By: Larry A. Johnson
It's not usually a good idea to buy the first dog you see from the first breeder you visit. The expertise of dog breeders is about as varied as the breeds of dogs themselves. By following a basic plan you will be able to find a healthy, happy dog.
Before you can determine whether or not a particular dog will be of value to you there are two basic items that must be addressed. One, you must know the breed of dog you want. Are you after a German Shepherd, Bernese Mountain dog, Newfoundland, Yorkshire Terrier or other type? If it's a German Shepherd that you want you should be looking for german shepherd dog breeders. And two, you must be aware of some specific information about that breed. The information you need to be versed on includes the correct size for your dog breed, how often it needs to be brushed, how much activity or exercise it needs daily, if there are genetic diseases that are common with this type, have there been tests performed that have ruled these diseases out in this pup, and what else is required in maintaining it's health such as clipping its nails.
There is a lot of additional information that is important for you to know as well. Some dog breeders don't actually do the breeding themselves, but buy their animals from other areas. You should stick with a breeder that breeds and raises the pups on site. The reason for this is because you can better determine if this puppy was raised in a clean environment. Without examining its place of birth you have no idea what sort of environment it was raised in. Puppies can end up with mental or physical deficiencies if brought up in a cruel or unkempt environment.
Another item for concern is the age of the puppies that you are interested in. The puppies should be at least seven weeks old before they are placed. Their parents should be at least two years old before breeding and should have been tested for any possible genetic diseases.
When purchasing puppies it's important that the pups have had some interaction with other animals and children. This is to help ensure that the dogs will be friendly and sociable. It's also a good idea to get your puppy from a dog breeder that will allow you to call him later with any questions or concerns you may have about your animal.
There is a lot to know about breeding dogs and it's very hard to find a competent experienced dog breeder who raises more than 4 or 5 different breeds. If he raises 6 or 8 or more it's probably a good idea to look else ware for you puppy. Also, most experienced breeders belong to one or more breed clubs so ask them if that's true with them.
As you are concerned about the specific breeder he should also show some concern with you as well. If he asks you questions about they type of environment that you will raising the pup, your family, and your experience with animals it's usually a good sign that the animal has been raised with love. The breeder should have concern for the placement of his puppies.
Once you have made a decision to buy a specific dog there are few other items that should be addressed. A suggested diet should be provided for your animal. You should receive a registration certificate with your purchase. You should also require the seller to give you a 3-generation pedigree chart for the dog, a health record of the animal that includes dates the puppy was inoculated or received other veterinary care. Another important item is a health guarantee and you should require one. If it's later discovered that the dog suffers from a genetic disease, for example, you should have some recourse. Along these same lines you should have in writing that you are allowed, within a reasonable amount of time, to have the puppy examined by a veterinarian at your own expense. And if it is found that the dog you have purchased has any defects, as determined by the veterinarian, you can return it for a full refund.
Finding the perfect dog can be a long and tedious process, but with a little preparation, education and effort it's possible to obtain a quality animal that you will be proud to own.
