Things to consider when searching for your new puppy
Being a conscientious breeder means breeding to continually improve quality of the breed, not for financial gain. The study of genetics is very important in the selection of dogs to breed. Knowing the backgrounds of the bloodlines in your dogs pedigree is essential in order to do as much as possible to prevent genetic disorders. Keep this in mind when acquiring a puppy. Only a healthy companion full of vitality can give you many years of shared happiness.
Pet Stores and Puppy Mills: Please never get a puppy from places such as a pet store, puppy mill or backyard breeder. A puppy mill is where dogs are bred only for financial gain, without concern for their health and the conditions in which they are raised. The genetic health and temperament do not matter, as long as the pups can be sold for cash.
If you buy from a pet store, you are only getting a puppy, secondhand, from a puppy mill. In most cases, a broker for an out-of-state puppy mill sends the pups to the pet store. These brokers acquire the pups long before they should be taken from their mothers. Normally, no vaccinations are given and these animals are prime candidates for serious canine diseases, such as parvo and distemper. Well-intentioned people may sometimes buy from puppy mills or pet stores because they feel sorry for the puppy or as an impulse buy. Please don't. All this purchase does is allow these terrible practices and unhealthy environments to continue, and it contributes to the profit these unscrupulous people make from mistreating dogs.
Backyard Breeders: You may or may not pay a cheaper price for a pup from a backyard breeder, but you will not have solid information about the health and temperament. In most cases, these people do not know anything about the genetics of their breeding pair or how to produce a healthy puppy. They just decided to let their dog have a litter of pups for fun and/or money. The cheaper price is not worth the gamble you are being asked to take.
Responsible Breeders: A puppy from an ethical, reputable breeder will normally cost more. However, your are not just paying for a puppy: you are paying for years of accumulated information, education and experience. The reputable breeder has put time, knowledge and dollars into a well-planned, thoroughly researched breeding program. They are looking at the latest scientific data in an effort to produce the healthiest, happiest puppy possible, in order to offer you more years of loving companionship. The reputable breeder is lucky to break even in the expenses put into planned litters, health care, genetic testing, supplements, & nutrition.
Responsible breeders will want to know about you and your family in order to match you with the pup that is best suited to your lifestyle and your home environment. These breeders are educated professionals who are concerned about keeping the breed as healthy as possible for the next generations. With a deep love of the breed in general, and their dogs in particular, they will offer references, including giving you their vet's name and phone number. In addition, they will be there for you should any unforeseen problems arise or to answer questions, share new knowledge and provide advice for years to come.
You get what you pay for. When the purchase price is too cheap, it may mean large vet bills and an ill puppy, or a temperament problem, down the road ahead. If you cannot afford to purchase a puppy or an older dog from a reputable breeder, please adopt from your local Humane Society, rather than from a puppy mill, pet store or backyard breeder.
Pet Stores and Puppy Mills: Please never get a puppy from places such as a pet store, puppy mill or backyard breeder. A puppy mill is where dogs are bred only for financial gain, without concern for their health and the conditions in which they are raised. The genetic health and temperament do not matter, as long as the pups can be sold for cash.
If you buy from a pet store, you are only getting a puppy, secondhand, from a puppy mill. In most cases, a broker for an out-of-state puppy mill sends the pups to the pet store. These brokers acquire the pups long before they should be taken from their mothers. Normally, no vaccinations are given and these animals are prime candidates for serious canine diseases, such as parvo and distemper. Well-intentioned people may sometimes buy from puppy mills or pet stores because they feel sorry for the puppy or as an impulse buy. Please don't. All this purchase does is allow these terrible practices and unhealthy environments to continue, and it contributes to the profit these unscrupulous people make from mistreating dogs.
Backyard Breeders: You may or may not pay a cheaper price for a pup from a backyard breeder, but you will not have solid information about the health and temperament. In most cases, these people do not know anything about the genetics of their breeding pair or how to produce a healthy puppy. They just decided to let their dog have a litter of pups for fun and/or money. The cheaper price is not worth the gamble you are being asked to take.
Responsible Breeders: A puppy from an ethical, reputable breeder will normally cost more. However, your are not just paying for a puppy: you are paying for years of accumulated information, education and experience. The reputable breeder has put time, knowledge and dollars into a well-planned, thoroughly researched breeding program. They are looking at the latest scientific data in an effort to produce the healthiest, happiest puppy possible, in order to offer you more years of loving companionship. The reputable breeder is lucky to break even in the expenses put into planned litters, health care, genetic testing, supplements, & nutrition.
Responsible breeders will want to know about you and your family in order to match you with the pup that is best suited to your lifestyle and your home environment. These breeders are educated professionals who are concerned about keeping the breed as healthy as possible for the next generations. With a deep love of the breed in general, and their dogs in particular, they will offer references, including giving you their vet's name and phone number. In addition, they will be there for you should any unforeseen problems arise or to answer questions, share new knowledge and provide advice for years to come.
You get what you pay for. When the purchase price is too cheap, it may mean large vet bills and an ill puppy, or a temperament problem, down the road ahead. If you cannot afford to purchase a puppy or an older dog from a reputable breeder, please adopt from your local Humane Society, rather than from a puppy mill, pet store or backyard breeder.