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Now that you and your family has decided you definitely wish to buy a puppy, or maybe an older dog. What steps do you take to go about to find a puppy and where do you go to find it? Why should you go about it in this manner? Hopefully there will be an answer to some of your questions here. Just as in people, dogs are the sum total of all their parts.

Now that you and your family has decided you definitely wish to buy a puppy, or maybe an older dog. What steps do you take to go about to find a puppy and where do you go to find it? Why should you go about it in this manner? Hopefully there will be an answer to some of your questions here.

Just as in people, dogs are the sum total of all their parts. Each part or trait is governed by either a gene or a combination of several genes. Just as in people, every single dog inherits some good genetic traits and some inherit poor genetic traits.

And, just as with people, it can happen that a puppy can inherit more bad traits than good traits while other puppies might be a bit more lucky. It all depends on what genetic combination of these various traits that they inherit from the Sire and Dam.

The most important factor to bear in mind when looking for a pure bred dog is to always purchase it from a breeder, and never from a pet store. Pet stores are notorious for purchasing puppies from ‘puppy mills’ and ‘backyard breeders’. This is not a good way to give you the confidence that you will guaranteed any kind of quality in your dog.

You will often pay more for your puppy and be assured of no quality of breed type, temperament or conformation. The dog may have overwhelming medical and health related problems and have an inappropriate temperament.

Of course, you can consider a rescue group or local shelter. Just make sure the pet has been examined by a veterinarian or that you are allowed to take the puppy to a veterinarian for an exam with the option of returning the puppy if health issues are discovered. The first 2 weeks you have a pet adopted from a shelter are the most important, diseases that the pet may have been exposed to when confined with a large number of other dogs, pet, will usually manifest themselves during that initial 2 week period.

Vaccinations and de-wormings are very important during this time. It is also recommended that the new puppy be isolated form other animals in the house during this time, or at minimum make certain that your other animals are well vaccinated before bringing the rescue home.

If you decide to go with a breeder to find a puppy, its often helpful to contact local dog clubs or animal hospitals to find reputable breeders. Steer clear of puppy factories. Look for a breeder to buy a puppy from that raises puppies for a purpose and not simply for money.

Search for a breeder that has screened for common problems in their breed and is focused on minimizing health problems. Example: OFA screening to reduce hip problems, thyroid testing, eye testing, etc. Ask for a written a health guarantee.

In your quest to find a puppy you should be concerned that the breeder is someone who is dedicated to the improvement and well being of the breed and not just producing dogs for profit or traveling to sell pet shop or puppy mill puppies. Ask for references. It is always nice to see the Sire and Dam, but if you cannot; be vigilant in your questioning.

Some breeders choose to be a member of the AKC parent club of the breed to which they are involved. You should understand that individual clubs don’t guarantee puppies or ensure that individuals are honest and surprisingly, neither does the AKC. You should depend on a breeder based solely on their club affiliations Be responsible – Ask questions and get to know what is important to that individual breeder. On the flip side, you should expect a concerned breeder to ask about you, your lifestyle and what type of home you will give to one of their puppies.

Never get a dog from a pet store. The animals from a pet store might seem to be well cared for and the store’s staff may talk about the health and quality of their inventory, but often the truth is usually something entirely different. In reality, The only source of puppies for nearly all pet stores is from puppy mills. No reputable breeder would allow his or her dog to be displayed and sold in such a manner, so what sort of breeder do you think places puppies in this way?

The top three places to find a puppy are: From somebody you know and trust.

From a breeder, or from Rescue organizations. Just remember the foregoing suggestions, and you’ll likely end up with an animal that will likely become a wonderful member of the family for years to come.

Carl Miller is a Long time breeder, Dog handler, Dog trainer and author, and is generally a “not for profit” dog lover. The author spends much of his time assisting others with canine problems such as finding good breeders, training puppies and raising awareness about breeding for proper health and temperament in dogs in general. He has a website to help assist those who want to find a puppy at http://www.greatpuppydogs.com.

Author: Carl Miller | Source: ezinearticles.com