Where to Find a Dog?

Breeders

Dog breeders are the clearly the best source to obtain purebred dogs. Professional breeders and many dedicated hobbyists spend years or even a lifetime developing one particular breed. These people invest a great deal of time, effort, money and patience in perfecting show quality specimens of a breed. They know the breed inside and out, and equally as important, they know a great deal about each puppy or dog they may have for sale.

A good breeder will subject a prospective owner to a series of questions, to identify what type of pet you are interested in (companion or show dog), and to see whether you are acceptable in terms of the type of home you could provide for a dog. Don't be offended by these questions, because this is a good sign that you are dealing with a reputable breeder, who will work very hard to match the right dog with the right person.

Selecting A Breeder -
Finding a good breeder can involve several steps. First, you will need to narrow the selection of breeds you are considering. You should visit your local library or bookstore to learn about the breeds that interest you, as well as talk to knowledgeable friends, or a veterinarian. Once you have narrowed your breed selection, you might want to attend a local dog show. These shows usually feature high quality dogs, and you will be able to see several adult specimens of the breed you are interested in. Be sure to talk to a variety of owners and breeders, to learn as much as you can about the breed, and to identify the most respected breeders in your area. Finally, you should plan to personally visit two or three breeders. Notice how the breeder interacts with his or her dogs. Is the kennel clean and orderly? Ideally, you will want to see the parents of your dog, which will give you an idea about the eventual physical and behavioral characteristics of the puppy you are considering. And you will want to learn as much as you can about the philosophies and practices of each individual breeder. While a litter might not be available at the precise time you are there, you will be able to reserve a puppy from the next upcoming litter. A good starting point for your search is our set of breeder links (Coming Soon). Endorsement or recommendation of any particular breeder is not intended. You are advised to personally visit and evaluate any breeder that you are considering.

Costs -
Costs for purebred dogs vary widely, depending on the area you live, the breed you are interested in, and whether or not you are interested in a show quality dog. Generally speaking, "pet-quality" purebreds will cost around $200 to $800. If you agree to have your dog spayed or neutered, you will pay less than you would for a dog that could be used for breeding in the future. If you are looking for show quality dogs, you will see prices ranging from several hundred dollars, to upwards of $2,000.

Documentation -
When you purchase your dog, you will receive a written bill of sale and registration papers, which should include:

Bill of Sale:

• date of purchase
• conditions of sale (including any guarantees or refund policies)
• purchase price
  
  

Registration Papers:

• name of breeder
• names of dog's parents (sire and dam) & their registration numbers
• registration number for the puppy
• puppy's date of birth
• description of breed, sex and color of dog

Sometimes the registration papers will be delayed, but this should be noted and initialed on the bill of sale. It's important to know, that registration papers (such as "AKC papers") in and of themselves do not indicate quality. As the AKC specifically states (see AKC Registered and Quality), a registration certificate indicates only that the dog is the product of a purebred mother and father of the same breed. Subjective quality is actually measured by such factors as: health, physical condition, movement and appearance, not by the presence of registration papers themselves.

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