Do I have the time groom, train, and exercise my puppy?[1] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Puppies are very time-intensive—although some breeds are more laid back than others, you will need to devote a lot of time to properly caring for your puppy. If you have a busy schedule or are out of town a lot, you may need to reconsider if you will be able to make time to take care of a puppy. Am I financially able to cover the costs of caring for a puppy?[2] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source There’s no getting around the fact that puppies are expensive. Think about if you are ready to pay for all of the necessities (food, collar, toys, bedding, etc. ) plus regular and unexpected veterinary visits. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Is anyone at my house allergic to dogs?[4] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source If you do not live alone, you should consider whether anyone else who lives with you is allergic to dogs or pet dander in general.
Consider the energy level of the breed. For example, if you don’t enjoy being outdoors much, getting a Siberian husky probably isn’t the best idea. Huskies love to jump and run, and they need hours of daily exercise. It may be better to choose a puppy who will grow up to be a dog that likes napping and hanging out with you at home, such as a Cavalier King Charles. If you rent, your apartment may have breed and weight restrictions for dogs. In addition, a large dog who needs a lot of exercise, such as a Golden Retriever, may feel a bit stifled in an apartment. [7] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source If your apartment complex allows larger dogs, you will need to make sure that you have easy access to a large fenced-in area or dog park where you dog will be able run and exercise. Talking to a reputable breeder could help you narrow down which breed would be an ideal fit for your life situation. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Other than doing Internet searches of dog breeds, consider purchasing a book on dog breeds. [9] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Keep in mind that you do not have to pick a specific breed. A mutt will do just fine!
Depending on the breed and size, buying a puppy could cost between $100 and $150 per month in the first year. [12] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Do not forget to factor in costs of smaller items, such as collars, leashes, identification tags, and treats. [13] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Purchasing a puppy from a breeder will likely be more expensive than adopting a puppy from a shelter.
Place covers over electrical outlets so that your puppy cannot lick them. [15] X Research source Keep all medications, cleaning supplies, and antifreeze hidden and out of reach. These can all be toxic to your puppy. [16] X Research source If you have a garage, secure heavy tools to the wall. Make sure to pick up any loose screws that your puppy could easily eat off the garage floor. [17] X Research source
You may have to travel out of your city to get a particular breed. Consider expanding your search to include shelters within a few hundred miles of your home for best results. Some rare or expensive breeds may not be available in shelters. However, there are breed-specific rescue groups that may have the breed (or designer breed, such as a Labradoodle) that you are looking for. [20] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Animal shelters and rescue groups often conduct behavioral tests (also known as temperament tests) to determine if a puppy is a good candidate for adoption. [21] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Even with the additional costs of spaying/neutering, microchipping, vaccinating, and deworming, adopting a puppy from an animal shelter or rescue is usually less expensive than going through a breeder or paying for all of these services separately. [22] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
Animal shelters can be stressful environments for dogs because of the noise, number of dogs, and high level of general activity. Some dogs may develop behavioral problems while at the shelter. The staff at the shelter should inform you if the puppy you are interested in has any behavioral issues.
Ask questions about the puppy’s medical history and how his behavior has been at the shelter. His behavior at the shelter may be different than what it could be at your home. [25] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Ask about the shelter’s procedure for pets who get sick shortly after they are adopted. Because of a shelter’s limited budget for veterinary care, be aware that you may responsible for a majority, if not all, of your puppy’s medical expenses after you adopt him. [26] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source You can also ask if the shelter is a “no-kill” shelter. This type of shelter does not euthanize animals after they have been at the shelter for a certain amount of time.
Don’t be surprised if you are interviewed as well. The staff will need assurance that you will be a responsible pet owner and take good care of your puppy. In addition to the interview and potential home visit, you will need to fill out the necessary paperwork and pay the adoption fee (usually $100 to $200).
Backyard breeders typically have very little knowledge about dog breeds and are probably just trying to make a little money on the side. Avoid buying a puppy from a backyard breeder. Commercial breeders typically house several different dog breeds and produce numerous litters in a year. The physical environment of a commercial breeder may or may not be of good quality. In addition, not all commercial breeders produce AKC registration papers. Puppies that you see in pet stores may come from commercial breeders.
A responsible breeder will ask you questions about why you want a dog, who will be taking care of it and where it will live. He or she will not simply take your cash and hand over a puppy. [31] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
You can ask other questions regarding how many puppies were in the litter and what medical care they have received (vaccinating, deworming, etc. ). [34] X Research source Ask for documentation regarding medical care, microchipping, and screening for breed-specific behavioral or medical issues. [35] X Research source Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If the breeder is reputable, he or she will have no problem answering any and all questions that you have about them and the dogs he or she breeds and raises. Be ready to answer questions as to why you want a puppy and how you plan to take care of it. A good breeder will be very concerned about the welfare of the puppies he or she has bred. Forming a good relationship with a breeder can be very helpful if you have questions later in the puppy’s life, or if you are interested in showing the puppy later.
Be wary of a breeder who tries to sell you a puppy since simply because he or she has papers showing the puppy’s lineage.
When you visit a breeder, take a close look at the conditions. If the dogs there look dirty, skinny or unhealthy, do not purchase a puppy there. If a breeder is reluctant to show you his or her entire premises, it is probable that he or she is running a puppy mill and does not want you to see the poor conditions in which the dogs are being bred and raised. [39] X Research source If a breeder does not ask you a lot of questions and takes a hands-off approach to the puppy’s care after he or she has sold it, you should suspect that he or she is running a puppy mill. [40] X Research source Breeders who claim to breed a large number of purebreds or “designer” breeds are likely not telling you the truth and are probably running a puppy mill. [41] X Research source The dogs are most likely not purebred or a designer breed. You might want to report a puppy mill to the authorities. You can fill out a report at http://www. humanesociety. org/forms/report_a_puppy_mill. html or call 1-877-MILL-TIP if you suspect a breeder you visit is harming dogs and puppies.
There are many aspects of a puppy’s physical appearance to examine. If you are not sure that you can do a thorough examination, consider asking the breeder or staff at the animal shelter or rescue group to guide you through the process. Examine the puppy’s head. For example, the nose should be cool and wet with no discharge. The gums should be a healthy pink color. Also, the eyes should look clear and bright and have a dark pupil. The ears should be clean and positioned according to specific breed characteristics. [45] X Research source Put your hand on the puppy’s chest to feel the heartbeat. An abnormal heartbeat could indicate a genetic heart defect which could require veterinary care. [46] X Research source Examine the puppy’s coat. If he is purebred, his coat should match the breed standard. In general, the puppy’s hair should be shiny and smooth without areas of hair loss. [47] X Research source Look at the puppy’s legs. His legs should be straight without structural deformities (e. g. , legs that bow in or out). You may want a breeder or veterinarian to do a more detailed orthopedic examination of the puppy. [48] X Research source
Puppies with a good combination of energy and sweetness make the best pets. [49] X Research source Look for a puppy that’s playful and energetic, but not too rough with the others. Avoid picking a puppy that seems overly aggressive or extremely shy.
Keep in mind that puppies also choose their owners. The puppy you are interested in will probably be paying attention to you see if he is comfortable around you. [51] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
