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Puppies
Thinking of adding a dog to your family?
Before you do, be sure your lifestyle and economic situation will permit
you to care for it properly and provide it with good medical care.
Remember, too, that many wonderful dogs are waiting for their "forever"
home at your local animal shelter. If you're searching for a purebred
dog, many purebreds find their way to rescue groups and shelters, so
consider looking there first for your new companion.
If you decide you want a purebred puppy
check out our
Breeds section, these links will put you in touch with the National
Clubs of each of these breeds. Keep in mind that all purebred dogs were
originally bred to serve a specific purpose; do some research on the
breed(s) of your choice to be sure their "natural tendencies and
inclinations" are something you can tolerate.
** A word about "designer" breeds such
as labradoodles, peke-a-poos, schnoodles, etc -
Being bred by
the thousands just to make a buck, the same mixes that have been making
headlines lately have been turning up in shelters for years upon years.
For a clearer picture, please visit:
http://www.designerdogbreeds.com/
http://www.grumpybumpers.com/dogs/
All dogs, regardless of breed, are
happiest when they're allowed to live inside as members of the family,
their "pack". Consider this before deciding that your dog will be an
"outside" dog. Having to live alone outside leads to boredom and
frustration on the part of the dog and is often the reason for annoyance
barking, fence jumping, and digging in the yard.
When
searching for that new puppy, it's often hard to
know where to find the healthiest, best-tempered pet.
Remember, you should figure on this puppy spending the next 7-10 years
with you, and doing your homework now will help guarantee that most of
those years are not spent at the vet's, trying to fix health problems
caused by poor breeding! For a list of questions that you should
ask yourself AND any breeder you consider, please read "So you want
a Golden Retriever puppy?" below.
The best place to purchase your new family member is
from a Hobby Breeder, not a pet store or commercial
breeder, and most reputable hobby breeders DO NOT advertise in the
paper - they get all the referrals they need by word of mouth from past
satisfied puppy buyers. To get a listing of reputable breeders of the
breed(s) you're considering, do an Internet search for the national or
local breed club (for example, Golden Retriever Club). These clubs
generally have a person in charge of "breeder referral" who can point you
towards breeders who adhere to the club's Code of Ethics in breeding.
Before making your final decision
on where to obtain your next puppy, to get a better idea of the
differences between hobby breeders, commercial
breeders, brokers, and pet stores, please take a moment to visit
our site's
Puppy Mill
page and read "Just What Is A Puppy Mill?". You may be surprised by
what you read.
Buying A
Puppy
The AKC offers several articles about buying puppies. Find out which breed
is right for you, how to find a reputable breeder, and questions to ask
yourself before buying a dog.
So, you want a
Golden Retriever puppy?
Courtesy of Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue, this site
provides questions to ask yourself AND any potential breeders
before you make the decision to add a golden retriever to your home. The
advice and assistance is worthwhile reading for ANYONE
considering making the commitment of getting a new puppy, regardless of
the breed.
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