Dogs4Ever.info

If you’re in the market for a purebred dog, you’ll need to find a breeder. This can often be as easy as opening the classified advertising section of your local newspaper, but you’ll want to be sure that the breeder you’ve chosen is reputable. There are several ways to help ensure that the breeder you’ve found is reliable, professional, and trustworthy.

Ask for References

Any good breeder will be able to provide you references of clients he has worked with in the past. These will be people who have purchased a puppy or utilized stud services and will be happy to share their experiences with you. Choosing a breeder that was used by someone you know is a good choice as well. If your friend or family member was happy with the service and treatment he or she received from the breeder, the odds are good that you will be as well.

Prepare to be Asked Questions

A good breeder will have as many questions for you as you have for him, perhaps more. Good breeders work to ensure that the dogs they breed are placed with the correct people. They may ask whether you have children, what size home or yard you have, and numerous other questions to help them let you know whether the dog you’re seeking is right for you and your family. A breeder that doesn’t ask these types of questions may be looking just for the money from the sale of the dog and is probably not the sort of breeder you want to do business with. A good breeder always has the best interest of both the dog and the clients in mind.

Guarantees

A good breeder will have had the puppies checked for potential health risks before ever selling the animal. Some problems, however, simply are not detectable until later in life. If you purchase a golden retriever pup, for example, and six months later discover that it has hip dysplasia (a genetic defect in the animals hip joints, it is often nearly undetectable until the animal is several months old), a good breeder will issue a refund to you, no questions asked. Genetic defects like this are avoided by the use of selective breeding (hip dysplasia in dogs has between a 25% and 85% chance that it is genetic in origin), but sometimes a pup will display the disorder even if there is no trace of it in either parent’s history.

Other Sources

Aside from looking in the newspaper or on the internet for a dog breeder, breeders can be found through veterinarian’s offices, pet supply stores, and at dog shows. Dog shows are a very good choice since the breeders that attend these events are often showing one of their dogs or are there to see the performance of one that they bred and sold in the past.

They look so cute and cuddly, but before you commit yourself to getting a new puppy, do give some thought to the following:

Cost – apart from the obvious cost of buying the puppy and the accessories needed, also bear in mind the ongoing costs. There is the cost of the food, and if you get a big dog with a big appetite this can be significant. Vets bill are another consideration. You can help control the vets bills by getting insurance, but again this is another cost which will needs to be factored in, as well as vaccinations. Also consider what you will do with your new dog when you go on holiday, if you are considering using boarding kennels this can work out quite expensive.

Space – dogs need room to move, and as you would expect a big dog needs more space. Do find out how big your new puppy will grow to, and ensure you can accommodate him. Will he be able to move around your house easily, and how large is your garden? Don’t forget also, if you are going to let your dog out in to the garden, make sure it is secure, you don’t want your dog to disappear off down the road!

Company – dogs are pack animals by instinct and are unhappy when left on their own. Now you can get two puppies or more, so they are company for each other, if you are not going to be at home a good amount of time. However, especially when puppies are young they need people around to spend time with them. Be prepared to spend time each day on exercising, training and grooming your new puppy. It will grow up to regard you as it’s pack leader and will expect to take part in family life.

Stability – many dogs, and especially puppies, will suffer stress if there isn’t stability in their home. For instance, a new baby, a new partner, and even a new house can all cause stress to your dog. If you are expecting any of these to happen, it is best to delay buying a puppy until you have settled down again.

Mess – unfortunately small puppies can mess up your house. Not only do new puppies have accidents, just like babies do, they may also damage your furniture and furnishings. Ask yourself if you are prepared to live with the stains and smells that inevitably accompany new puppies!