“Congratulations on starting the puppy and dog search!”
Hmm, so many breeders on the internet.
Where to find your future dog, and also how to avoid scams and puppy mills.
Find the right breed
It can be difficult to decide what breed you want for the next part of your journey! In order to have a healthy relationship with your dog, and your dog with your family, think about the items below!
What type of living arrangement do you have? — Small apartment, or house with a lot of land? It makes a world of a difference to certain breeds for their health.
What type of lifestyle do you have? — Incredibly active, occasional trail walker, or homebody. Not all breeds will be happy as indoor dogs, and not all dogs will survive 9 mile hikes.
Are you or family members allergic to dogs? — No problem! So many hypoallergenic dogs in the world (anything mixed with a poodle, maltese, basenji, bichon frise, and more!!!) However, if you are highly allergic, the pup may still have dander, but it is something to look into!
Where to find a breeder
Word of mouth: Ask your friends and family if they know of any breeders, or the owners when you see a breed you love
Social Media: Facebook and Instagram are great places to start if you know what breed you want
Online: There are breeders with websites if you search for the breed, or you can go to puppy/dog sites like www.puppyfind.com. However, you should always verify the breeder, and avoid scams (see section below on how to avoid scammers!)
Ask the breeder questions!
Don’t be shy - the breeder should expect questions from the new pawrents!
Here are some things to ask:
Do you provide a health guarantee and a contract?
Always read everything in a contract. Some breeders require proof of evidence to be neutered or spayed at a later to ensure you do not continue breeding from their lineage, while others may want a cut of the profits you make from breeding!
How do you socialize the puppies?
Some families have kids or other animals. Some breeders also start introducing their pups to bath time, blow dryers, nail clipping, and vacuum cleaners. Surprisingly, this can make a difference!
Will the puppies come with vaccinations and deworming?
It is important to know which vaccinations your pup will get, and when they got them.
How big are the puppy parents and grandparents? And were health tests performed?
The pup’s parents might be small, but the grandparents are not! Brioche’s mom was 12 pounds and dad was 9 pounds, and he is nearing 18 pounds and not done growing!
Am I allowed to visit the puppy before picking up? If so, when?
It is best if you can have at least 1 visit to check out the puppy and the home it is raised in, just so you know you are happy with your choice of breeder, and to visually see the puppies are being cared for.
Will I be allowed to choose the puppy, or will you (the breeder) match me with a puppy based on personality and lifestyle?
If I get to choose my puppy, when do I need to decide which puppy is mine? — this ranges between 2 and 8 weeks! Keep in mind, eyes open around 2 weeks and personalities are more evident around 7 weeks!
Will we be receiving periodic photos and videos of the puppies?
If you care about seeing photos and the growth of your new pup, definitely ask this! Some breeders are very active on social media, while others are not. No issue either way, but align your expectations.
What do I get when we take the puppy home?
Some breeders give a small bag of food, a toy/blanket that smells like its parents, and maybe a pee pad if you’re driving. If this is not given, then you should be prepared to have these ready when you pick up your pup!
Avoid Scams
Unfortunately, there are a ton of scammers, and we really hope you are not a victim of it. Please be cautious prior to sending any money, and sometimes, you have to trust your gut if something smells fishy!
Do:
Search for local breeders - this allows for visiting the puppies to be easier
Ask to video chat the breeder to verify they have puppies
Ask for references of previous buyers
Research online (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Yelp)
Don’t:
Wire funds to a breeder via Moneygram or Western Union (or execute EXTREME caution)
Share personal financial information (social security, bank account information, etc.)
Avoid puppy mills!
According to the ASPCA, a puppy mill is a “large-scale commercial dog breeding operation where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs.” Puppies born in a puppy mill are often sold at as young as 8 weeks old, to brokers and/or retailers who then sell the puppies to the consumer.
Why?
Dogs are bred purely for profit and usually left in cages without protection from wind, heat, rain, etc.
Dogs are kept in cruel conditions (e.g. moms have very short recovery times between each litter, and are often killed after they are no longer able to reproduce)
Dogs receive little or no veterinary care