When buying a dog, due diligence starts with knowing what you want, and do not want, in a four-legged family member. You know whether you want a pup or an adult dog, a purebred or a mutt, what temperament and energy level matches your lifestyle, how much grooming you are prepared to do, and what size of dog best fits your home. If you know you will never brush your dog more then once a week, buying a purebred Afghan hound is not a good idea.

 

Temperament is a major consideration and one that is often overlooked by first time dog owners. Although environment plays a vital role in how a dog develops, instinct and breeding plays equally instrumental roles in a  dog’s temperament . Terriers tend to be stubborn and intelligent, hounds tend to be intensely driven by scent or sight yet easygoing housedogs, guard dogs tend to be easy to train but standoffish with strangers, and sporting dogs live to work with their human and are easy, affable family pets.

 

Once you have done your homework and you know what you are looking for in a dog, you can narrow down the list to either one or two interesting breeds or a list of breeds that you would like to see in a crossbred dog.

 

Now the hard part begins.

 

Buying a Purebred Dog

 

If you have decided that you want to buy a  purebred dog , the next step is to find a breeder.

 

The internet is a great place to start as most kennels have their own website with photos of their breeding stock, a history and list of the kennel’s accomplishments, their mission and values as a breeder as well as contact info, when another litter is expected and often any adult dogs that they may have for sale.

 

Your breed and breeder research is vital and make sure you learn as much as you can before you contact anyone. A good breeder will interview you just as much, if not more, then you are interviewing them and if they do not feel that you are a good match for their breed, they will not sell you a dog. A good breeder is also an important step in selecting your new pup or adult dog, as they will help steer you towards one that matches your criteria and needs.

  

Often there is a waiting period for pups as a good breeder will make a list of potential puppy homes and only have a litter when the majority of the pups are already spoken for so as not to have to advertise the ‘sale’ of any pups. This keeps the demand always higher then the supply.

 

Buying a Crossbred Dog

 

 

Crossbred dogs make wonderful pets and although you take a few more risks when buying a mutt then buying a purebred, the risks can be well worth it in the end. When breeds combine, genetics work to blend the different qualities and the full range of varying traits between the two parents can often be seen.

 

For example, in the case of a small bitch and a large dog breeding, puppy sizes will be across the board with one pup growing up to be as large as the father, one pup staying as small as the mother and the rest of the litter sitting between the two sizes. This same principle works for coat color, coat length, head shape, temperament, etc.

 

When looking at the litter, do not assume the runt will grow up to be the smallest of the litter and vice versa – often the largest puppy does not grow into the largest adult from the litter. Temperaments, however, do generally stay the same and the most  dominant and aggressive pup  in the litter will likely grow up to be a dominant adult dog who does not always want to share his toys.

 

Although most people raising a litter of crossbred pups are not in any way considered canine experts like a breeder of purebred dogs, they will have valuable insight into the temperament and behavior of the litter. Listen to what they have to say about the various personalities and always pick the one that matches your criteria the closest.

 

Animal Rescue Agencies & Animal Shelters

 

Animal rescue agencies are plentiful and are always a wonderful place to look for your new companion. They usually know at least a bit about the background of each dog and many will have run a temperament test so they can give you an accurate idea of what you should expect before you sign on the dotted line. Many of their dogs spend time in foster care to help find out and then fix any behavioral or medical issues they may have and this too gives the potential adopter much needed information.

 

Finding a rescue agency or shelter in your area is usually as easy as checking the yellow pages or a quick search on Google. Contact your Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for names of local shelters and organizations.

 

Breed Rescue

 

Do you know what breed of dog you are looking for? Do you want a puppy or would a young adult or adult dog fit with your lifestyle? If so, breed rescue is a wonderful option.

 

The breeder because of abuse or neglect sometimes removes young adult and adult purebred dogs from a home. Other times it is a change of circumstances that has made it impossible for the owners to keep the dog. Whatever the reason, they will contact others within the breed to say that there is a dog available if anyone knows of a possible home. Often these dogs end up flown across the country to be placed in the perfect situation as it is vital that dog to find an ideal forever home.

 

Newspaper and Online Ads

 

Every newspaper runs countless ads for both puppies for sale and adult dogs needing homes. It used to be the first place people would look, as the local paper was an invaluable source for finding a pet. Nowadays, the shift has moved to online ads such as Craigslist and Kijiji however do not rule out print ads, they still work the same way.

 

However, do be cautious. Most of the time, good breeders of purebred dogs do not advertise their puppies in the local paper because there are better ways of attracting potential owners and normally they do not breed a litter of pups until there are homes for each one already lined up. So as good as the newspaper or internet may be for finding adult dogs or crossbred pups, avoid it for purebred pups.

 

Pet Stores

 

There are on average two types of situations for dogs sold or adopted through pet stores. The first is the puppy mill situation.

 

Puppy mills breed and sell popular breeds and hybrid breeds of dog to pet stores as a way of moving their stock. In the best scenario, healthy pups are born to well-kept adult dogs to be sold as a commodity through newspaper ads and pet stores. In the worst case scenario, sickly pups are born to a malnourished, diseased, and over bred breeding bitch in unhygienic surroundings where they live until they are six weeks old and then shipped to pet stores for sale. Neither of these scenarios are where you want your pup to come from and puppy mills across the country are finally getting shut down. Avoid this scenario entirely to not only save yourself a lot of grief over a sick, poorly socialized puppy as well as helping to shut down puppy mills.

 

The other pet store scenario is better and perfectly legitimate. Many stores are now helping to adopt out shelter or rescue pets through their stores. These animals are not bred to fill this need – the store is availing themselves and their space to the animal rescue organizations to help find forever homes for their animals up for adoption. A totally different situation then the above problem and always a wonderful way to find and buy your new family member.

 

Buying a new pet is always a wonderful and exciting experience. Do your homework and research not only what type of dog best suites your lifestyle and needs but also where you are going to find your new pet. Buying a dog is not like buying a new pair of shoes or a new cordless drill – impulse buying is not the way to go! Do your due diligence and you guaranteed the best start with your new pet!