Puppy Selection: What You Should Know Before Buying a Puppy
By Sandy Wall
Bringing a puppy into your home can be an extremely rewarding experience, but
is something that should not be done on the spur of the moment. Choosing the
appropriate puppy will best be accomplished by taking your time to research your
breed of interest, as well as the breeder or individual of whom you are
considering a purchase. Before making a decision, be certain that you are
committed to the lifetime care and ownership of the puppy.
During the
research phase, some of your questions can be answered as you consult with other
owners of your breed of choice. Their experience and knowledge of the breed will
help you in making a more informed decision. Most dog breeds were developed for
specific functions, and as a result, have their own defining characteristics.
Consider a breed’s personality and traits, level of activity, and space
requirements in determining how easily (or difficult) it will be for them to
adapt to your environment and lifestyle.
Once you have made a decision on
your breed choice, you should begin looking for a responsible breeder. Since
they can be found in both small and large kennel settings, you should look for
someone who consistently produces healthy dogs. One way to find out more about a
breeder is by asking for references from their customers. Most individuals are
happy to share their positive or negative experiences concerning the selection
and purchase of their canine, especially with someone of like interest. Another
source of reference would be the breeder’s veterinarian. They might be able to
offer some good information about the history and practices of the breeder.
Remember, a responsible breeder is someone who cares about each of their puppies
(even after they are placed into new homes) and should be willing to offer
advice and support throughout the lifetime of the dog.
Another important
factor to evaluate is the breeder’s kennel (or home if that’s where the puppies
are kept). If the environment is not clean, go no further. Also, human contact
is very important in the first few weeks of a puppy’s life, as it establishes
the human-to-puppy bond. Find out if the puppies have had some contact and
interaction with people. When examining the puppy(ies), check to see if they are
healthy looking and energetic, or shy and afraid. Look for any sign of discharge
coming from the puppy(ies) nose or eyes. Make sure that they are up-to-date on
all vaccinations and have been de-wormed.
If possible, ask to look at
the parent dogs as well, making sure they appear healthy, move freely, and have
sound temperaments. Sometimes, in the interest of producing an exceptional
litter of puppies, a breeder will go outside of his own kennel in search of a
suitable stud. If that’s the case, you might want to request pictures of the
male and obtain the owner’s contact information for future reference or
questions.
Consider your comfort level with the breeder as you
communicate with them. You should be able to express your thoughts and ask
questions easily. And they should be able to answer all questions, including
those related to training, grooming, and general health care.
A good
breeder will be just as curious about you as you are of them, asking questions
about your interests as a prospective owner of one of their puppies. Find out if
they are active in a breed club or if they participate in dog shows or any type
of canine sporting events. If so, it would be a good indication that they are
keeping up with changing views on health concerns and staying informed about
their specific breeds.
Last, but not least, a good breeder should provide
you with all of the appropriate documentation, including a contract,
registration application, veterinary health certificate, and a health
guarantee.
Choosing the right breed of dog and finding a good, reputable
breeder may seem like a lot of unnecessary work, but if you take the time to
make cautious, informed choices before you purchase a puppy, you will have a
more satisfying experience in your search for a new canine companion.