Who can resist a cute little puppy? Hardly anyone!! And with so many dogs for sale in pet stores and online from "reputable" breeders, showing pictures of these adorable little puppies looking up with sad eyes, just wanting to find a home, it's not surprising that we're tempted. Buying a dog has become so easy these days. But you've got to stop and think twice because finding a dog with a good bill of health, a compatible temperament and good breeding takes time and effort.
When you look at all the outlets for purchasing "papered dogs", including pet stores and ads on Craigslist, Facebook, Internet forums and newspapers one thing they all have in common is that they are counting on the consumer to make an impulse buy. They advertise "Available Right Now", which means this precious little puppy may be gone two minutes from now. They want to grab you before you change your mind.
Resist the Urge to Impulse Buy
Do not buy a dog on impulse. This is not a new gadget or accessory for your home. A dog needs to be taken care of constantly. They need feeding, grooming, and exercise. They need potty and obedience training. They need to go to the vet for shots and check-ups. They should be spayed or neutered and this is just for starters. At times you may even need emergency care. But if this puppy has real chronic health problems, the $300 you bought them for (instead of the $1,800+ from a reputable breeder) will be nothing compared to the thousands of dollars or more on vet bills for diseases that good breeders screen for and take care of.
Finding the Right Dog for You
If you want to have a little puppy or a dog for companionship, take your time! You don't need to have one right this minute. Many little puppies bought "right now" end up in shelters a few months later. You've got to first give this some thought:
You will need to think through all the logistics of having a puppy in your home. What will you feed it? Where will it "do its business"? Where will it sleep? Do you have time for potty and obedience training? Who is going to walk the dog and clean up after it? Who will feed it? What if the dog misbehaves? If you're thinking of the dog for your kids, you will end up doing most of the work.
The most important question to answer is: Where will you find this dog or puppy? Never buy a dog from a retail pet store. There is no reputable breeder that would ever think of selling their dogs to a pet store to live in tiny cages with no socialization and to be bought by someone just because they can afford it.
Never buy from a "breeder" whose main marketing ploy is that their dogs are "AKC papered". This means next to nothing regarding the quality and health of the dog. All this means is that this dog's parents were registered as purebreds so the puppy is too. It might not even look or act like the breed it's claiming to be! AKC registration does not mean this is a high quality animal, with good health and temperament. With AKC registration the animal doesn't need to meet any standards for health or temperament. There is no testing for quality.
A good breeder will know their dogs. They will help you choose the puppy that's right for you. If the one you're choosing isn't the right match, they will tell you (unlike a lot of "executive protection dog" sellers). German Shepherd Watchdogs will NEVER sell a dog unless we feel that this is truly the right match!
If you are thinking about an older dog, or if it's not important for you to have a purebred, then contact your local breed rescue or a shelter. There are so many wonderful animals waiting patiently to be adopted. Think and do your homework before you buy or adopt an animal. You will not regret the time and effort you put into your search.
When you look at all the outlets for purchasing "papered dogs", including pet stores and ads on Craigslist, Facebook, Internet forums and newspapers one thing they all have in common is that they are counting on the consumer to make an impulse buy. They advertise "Available Right Now", which means this precious little puppy may be gone two minutes from now. They want to grab you before you change your mind.
Resist the Urge to Impulse Buy
Do not buy a dog on impulse. This is not a new gadget or accessory for your home. A dog needs to be taken care of constantly. They need feeding, grooming, and exercise. They need potty and obedience training. They need to go to the vet for shots and check-ups. They should be spayed or neutered and this is just for starters. At times you may even need emergency care. But if this puppy has real chronic health problems, the $300 you bought them for (instead of the $1,800+ from a reputable breeder) will be nothing compared to the thousands of dollars or more on vet bills for diseases that good breeders screen for and take care of.
Finding the Right Dog for You
If you want to have a little puppy or a dog for companionship, take your time! You don't need to have one right this minute. Many little puppies bought "right now" end up in shelters a few months later. You've got to first give this some thought:
- What breed of dog are you interested in, and why?
- Do you think this breed is a good fit for your household?
- What are you expecting from your dog? Man's best friend? A show dog for competitions? A loveable and trainable pet? Do you want high energy, or a calm lap dog?
You will need to think through all the logistics of having a puppy in your home. What will you feed it? Where will it "do its business"? Where will it sleep? Do you have time for potty and obedience training? Who is going to walk the dog and clean up after it? Who will feed it? What if the dog misbehaves? If you're thinking of the dog for your kids, you will end up doing most of the work.
The most important question to answer is: Where will you find this dog or puppy? Never buy a dog from a retail pet store. There is no reputable breeder that would ever think of selling their dogs to a pet store to live in tiny cages with no socialization and to be bought by someone just because they can afford it.
Never buy from a "breeder" whose main marketing ploy is that their dogs are "AKC papered". This means next to nothing regarding the quality and health of the dog. All this means is that this dog's parents were registered as purebreds so the puppy is too. It might not even look or act like the breed it's claiming to be! AKC registration does not mean this is a high quality animal, with good health and temperament. With AKC registration the animal doesn't need to meet any standards for health or temperament. There is no testing for quality.
A good breeder will know their dogs. They will help you choose the puppy that's right for you. If the one you're choosing isn't the right match, they will tell you (unlike a lot of "executive protection dog" sellers). German Shepherd Watchdogs will NEVER sell a dog unless we feel that this is truly the right match!
If you are thinking about an older dog, or if it's not important for you to have a purebred, then contact your local breed rescue or a shelter. There are so many wonderful animals waiting patiently to be adopted. Think and do your homework before you buy or adopt an animal. You will not regret the time and effort you put into your search.
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