Puppies are adorable bundles of wagging tails, soft eyes and warm puppy kisses that pull at your heartstrings, begging you to take them home. As difficult as it may sometimes be, the choice of a puppy should not be made on the spur of the moment. Doing so has often resulted in the acquisition of a dog that does not meet the expectations of his owner. Many times these dogs are eventually resold and, unfortunately, some end up in the pound. Indeed, this is not the fault of the poor puppy; the uneducated owner is to blame.

Before buying a puppy, talk to several owners about the breed you are interested in, gather information and make an informed choice. Each breed was developed for a specific function and, as a result, their personality and traits may not match your lifestyle. Be sure to become completely familiar with the breed you are interested in before deciding to buy a puppy. Remember, your puppy is depending on you to care for and love him for life.

All breeds have their drawbacks, and they should have been explained to you. Beware the hard sell! Just because a puppy has papers, does not guarantee quality. It only means that the puppy has a traceable family tree. Did the breeder talk to you about dog crates, explain how to use them and stress how helpful they can be with housebreaking and providing a safe place for a nap and a necessity when traveling?

Questions to Be Asked

1. Ask what kind (if any) health guarantees the breeder offers. See if the puppies were vet checked. If they give you a health guarantee—get it in writing!

2. Are the puppies registered? And ask if you can see the ORIGINAL registration papers of the parents and possibly a 4 or 5 generation pedigree when you come see the puppies.

3. Always ask to see the parents of the litter. This will begin to give a picture of what your puppy might look like in adulthood it will also show you if they are breeding sick or poor quality dogs and if the parents have any odd personality issues like unsociable or aggressive. Remember your puppy gets its characteristics from its parents. You might also ask to see pictures of puppies from past litters if they are available.

4. Ask to see the facilities where the dogs are kept, bred, and where the puppies were raised. Don’t just walk up and pick a puppy out of a box and leave. Unsanitary conditions could cue you to possible health factors for your puppy. Good breeders will have clean and tidy facilities for both their puppies and adult dogs to reside in, with areas for exercise and playtime.
    

How to Recognize a Reputable Breeder

• They breed to improve the breed not simply to make money.

• They will be happy to show you their dogs and facilities.

• They will screen you carefully to ensure your suitability.

• They sell only healthy stock, fully vetted and guaranteed for a reasonable length of time after the sale.

• They stay in touch with you to see how you're getting along with your new dog.

• If the breeder starts stumbling all over themselves with reasons why they can’t show you the appropriate paperwork, then you might need to be careful about buying from them. A reputable breeder will have no problem with you seeing that information. DO NOT leave the property without the puppy registration application, and make sure it is the original printed from the kennel club, not a copy.

Remember this is a lifetime investment in your time, energy, and yes money. A puppy whether bought for show or pet will need your love and attention for its entire life. A dog gives so much to the owner and asks for so little. Ask yourself, “Am I really ready for this commitment?” and if the answer is “Yes.” Then by all means  purchase that soft bundle with the wagging tail, soft eyes and warm puppy kisses.