Dog's Help

It is commonsense to not buy puppies from the much maligned puppy mills. If you haven't heard yet, you'd better be informed that these unlicensed breeders raise puppies in heartless conditions that would make anyone sick. But if you had thought that buying a puppy from licensed breeders is 100 % safe, you could be wrong again.

The fact is that a thorough investigation is required on your part to ensure that the dog is absolutely free from inherited defects. After all, you are going to spend the next ten years or so with your canine companion.

"Reputable breeders" are the best place to get your purebred puppy from. Why? Because only the reputable breeders take efforts to ensure that the puppy is without hereditary defects like poor eyesight, deafness, internal bleeding disorders, musculoskeletal diseases like spondylosis, dysplasia and arthritis and several others that depend on the breed. Moreover, young puppies that are raised in poor conditions secluded from people and other animals develop severe behavioral problems like timidity or aggressiveness.

Reputable breeders minimize inbreeding and limit the litter to just a few puppies a year. This results in lesser genetically transmitted diseases. Lesser puppies means more space and more healthcare that ensures that the puppies have lesser behavioral issues. Puppies that have tested positive for diseases are not put up for sale.

So how do you know who is a reputable breeder?
You need to do some research. Don't take the breeder's word that they are reputable. Breeders who belong to national breed clubs such as American Kennel club should be reliable.

Remember that USDA and AKC approvals do not mean much. They have only laid down the bare minimum standards for housing. For example, they only stipulate that the cage of the dog should be 6 inches taller, wider and longer than the dog inside.

Now if dogs are housed in these small cages with no exercise all day, you cannot expect them to be free of behavioral problems! The AKC registration only certifies that both father and mother of the dog were of the same breed. Nowhere does it state the requirement of socialization or even medical tests.

You need to go the breeding home yourself and check out everything that you need to. Check the living conditions. Check the puppy's mother and other dogs. Personality traits trickle down from the father and mother to the puppy. The breeder's home will give you most of the clues you need to select a puppy.

Don't be lured by puppies in a pet store. Most of them are from puppy mills. But you can check that nevertheless. If your heart is set on some cute puppy, ask for the breeder's contact information and the USDA reports. Buy the puppy only if you are satisfied with the response.

Finally, consider adopting a dog from SPCAs, Humane Society or rescue organizations. These people will help you with all the details you need. Purebreds as well as mixed breeds can be found here. You can look into directories to find the listing in your area.