You want a dog to join your family, but you don't want to support cruel puppy mills. Learn how to find a reputable dog breeder who is responsible and humane.
You've decided it's time to introduce a little four-legged and furry love into your life. Maybe your son has been pestering you for months prior to his birthday. Or maybe you want to surprise your better half with an adorable and romantic addition to the family. Whatever your family's reasons for adding a puppy into your life, there are a few things to be aware of when choosing your dog breeder.
Most of us are familiar with the sad and brutal depictions of puppy mill homes that churn out puppies to sad and tired mothers with successive pregnancies wreaking havoc on their little bodies. These puppies may or may not find happy and safe homes and very often end up at the pound with other unwanted pets that don't belong to happy families. This picture is a sad view of many types of dog breeders and thankfully can be easily avoided if you take the time to do your research.
There are a number of reputable dog breeder associations across the country and around the world that help their puppies find loving and attentive homes. These are usually family owned and operated businesses that limit the number of litters their female dogs are allowed to have and do everything in their power to prevent inbreeding and genetic deficiencies such as bad hips and poor eyesight. With reputable breeders, the biggest problem is often claiming a puppy and having to pay for it before it is even born. These dogs are very popular and often spoken for long in advance of being born. Some people will pay before the mother is even pregnant. This type of investment can pay off in the long run if you're looking for show-quality bloodlines. One thing you can't pay for when you buy a puppy from a dog breeder, however, is personality. This may be inferred by the breed of puppy that you choose, but even within breeds, there are a number of different personalities that can fit with your family.
It is important to factor all of these things when considering which dog breeder will supply your new puppy. While there are a number of reputable agencies across the country, there are a lot of puppy mills that are cruel and inhumane and do not help the industry fight these negative image. Dogs are wonderful lifelong and loyal companions. It is in your best interest to ensure that you do your research before adding a new member to your household for the rest of their lives.
