How to Avoid Pitfalls When Buying a New Puppy

How to Avoid Pitfalls When Buying a New Puppy

• Step 1:
  Purchase a puppy from a reputable agency or a private owner you feel comfortable with. Do your research before you set foot in the door. Media attention in recent cases has demonstrated that buying a puppy from any agency is no longer acceptable. If you buy a pup from an agency that you have not checked and evaluated for its reputation, you could be purchasing a puppy or dog with a history of abuse or aggression. If you are purchasing your dog from a private owner, pay close attention to every detail of your dealings with them. Look and consider the cleanliness of the home as well as the health of the adult dogs in the home.
• Step 2:
  Weigh in the breed's characteristics. As puppies, some breeds are notorious for their destructive nature, such as labs. Study the breed characteristics of the type of dog you are interested in before you buy to ensure you are aware of the expectations that come along with them. Research to see if the dog's activity levels or characteristics--such as digging or running--will annoy or worry you. See if your activity level and the breed's activity level coincide.
• Step 3:
  Pick a puppy by the pound. Regardless of the cliché, size does matter and your puppy will not remain small forever. Some breeds grow larger than others. There is a big difference between a Chihuahua and a bull mastiff and how they will grow. Knowing what size dog you will be comfortable with when it is fully grown will help prevent problems. Base this decision off several key factors, such as food consumption (larger dogs will eat more), space and the dog's future use.
• Step 4:
  Consider your future and family. Although how a dog is raised is the largest factor in how it will behave, determine how much time you and your family will be able to dedicate to training. Certain breeds are more notoriously aggressive and territorial, such as chow chows, Dobermans and huskies, and may not adjust well to small or new children in the family. Before buying your puppy, keep in mind the ages of those in your family and if you plan on having children in the future.
• Step 5:
  Research the associated health conditions of a puppy. Once again, it is important to note that certain breeds of puppies will have greater health risks than others. While breeds like bull dogs and pugs may have breathing issues because of their nose positioning, others--like dachshunds and miniature dogs-- may have hind leg or back problems. You will also need to consider the health of your family, making sure to steer clear of certain dogs they may have known allergies to.