So you have made the first step and you are looking around for your new puppy. Before getting a new pup please ask yourself some questions like:
Why do I want a puppy?
Do I have the time to look after and train a puppy?
Have you thought about and considered getting a dog for a while or do you only want a pup because your neighbor next door got one or because you saw a cute dog in the pet store?
Are you aware that dogs are like kids, they take dedications, love and require patience to train and to teach right from wrong, will you have the time to do this?
Will you be commited to this dog for the next 15+ years?
I'm ready for a pup! How do I find a new puppy and where should I start looking?
If you are certain you are ready for a dog now you need to know where to start and what to look for. You should NEVER buy a dog from a pet store or back yard breeder. There are many benefits to buying your pup from a full time breeder who specializes in a certain breed or breeds because they are aware of all the issues that surround this breed. They can recommned certain pups based on what you are looking for and let you know if this is the right breed for you.
Most quality breeders will give you life time support throughout your puppies life so any advise you need your breeder should be there for you. Remember when you buy your puppy from a breeder you are not only buying a pup you are also purchasing your breeders, advice, help and support throughout your dogs life and this can come in handy for many people who need some advise or help with their pups/dogs. Many breeders have many years of experience in canine nutrition, animal handling and behaviour and can help you out in many catagories when it comes to your dog. Your breeder should be a huge source of help and knowledge as they deal with many things related to canines every day! This is why it is so important to go with a full time breeder who has a lot of experience.
Now that you've decided to go with a breeder how do you choose a good one from a bad one?
When looking for a good breeder your breeder should:
#1 Perform all nessary health testing on the parents before breeding them. By doing this it helps to insure you are getting a healthy pup whose parents do not have congenital diseases that they could pass on to your new pup. In my opinion breeders who don't preform nessary health testing don't really care about what they are breeding and in the end don't care about providing their clients with the best puppy they can! The only reason I can think of why a breeder would not perform congenital testing is because they are scared the parents will not pass and in the end do you really want a dog from these people. At swissridge kennels I'm very up front about all the testing I preform and all my dogs certificates are listed on my site. Each breed will require different health tests to be performed. Hips, elbows and eyes should be mandatory for retrievers and we have started to perform heart testing on all out new dogs. Thyroid testing is also a good thing to do but not nesscary. Poodles should have their eyes, hips, elbows, sabacious adenitis and thyroid checked.
#2 Breeders should be temperament testing puppies and helping you pick a good pup that suits your lifestyle and family needs.
#3 Breeders should also be preforming temperament testing on the parents and making sure they are only breeding the best tempered dogs (not aggressive or shy) or these dogs will pass these traits onto their pups.
#4 Breeders should research lines throughly before breeding any dog. A dog that has a friendly nature or is free of hip dysplasia doesn't mean it can't carry the genes for these traits. This is why it's important for breeders to know the lines inside and out and know if the grand parents and great grandparents have been health tested and what there temperaments are like as well!
#4 Breeders should be supportive and willing to answer questions you have and provide ongoing support even after your pup goes home. Please also understand that most breeders are very busy so it may take them 1-2 days to get back to you but a good breeder will always get back to you and be as helpful as possible.
#5 Responsible breeders are very concerned about there dogs and pups. Their # one goal should be the health and well being of their dogs so don't be surprised if these breeders don't allow random visitors to there kennel/home. Most breeders will only allow you to see the pups after they've been vacinated or at the day of pick up. At that time you should be able to view parents and see the conditions of the properaty.
#6 Responsible breeders will provide you with many references
Look at all these things when trying to find a breeder but most of all you have to feel confident and have a good feeling about the person you are buying your pup from. Always go with your gut instinct because it's always right!
I've found a great breeder now what?
Most breeders will require you to fill out an application form and once approved you will need to send a deposit since most of the time there is a wait for puppies from a good breeder but remember it's better to wait then get a pup sooner and then be left high and dry by a backyard breeder or a pet store if your pup comes down with all kinds of health or other problems!
Now that you've found your breeder and have ordered your pup you are well on your way to having a great new family member. Please go back to my information page and start the next steps about how to prepare for your new bundle of joy!
