Buying a New Puppy

Are you interested in perhaps buying a new puppy? If you are then you should realize that your cute tiny puppy will eventually grow up. Are you prepared to take care of a dog for 10-15 years? Can you afford to take your dog to the Veterinarian regularly? Are you willing to take the responsibility of being a responsible owner? If so, then here are some helpful tips...

Choosing your puppy: There are so many dogs from which to choose!!! There are big dogs, small dogs, heavy coated dogs and some with little coat. You should read up on any dog that appears to be something you'd like before you go out and take the plunge. What at first may seem like just the perfect dog for you on further research may not. Check out my links to the American Kennel Club registered Dog Breeds for a little help. Also the AKC web page is a wonderful place to start your research.

Where to Buy: I recommend buying from a responsible and respected breeder. It is very important that you can count on the person that you buy from. Click here to learn more about puppy mills and other types of dog sellers. The most important thing is to know that your dog is healthy with a good disposition. Don't take the chance of buying from someone who is only out to make a profit. You will definitely suffer in the long run. You'll see a lot of dogs listed in the paper as AKC registered. This in itself means little and you should not believe that this is a quality dog without the proof to go with it. Always inspect the dog if you can. Please go to the link above to learn more. I think that it is very important information. The link goes to the Border Collie Club of America and you'll have to hit your back button to come back here.

Visit A Breeder: Once you've got an idea of what type of dog you think is right for you, visit a breeder in your area. They will be able to give you a tour of their facility and should be willing to tell you all about their dogs. Be suspicious of any breeder who is unwilling to let you tour their kennel. When you do visit, make sure that the kennels are clean and that the dogs are healthy. I recommend going to an All-Breed dog show in your area to meet some breeders and also to see just what a good example of your chosen breed looks like.. Even better, go to a Specialty Show, one that is only showing your breed to see excellent examples... For the most part in my experience, people at dog shows are very pleasant and willing to talk about their dogs. Just use common sense and try not to bother them just before they go in the ring if they are showing their dog. Understandably, most are quite nervous just before entering the ring!!

Think About Rescue: Every breed has an organization dedicated to the rescue and placement of dogs. I urge you to check into this. You would be doing everyone a great service if you could adopt one of these. Once again, the AKC web page is a wonderful place to start for more information. Also, on my Dog Breeds page each link generally leads to a rescue link within that specific site.