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Looking for a place where to buy puppies?
In that case, it's safe to assume that you’ve done your research on how, why, and maybe even where to buy puppies, how to take care of them and train puppies, and which dogs are right for your lifestyle.
You know what breed of dog will best fit your needs and the way you live your life. You know you’ve got the time that a puppy requires, and the resources to not only purchase the puppy, but buy all the necessary dog supplies your future dog needs including proper vet care.
If that's all true, it's possible that you're ready to adopt a dog.
At this point, you just have to decide where to buy puppies and how to do it properly.
It sounds like it will be the easiest part of the entire process, but in fact, choosing where to buy puppies can be much tougher than it sounds.
Best Places To Adopt Online
Petfinder.com
This is where I found and bought my baby girl Belle.
Funny story actually.
I was interested in her sister actually.
And the night before I was going to go to the foster home, her sister tried escaping from her gated area and got her leg caught and broke her leg.
So she was taken off the table until she healed. I begged for the foster home to still sell her to me (not realizing that this would be a serious liability for the home lol).
She wouldn't sell her, and my Mom convinced me to still go look at the litter.
Sure enough, I found Belle (original name was Winter).
And the rest is history.
I highly recommend Petfinder.com.
Obviously having only one dog I can only vouch for having used that site personally.
However, I have done lots of research looking at reviews and forums and opinions on the other options I'll list here next.
Adoptapet.com
This service is very similar to petfinder.com, but it's backed by two heavy hitters in the pet space, Purina and Bayer.
It is specifically a site for pet adoptions. But some may ask,
“I could just go on Craigslist and do the same thing. Why would I shop on adoptapet.com?”
The difference is HUGE.
First, adopt-a-pet helps the owner throughout the entire process, so there is much more hands-on verification of who is interested in adopting.
Adopt-a-pet does this, so some person who isn't fit to adopt a dog brings an animal into a new and unsafe environment.
Plus, on craigslist, any puppy mill can just create an account, pose as a breeder, and get you to buy their dog.
On top of that, they have a whole separate side of the site that helps a pet parent re-home to make sure it is adopted into a home that can meet the needs of your dog.
Adopting A Puppy?
Adopting a puppy that needs a safe and loving home is one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.
Animal shelters and rescue organizations are always overflowing with rescue dogs, both puppies and adult dogs that are looking for a forever home.
If you have room in your home and your heart for one of these dogs, you won’t regret it.
Most shelters and rescue organizations are full of mutts, but sometimes they do get purebred dogs.
RELATED: Where to Buy a Dog – Responsible Adoption
Sometimes, you won't see what you’re looking for at your local shelter, either the type of breed or the age of the dog you're looking for.
Start by asking and letting them know what you're interested in.
Many dog rescue organizations will take your contact information and let you know if they receive a dog that meets your criteria.
There may not be a rescue for the specific breed that you are interested in around your area.
Still, if you’re willing to travel or make arrangements for the dog to travel to you, then this would be an excellent opportunity to give a puppy the home that he deserves.
For future dog owners who are set on a purebred puppy and don’t have the time to wait for one to come into their local animal rescue shelter, there are also many breed-specific rescue organizations out there.
You can find information about these groups by doing some quick research online.
Can’t adopt? Buy from a breeder!
Those who can’t adopt a puppy for whatever reason and would rather purchase a puppy from a breeder must be sure to find a responsible one.
You should never buy a puppy without seeing where he is coming from, and maybe even meeting his parents.
No matter what papers the breeder has, you need to insist on taking a tour of the environment where the parents were raised and the puppy was born.
Papers will only give you information on the puppy’s parents, but they don’t tell you anything about the environment the puppy grew up in or how he was treated.
RELATED: Adopting a Puppy? You Will Need These Puppy Training Supplies
It is crucial to choose a responsible dog breeder that is concerned for the well-being of the animals.
Not all breeders are concerned with helping to control breed specific health issues and temperament problems.
Overbreeding and inbreeding are two common practices that can lead to a lifetime of health issues for your puppy, so you must be sure to screen your breeder carefully.
Most responsible breeders will be screening you too; making sure that each of their pups goes to the best home possible.
There are many organizations, like the American Kennel Club, that provide lists of reputable breeders in every region.
With a little research you should be able to find a registered, reputable breeder in your area.
Use the American Kennel Club!
In fact, AKC.org can be a great place to start your research.
They only list breeders that are “AKC-licensed”
Now because of the kind of notoriety that brings, you will pay more for these dogs.
I will be honest, unless you are trying to buy a dog that will be competition ready, I'd recommend you looks somewhere more affordable.
Try out NextDayPets
Speaking of more affordable dog breeders, this website is great!
All you have to do is go to the main homepage and type in the breed you are looking for and hit “FIND A PUPPY” and you're off to the races!
It will help you refine your search based on the traits you want, like if you want a “Dachsund”. You can tell the search engine that you'd like to look for: one that has minimal grooming needs, is ranked great with dogs, or if you're looking for a toy dachsund.
And once you've picked the breed, it will pull up some puppies for sale on the right hand side and a great description of what to expect with the dog:
- Overview
- Character
- Temperament
- Care
- Coat
- Training
- Activity
- Weight
- Height
- Colors
It also answers some frequently asked questions people ask when looking for dachshunds.
“Local” Breeders
What most potential pet parents do not know is that many breeders do not register with national associations, but they still breed healthy, purebred canines.
These breeders are responsible and take great care of their dogs.
They just choose not to keep up with the paperwork, regulations, and costs of becoming recognized by national organizations.
Selecting a responsible dog breeder
The best way to tell if a breeder is responsible is to visit their establishment.
Any responsible breeder will gladly welcome potential adopters in to visit their puppies, see the environment, and check out the puppy’s parents.
When you visit you’ll be able to tell if the puppies are healthy, well-adjusted, and well cared for.
If the breeder you’re working with denies your request to visit, that should be a red flag. Not wanting visitors makes it seem like they have something to hide. Any breeder that tries to keep you away is likely trying to hide some kind of issue with the puppies or their parents.
RELATED: Ready to Adopt a Pet? Ten Best Family Dogs
Another thing to remember is that a responsible breeder will be just as curious about you and your home as you are about them.
They’ll have a lot of questions, but don’t worry. Showing an interest in their pup’s new family is a sure sign of a responsible breeder!
Buying a puppy is something to take very seriously.
If you don’t choose a respectable breeder your puppy could end up fighting lifelong health issues.
Likewise, if you choose the wrong breed of puppy you may end up with a lot of problems because the dog doesn’t fit in well with your environment and lifestyle.
There are a few key things you should keep in mind when selecting a breeder. Most responsible breeders will:
- specialize in one breed,
- only have one or two litters available at a time, and
- know the history of their puppies
If for any reason you get a bad feeling about the breeder or the environment that the puppies are in, don’t hesitate to leave immediately.
If the situation is severe enough you should also contact animal control.
RELATED: How to Train a Puppy in 3 Simple Steps
If you purchase a puppy just because you feel bad for her and you want to get her out of that environment, all you’re doing is enabling the breeder.
You’ll also probably end up with a dog that has some life long health problems. The best thing to do is let animal control shut the situation down completely
Do your research and be sure to screen breeders thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to ask for references, and check them.
If you don’t do your homework, you could end up getting a lot more than you bargained for.
