The Reality of Moving House with a Family of Dogs, as a Licensed Breeder 

After thirty years in the house I purposely designed and built for me and my dog family, it was time to downsize and move somewhere with a bit more space and green around us.

It took forever to find a smallish bungalow with a BIG plot of land attached for the dogs to run in. Estate agents… don't get me started. (“Substantial garden”. What is that in square metres, please?) Eventually, by the powers of Facebook and all my good friends in the world of dogs, a link was made between me and a lovely dog-owning couple in mid Wales.

Here, for what it's worth, is my plan for how we got it all to work. It may contain some useful nuggets if you're in a similar position.

First, decide how you're going to move your dogs

I could not “put them in kennels for a few days”, so I had to plan ahead. Moving day meant food, crates, bedding and dogs all needed to be in the right place by the end of the day. My breeding licence states I must be able to get all the dogs off the property at the same time in case of emergency, so my van fits everyone in it.

The dogs and I couldn't leave until the last moving van had gone and I'd handed over the keys, so they sat patiently in the van for a few hours. My dogs aren't worried by much – they're used to the van and travelling to shows – but as all of them had spent their whole lives in the old house, I did everything I could to make it a gentler transition: familiar bedding in the crates, a calm, unhurried routine in the days either side of the move, and plenty of quiet time away from the packers.

Think about how you'll feed your dogs either side of the move

I decided dry kibble would mean too much need for extra water, so for the days just before and after moving I opted for tins from the Complete Wet range. They contain the same ingredients the dogs are used to, but with less need to top up water.

I went for the Salmon with Carrot & Potato and the White Fish with Sweet Potato – my favourite. I knew neither would cause upsets, and a few boxes of the Variety Pack were easy to put in the car, open and spoon out for everyone when tired and exhausted.

I also stocked up on bags of different fish treats. From the small Sprats, used as and when there was any disturbance, to the big Fish Whoppers that would last a while in the crates. I knew the dogs would be confined more than usual – it couldn't be avoided – so extra treats and chews were the compromise.

And order your dry food in advance, delivered to the new address. Delivery times may vary from where you lived before, so don't get caught out.

NeXt: think about safety

What's the fencing like at the new place? I asked a local builder to install Harris fencing on the day I moved. The previous owners were lovely and happy for this to happen before they'd vanished.

You may then need a big roll of chicken wire and cable ties along the bottom if your dogs could wriggle under. Remember, you'll be distracted by “stuff”, so you need to know your dogs can't escape. They may be feeling the stress of the move and the unfamiliar place.

Try not to do it all in one go

Pack a suitcase of clothes for yourself, and leave the dog-walking kit – leads, long lines and harnesses – in the footwell of your car, where no mover can put it in the wrong place.

Give yourself time to help your dogs settle in. Do some small walks around your new area, on lead, and get back to a familiar daily routine as quickly as you can. Make sure the dogs' mental welfare is looked after as well as your own.

I can honestly say that with careful planning, no one got an upset stomach and no one appeared stressed.

I also decided to order new ID collars for them all. Name and mobile number embroidered LARGE, so anyone who met them could call me quickly if they somehow got out. No reading glasses required.

And remember to change your dogs' microchip details, which can be done before you move. This is a legal requirement.

What I've learned since the move

We're now a few months into our new life, and the issues we've encountered may surprise you. Local vets are not taking on new clients, and two stated, “We don't do breeders.” Something I had never come across before.

So do your research before committing to an area: being close to a vet doesn't mean you can join their practice!

Be aware, too, that your breeding licence is non-transferable. You go back to square one with a new application and vet inspection, and you can't do that until your new fences and facilities are in place.

Keep all your old inspection paperwork available so they can see you have a history of doing it right.

Worth it in the end

I can honestly say my dogs and I are 100% happier and calmer here than in the old home we loved. So plan carefully, and then just do it!

Happy to advise anyone else contemplating the big move.

Tima Lund
Folkvang Dogs