| > | | | | provide you with any documentation or registration |
| What to look for when buying a puppy | | | | papers for either the litter or the parents, be |
| New dog owners should always make sure that their | | | | extremely wary. |
| pup comes from a responsible breeder. This is really | | | | 3. The breeder does not seem too concerned with |
| is the only way to ensure that the animal will be free | | | | the health of his or her animals. |
| of any medical or behavioral problems. | | | | Any potential buyer of a purebred puppy should be |
| If a breeder you speak with displays any of the | | | | able to see the facility in which the animal was bred. |
| following 5 traits, he or she probably isnt breeding | | | | Do the puppies and other dogs there look healthy? If |
| healthy puppies in accordance with standards that | | | | not, then the breeder may not be keeping an |
| have been set for the breed. | | | | appropriate standard of care. |
| 1. The breeder is willing to sell you any puppy you | | | | This could affect the future health of the puppy in |
| want, no questions asked. | | | | which you’re interested. The breeder should |
| All reputable dog breeders care about what happens | | | | also have a record of the puppys health care, from |
| to each and every puppy they breed, even after it | | | | birth to the present, and should be happy to provide |
| leaves their care. A good breeder will ask you many, | | | | you with copies. He or she should also guarantee that |
| many questions about your lifestyle, experience with | | | | the puppy is free from any genetic disorders. |
| the breed, house and property size, show or | | | | 4. The breeder won't allow you to see the breeding |
| breeding experience, and other aspect of your life | | | | area. |
| that may affect the puppys future. | | | | Any reputable breeder will be happy to give you a |
| If your answers to these questions are not | | | | tour of their facility. If the breeder youve chosen is |
| satisfactory, then the breeder probably wont sell | | | | not willing to let you see where your potential puppy |
| the puppy to you. A good breeder will also require | | | | comes from, the breeder may be running a puppy |
| that you sign a contract in which you agree to: | | | | mill. |
| Have the puppy fixed if you’re not going to | | | | Puppy mills are facilities that breed puppies only for |
| breed it; | | | | profit, not for the benefit or love of the breed. |
| Notify the breeder if the dog develops any diseases | | | | Often, multiple dogs are crammed into one cage, the |
| or medical conditions; | | | | living conditions are filthy and the dogs there do not |
| Notify the breeder first if you are no longer able to | | | | receive the proper nutrition or medical care. |
| care for your dog; and, do anything else the breeder | | | | If the puppy you want comes from such a facility, it |
| feels is important for the health and well-being of the | | | | will most likely have serious medical and behavioral |
| puppy and the breed. | | | | issues related to its stay there. |
| If your breeder doesnt seem to care about the | | | | 5. The breeder engages in questionable business |
| puppys future and only seems interested in | | | | practices. |
| payment, go to another breeder. | | | | If the asking price for your purebred puppy is |
| 2. The breeder seems reluctant to answer questions | | | | significantly lower than other prices youve seen |
| about the puppys pedigree. | | | | advertised for the same breed, there may be |
| A reputable breeder knows all about the pedigrees of | | | | something wrong with the dog. |
| the puppies he or she sells. He or she knows who | | | | Perhaps it comes from a puppy mill or has some |
| the parents were and can provide you with each | | | | serious medical issues. If the breeder also sells to pet |
| puppys lineage, going back several generations. You | | | | stores, you can be pretty sure that he or she is |
| will also want to register your purebred puppy with | | | | operating a puppy mill. Reputable breeders usually |
| the American Kennel Club (AKC). | | | | concentrate on one or two breeds. |
| The breeder is supposed to supply you with an | | | | If the breeder advertises that he or she has many |
| registration application with his or her portion already | | | | different breeds for sale, then this is another |
| filled out. After you fill out and submit your part of | | | | indication that he or she may be breeding animals |
| the application, youll receive a registration | | | | indiscriminately, without much concern for set breed |
| certificate. If the breeder you are dealing with cannot | | | | standards. |