There are lots of things to look out for when purchasing a puppy. The first thing you have to look at is whether or not you can make a long term commitment to raising a dog. They take lots of time and money. They should either have access to a backyard to play in or lots of walking time. Just because you work all day does not necessarily mean you can't have a dog in your life. However, you must be able to spend most of your evenings and weekends with your dog. They must be walked more if they are confined in doors most of the day.
Puppies need to visit the vet as soon as you can after purchasing. Most breeders do the first set of shots, but they will need two more busters
The second thing you have to examine is what breed of dog fits your life style. Are you athletic? Are you a home body? Do you go places you can take your pet with you? Some breeds are definitely indoor dogs. Small dogs like toy poodles, chihuahuas, etc. have different needs than larger breeds like Labs, German Shepards, etc. Some dogs are better with families and children than others. Some dogs are naturally aggressive like dobermans, or pit bulls. Aggressive dogs must be raised differently than more passive dogs.
Another thing that will determine what type of dog to get , is what do you plan on doing with it. Do you just want a family pet or are you interested in a hunting breed? Do you want a guard dog or just to keep you company? All of these questions will help you find the breed of dog that suits you.
Once you have determined that you indeed can make a long term commitment and you have chosen the breed of dog you want to have, you must find a breeder. You can find reputable breeds through the CKC, AKC or on the internet.
There are many things to watch out for. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. A good breeder will be more than happy to answer whatever questions you have. The puppies should be kept in a clean environment. They should be alert, friendly, active (even if they are in the middle of a nap) they should wake up and be very happy to see everyone. They themselves should be clean and their coats should be soft and shinny, their eyes should be clear and there should be no discharge from either their eyes or nose. The breeder should be knowledgeable about the breed and know any common illness associated with that breed. If they are large dogs, both parents should be free of hip dysplasia, elbow problems and eye problems. A lot of breeders will offer a health guarantee of some sort. The puppies should not develop any genetic problems, as both parents should be free of those kinds of health defects. Reputable breeders do not breed dogs who have had any serious genetic problems. If you have any negative feelings about either the breeder or the puppies, do not buy a puppy.
Dogs that are not registered can not be advertised as "purebred dogs". A breeder who is willing to sell you a purebred puppy "unregistered" should be cause for you to question the breeding practices of that particular kennel. It does not cost very much to registered the dogs (about $50.00 per puppy), and in order for the puppies to be registered, the breeder must first register the entire litter. If he sells one puppy un-registered, he must account to the registering body as to what happened to that puppy. The breeder has a legal obligation to registered all puppies advertised as "purebred".
We have litters once or twice a year. We are very careful in our breeding and both parents are from good lines. We cross breed the field trial lines and the agility lines. This combination gives you the best of both breeds. Whether you want a show dog, agility dog, hunting dog, or field trial dog, our lines give you a very energetic, athletic and smart dog. We have both yellow and black puppies and all puppies purchased have the following:
