Where to start?

Let us a assume that you know more or less the type of dog you feel you can best live with. Even if you have no intention of ever showing your dog, dog shows are fun places to visit while you are finalizing your choice. Wander about and talk to the exhibitors, find out what their views are about their breed — you may find that many of the handlers are remarkable frank about the drawbacks as well as the virtues of their breed. Often, professional handlers show several breeds and can give you insightful comparisons. Be mindful that these people are at work and take what they do seriously. It's best to catch them while relaxing before going into the ring. For more information, see: Dog Shows.

The next step is to look for the right breeder, not necessarily the top one in the breed, who would, quite fairly, expect a premium price for puppies of show standard. Top breeders, however, will often be the most genuinely encouraging to the potential new owner.

Many dogs are still sold through so-called "puppy mills" and pet shops. Neither is a suitable place to find a puppy. Young dogs are often treated as commodities to be traded at the convenience of their breeder, and serious mental and physical health problems arise from this form of mistreatment.

Be prepared to wait to get the dog you really want. Above all, visit the kennels and make sure you see the dam with the puppies in the litter (and other litters), and if possible, the sire. Make your own mind up about the conditions in which the puppies have been reared.

There is some argument about the right age to bring a puppy home, although the general consensus seems to be that about eight weeks is ideal. Much before that may be too early to remove the puppy from the nest; leaving it later can give rise to socialization problems. The time between six and eight weeks is regarded by behaviorists as a critical period in the puppy's development. Certainly, if the puppy is much older than eight weeks, you need to be satisfied that it has been exposed to a sensible social environment and not simply left in its rearing kennel to make its own way.

If you are looking for a dog that you may later want to show, don't pretend that you are only looking for a pet puppy, in the hope that the price might be lower. Many breeders will only sell pet quality puppies with limited registration papers, meaning you could not breed or show your dog in the future.

Explain truthfully and carefully the life that the puppy will lead, especially its home environment. At worst, the breeder will explain why that may not be suitable for rearing a puppy; at best, you many get much good advice.

The breeder should always provide you with a feeding chart for the next stage of rearing your puppy. It is worthwhile taking this to discuss with the veterinarian when you take the puppy for its first visit. Many breeders give the new owner some sample feed to start the puppy off in its new home.

You should expect a healthy puppy, which has been wormed adequately, probably twice, and is free from skin parasites such as fleas or lice. Pet insurance companies have short-term cover policies, available to breeders for issue to new owners. Ask the breeder if he or she has such coverage. If not, arrange your own as soon as you have bought the puppy. Puppies are at their most vulnerable during the first few weeks in their new homes..

Never expect a guarantee that your puppy will be a show winner. Even though it comes from the very best show stock, with a pedigree as long as your arm, no one, including the most experienced breeders, can pick a winner at eight weeks.

The breeder should provide you with the puppy's pedigree, and a receipt for its purchase. If the breeder has already taken the puppies for their first inoculation, this may be included in the quoted price or regarded as an extra. You should ask.

You may be expected to sign a contract setting out the limitations of the breeders liability in the event of the puppy later developing an inheritable condition. We live in a litigious society. Recent court cases have made it plain that if a breeder fails to warn a purchaser of conditions that are recognized in the breed, and the puppy late develops such a condition, the breeder may be held liable, even though he or she is unaware of the existence of the problem in that puppy, and has taken reasonable precautions to avoid the condition.

The contract you may be asked sign must be reasonable, and it is likely to consist of a statement drawing your attention to the known inheritable diseases of the breed and an expectation that you will have discussed the significance of the condition with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may be advised to make his or her comments in a written statement.

However, many reputable breeders are now guaranteeing the health of their dogs, with replacement or refund privileges included.

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