Buying A Dog

Things to Consider Before Buying a Dog

Pet or Show?

What exactly do you want from a dog? Are you looking for a companion to snuggle up with when you come home at night? Or are you interested in acquiring an outstanding specimen of a breed that you hope will turn out to be a winner at the Dog Shows? This will determine your ultimate choice between one dog and the next. You can find perfectly lovely dogs that will make fabulous companions but do not conform enough to their breed's standard to make them viable show candidates or even breeders.

Big or Small?

Just how much dog can you accommodate? How large is your home and yard? How much can you physically handle? Both large and small breeds can make terrific companions, but with equal levels of exuberance, it's going to hurt a lot less to be jumped on by a Chihuahua than an Irish Setter. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to study different Dog Breeds to help you sort out the type of dog that would best fit your lifestyle.

Family Pet or Personal Companion?

A busy home filled with children would probably do better choosing a sturdy breed like a Labrador Retriever. However, if you're single or your children have grown and moved away, you can choose almost any breed you feel equipped to handle, including a more delicate companion such as the Yorkshire Terrier.

Where to Buy Your Dog?

Dogs are available from many sources, some being better than others.

Pet shops are of course one source for buying a dog but are they your best choice? The shop is really more of a broker. They didn't raise the puppy themselves, they do not honestly know the pup's health history (no matter what they tell you), and their biggest concern is getting this pup sold so they can turn a profit and bring in more dogs for sale. Sources of dogs for pet shops also vary. Some shops will accept puppies that have been dropped off, others will purchase from puppy mills, and a few even buy dogs from locals with litters. While you can possibly wind up with a good companion, you are taking some risk buying a dog this way.

Backyard breeders are another source for buying a dog. The term has some negative connotations, but backyard breeders are folks just like you and I who happen to breed their pet every year or so. Pups raised in a home situation are usually better socialized and adjusting quicker to their new homes. As long as the breeder has had the pups checked by a vet and given their current shots, you can do quite well buying a pet this way.

Professional dog breeders are perhaps the best source for buying a dog. Professional breeders are usually also involved in showing dogs, and therefore know more about their breed and are striving to improve on the pups they produce. A professional breeder is likely more aware of the health concerns for their breed and can answer your questions knowledgably. This is likely your best chance to buy a healthy, well bred and socialized pet.

No matter where you buy a dog from, ask for a health guarantee against genetic illnesses. Some conditions develop with age, and a pup that looks healthy now can be crippled with hip dysplasia just two years later.

Rescue vs. Buying A Dog

Instead of buying a pet, why not consider adopting a rescued pet? While it's true that some dogs are surrendered because they were unmanageable, those dogs are usually weeded out from adoption programs. More often, dogs wind up in shelters and rescues because their owners did not put the proper thought into buying a dog in the first place. That cute little puppy grows up into a real dog with real needs, and suddenly the owner has far more than they bargained for.

Stories abound of rescued dogs that went on to make the most wonderful pets, once they were taken under the wings of caring people who were willing to put in the necessary time and training to help their dogs understand the rules.