How to find a breeder.
Finding a good breeder is very important as your hedgehog will only be as good as the breeder who raised it. There is more to breeding than sticking two random hedgehogs together and getting paid for the end result.
Time, money and extensive planning goes into ethical litters however there are plenty of breeders out there that just see £££ they have very little interest in the correct care of their hedgehogs nor care which homes the hoglets will go to.
Good ethical breeders will plan the mating months in advance, make sure both hedgehogs are worthy of being bred (have no temperament issues or health conditions) and once the mating finally comes through they spent hours planning and caring for the pregnant female, ensuring her diet is correct for an expectant mother and paying a small fortune at the vets.
Here are the key points you should look for when picking the breeder of your future hedgehog.
Time, money and extensive planning goes into ethical litters however there are plenty of breeders out there that just see £££ they have very little interest in the correct care of their hedgehogs nor care which homes the hoglets will go to.
Good ethical breeders will plan the mating months in advance, make sure both hedgehogs are worthy of being bred (have no temperament issues or health conditions) and once the mating finally comes through they spent hours planning and caring for the pregnant female, ensuring her diet is correct for an expectant mother and paying a small fortune at the vets.
Here are the key points you should look for when picking the breeder of your future hedgehog.
- There are people to help you! Usually hedgehog registry's have breeders that they suggest who care for and register their breeding herd so linage and health can be traced back through generations.
- Ask questions! Yes....good breeders dont mind. You may ask to see the hedgehog viv's/cages and you may ask about mum and dad hog. Hell a good breeder will want you to ask these things. BEWARE if the breeder becomes defensive about allowing you to see the hedgehog home area. These area's are a good indication as to how the breeder cares for the hedgehogs. Expect a certain level of poo, all good hedgehogs dirty up their wheel the second its clean. But if you feel the breeder is not able to provide the care to the hogs that you would want (IE/ they have to many and are unable to clean them out regularly or they are kept in small cages) then dont feel bad to walk away! The fewer folk buy from these profit breeders the better.
- Ask if the breeder will be okay with you coming back to them if there are any questions with the hog or you are unable to care for the hog anymore. Again, ethical breeders will not mind taking back or even helping you sort out a new home for your hog.
Watch for a flippant attitude.
The oh no its not cold in here, no no the cut isn't infected, no the limping hedgehog doesn't need a vet attitude is something to watch for. Back yard breeders will breed for profit (key word) and the vet will cost them money thus lowering their profit. Flippant attitudes towards housing, food, care and even enrichment can prove fatal or emotionally scaring for a hedgehog.
Lack of time spent with a hedgehog can lead to a very anti-social hedgehog and a whole litter with poor social care could leave you with a huffy un-willing hedgehog.
Lack of time spent with a hedgehog can lead to a very anti-social hedgehog and a whole litter with poor social care could leave you with a huffy un-willing hedgehog.
Recommended Breeders
The African Pygmy Hedgehog Club UK has an approved breeders list, the breeders are to keep to a code of ethics and the registry monitors the breeding these breeders do. Its a safe bet to find a good breeder from the list, however if a breeder is not on the list it doesn't mean they are a bad breeder you will have to use your gut or word of mouth to find if the breeders ethics is one you wish to support.
The breeders list can be seen here. https://africanpygmyhedgehogclub.co.uk/club_breeders
The breeders list can be seen here. https://africanpygmyhedgehogclub.co.uk/club_breeders
Some breeder links.
Here are some breeders links in the UK, I have only included breeders who are known to have good ethics and adore their hedgehogs. PLEASE FIND THE FULL LIST ON THE CLUB WEBSITE
http://www.tiggyhogs.com/ (Northampton)
https://www.facebook.com/Squazlehogsfranmade/ . (Manchester)
http://arcticfrosthedgehogs.co.uk/ (Lancashire)
https://www.facebook.com/PethauPigioghedgehogs . (Wales)
http://www.tiggyhogs.com/ (Northampton)
https://www.facebook.com/Squazlehogsfranmade/ . (Manchester)
http://arcticfrosthedgehogs.co.uk/ (Lancashire)
https://www.facebook.com/PethauPigioghedgehogs . (Wales)