| Puppies start learning immediately. Reputable breeders | | | | particular breed, beware! |
| are aware of this and are very involved in doing early | | | | A good breeder will have the mother on site. The |
| training prior to you taking the pup into your home. | | | | father may or may not be there by the time you are |
| They do constructive socialization, introduce the pup to | | | | picking a puppy. Observe the mother's (or mother and |
| the home environment and may even do some early | | | | father's) behavior. The parent should not be fearful or |
| potty training. A well-mannered, easily trained puppy is | | | | skittish nor exhibit excitable aggressive behavior. You |
| one of your goals and the first step toward that goal is | | | | should see sociable behavior. The mother should be |
| the selection of a good breeder. | | | | used to the breeder picking up her puppies and even |
| Most people who sell puppies in the newspaper are | | | | taking them out of her sight. This could be an indicator |
| not professional breeders. They may have a litter or | | | | of how the breeder has interacted with her or a |
| two, maybe even keep one and sell the other puppies. | | | | characteristic that could be passed to the litter. A good |
| While there are exceptions, in most cases these are | | | | breeder will have a positive relationship with her |
| well meaning people but just are not adequately | | | | animals. You will also not see a lot of litters at the |
| experienced in preparing the puppies for adoption. | | | | breeders. There should only be 1 or 2, 3 at the most, |
| Then, of course, there are the not so well meaning | | | | breeds; and only a few litters. Multiple litters of multiple |
| people who are just looking for the profit and are doing | | | | breeds are not to be expected. In order to give the |
| very little if anything to prepare the puppy for a new | | | | pups the attention they need, there will only be four to |
| home. They are simply waiting for the puppies to get | | | | six litters a year in total. The environment should be |
| old enough to sell. And we have all heard of "puppy | | | | clean and the pups should have ample area for |
| mills" which should be avoided completely. | | | | exercise. Good breeders will be socializing the pups |
| Many puppy mills sell to pet shops. As tempting as it | | | | and the best place to do that is in the house with |
| may be to get the puppies out of this environment, this | | | | people. You want your companion dog to be people |
| is not the place to select your puppy. No amount of | | | | centered, not other dog centered. |
| training will be able to overcome some of the problems | | | | You may begin to feel that as you are interviewing the |
| you may encounter in these puppies. You must be | | | | breeder that the breeder is interviewing you. A good |
| even more diligent in your search for a good breeder | | | | breeder is carefully selecting new owners also. They |
| than you were in deciding with which kind of dog you | | | | do not sell to just anyone who has the cash. They |
| want to share your life and home. Of all the people | | | | want to be sure they are making a good and |
| raising puppies, there are relatively few who are | | | | permanent placement. You may find them questioning |
| experienced and focused on maintaining and breeding | | | | you on the environment into which the pup is going. |
| for the best characteristics of one or two breeds. No, | | | | Some may even ask for pictures. |
| it is not just people who want show dogs who need to | | | | One thing to ask about (although the information will |
| look for reputable breeders. Your goal may very well | | | | probably be offered without being asked) is medical |
| be to merely find a healthy, physically fit, mentally | | | | care. The pups should at least have one DHLP and |
| sound pup to enhance your life. The way to have the | | | | parvo vaccination as well as a worm test or a |
| best chance of doing that is to buy from a reputable | | | | worming. The breeder will openly discuss the type of |
| breeder. | | | | issues with the breed that may need a medical |
| So how do you begin your search? Ask a vet for | | | | screening. Hip Dysplasia is one of the first to come to |
| recommendations; ask acquaintances who have dogs | | | | mind, but some breeds are prone to other issues also, |
| with characteristics you like, check yellow page listings | | | | such as seizures, cancer or heart murmurs. Good |
| (remember, you are looking for a breeder, not a pet | | | | breeders will be trying to breed out these |
| shop), check the Web. | | | | characteristics, but remember, even good breeders |
| Once you think you have located a good breeder, | | | | can have a pup with issues. However, being |
| there are other things to look for in order to determine | | | | responsible breeders, they will not perpetuate the |
| how good. So, they show you lineage papers. | | | | problem. Breeding out poor health prone issues is done |
| Remember lineage papers show precisely | | | | in a scientific manner, not haphazardly. |
| that--lineage. Good lineage does not guarantee a good | | | | Also check to see how long this breeder has been |
| breeder. However, a good breeder will most likely be | | | | associated with this breed. You don't want one who |
| able to tell you information on individual animals in the | | | | has just jumped on the bandwagon of a newly popular |
| lineage, i.e., conformity to breed standards, personality | | | | breed. |
| characteristics, strengths...and weaknesses. A good | | | | There will be a written contract. (Many breeders will |
| breeder is going to want to place the dog in a good | | | | say they will take the animal back, at any age, any |
| situation and will be sure you understand the pros and | | | | time if you cannot take care of the dog any longer. |
| cons. If a breeder will not mention the negatives of a | | | | |