Buying
Buying a pup is just the same as buying any other item. You should check out its characteristic, the good and bad points for it. Are there any known defects etc
Deciding where to buy your pup.
If you are contemplating buying a dog, DO NOT make the mistakes that I
did.
To try and help you avoid these I have put together a few tips for buying
a dog, I hope you find them useful.
Decide what you want a dog for. Will it be a pet, a working dog? Will you be able to give it a lot of exercise? Do you want a large or small dog? What type of environment do you stay in (The country or a large town?) Do you have children? Do you have other pets? Will you want to breed a litter from the dog?
When you decide on the breeders (please note I use the plural) that you are going to visit, check them out with your local dog club, and if possible the national BREED club for the dog you are wanting. These clubs will be able to supply you with a list of reputable breeders. One of the best recommendations you can have is from a friend, colleague or someone who has bought from a specific breeder in the (recent) past.
(This will not stop an unscrupulous breeder but you reduce the risk of getting a bad pup. I did the majority of these before I bought Heidi)
Do not just buy from the first breeder that you visit. Never be in a hurry. A good breeder is unlikely to have puppies available all the time. There are plenty of GOOD breeders, and a lot of pups available. You may have to wait for a few extra weeks to get the dog you want, but this is a worthwhile wait. A good breeder will ask you some questions: (For example: Do you have a fenced in garden? Do you have children? Have you had dogs before? What happened to your last dogs? Why do you want his particular breed of dog?)
Viewing the pup
NEVER do as I did. If you choose a kennel that is a good distance from
your home DON'T agree to meet the breeder, if he suggests it, in some
car park and then view the dog lying in the back of a car. It is worth
travelling the extra mileage to visit the kennels.
If possible take someone with you when you go to view the dog. Preferably
a friend or someone who knows something about the breed (a family member
will be just as excited as yourself about getting the pup, so try and
take someone who is not emotionally involved with the excitement of buying
a new pup).
View the pup in its home environment. Always try to see the pup interacting
with other dogs. By doing this you will be able to get an idea if there
are any mobility problems. Watch how the dog reacts with others of its
kind. (Is it taking part in the playing etc.) It is worthwhile trying
to go back and see the pup a couple of times before deciding (better a
few extra £'s for travelling now than large vets bills and a lot of worry
and upset later on). DON'T be pressured into buying "this particular"
pup. As I have previously said there are plenty of reputable breeders
and pups out there. Inspect the premises where the puppies have been raised.
That includes a look at the parents, if both are available, or at least
the dam (The mother). If neither of the parents are available for
viewing ask why. This can sometimes be an indication of a puppy farm.
(The mother is usually to worn-out looking to be seen by the public and
is kept well out of sight) The area where the puppies are raised should
be clean, well-lighted, and in close proximity to people and interesting
sights and sounds. The pup(s) should display the temperament appropriate
for their breed (noisy for terrier's etc but they should not be shy, timid,
or menacing.) The dogs should all be clean and well-groomed. Beware of
a breeder who has many different breeds (This could also indicate that
you are visiting a "Puppy Farm"). A good breeder normally concentrates
on one or two breeds at the most.
Ask questions.
Prior to going to see a pup do a wee bit of research on its characteristics and find out if there is anything you should know about the breed. Ask the breeder if there are any known diseases/illnesses with your particular breed of choice. Are any of the know diseases in his/her breeding line? (As in case about "HD" "DJD"and "Eye Diseases" etc.) and get a definitive answer from him/her. Also ask if the pup has been inspected by a vet, and ask if he/she will provide a vets certificate to certify good health. (Some of which I did not do) if he/she refuses, look elsewhere for your pup. A responsible breeder will be informed about the genetic problems in his/her breed. He/she will also guarantee that your puppy is free of these defects or whether the dog will make a good pet but not be suitable for breeding etc. A responsible breeder will be prepared to tell you the bad as well as the good points about his/her breed. Ask if he/she belongs to any dog clubs.When you buy a puppy, you should receive a U.K.C. (Kennel Club) registration certificate, a written health record, and written instructions for the puppy's care and feeding. Many responsible breeders will also require you to sign a written sales contract with a spay/neuter agreement.
Once you have your pup home with you make an appointment to visit your local vet to have it checked up as soon as possible and to arrange for its injections.
By following these few simple tips (and others you will find on the net - A Google search result can be found here) you should find a good dog that will be healthy and give you many years of joy.