Puppies - Before You Buy...
Research the pros and cons of a puppy vs. a Rescued animal. If you decide that a new baby is the only way for your family - you still have more research to do! You next need to decide what BREED is best for your family. After you decide on the breed, you need to narrow down the choices for obtaining a puppy. This is where it gets tricky. Make sure you're choosing from a Responsible Breeder. Make sure you know what the necessary health test clearances are for your breed (for Sammies - OFA (hips) and CERF (eyes) are the bare minimum - elbows, thyroid and hearts are all tests that some breeders choose to do.) Do not purchase a puppy from parents who are not tested. Ask for proof of the testing and confirm it through the appropriate Registries (hyperlinked above.) If the breeder is not testing, they are most likely NOT a very knowledgeable breeder and should be avoided for fear of getting a puppy who is genetically substandard and may cause heartache either right away or a few years down the road. Pet shops are not an option, in our opinion, for obtaining a puppy. You can learn more about puppy mills at www.nopuppymills.com
Once you learn how to tell the difference between Responsible Breeders and Back Yard Breeders, it's time to start looking for that available puppy in your chosen breed. Be prepared to wait - but take advantage of that time to prepare for the new arrival. Learn about Crate Training, Positive Reinforcement, Clicker Training, Socialization and the proper Health Care needs of your baby. Volunteering for a local Rescue group will introduce you to your breed as well as people with a lot of hands-on experience and knowledge. Contacting your chosen breeds AKC Parent Club is a great place to start.
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