Utility dogs: puppy and junior

Utility dogs are a mixed group of mostly non-sporting breeds, many of which were selected for specific purposes outside the sporting and working categories. For an owner today, that variety means looking closely at the individual breed's exercise, coat and day-to-day management needs rather than expecting one utility pattern.

Example breeds in this group: Bulldog, Dalmatian, French Bulldog, Miniature Schnauzer, Poodle (Standard).

Utility puppies come in many shapes and coat types, so early socialisation, vaccination planning and breed-specific questions matter from the start.

• The Kennel Club says puppy socialisation should include pleasant interactions with adults, children, vets, adult dogs and other animals, plus careful exposure to traffic, crowds, car travel and household sounds. It also says puppy training should cover recall, lead walking, grooming and being examined by you and your vet.

  Source: What is puppy socialisation?, The Kennel Club

• The Kennel Club's Bulldog page says puppy buyers and breeders should understand breed health issues, and lists breathing testing using the KC Respiratory Function Grading scheme and eye testing using the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme among its recommended pre-breeding health screening. For flat-faced utility puppies such as Bulldogs and French Bulldogs, ask breeders and your vet about the relevant health scheme results.

  Source: Bulldog | Breeds A to Z | The Kennel Club, The Kennel Club

• PDSA says puppies should ideally start vaccines at around 6 to 8 weeks old, with injections 2 to 4 weeks apart, and that puppies are fully protected 2 to 4 weeks after their final injection. It says your vet can discuss the vaccines your dog needs and any questions at the vaccine appointment.

  Source: Dog Vaccines, PDSA, 2022

• The Kennel Club lists the Standard Poodle as a utility breed descended from European duck hunters, with daily grooming and up to 1 hour of exercise per day. For utility puppies with growing coats, ask the breeder, groomer or vet how to build calm handling and coat care into the routine.

  Source: Poodle (Standard) | Breeds A to Z | The Kennel Club, The Kennel Club