Here, we're going to discuss one of the most important aspects of buying your new canine companion: how to find a good, reputable dog breeder - and how NOT to buy a purebred dog.
The number one tip you want to remember is, do not ever, EVER buy a puppy from a pet store. There are many reasons for this.
- Most pet stores buy their dogs from pet mills and backyard breeders who are breeding animals purely for profit. These pet mills and breeders have no regard for improving the breed and no concern for the health of the animal.
- They will skimp on or completely neglect necessary veterinary care and vaccinations, keep animals in unhealthy, overcrowded conditions, and breed mothers and sons, brothers and sisters, fathers and daughters...which cause terrible genetic problems.
Puppy mills breed mothers again and again with no resting period between litters, so the mothers become weak and unhealthy - and give birth to sickly puppies, which are then sold to the pet stores.
Pet stores are very unhealthy environments for puppies, because of the vast number of people coming through and handling the puppies. This means the puppies are exposed to numerous diseases at an age when they are too young to have developed a strong immune system, and you will likely buy an unhealthy puppy.
You don't get your money's worth at a pet store. Pet stores have to add in a huge markup so that they can make a profit. This means that you are paying show-dog quality prices for a pet-quality animal. (An animal that likely does not meet breed standards and therefore could not be placed in a dog show.)
Most people are not buying a dog because they want them to compete in dog shows, but the point is - you could buy the same, healthier, better socialized pet-quality puppy from a dog breeder, often for half the price of a pet store puppy. And if you are considering ever having your dog in a dog show - you most definitely do not want to buy it at a pet store.
So, now that you know what NOT to do...how do you find a good pet breeder?
Here are some good resources:
If you already own a dog or cat, ask your regular veterinarian for a recommendation. He or she will have a good idea of who in the area breeds healthy, well-cared for puppies.
If you don't already own a pet, here is an equally good way to find a reputable breeder: every dog breed has a club, society or organization that is dedication to the betterment of the breed and promotion of responsible pet ownership.
The Golden Retriever Club of America, for instance, at www.grca.org, has all kind of information about the dog breed AND a list of local Golden Retriever clubs across the country, and a list of rescue organizations which have older dogs that are available for adoption - more on that subject in a minute.
Each local Golden Retriever Club will have a list of breeders that they recommend.
Local newspapers always have classified ads for dog breeders, but you should approach those with some caution. If you are not getting a recommendation from someone such as your veterinarian, or a dog breeding club, then it can be harder to determine if you are dealing with a responsible breeder who will sell you a healthy pet.
If you are going to buy a dog through classified ads, make sure that you go to the breeder's home and ask to see the puppy's mother and if possible, father, so you can at least visually observe that the dogs on the premises appear healthy, well-socialized, and well cared for.
And finally - you may want to consider adopting a dog from a rescue society. There are rescue societies that take in specific breeds - there are Chihuahua rescue societies, Newfoundland rescue societies, German shepherd rescue societies, and many others. These dogs are usually older; some may be older puppies, some may be several years old.
The pet rescue society can tell you if the dog has any behavioral problems that need to be addressed. Many of these dogs are not from abusive homes, however; they may be from people who lost their homes, or can no longer care for a pet because of illness.
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