Look For A Puppy Available Within My Area

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Look For A Puppy Available Within My Area

Socialization is an important part of responsible breeding.

Finding a puppy for sale in your area isn't difficult. Finding a healthy puppy, whose breeder treats his dogs humanely requires more effort. The volume of advertisements and resources available for buying a puppy make finding the best one difficult. Acquiring your new puppy should be an exciting process, though it calls for care and diligence. Buying a puppy is a major life decision and should be treated as such.

Instructions

Buying from a Breeder

1. Go to the American Kennel Club classified website. Select your state, desired breed and zip code for a listing of all AKC registered breeders who are selling those puppies. AKC registration verifies a puppy's breed pedigree at least three generations prior. Other organizations, such as the United Kennel Club and Continental Kennel Club, offer similar certification, though they require no proof of breed lineage and accept members based on solely on photos and payment of application fees.

2. Visit the breeder's home or place of breeding. Any responsible breeder will be more than happy to have you visit her home, meet the pup's parents and siblings, and see the birthplace of your future dog. High-quality breeders genetically test their dogs before mating, allowing only the healthiest dogs with the best temperaments to procreate. Additionally a responsible breeder will never breed her dog more than twice a year.

3. Ask questions about the breed. Inquire as to the size, energy level and disposition of the parents and the dog breed in general. Ask about the drawbacks or weaknesses of the breed. Thousands of cute puppies end up in shelters after outgrowing their puppy size because their owners were unprepared for the chewing, housebreaking and general rambunctiousness of a puppy. Expect the breeder to ask you a number of questions about your environment and ability to care for a puppy. Expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $2,500 for a well-bred pup.

Adopt a Puppy

4. Find a rescue organization that will allow you to adopt a puppy. Many rescue organizations transport healthy, mixed-breed puppies from the South and South West all over the country for adoption. These rescued pups might not have the pedigree papers of dogs from breeders, but their genetic diversity makes them less susceptible to certain health problems. Websites like Adopt a Pet and Pet Finder allow you to search for a puppy in your area based on size, breed or breed mix and zip code.

5. Email the rescue organization and request an application. Rescue groups frequently implement stringent application standards, although these vary among organizations. Some groups, for example, require a fenced-in yard, while others require a home visit and references. While these requirements may seem tedious, remember that rescue groups work tirelessly to save these animals from abusive and life threatening situations. Given this effort, rescue organizations have strict requirements to ensure the dogs they rescued won't end up in similarly negative circumstances.

6. Wait for your puppy to arrive. Your puppy may already be in the area or may require transport from a shelter or foster home elsewhere to your town. A good rescue group will provide basic medical care and assessment to the puppies they save before adoption. The cost for a rescued pup ranges from $300 to $500, which covers the cost of medical treatment and transportation.

10 good facts

Thursday, April 18, 2013