Puppies. Amy Fernandez

some outlay for veterinary expenses, but huge vet bills and chronic illness should never be a typical aspect.

      Training Challenges

      Are there any special behavioral problems associated with the breed? Is the breed you’re considering notorious for chewing up furniture, barking when left alone, or hurling herself over the fence and disappearing? House-training is always a major question, and some breeds are definitely more challenging in this respect. Find out what other owners have to say. Do most owners favor one particular training method? Expert dog trainers and average pet owners can vary in these assessments.

      Grooming Demands

      Do most owners of certain breeds opt for professional grooming? What does this usually cost? Grooming demands may be more complicated than you think. You are better off knowing the truth about unpleasant topics such as shedding, matting, doggy odor, and drooling ahead of time. Flat-faced dogs may need to have their faces washed regularly to prevent food and debris from accumulating in wrinkles. Short-legged dogs require more frequent bathing simply because they are closer to the ground. Some puppies who appear low maintenance may in reality be nothing of the sort.

      A groomer attends to a bichon frise puppy, whose thick, light-colored coat requires regular care.

      Social Quirks

      How does the breed you’re considering get along with children or other pets? Some breeds may be too large or aggressive to be kept in a home with small children; others may be too fragile to be added to a household with rough-housing teenagers or other large-breed dogs. Neither situation is necessarily obvious at first glance. Most puppies can be socialized to other animals as long as they are introduced when the puppy is still young and curious about new experiences. Some enjoy the company of other dogs, and others are naturally aloof or have potential to be territorial or dog aggressive. They may not be the best choice for an inexperienced dog owner. If you have other pets in the house—cats or birds, for instance—be aware that some dog breeds have a strong predatory instinct, so do careful research.

      Puppy Sources

      Once you’ve decided on the breed you want, you need to find a reputable source. For random breds and crossbreds, you may want to check with your local shelters and rescue groups. For a purebred, the AKC, national breed clubs, and local dog clubs all provide referral services for breeders and rescue groups. Veterinarians, groomers, and trainers are usually acquainted with local breeders and animal shelters. Dog magazines and Internet research can help, but do not select a breeder based on a classified ad or a Web site; some are merely a means of marketing poorly bred, mill-raised puppies.

      Dog breeders invariably gather in droves at local weekend dog shows. This is a great place to find breeders and to look at hundreds of dogs in one place. Most breeders will provide a business card if you request it. Although they may not have puppies available, they are usually willing to answer questions and will not hesitate to mention both the good and the bad points of the breed. Their foremost priority is finding the right homes for their dogs.

      Ask about basic terms of sale such as health guarantees and return policies. Most breeders and adoption services provide some form of sales contract, but this should never include excessive demands. If you are not interested in co-owning a puppy with the breeder, purchasing an expensive show dog, breeding, or showing a puppy, don’t feel obligated to agree to such things to get a puppy. (A breeder may present co-ownership as a purchasing option, offering to sell the puppy at a reduced price in return for specific commitments from the buyer. This arrangement should never be entered into casually. In the long run, it can work out to be far more expensive than purchasing the puppy outright.)

      It is possible to acquire a healthy puppy from a retail source. But buyers have no opportunity to implement any of the research recommended in this book, such as meeting a puppy’s breeder, seeing the parents, or acquiring background information regarding temperament, ancestry, or health history. The fact that a puppy is healthy at the time of sale is no guarantee that genetically based problems won’t surface later.

      If possible, arrange to visit in person. Reputable breeders and adoption services will also want to meet you if they are considering placing one of their puppies in your home. Keep in mind that for most of them, this is a hobby, not a profession. Be reasonable. Arrive on time. Do not bring a contingent of friends, relatives, and other pets unless this has been agreed upon in advance. Do not overstay your welcome.

      Prepare a list of questions. It is easy to become distracted visiting the dogs and forget to ask important questions: What kind of grooming equipment, food, toys, crates, fences, and gates are recommended? What are the grooming requirements (including recommended tools)? Do any special training or behavior issues commonly arise in puppies or adolescents, and what training method does the breeder prefer? Are there any behavior differences between male and female puppies? Does this breed have any known problems with vaccine reactions or allergies to common medications? If the breed is normally screened for certain health problems, make sure the parents have been tested and ask to see the results. If you plan to have the puppy neutered, when does the breeder recommend doing this? Does the breed have any special dietary requirements? Don’t hesitate to ask about the breeder’s return policy. Reputable breeders are always willing to take their puppies back under any circumstances—but this does not always include a refund.

      A group of corgis plays with the breeder. Affection between a breeder and her dogs is a very good sign.

      Check out all the breeder’s dogs—not only the parents but any dogs the breeder has kept from previous litters as well. The adults should appear clean, healthy, and well fed, signs that the breeder takes proper care of the animals. They should also be relaxed and affectionate with the breeder (even breeds naturally shy or wary of strangers), signs indicating that the breeder properly socializes the puppies.

      Your exhaustive research may lead you to a particular breeder or a puppy outside your local area. A long-distance purchase complicates matters a bit, but don’t let it dissuade you from going with the right choice. Before finalizing the deal, be sure to have some phone contact with the seller; don’t rely solely on e-mail. Request pictures of the puppy and, if possible, the parents and other related dogs. Ask for references from sources such as local veterinarians and dog clubs as well as from people who have previously adopted or purchased puppies from this source. The breeder should be prepared to furnish all the usual documentation that accompanies a puppy placement, including certification that a puppy is healthy at the time of sale, a sales contract, pedigree (family tree), and health records. The breeder should have ongoing records showing that the puppy’s family has been tested for genetically based disorders commonly affecting the breed, such as hip X rays or eye checks; the puppy’s individual health records detailing health exams, vaccinations, deworming; or special testing if appropriate.