Buying a Puppy

There are a number of things to consider when you decide to buy a puppy from a breeder.

Research different breeds of dog so you can find a breed to suit you and your lifestyle. For example some dogs need little exercise, some need lots. If you have or intend to have children you will need a breed that is good with children. Different breeds cost different amounts of money.

Find a breeder that breeds the type of dog you want. The Internet provides a great place for finding breeders but you should be prepared to travel a distance to buy a specific breed.

Once you have found a possible breeder you need to make sure that he/she is a reputable breeder who has experience of rearing puppies. Try to find out as much as you can about him/her, by looking at their website, talking to them on the phone and perhaps by asking them if you can speak to owners that have previously their bought puppies.

The following questions should give you an idea of the kind of things you need to ask your breeder, either on the phone or in person, to determine whether they are the right breeder for you to buy from.

• Have the puppies been socialized with people and children?
• Have the puppies had any of their vaccinations?
• Have the puppies had their dew claws removed?
• What food are the puppies eating and how often?
• Do the puppies' parents have any hereditary conditions that may have been passed on to the litter?
• Can you meet the parents of the puppies? This will give you an idea of the size of puppy when it is fully grown the kind of temperament the puppy might have.