Finding a Puppy

You’ve found the perfect breed to share your life. Now, where can you find that wonderful puppy? A breeder can be a great source, as long as you know what to look for.

You want a puppy and you want it now, but puppy-buying time is not the time to indulge your need for instant gratification.  Sure, the newspaper might be filled with "puppies for sale" ads and that pet store puppy may be cute as a button, but the very best source for a healthy, beautiful purebred dog with a good temperament is a good hobby breeder.

The dog with the wagging tail in the pet store window might be a tempting impulse buy, but he may not make a good life companion. Pet stores can be unreliable sources for pets because they sometimes encourage poor breeding practices or sell pets who are not healthy.

Some newspapers are littered with ads that read "puppies: free to a good home," or "puppies for sale." But is it a good idea to pick a pet this way?