One more place you can look for your next dog or puppy is directly from the people that breed the dogs. In this article we look at both backyard and professional breeders.
Newspaper Ads / Backyard Breeders: Local newspaper ads can sometimes be a good place to find a nice pet. The advantage here: local people that occasionally breed their own personal dogs place most of these ads. When you visit these puppies you are usually able to see the parents along with the puppies. In this situation you are able to observe the temperament of the father and the mother. You are also able to observe the puppies in relationship to the rest of the litter. Is the puppy you're considering shy and reserved or bold and rambunctious? Look closely; chances are his personality as a puppy will be his personality as an adult. Again, health is an important consideration here as well. Both of the puppy's parents should be in good health and both should have had their hips and their eyes cleared for genetic defects.
If these conditions are met, you've greatly enhanced your odds of having a well-adjusted, healthy pet. If you end up with a screwed up schizophrenic dog, you can rest assured it is your fault not the breeders.
Professional Breeders: These are people that have devoted a big part of their lives to a specific breed of dog. They all believe their breed of dog is the absolute best. They are located all over the country and generally have multiple litters of puppies available throughout the year. Let me caution you, these people are serious about their dogs and like most dog people (me included), they are all just a little bit crazy. They invest a great deal of their time and money in trying to breed the healthiest dogs they possibly can. When you call to inquire about buying one of their puppies you are likely to be grilled like you're interviewing for a job with Homeland Security. There is also a good chance they will make you sign a contract agreeing not to breed the dog you're getting, unless they say its OK. By the time you're done talking to them, you'll be asking yourself why you don't just go to the pet store. Hang it there and don't give up. When you buy from a reputable breeder, they stand behind the dogs they sell. They will take the dog back if it doesn't work out or a serious health issue arises. In my experience, professional breeders really do care about their animals and they want the best for them. This is not an emotional way to buy a dog. The breeders won't allow it. Like it or not, they will make damn sure you know every possible thing about that breed before any cash trades hands.
One word of caution here, not every dog produced by a breeder is perfect. Be somewhat leery if the breeder says something like, "I have one puppy left, but I'm thinking about keeping it for myself." Or, "I just had one puppy returned by someone who changed their mind." Two questions that would pop into my head are, "Why is this puppy the last one? And "Why was this puppy really returned." If the breeder can't give you a comforting answer, seriously think about continuing your search. Searching for the perfect dog only takes a finite period of time. Living with an unstable crazed animal can last considerably longer.
To find reputable breeders, pick up a copy of Dog World or Dog Fancy magazine and look in the breeder's section. You can also check online with the specific breed national associations. Many of these sites have lists of their breeders. Pick up the phone and talk to as many breeders as you can. The bad news with going the professional breeder route... Don't expect to be a guest on Oprah any time soon.
There are many different avenues to explore when looking to acquire a new dog. Unfortunately there is no "best" way to go about it. I encourage clients to approach getting a new pet with a ton of questions. When all your questions are answered, you're ready to start cleaning up a new puppy's mess. Congratulations.
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