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?
The answer depends on the situation. First you have to ask yourself a couple of questions. Do you know the people who are giving away the puppies? Do you have any way of finding out more about the dog’s parents?
The risks
Most puppies advertised in the newspaper are "surprise" puppies from an unplanned pregnancy or from the tinkering of inexperienced breeders. So there’s some risk involved. The identity of the puppy’s father may be a mystery, and the pup may have inherited health or behavioral problems.
Don’t make an impulse decision. First, decide if the pet matches your criteria. Guessing all of the breeds in your pet’s background might be a task for the cast of Mission: Impossible, so spend some time with the puppy to see if his personality fits with you and your clan. You may also want a veterinarian to examine the puppy to check his temperament and health.
Look before you jump
Before you adopt a pet from a newspaper ad, get to know the owners. You don’t have to be the F.B.I., but don’t be afraid to ask questions. They should be able to tell you about the dog’s health and background and let you see where he’s being raised.
Find out what you can about the health and temperament of his parents. Also ask for the name of the veterinarian who has treated the animal. He or she should be able to tell you about the puppy’s health.
Sometimes families will give away an older dog because of behavioral problems or because the family’s circumstances have changed. If you decide to adopt an adult dog, ask the family why they are giving the pet away and be willing to do some training. An older, wiser dog might be a perfect fit for your lifestyle—just make sure you’ve checked his background and know all of the information.
