December 1, 2008
Where should I buy a puppy?
My family (mainly my mom and I) is thinking about buying a pet puppy (not for showing or other competitions) and they put me in charge of looking for one.
We are looking for a small dog like a Maltese, Papillon, Shih Tzu or Havanese (other small breeds would be fine, but my mom prefers those).
I found some of my options, but it seems like my mom and I don't agree on any of them.
Buying from a
Breeder: I would love to get a puppy from a breeder, but they cost a lot of money. We really don't care about the puppy being "perfect" according to the breed standards or purebred, as long as it's healthy. Also, are purebred dogs more prone to genetic defects due to inbreeding? That's what a family friend told me.
Pet store: I read about puppy mills, so this is definitely one of my last resorts. The puppies are more likely to be sick since they’re sold for money. My mom claims that millions of people have bought from pet stores, and they haven’t had any trouble.
Shelter: My mom wants a baby dog, which seems to be hard to find in shelters (at least the ones near us). She also is under the impression that all shelter dogs have health problems, and they're just the dogs that "nobody wanted".
Newspaper ads/advertising websites: I want to be able to drive to the puppy owner's home to see the conditions like how the babies are raised and the conditions of the parents. I also really don't know who to trust, and I definitely don't want to have one shipped on a plane.
I know this makes my mom sound obnoxious, but she's not. She's just really picky. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Should I just try to convince my mom to go with a shelter or a breeder?
Well, first off, a pet store/puppy mill should not be a last resort, it shouldn't even be considered!! Buying dogs from pet stores will only give them more money to create more and more of these dogs and continue the abuse. Do not buy from a pet store.
A reputable breeder is the safest path to go health-wise. A REPUTABLE breeder would never inbreed his/her dog and create birth defects. In fact, the point of them breeding is to create better dogs with good genes. Yes, they may cost more now, but another dog may just pile up bills in the long run!
Breeders that may inbreed dogs are called backyard breeders, or BYBs. Those are the ones mostly in newspaper ads and they breed for money, not because they want to create better dogs. They do not bother to make sure their dogs are entirely healthy and continue to spread all sorts of diseases and genetic faults.
A shelter actually does not hold dogs that "nobody wants". They hold dogs that were purchased by irresponsible owners. The dogs are thrown away when the people realize they actually cost money and time to take care of, and when they are no longer those "adorable cuddly puppies". MANY dogs in shelters are completely fine, with no temperament or health issues. They are there by no fault of their own, but by the fault of irresponsible people. If you go with a shelter, you are saving the life of the dog at a very small price, and in return, you'll experience an unconditional love 
If you go with a REPUTABLE breeder, you can get a dog with a warranty, get a refund for the dog if you are not pleased, and the gaurauntees of a healthy dog are higher. A good breeder will always be ready to help you and your dog.
It all depends on your personal choice.
Filed under Havanese Breeder by admin
Comments on Where should I buy a puppy? »
Pet stores are bad, bad places. Not only are the dogs often unhealthy, they come from puppy mills (horrible places) and when you buy from pet stores you support puppy mills
Shelter dogs are great options. I work at a shelter and about 20% of the dogs we get are puppies that people weren't willing to take care of, or impulse purchases made by people that didn't really even want a dog
Newspapers aren't always the best source, mostly Back yard breeders advertising there. You're going to get dogs that may have health problems or werent socialized properly.
I always feel that a responsible breeder or a shelter is the best option
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Well, I bought my shih tzu from a website called kijiji.com. I'm really glad I got him, but it might be better to get one from a shelter. But like you said, no baby dogs.
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kijiji.com
Look up rescue organizations in your area, or Petfinders. There's lots of people giving up their dogs due to home foreclosures, and they need a good, stable home. There's even breed specific rescue groups out there.
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Shelters are the best way to go. Why?
1. You save a life
2. They are already up to date on shots
3. They are healthy
4. Spayed or nuetered.
5. More appreciative to the new "parents"
6 You get more information on the dog, such as why they brought them there and if they did have health problems you would know about it.
I think that's all the reasons to go to the shelter. At my local shelter there are 32,000 animals that are brought to the shelter in a year! That's a lot! Good luck!
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DO NOT go to a byb/pup mill or just an average store go to a shelter and save a dogs life.
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You can ask around maybe someone you know has a breeding pair. I would disagree that the news paper is not reliable. If you check in a local newspaper you could find someone that you can drive to and check out the conditions. Many people who have a pet that they love and care for sometimes has a litter that is too big for them and they use the newspaper to find a home that they can see the owner first.
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You should buy it from:
petfinder.com
breeder
shelter
Yes, convince your mom to get it from a reputable breeder, not a backyard breeder.
References :
No, purebreeds are not prone to defects. They are the least prone. Inbred dogs are more prone to birth defects. Purebreeds are not inbred dogs. Teacups and minis, tiny and teeni puppys are the inbred ones.
Some breeders are not that costly, just keep searching for the good ones in your area.
Do not resort to buying from a pet store at any cost. Even though that specific puppy you may buy might not have any problems, you are supporting the people who still mass produce dogs against their will in horrible conditions and you just got lucky with a healthy one.
I hate to be the one to say it, but your mom is wrong about the shelters. Those are not the sick and unhealthy dogs. Those are the unwanted, mistreated, and somewhat misunderstood dogs. They are the dogs people didn't want because they weren't mean enough, they were abused, they had hateful stupid owners, then a few had good owners who just couldn't afford to keep taking care of them.
Looking in the newspaper is fine, it is filled with a few back yard breeders however, so watch out. But they have resonable prices in there. (Health before price though..)
I would try to look on http://www.craigslist.com in your area. Or a shelter. Or http://www.petfinder.com . Both great adoption websites. Oh and uh, out of your mom's picks, I like the Papillon. It is a lovely breed. And if you go to a breeder, make sure they are a good one. Check back on here with us if you are not sure that they are reputable.
References :
Well, first off, a pet store/puppy mill should not be a last resort, it shouldn't even be considered!! Buying dogs from pet stores will only give them more money to create more and more of these dogs and continue the abuse. Do not buy from a pet store.
A reputable breeder is the safest path to go health-wise. A REPUTABLE breeder would never inbreed his/her dog and create birth defects. In fact, the point of them breeding is to create better dogs with good genes. Yes, they may cost more now, but another dog may just pile up bills in the long run!
Breeders that may inbreed dogs are called backyard breeders, or BYBs. Those are the ones mostly in newspaper ads and they breed for money, not because they want to create better dogs. They do not bother to make sure their dogs are entirely healthy and continue to spread all sorts of diseases and genetic faults.
A shelter actually does not hold dogs that "nobody wants". They hold dogs that were purchased by irresponsible owners. The dogs are thrown away when the people realize they actually cost money and time to take care of, and when they are no longer those "adorable cuddly puppies". MANY dogs in shelters are completely fine, with no temperament or health issues. They are there by no fault of their own, but by the fault of irresponsible people. If you go with a shelter, you are saving the life of the dog at a very small price, and in return, you'll experience an unconditional love
If you go with a REPUTABLE breeder, you can get a dog with a warranty, get a refund for the dog if you are not pleased, and the gaurauntees of a healthy dog are higher. A good breeder will always be ready to help you and your dog.
It all depends on your personal choice.
References :