Tips on Buying a Puppy

Your and Your Puppy's Needs

• Before buying a puppy, you should first ask yourself why you want a dog. Be honest with yourself and determine whether or not your reasons are temporary and/or selfish. Also consider the lifestyle you lead. Do you truly have the time to take care of and spend quality time with your new dog? Financially, do you have the means to support a dog's needs? Puppies and adult dogs obviously have many needs, including food, water, shelter, veterinary care, basic supplies (such as a collar, a leash, feeding bowls, bedding, a crate, and toys), grooming and exercise. You should also be ready to train and socialize your new puppy so that it can grow into a well-behaved, trusted companion. If you plan on moving soon or are traveling every other month, it is not the best time to get a dog. New puppies need time to adjust to their new home, and a change in habitat would not be a beneficial move. Overall, make sure you understand and are prepared for what the responsibilities of dog ownership truly entail.

Researching for the Best Match

• Doing your research is necessary prior to purchasing a puppy. Find out all the facts about any particular breed you may be interested in, and of course, consider whether or not that dog seems like it would be a good match in every possible way. For example, you may have fallen in love with everything about the golden retriever, but is it really fair to keep him in your small city apartment? The happiness of the animal must be taken into consideration just as well as yours. If you have a family, your new dog should be an ideal match for every family member. Very frequently, people are rushed into buying a puppy because of the pure excitement of the occasion or simply because they fall in love with the cute, tiny, cuddly puppy in front of them. Avoid any problems down the road by taking your time and researching your best options.

Where to Buy Your Puppy

• If you are considering adoption, you should still arrive to the shelter prepared, knowing what you are looking for in your companion and asking any questions you may have. There are also breed-specific rescue groups for purebred and "hybrid" dogs. If you would prefer buying your puppy from a breeder, there are many well-respected and responsible breeders that provide puppies with a caring, healthy home until they are matched with a family. Selecting a breeder should be a major part of your research. Be sure to ask the breeder lots of questions, and ask to see at least one of the puppy's parents. Pay attention to how the puppy reacts with other dogs, the breeder and your family to gauge the dog's personality. While you are screening the breeder, you may notice that the breeder is (and should be) screening you too to make sure you and your potential new puppy are an excellent match. If you must buy a puppy from a pet store, use extreme caution. You know nothing about where the dog came from, and its previous living conditions and health could be questionable. Although the cost of the puppy is an important factor to many, keep in mind that buying a puppy is a wise investment in what will surely become a loving, and loved, member of the family.