People often come to me seeking advice on their next dog. Sometimes, before I even have a chance to respond, they will inform me that they want a puppy.
As a Certified Pet Dog Trainer and American Kennel Club evaluator, I can tell you that most of those people end up regretting that decision. Before buying or adopting a dog from any place, thought and consideration need to be taken into the animal’s health and welfare, as well as the cost to feed, train, board, groom and provide veterinary care.
Right Fit
A reputable animal rescue will be informative on all these issues, as well as know the dog’s personality because it has been properly assessed. A reputable breeder will supply the same information and the same support as a reputable rescue, but most purchasers are unaware of what constitutes a “reputable breeder.”
Reputable breeders will be listed or registered with an organization such as the American Kennel Club and will have references, as well as information on their breeding practices and breeding lines. They will have health certificates for their dogs and proper vaccinations. They will have a valid kennel license. The sire or dam will be on site, and only a few litters will be bred a year.
Most reputable breeders also keep their dogs and puppies as members of the household. The breeder will want to stay in contact with you because they care where the puppy ends up and the quality of life it will have. So, they will want to screen potential buyers to make sure the match is a good fit and the dog will not be sold or given away.
Why all the hassle? Unfortunately, many dogs end up in rescues or in shelters due to people purchasing a puppy and then deciding that it is not going to work out. Regrets and excuses are plentiful, but the real reason is that the dog was not what the person expected. Puppies grow, and they chew things, and they urinate and defecate on your stuff, and they require attention and training.
Puppies can be shaped and molded into what you want them to be, but it takes time, patience and training. The breeder will retain properly bred dogs so that there is time for the puppies to have the proper socialization and interaction with their littermates. They will be housebroken, and they will have received their shots and be de-wormed prior to leaving the breeder. It is not uncommon for a reputable breeder to keep the litter together until the dogs are 12 weeks or three months of age.
Other factors to consider when purchasing a puppy include where you live, your lifestyle, who comes and goes from your household and the other animals already living there. You must ensure that the breed of puppy is compatible with the conditions in your home. For example, a hound dog may not be the best match for someone who lives in an apartment or in a house close to other houses because the breed tends to be very vocal. There are exceptions in every breed, but an informed decision should be made rather than one based on impulse.
Research, Research
The Internet is a great source of information for all things puppy dog.
Websites like www.akc.org have listings for breeders that are reputable, as well as information on the different breeds of dogs. A dog show also is a great place to meet breeders. Animal rescues have puppies, too. And, at local adoption events at pet stores, you can meet the puppy and speak to the volunteers about the health and behavior of the dog. Petfinder.com is a great site for finding dogs. It does not always list puppies, but it is a way to find a local rescue organization and begin the search.
To sum up: Before buying a puppy, careful thought and consideration should be taken into what you are committing to, where the dog is coming from and how the relationship develops for the duration of its lifetime. Puppies are fun and adorable. If they come from a reputable source, they then can be a wonderful addition.
Amy Powell is a dog trainer and, since 2004, owner of Doggie U, LLC. For more information, visit the Facebook page: Doggie U LLC.
