Collar size for an 8-week-old Aussie pup?

Thanks everyone for all the advice :-) I've got pretty much everything you mentioned; the collapsible bowl and the Kongs shouldn't be long now. The only things missing are a tick tool and a stag antler, so I’ll go and get those sorted :-)

Thanks for the tip about the ID tag; I thought the vet provided them, but it’s been so long I couldn’t quite remember, so I’ll get one made up :-)

I’ve bought the collar—I went for a nylon one, hoping it fits him, otherwise I’ll find another... then I’ll go for a harness a few weeks later once he’s grown a bit and I've had time to find the right one.

I have another question that I’ll ask the breeder, but I’d like to get a few different opinions: if the breeder has been feeding him wet food, how do I transition him over to dry food? Should I mix the two, then gradually decrease the amount of wet food while increasing the amount of kibble?

Also, regarding the flea collar (I found Seresto worked quite well for my last dog), can I put it on him as soon as he arrives, or should I wait until he’s a bit older?

Thanks again for everything; getting a new puppy is such a big deal and there’s so much to think about. Your help has been—and I’m sure will continue to be—really precious 👍

If I can just add to the list :)

A collapsible bowl to take on walks – if it's hot, it's really useful to have something to give them a drink from.

I’ve got a silicone pop-up one but I’m not sure it’s the best as it’s started to tear a bit. I have two and the smaller one is quite sturdy, but there are other folding designs that are just as handy.

As for antiseptic like Betadine, I wondered about the single-use vials. You can get ones that look like those little saline pods for eyes; they’re much more practical to keep in your bag than lugging a whole bottle around with you.

And a tick remover tool.

Misanthrope (hello there, by the way :) ): regarding the deer antler, maybe it should be a split one? When I see how hard they are, I think it might be too tough for a puppy to gnaw on with those tiny teeth...

Sorry if I’m mistaken, but that’s just what popped into my head when I read your post!

I'll let the other members answer about the car harness as I haven't a clue – I don't have a car! But yes, you're better off with a sheet or a seat cover because it'll get messy from day one! ;-))

The breeder (with their vet's help) will microchip the dog for you (you should ask them on the day where exactly it’s located) and the chip number will be in the pet passport or health record they give you with the puppy. However, you'll have to sort out the ID tags yourself. After that, there's also the registration with the national database (like Petlog) so the ownership details are in your name.

He's such a gorgeous boy, those innocent little eyes! It’s incredible how much his sister looks like him.

But I also really like the black and white one next to him.

He's the one closest to the table leg :-) The other one is his sister, a total carbon copy 😁

As for his collar, I'll probably wait until I've actually got him before picking one out on the day; it’ll likely be easier that way :-)

I really can't wait to have him, but most of all I just want what's best for him :-)

Thanks a lot, I’d really love to have that list, Misanthrope :-)

Normally he should have everything he needs, but it's best to double-check (I've got bowls, dry food, a long line, a nylon lead, tons of toys, a clicker, a big dog bed, shampoo...) but there's definitely so much to get that it's easy to forget a few things.

I’m lucky enough to have a sort of field (well, more like a green space maintained by the council) and a little woodland right next to my place so he can run around and play :-) As for frisbees, I've heard it's better to wait until they're fully grown, so I've gone for some small tennis balls instead.

To keep him busy when I'm out, I've been recommended a toy that I should only give him in that specific situation—a Kong with treats—to keep him occupied and stop him from getting into mischief (even if that's all part of the learning process)... I remember my previous dog used to get into all sorts of trouble as a puppy: having accidents on the curtains in the time it took me to go to the letterbox, chewing furniture legs and the skirting boards...

Also, for the car, is this kind of restraint any good?

I'm planning on putting a seat cover over the back seats to stop him getting to them, otherwise it'll be bye-bye leather seats! 👋

Yeah, I suppose I'll end up getting him several collars; leather ones are very hard-wearing, so I'll probably find him a more basic one for if I take him for a swim...

Doesn't the vet give you a tag with the microchip number on it? I thought that's what they did for my last dog.

Here’s a photo of him from a few days ago: