The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,
anger, and sadness. The Humane Society of the United States
calculates that as many as 500,000 puppies every year are
sold in pet shops, and that many of these pet shops buy
their pets from the worst breeders—so-called puppy mills.
What do these puppy mills (and kitty mills) have to do with
you if you're on the market for a new furry companion?
You know what you're doing when it comes to buying a
purebred, right?
Truth be told, puppy mills are largely responsible for
even harsher statistic: as many as 25 percent of all
purebred pups suffer from genetic difficulties because of
bad breeding. And as knowledgeable as you think you are
about buying a dog, you could come across one of these poor
pups and not even know it.
That could mean that you spent hundreds, if not thousands,
of dollars on a pet, only to have it succumb to a birth
defect and maybe even die at an early age. Even if this
worst-case scenario doesn't occur, buying from the wrong
breeder can also land you an animal that picked up diseases
because of the intolerable conditions at the breeder. That
could lead to additional thousands spent on vet bills.
Why leash yourself to such heartache? There's no need
when there are so many great and trustworthy breeders out
there, who can pair you with a loving new puppy.
To find the right breeder for you, start local. Your best
bet is to find breeders within driving distance. That way,
you can visit the actual breeding facilities. And while
there, be sure to scout out for the following
characteristics that all best-of-show breeders possess:
- A litter of dogs that play, smile, and show all the other
signs of being happy and healthy. Take notice, too,
that the pups are sociable to the breeder, you, and their
brothers and sisters.
- More demand for their dogs than they can handle. Usually
a long buyers' waiting list at a breeder is like a wagging
tail on a puppy—a good sign.
- A discerning eye for customers. Good breeders should
ask you as many questions as you ask them, on topics such
as your reasons for wanting their dog, your past pet
experience, whether you have enough space at home, and
who in your family will be responsible for daily puppy care.
- The willingness to show you the puppy's parents during
your visit if you provide the right answers to the above
questions.
- A wealth of knowledge on the dogs that they breed,
including specific advice on the breed's standard and
temperament, to satisfy all of your questions and concerns.
- A health guarantee in writing that shows exactly what
vaccinations the pup has had.
- The friendly advice about what future vaccinations you
should give, along with the best ways to train and care
for the puppy.
- A guarantee, again in writing, this one stating that
the breeder would be willing to take back the dog if you
cannot keep it at any time.
- The care and thoughtfulness to keep in touch for some
time after your purchase, to check on the dog and offer
further advice when needed.
If you keep your eyes peeled and your ears perked for these
signs of a good breeder, you won't have to rely on luck
or a good reference in finding the right puppy (though
those don't hurt either). You'll learn soon after you bring
your new pal home that you made the right choice, and
over time, your family and pet bond. Your pet will live a
long, healthy life as part of your family.
About the Author: Donald Lee is the public relations manager for
Buysellcommunity.com. Buysellcommunity provides free
classified listing services. Buy, Sell and trade: auto,
computers, household items, real estate, pets and much
more. For national and localized classifieds, please visit
www.buysellcommunity.com Free Buy & Sell Classifieds
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