Congratulations! You've decided to be dogless no more!! Or maybe you're just considering it. If you're still on the fence about it, here are some things to chew on while you're thinking it over:

• You have time for a dog in your life - Several walks a day, playtime, feedings, vet trips, grooming, training, etc.

• You are ready for the financial responsibilities - food, vet bills, toys, etc]

• You and everyone in your household wants a dog

• You live somewhere that allows dogs, and if you move, finding a place that allows dogs is high on your list of priorities

• You know that, if all goes well, your dog can be with you for over a decade. Maybe even closer to two!

• You are ready to do or have already done some homework on the subject [Dog books can be super helpful in understanding your new k9 companion.]

What Breed?

Is the puppy going to be around children? How active are you? Do you live in an apartment, or a house? Does it have a yard? Do you have other pets? Do you want a lap dog, show dog, protection dog, or a dog you can do agility and flyball with? [Any dog is going to be your companion first and foremost.] Even your personality is a factor when considering what breed fits you best.

There are hundreds of dog breeds to chose from. Finding the best breed for you will save a lot of trouble in the long run. A good place to start is your local library. Get yourself one of those 'Choosing the Right Breed for you' books for a sampling of what's available. There are lots of informative sites as well. Dog Breed Info.com gives a good description of nearly every breed in existence.

Once you've narrowed it down, you should get your hands on some breed specific books for a more in depth look at your top choices. You can also join email groups and talk to people online who already own the breed(s) you may be interested in: Yahoogroups.com


Where to look?

A poodle is a poodle is a poodle, right? WRONG! There are healthy, structurely correct, true to the breed standard, personality plus poodles out there...and then there are sickly, timid, short lived, poorly bred ones.

The fact that a dog is of a certain breed does not mean that it will look or, more importantly, act like a good example of that breed should. The qualities you admire in any given breed, say, the protective instinct of a Doberman, are only there if selectively bred for.


Pet Shops

Big prices don't mean big quality. Ever wonder where, exactly, those impossible to resist puppies come from? Ask the pet shop workers and they'll swear the pups come from 'wonderful local breeders.' They may even believe it themselves. But the truth is that these pups start their lives out in puppy mills: places in which dogs exist for the sole purpose of reproducing.

Puppy millers are breeders, complete with papers and a kennel name...but wonderful they are not. Dogs there are not tested in any way for health or quality before breeding. The only requisite is that they are physically capable of reproducing. These animals spend their lives in cages with little to no human contact and have litter after litter until they die. Usually several breeds (whatever's in demand) are massed produced and often times under deplorable conditions. Pups are prematurely taken from they're mother for maximum 'cute tiny fluffy puppy' time when they reach the pet shop. The millers sell the pups to brokers for a nominal fee, the broker then sells to pet shops for a couple of hundred more. By the time the pet shop sells the pup, the price is hiked to $1,000+. Big prices just mean big profits.

Purchasing these puppies supports the industry and makes it profitable for these companies to continue pumping out pups. Check out the links below for the nitty gritty on the puppy mill - broker - pet shop connection. Do a general search on 'Puppy Mills' and you'll get more than you'll ever want to know on the subject.

More on Puppy Mills:
NoPuppymills.com / What is a Puppymill? / Puppy Mill Information


Breeders

If you have your heart set on a purebred puppy, a breeder is your best bet. But just like everything else in the world there are GOOD breeders and there are BAD breeders.

It is absolutely disturbing how much easier BAD ones are to find. Just turn to the classifieds section of your newspaper and you'll be bombarded with them. The best way to find a good, ethical, responsible breeder is research, research, research! Know your stuff and no one will be able to smooth talk their way into your pockets.


Signs of a responsible breeder:

• Evaluates their dogs thoroughly before deciding to breed them - Contrary to popular belief, not every dog deserves to be bred. In fact, truly breed worthy dogs are few and far between. Good breeders recognize this and put an enourmous amount of thought into (because of temperament, structure, health, quality, and so on) which dogs should be included in their breeding program.

• Screens for problems common in their breed - Nearly every breed can boast it's very own epidemic. The more popular a breed is, the more it will have. Skin problems in 'wrinkly' breeds, eye & breathing problems in 'mushed faced' breeds, joint problems in large breeds, temperament problems in all breeds...and that's just scratching the surface. Responsible breeders will do everything possible to make sure their breeding stock is free of these problems and decrease the chances of them occuring in the next generation: Your puppy.

• Will be VERY knowledgeable about their breed - Happy to share the good, the bad and the ugly. Any breeder insisting that their breed is 'perfect and/or compatible with everyone' is more interested in making a sale than the well being of their dogs.

• Will be happy to invite you over to inspect the premises, which will be clean and well kept.

• Can provide a pedigree for your pup - Don't get swayed by the word pedigree though, it's only your pups family tree, NOT an assurance of quality! Same goes for being AKC registered. You do, however, want to see a pedigree. It contains information such as awards your pups parents have received, as well as health certifications.

• Will produce a contract stating the terms of your purchase - Ethical breeders have guarantees and replace pups or offer a refund under certain circumstances.

• Will have references you can contact.

• Will be as critical of you as you are of him - Good breeders want to ensure their pups go to good homes. This is why you will never find a responsibly bred puppy in a pet shop. Breeders who sell to pet shops have no control over who ends up with their pups. Only a 'breeder' who puts no thought into breeding would put no thought into placing.

Quick Tip - Puppies can be hard to resist, decide on a breeder before a litter is born so the pups aren't around to tempt you!

The kind of breeder you DON'T want is an irresponsible/unethical breeder - commonly reffered to as BYBs or 'Backyard Breeders.' These are people whom will breed a dog, any dog, regardless of temperament, health, or conformation. This kind of careless breeding produces dogs with undesireable temperaments, poor health, major structural faults...the list goes on. Backyard breeders often know little more about their breed than the average lay person. They help promote myths and misconceptions by offering 'knowledge' (such as breed information and training techniques) to novices all too willing to listen and in turn spread the misinformation.

Backyard Breeders advertize in newspapers with ads full of catch phrases and wording like 'HUGE, Super-Bone,' 'Championship Bloodlines,' 'Teacup,' 'Rare,' etc to get your attention. So BEWARE - learn how to read between the lines.

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Poorly bred dogs CAN and usually DO come with registration papers [like AKC] & a 'flashy' pedigree. Papers are awfully easy to get. There are no tests to pass or high standards to meet. It's not just having papers that's important - it's what the papers say! Learn how to read them. Arm yourself with knowledge and no fast talking backyard breeder or pet shop employee will be able to pass trash off as gold.

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Rescue

Purebred dogs are also avaible through Pure Breed Rescue Organizations. For a fairly extensive listing of online resources: Click here.

You can also find the dog of your dreams, as well as help a pup in need, by paying a visit to your local shelter. Many of these dogs are on death row through no fault of their own, and their only ticket out is you.

Use the Box Below to Locate an Adoptee Near You!

		Animal	All Bird Cat Dog Horse Pig Rabbit Reptile Small&Furry	Breed		Zip Code

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