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Show Dog vs Pet?

Show dogs should never be purchased under 9-12 months of age and should already have had handling classes and/or exposure in the ring. The best a breeder can sell you before then is a "show/breeding potential" puppy. Be aware that before then, the pedigree is the only thing that can be guaranteed at that age.

Pets should never be purchased under 12 weeks of age. Look for the points outlined below to get the best quality available. Whenever possible try to visit the home of the breeder before agreeing to purchase a puppy. This gives you the chance to see the parents, or at least the mother of your potential new family member. This is very important as it gives you an idea of size, temperament and general health.

Here are 10 questions that you need to have answers to before you purchase a dog. You will think of some more on your own. Write them all down and take them with you. Whether looking for a show dog or family pet, the answers to the following are important.

1. Are the premises clean, the dogs healthy and outgoing?

2. What are their living conditions? Inside? Outside? Basement or Garage?

3. How used to being in the house are the puppies? Do they have toys and do they play with them?

4. Is the breeder someone you feel you could come back to with questions about your puppy? Someone who will try to help you for the entire life of the puppy or do you feel they just want you to buy the puppy and go away?

5. While it's very true that "a puppy is for life," it's hard to say what may happen in the future. If your circumstances should change to the point where you could no longer keep your pet, is the breeder willing to assist you either by taking the dog back or by finding another home for him/her?

6. Is there a written sales contract and/or health guarantee?

7. Many breeders will require you to provide references before selling you a puppy, but did you know you have the right to request references from your breeder as well? Are they willing to provide references for you? People you can talk to who have dealt with them?

8. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the puppy's parents? The breeder should be familiar enough with the standard to be able to point these out and honest enough to admit they exist.

9. Does the breeder keep in touch with their puppy owners?

10. Does he/she know how their puppies are doing - both good and bad - and are they willing to tell you about the bad? No line is totally free of problems. What are the problems that have cropped up in their dogs?

11. (for people buying show dogs or potential show dogs) Is the breeder able/willing to help and/or mentor you? (i.e., help you become a member of the national and/or local breed club, recommend a handler or handling classes if you need them, be there to answer questions about breeding when the time comes, etc.)

These are just a few of the questions you will need answers to before you purchase your puppy. Never plan on buying your puppy before you get to the breeder's home, and don't allow them to pressure you into making a purchase you're not 100% sure about. That's not to say that after spending time with the breeder and the puppies you cannot take one home with you, but that you should always give yourself the option. If you have any reservations either about the puppy, their conditions or the breeder, then ask for time to decide and walk away to think about it for a while. If they seem reluctant to allow you time to think - DON'T GO BACK until you decide if your reservations are well grounded and if they are, go somewhere else. You may have to wait a little longer, but in the long run it will be worth it.

Your breeder should be someone you can trust to sell you a healthy puppy, back up their guarantee and be there should you require assistance down the road.