A life-changing decision
Buying a dog or a puppy is an exciting and life-changing time. To make sure the experience is as happy and trouble free as possible there are certain steps that you should take.
You need to be sure you are prepared to commit the time, money and care that is needed for owning a dog. A dog is not just a one-off expense and you need to make sure you can afford all of those other costs - such as food and Vets' fees - that will be ongoing throughout its life.
Can You Afford A Puppy?
The purchase price of your puppy is not the only cost you have to consider. Be aware that the puppy you bring home will need proper care: food, health care, (a dog needs annual shots). Your puppy will also need little things like a collar with identification, a bowl, and a leash. Evaluate your budget; ask yourself if you really can afford a dog. Dog Ownership = Responsibility.
Being a responsible owner means considering your dog's lifelong health care needs, whether for preventive care or for unexpected accidents, injuries and illnesses that could happen at any time, however well you look after your dog. It is sensible to consider planning for these.
How to find a responsible breeder?
Responsible breeders don't sell their puppies to the first person who shows up with cash in hand. Too often, unsuspecting people buy puppies from puppy mills, or sometimes neighbors who breed their dog to make a little money or simply because they have a dog "with papers." Too often, the result is puppies in poor health or with temperament problems that may not be discovered right away.
A dog who has genetic health problems due to poor breeding practices or who develops significant behavior problems due to a lack of early socialization can cost thousands of dollars to treat—and result in grief and heartache as well.
A responsible breeder:
- Allows you to visit and willingly shows you all areas where puppies and breeding dogs spend their time. Those areas are clean, spacious, and well-maintained.
- Has dogs who appear lively, clean, and healthy, and don’t shy away from visitors.
- Keeps their breeding dogs as you feel a responsible person would keep their pets: not overpopulated, crowded, dirty, or continually confined to cages.
- Keeps their dogs in roomy spaces that meet the needs of their particular breed; for example, most small breeds will be housed in the home, sporting breeds will have plenty of space for exercise, etc. (National breed clubs can provide input on the specific needs of each breed of dog).
- Breeds only one or a few types of dogs and is knowledgeable about the breeds and their special requirements.
- Doesn’t always have puppies available but may keep a list of interested people for the next available litter or refer people to other responsible breeders or breed clubs.
- Meets psychological, as well as physical, needs of their dogs by providing toys, socialization, exercise, and enrichment as befits the specific breed.
- Encourages you to spend time with the puppy’s parents—at a minimum, the pup’s mother—when you visit.
- Has a strong relationship with one or more local veterinarians and shows you individual records of veterinary visits for your puppy.
- Explains in detail the potential genetic and developmental problems inherent to the breed and provides documentation that the puppy’s parents and grandparents have been professionally evaluated in an effort to breed those problems out of their puppies. (This will include testing for genetic diseases for which there are valid testing protocols available).
- Offers guidance for the care and training of your puppy and is available for assistance after you take your puppy home.
- Provides references from other families who have previously purchased one of their puppies.
- Is often actively involved with local, state, and national clubs that specialize in the specific breed; responsible breeders may also compete with the dogs in conformation events, obedience trials, tracking and agility trials, or other performance events.
- Sells puppies only to people he/she has met in person, not to pet stores or to unknown buyers over the Internet.
- Encourages multiple visits and wants your entire family to meet the puppy.
- Provides you with a written contract and health guarantee and allows plenty of time for you to read it thoroughly.
- Doesn’t require that you use a specific veterinarian.
A responsible breeder requires you to:
- Explain why you want a dog.
- Explain who in your family will be responsible for the pup’s daily care and training; where the dog will spend most of his or her time; and what “rules” have been decided upon for the puppy—for example, whether the dog will be allowed on furniture.
- Provide proof from your landlord or condominium board (if you rent or live in a condominium complex) that you are allowed to have a dog.
- Provide a veterinary reference if you have had other pets.
- Sign a contract that you will spay or neuter the dog unless you will be actively showing him or her.
- Sign a contract stating that you will return the dog to the breeder should you be unable to keep the dog at any point in the dog’s life.
Always visit where they were born and raised
- Always personally visit a breeder's facility before buying a puppy. Find out where your puppy was born and raised. Take the time now to find the right breeder and you'll thank yourself for the rest of your dog's life.
