Thinking about a puppy? PART 1

I helped some people with their new puppy today and they had the basics down but had some wrong information from their "breeder".  I see it all the time, people go in to having a puppy and just listen to whatever the person they got them from says.  Luckily I get some people who will listen to me and are willing to do more research like the very kind people I helped today. 
If you're getting a new puppy (or dog) there's some basic things you need to know and have.  First before you get a pup, do research on the breed (or breeds if mixed).  All dogs are different and have different needs/health problems in life.  Before you get the dog do some research on WHERE you get the dog from. 

Part 1 is about where to get your pup.

Breeders: If you choose to buy a breed specific dog, I suggest adoption 1st always, it's so rewarding to save a life and there's so many dogs that need saving.  There are plenty of breed specific rescues and a good place to look is petfinder.com.  You can call around to local shelters too.  There is, however, nothing wrong with getting a dog from a breeder.  The biggest problem with breeders is whether they are in it for the right reason's and know what they are doing.  Don't be fooled by "AKC registered" dogs either, anyone can register a AKC approved breed.  When choosing a breeder try to find someone that has experience.  A great place to go is a dog show.  Most people who show their dogs either breed, or know a breeder where they got their dog, that is essentially what dog shows are for.  They show dogs that are breed standards and good to breed.  Now they might be a bit more expensive than someone you find on craigslist or in the paper, but they know what they are doing and generally don't do it for the money, they do it to preserve the breed.  When you find the right breeder, ask questions.  Ask about the breed, ask about how long they have been breeding them, and ask if they have the dogs pedigree.  One thing to watch out for is breeders who have designer dogs like Labradoodles, Pekepoos, Puggles, etc.  Those aren't breeds, those are mutts.  If you want a mutt then just adopt, it's way less expensive and saves a life.  Also alot of the reasons people get dogs like Labradoodles is because the "breeder" says they are hypoallergenic.  The truth is the dog has a 50/50 shot at getting the poodle hair and there is no way to tell until they are 6+ months, even if they have the long curly hair it doesn't guarantee the dog will have poodle hair.  Also if you are allergic to dogs, most of the time, unfortunately is the DANDER not the hair.  And while a dog that sheds alot will mess with your allergies more than a dog that doesn't the dander is generally the problem and people get poodles thinking they're allergies will stop but that doesn't always happen.  You can help by bathing them in hypoallergenic shampoo though and keeping the skin healthy so it doesn't get flaky.  Getting a dog like a poodle may cut down on you're allergies all together or enough so it's bearable, just be cautious, and don't get a poodle mixed puppy in hopes it will have poodle hair because you just don't know if it will and it's a risk.

Pet Stores: So let's say you walk past a store window, there's a cute little puppy jumping around giving you those cute puppy eyes and next thing you know you are walking out with a little doggie.   Unfortunately that happens alot.  The sad truth is when you do that, they generally end up in the shelter because people have no idea what they are getting themselves in to.   Now I feel torn on this subject.  The thing about those puppies is they come from puppy mills (google it if you haven't before).  A puppy mill is a place where dogs get bred over and over and over again until they can't, then they generally get put to sleep.  They live in nasty horrible conditions in tiny cages their whole life.  And most of the time the puppies you buy will have health problems because of it.  On the other side, those poor puppies being sold have to sit in their own filth while people walk by and bang on the windows, just waiting for a home and if they don't get one they most likely get put to sleep.  It's awful, and but I think it's a person's choice if they want to buy a dog from a store.  I personally feel like if you are going to pay that much you might as well just go to a breeder, and adopting is SO much cheaper.  But I know alot of wonderful dogs that were bought in a pet store.  The thing is it's heartbreaking to see those poor pups in those conditions...you just want to save them.  I feel like it should be illegal for pet stores to sell dogs.  They should sell the ones they have and then stop, no getting new ones.  Or at least make the laws more strict about how the dogs are being bred AND ACTUALLY ENFORCE THEM.  My advise is, just don't go in a pet store that sells dogs so you won't be tempted.  But if you do, and you fall in love and just have to have the dog then at least make their life good, give them what they need, and know what you are getting yourself in to.

Adoption: As for adoption, personally I think that's the best route, unless like I said, you want a specific breed.  I feel like a dog knows when you save their life, and they will always love you for it. If you are looking in to adoption make sure you ask about the particular dog, ask about personality, likes and dislikes, breed if known, and why they ended up for adoption.  A huge stereotype is that the dogs end up in shelters because they are bad.  9 times out of 10 that isn't true at all.  Most of the time it's because people move, lose a job, get married, have kids, couldn't take care of it, or because there was a minor problem and the person didn't care to take the time to teach the dog better...which is just really sad.  You have to know what you are getting yourself in to.  You don't just get a dog, give it food and water, pet it, and call it a day.  It doesn't work like that.

Part 2 will be about what to do once you have your new dog.

P.S: for the most part the same applies for cats.