Congratulations, you’ve decided to add a new member to your family! Before you buy a puppy, maybe the following will help in making a wise decision that will affect your family in a positive way for many years to come.

First and foremost – don’t give in to impulse buying! Stick with a list and wait for a dog breeder you are comfortable with. This will ensure a good fit and a happy, healthy dog. Before you answer that ad for “puppies for sale”, learn the correct answers for your breed so you can ask questions of a breeder. You want a good breeder with whom you feel comfortable and trust. Don’t be surprised if the breeder asks more questions of you! They will want to find out about you – what kind of person you are, what kind of home this dog will have. A good breeder will refuse to sell a puppy – no matter what the price – if they do not feel the home is right for their puppies—and this is as it should be!

Every day we hear horror stories about unscrupulous people breeding dogs and raising puppies for the almighty dollar. These so-called “breeders” fail to do any sort of health checks or vet upkeep on their breeding stock. They breed the animals before they reach maturity, breed them way too often, and house these dogs in filthy living conditions. Puppies are then born to these ill-bred dogs in the dirty facilities, probably never have much, if any socialization, no vaccinations or parasite control, and are put on the market to sell by newspaper ads or by parading them in some super store parking lot.

CHECKLIST

• Dog facility is clean and well kept. (Ask to see kennel. Don’t buy in a location away from where the puppies have been raised.)
• Breeder does not sell puppies to wholesalers, brokers, dealers, or retails shops, nor raise a multitude of different breeds of puppies. (Puppy Mill!)
• Breeder insists that the puppies for sale will be at least seven weeks old, have been vaccinated and checked for parasites, and are well socialized before being placed.
• Sire and dam of the litter are at least two years old and were tested for genetic health before the breeding. (Breeder should readily volunteer information on the health testing. Ask to see test results and certifications. * Note: It is NOT possible to produce dogs entirely free of genetic problems!)
• Breeder reviewed some of the differences within the breed. (Show-bred versus field-bred)
• Breeder reviewed some of the problems some people have with the breed. (Lack of retrieving desire, hyperactivity, destructiveness…)
• Breeder asks if you plan to breed the dog and explains the advantages of spaying and neutering. (Many breeders support limited registrations now – that is, the puppy must be spayed or neutered before full registration is granted.)
• Breeder is available as a resource for advise and support for the life of the dog.
• Breeder promised to take the dog in (not return your money) if you can’t keep it, for the life of the dog.
• Breeder provides a contract/guarantee for your review and goes over it with you.
• Breeder is a member of a breed club or special interest dog club.
• Breeder’s primary concern is finding a good home for the puppy, rather than getting paid.
• Breeder asks you lots of questions about your lifestyle, family, experience with dogs, and other pets, why you are looking for a dog for sale, and where you plan on keeping this dog.
• Breeder was happy to answer all your questions and made you feel comfortable asking for advice.
• Breeder acknowledges to you they are bound by a Code of Ethics and have agreed to uphold its standards.

• A properly executed Registration Certificate. (AKC, UKC, or CKC in Canada.)
• A written, three-generation pedigree
• A health record including a diet, inoculations and parasite control.
• Basic diet and care information.
• A written health guarantee signed and dated by both parties.
• A written contract noting a time frame during which the puppy may be examined by a licensed veterinarian, at the buyer’s expense, and upon written recommendation of the vet for specific reasons, the puppy may be returned to the seller for a full refund of all money paid.

Glenda Mitchell
MITCHELL LABS
Brownwood, TX