Looking for that Special Puppy?

How to Find That Special Puppy
by Letha Gast

The first decision you have to make is; Do you really have to have a pure bred? You might want to make a trip out to the Humane Society to see if a mixed breed is really what you are looking for. There are advantages and disadvantages to adopting a mixed breed and the Humane Society will do it’s best to help you if you decide to adopt one of their dogs. If you decide you want a pure bred it’s on to step 2.

RESEARCH, Research, research! Buying a pure bred puppy is like any other purchase. The more you know about what you are buying the better off you are going to be. A good place to start is your local library and the AKC publication entitled "The Complete Dog Book". This book contains the descriptions for every breed of dog that the AKC recognizes. It not only gives a complete physical description of the dog, it also gets into a bit of the history behind each breed and gives a bit of a personality profile. Once you have picked perhaps 3 or 4 breeds that would suit you and your family, you will want to get more detailed books on each breed and do more reading on each of them. Any reputable breeder can suggest a good book for you to read and each breeder has their favorite or you may wish to get in touch with a breed club for more information. The Breeder Referral has a complete list of both national and local breed clubs for every AKC recognized breed.

Now is the time to locate a breeder. You can get a list of local breeders from the national or local breed clubs. You can get names and phone numbers of reputable breeders from the Breeder Referral Service. You can also find breeders from publications like the AKC Gazette, Dog World, Dog Fancy, etc., or perhaps the News Gazette classifieds section, but these breeders are people you will have to check out for yourself. You don’t want to be in a hurry. It is not unusual to be put on a waiting list to get a worthwhile puppy. But how can you tell if you are dealing with a reputable breeder?

	Don’t buy from anyone you don’t trust or are uncomfortable with. No matter how much you want to rescue that cute little pup you are only encouraging that breeder to produce more.
	Does that breeder seem to know his breed? (Here is where your research is invaluable.) Do you know more about this breed than the breeder does? Does he breed his dogs with that AKC standard in mind? That AKC standard is the "blueprint" for that breed. Suppose you always wanted a house with a front porch. You picked out a builder and gave him a blueprint of exactly what you wanted. When you come to see your house the porch is on the back. When you question the builder he tells you that he didn’t like the way it was on the blueprint so he built the house "His Way!". Are you going to be very happy with that builder or that house?
	Is that breeder concerned about you and your family? The more questions a breeder asks you the better off you are. It shows how proud he is of his pups and how dedicated he is to find good homes for them. "The best for the best!"
	Does he guarantee his puppies? Is it just for health or for other problems also? Is he aware of the genetic problems in his breed (every breed has them) and is he screening his dogs for those problems? Are you buying a "pet" or a "show". If you are buying a "pet", why is it a "pet"? If you are buying a "show" is it guaranteed to show, to point, to finish? If you are unable to keep the dog will the breeder take it back? Just look at the adds in the newspaper. Everyday you will usually see at least one add that reads "Moving", "Child Allergic", or "Needs room to run". If he does have a guarantee, is it written and is the breeder willing to sign it. Remember, unless you bring a witness along with you, it’s your word against the breeder.
	Can the breeder provide you with references? Will he tell you who his Veterinarian is. (The Veterinary office can provide you with health history on his dogs.) A breeder who has only had one litter of five puppies but is willing to provide you with four names and phone numbers is better than a breeder who has ten litters of five puppies and will only give you ten names and phone numbers.
	Do you like the adult dogs that the breeder has? Pay particular attention to the mother dog. She is the one who has been raising those pups and a lot of her personality will be reflected in her offspring. Is she noisy? Is she hyper? Is she aggressive? Her puppies will most likely be that way too when they grow up.

Remember! Don’t be in a hurry to get a pup. If this is to be a present for someone and you haven’t found a suitable pup by the time that important date arrives buy a collar and leash or a brush and some food bowls or a book on the breed you intend to purchase. Add a note that reads "I care enough to spend the time necessary to find you that ‘Perfect Puppy’. That pup hasn’t been born yet or perhaps that pup isn’t old enough yet but you will get it just as soon as it is possible."

Finally and most importantly! A good breeder should be willing do discuss the bad aspects of his breed along with their good aspects. There is no perfect breed of dog or everyone would have it. You have to accept the bad along with the good and live with it and it sure helps to have a person on hand who will talk to you when you have further questions pop up as that pup matures. A good breeder will welcome your call and will be happy to talk to you.

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How to Find That Special Puppy by Letha Gast

How to Find That Special Puppy
by Letha Gast