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.