX OR NOT TO DESEX?
Generally, unless you intend to breed from your pet, then early desexing is the answer!