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So, you want to add a puppy to the family? That’s great!
Puppies are like babies, they’re sweet and cuddly and oh so much fun to watch as they learn to navigate the world. (We won’t get into the other similarities like they poop a lot and can keep you up all hours of the night!).
If you’ve decided on a purebred puppy, chances are you’re now wondering how to find the best breeder and the right dog for you.
Especially if you’ve never gone through this process before, buying a puppy can seem like a scary task. In this article, I’m going to talk about some of the mistakes to avoid when looking for a puppy, and some steps you can take to help ensure you bring home the healthiest, happiest baby possible.
Table of Contents
Should you feel guilty about buying a puppy?
Before we get into the mistakes that one can make, I first want to talk about the reasons you might be looking for a purebred puppy. And, why you shouldn’t feel guilty about that.
You may be asking – why in the world would I feel guilty about buying a puppy?
Believe it or not, not everyone is a fan of buying a puppy from a breeder. During your search, you may hear well-intentioned advice like “Adopt, Don’t Shop” or “Don’t buy when shelter pets die”.
As someone who loves animals and has spent all of my adult life as a pet parent, I get the sentiment behind those phrases. I really do.
According to the ASPCA, over 6 million animals are surrendered to shelters every year. That is just a staggering number. And heartbreaking.
Over the years, more than half of the pets I’ve had have come from a rescue or shelter. So wherever possible, I too, encourage prospective pet owners to visit their local shelters and rescues as the first step in their search.
You may not have realized it, but you can find purebred dogs in shelters and rescues every day. There are even breed specific rescues that can assist you in locating the dog of your dreams.
Sometimes, though, this just isn’t the best option.
Why adopting doesn’t always work
There are a couple of reasons that adopting a dog may not be the right choice for you:
You’ve researched the breed thoroughly and know exactly what you want
Let’s pretend that you’ve had your heart set on a French Bulldog for as long as you remember.
You’ve researched the breed and understand the exercise, grooming and food requirements this type of dog will entail. You’ve read up on any potential health risks associated with the breed and you’re willing and able to take them on if needed.
In order to ensure that the French Bulldog puppy you’re bringing into your home is exactly what you think, you’re better off buying him or her from a reputable breeder.
Wait – didn’t I just say that you can find purebreds in shelters and rescues?
You sure can. But, you may not find a puppy (or be waiting a long time) and most dogs you adopt aren’t going to come with a pedigree and AKC registration that shows their lineage.
Does this mean all breeders are 100% legitimate and you should blindly trust them? Nope, not at all. And, that’s why I’m writing this article. But, if you want to be reasonably sure about the dog you’re adopting, buying from a good breeder is your best bet.
You have allergies and need to know what you’re getting
As I mentioned, I’ve adopted several rescues over the years and loved them all dearly. Unfortunately, I also have allergies and asthma that have gotten worse as I’ve gotten older.
My top 2 triggers? Cats and dogs.
After our last rescue, a Border Collie/Lab mix, passed away, I decided that I would need to be careful in the future about what type of dogs we bring home.
I carefully researched breeds that were better for people suffering from allergies and settled on a few. Our next puppy was a Cockapoo. In the last couple of months, we brought home a Coton-Poo. In both cases, we went through a breeder.
Yes, we looked at the rescues and shelters. At the time, none had any purebred dogs (or at least any that they were confident about). While my dogs aren’t technically purebred, their parents were and I had assurances that I was getting exactly what I thought – a low-dander, low-shedding dog.
Adopting from a shelter comes with no such assurances and, as much as I love adopting, it just isn’t a good option for me anymore.
Bottom line? Get the puppy you want.
If you want a purebred, whether for personal or health reasons, go for it. I know many will disagree with me, but that’s ok.
You shouldn’t ever be made to feel guilty for making a choice that leads to a 10-15 year commitment.
Pets ARE a lifelong commitment, so whether you buy or adopt, you have a right to get exactly what you want.
So, now that we’ve talked about why you might want a purebred puppy, let’s take a good look at the mistakes you’ll want to avoid when buying one.
Buying a puppy without giving it enough thought
Every year around Christmas time, we hear of friends and family that have decided to delight their kids (or themselves) by bringing a new puppy home. Sadly, many of these adoptions aren’t very well thought out and the cute little puppy ends up being a dog that the family doesn’t want anymore.
Before you make the decision to bring a puppy into your life, there are several questions you want to ask yourself:
- Do I have the time needed to commit to a puppy – including proper training and socialization?
- Am I ready to make that commitment for the next 10-15 years?
- Who will be the puppy’s primary caretaker (please don’t assume your kids will take responsibility – they won’t!)?
- Do I have the finances necessary to ensure proper diet, grooming, and veterinary care? Some breeds inevitably turn out to be more expensive than others.
- Have I researched the breed well enough to understand its specific exercise requirements and energy levels?
- Do I know how big the dog is expected to be full grown? Do I have adequate space when he/she grows up?
There are many more things you could ask yourself. This should give you a pretty good idea of the major issues you should be considering.
Puppies are adorable, just like babies. But, they do grow up. And, honestly, sometimes they aren’t that adorable. (Picture your doctoral thesis shredded on the living room floor and you’ll get the idea!).
Are they worth it? Oh, you bet they are. You just want to make sure you’re fully prepared for all the wonderful and not-so-wonderful things you’re sure to go through.
Not learning about the breed
Just like every human is unique, so too is every dog. While you can never be 100% sure about the personality traits or unique quirks of the dog you ultimately adopt, you can get a really good idea of what you’re getting into by doing some research on the breed you’re planning to get.
Some of the more important things to research are any known health issues inherent in the breed, typical energy level and exercise requirements, grooming needs, and temperament.
For example, if you have young kids, a chihuahua, while undeniably adorable, may not be the best choice for your family. If your family prefers lounging around on the couch in the evening, a Jack Russell terrier will likely drive you crazy with his high energy.
Don’t want to spend hundreds a year on grooming or learn how to do it yourself? A Maltese is the wrong dog for you.
Knowing what you’re getting into before you even start looking for a puppy will help you avoid surprises and potential heartbreak down the road.
Looking in the wrong places
Once you’ve decided on a breed, your next step is to find reputable breeders and narrow down your search. It’s super important to be sure you’re dealing with a reputable breeder. Failure to do so could result in buying a dog that has health issues, an unknown lineage or other problems.
Avoid places like Craigslist or pet stores when looking for your new fur baby.
Unfortunately, pet store puppies can come from literal breeding factories called puppy mills. The pup’s parents are kept solely for the purpose of producing a product – puppies.
These poor animals are not pets and are kept in sometimes horrendous conditions. The potential for serious health and behavioral issues is higher with these dogs. As cute as that puppy in the window is, you’re better off passing it by to find a breeder with a good reputation.
Craigslist and other advertising platforms may have some good breeders, but if you choose to go that route, always ask for references – and follow up on them. Lots of people that advertise puppies on sites like this are known as “backyard breeders”.
When buying a puppy from a backyard breeder, you take the risk that the dogs may not be what they claim (from a purebred standpoint) and may not have a clean bill of health. Sadly, many of these so-called breeders are more interested in lining their pockets than offering healthy, well-adjusted puppies.
So, where do you go? The first place to start is by asking family and friends if they have any recommendations for a local breeder. You can also ask your veterinarian or local groomer if they can provide you with a referral.
Another place to check is with local breed clubs. A great place to find these clubs is on the AKC website. You can look up the specific breed you’re interested in, locate the national club and visit that site to learn of any local clubs or breeder referrals.
Once you’ve found a local group, go to a couple of events! This gives you the opportunity to see your prospective breed up close and personal. It will also allow you to meet potential breeders and ask questions.
Asking the wrong questions (or worse yet, none at all!)
When looking for a new puppy, it’s normal to want to know how old the puppy is, how big he will get, and make sure his little personality seems to be a good fit for your family and lifestyle.
While it’s easy to get swept up by how adorable the tiny littermates are, there are some other crucial questions you want to make sure to ask.
Make sure you ask to visit the breeder in person and meet the parents of the puppy you’re interested in. If the breeder refuses to allow you to visit their facilities and meet the parents, it’s a huge red flag and your best bet is to continue looking. Buying a puppy without seeing it is never, ever a good idea.
Since we’re still in the age of Covid, it’s understandable if a breeder isn’t comfortable with an in-person visit. In that case, you should still ask for a live video tour of the facilities. It’s important to be able to see the parents and puppies and the conditions they live in.
I also like to see how the puppies are interacting with each other and with their mother.
Ask the breeder for proof of the puppy’s vet visits and vaccination records. You’ll also want to know about the parents’ health histories. Are there any issues that you need to be aware of?
Along with vet records, find out if the breeder offers a health guarantee for the puppy. If so, make sure it’s in writing. Review it carefully to see what the guarantee includes, how long it lasts and if there are any conditions.
Some breeders require you to feed the puppy a specific food or see the vet within a certain number of days after taking him home. If there are any conditions you will need to meet, make sure you’re able to fulfill them so the health guarantee won’t be voided.
Ask about the socialization and training that the puppies have received. It’s important for puppies to be well-adjusted, and this can be achieved through some basic training and socialization.
Socialization is especially important as it allows them to interact with different people and animals in a variety of settings.
A well-socialized puppy will typically be more confident and have an easier time adjusting to his new home and new situations.
Ask if there is a return policy and what, if any, conditions are stipulated within it. If you’ve done your research thoroughly, it’s unlikely that you’ll want to return your puppy; but, it’s important to understand upfront whether it’s even an option.
Final Thoughts on Buying a Puppy
Making the decision to buy a puppy isn’t like any other purchase you’ll ever make. You’re not getting a new coat, you’re adding a new member to your family. Hopefully, one that will be around for years and years to come. Take your time, do your research and fully understand what you’re getting before bringing your next fur baby home.
Once you’ve found the perfect puppy, it’s time to learn how to care for him or her! Browse around our site for information on puppy wellness and training your new dog.