March / April Newsletter 2011
PUPPY LOVE
For many people, the decision to get a puppy is a difficult one. You first have to decide if you have the time and moey to train, feed, exercise, and provide medical care for the next 10-20 years. After that you ask yourself "What type of dog do I want?" You research your lifestyle to decide if you want an active dog, a lapdog, a large dog, a small dog or something in between. Once you decide on a breed, the next step is finding a puppy.
One in every four dogs in the U.S. that is currently in an animal shelter right now is a purebred, so this is a good place to start. Visit websites such as www.petfinder.com and frequent your local animal rescues and shelters. Let them know what you are looking for and they may be able to help you. However, if you find that the dog of your dreams isn't likely to appear in a shelter, you may start thinking about breeders.
What to look for in a responsible breeder
First things first; learn as much as you can about the breed you are interested in. The more you know, the better you will be prepared in your journey to find the right dog. Don't trust what random people tell you, it is better to get your information from reputable and published sources. Going to a breeder without any prior information is like going to a car dealership and not having any idea about what type of car you are looking for.
Once you are armed with knowledge, you are ready to talk to some breeders. Here is a list of the minimum qualities you should look for in a responsible breeder:
Does the breeder keep the dogs in the home, as part of the family? Avoid breeders who keep their dogs outside in kennels.
Does the breeder specialize in one or two types of dogs, and has a lot of knowledge about them? People who breed numerous types of dogs are often only in it for the money, and are not trying to breed the healthiest puppies possible.
Look for a breeder who doesn't always have puppies available-this indicates that they don't treat their digs like puppy-making machines, with scant regard for their health and well being. These breeders often will keep a list of people interested in the next litter.
Does the breeder have happy and healthy dogs that enjoy visitors? You should always be able to meet the parents (at least the mother) of your puppy-avoid breeders who won't allow you contact. Good breeders encourage contact!
The breeder should show you where the dogs spend their time- and it should be a clean and well maintained area.
Do they have a strong relationship with a local veterinarian? The puppies should have been seen by a vet and it is strongly recommended that you ask to see the records from your puppy's visit.
Does the breeder talk to you about the potential genetic diseases that come with the breed? Every brred has some specific predisposition based on genetics. They should provide documents that show the health of the of the parents and grandparents of your puppy, and prove that they do not have genetic problems.
A responsible breeder als ocares about the well being of the puppy once they leave their care. They should offer guidance for care and training, and should be available for assistance after you take the puppy home. They should also be able to provide references from other families who have purchased puppies.
What sort of food do they feed their dogs? They should feed a high quality premium food.
They should encourage you to visit multiple times with the entire family before taking the puppy home.
Avoid breeders who do not provide a health guarantee and written contract. They should give you plenty of time to read it, and avoid any breeders who require that you use a specific veterinarian.
While those are the minimum standars that you should be looking for, it is also recommended that you look for a breeder who will ask you the following:
- Why do you want a dog?
- Who in the family will be responsible for daily care and training?
- Where will the dog spend most of his or her time?
- What rules have been decided on for the puppy? (Not allowed on the furniture, etc)
- Can you provide proof from your landlord that you are allowed to have a dog?
- Can you provide a veterinary reference?
- Do you agree to sign a contract that you will have the dog spayed or neutered, unless you are going to be showing the dog (this is specific for show-quality dogs)
- Will you sign a contract that you agree to return the dog to the breeder, in the event that you cannot keep the dog at any point in its life?
Walk away from breeders who do not meet the minimum criteria. You want a happy, healthy and well adjusted dog, because you will have this dog for 10 - 20 years! It is worth investing the effort to make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder who has the dog's best interest in mind.
The Lowdown on Pet stores and Online Breeders
Everyone has been in the scenario where you see a cute little puppy at the pet store and you are just dying to take it home. Puppies in pet stores almost always come from puppy mills or backyard breeders however, where the health of the breeding dogs is not taken into account. These puppies are produced as quickly as possible, often in filthy conditions. They are cleaned up and taken to pet stores at a very early age to maximize profits. Often times these puppies have behavioral and health problems because of these shoddy breeding conditions. Once the breeding dogs loose their fertility, they are often euthanizd. for more information regarding puppy mills please visit www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppymills/
Online breeders can hardly meet the minimum requirements listed above. They often times will ship puppies long distances on planes in order to make a profit. This can be traumatizing to a young puppy that just left his or her family. There are also risks of shipping including overheating and hypothermia. Occasionall, puppies do not survive the flight, due to these risks. In August 2010, 7 puppies that were being shipped died on their flight to Chicago by a commercial dog breeder in Oklahoma. These dogs were to be distributed to various pet stores. It is a rare occurrence but a tragedy that can be avoided. This cannot be stressed enough: breeders who are willing to sell dogs online are not looking out for yours or the puppy's best interest, and it is best to avoid them altogether.
Avoid breeders who sell to pet stores, or online and start your search locally. Talk to veterinarians for referrals to breeders, contact breed rescue groups and local breed clubs. Please don't buy puppies if you can't see where they were born or raised. Finding a good reputable breeder can make a huge difference for you, the dogs and for progression towards a more humane furure.
To end this newsletter....we all need something to celebrate. So we've listed a few things for March and April. Pick one or two, and ENJOY!
What a wonderful gift! And it doesn't cost a thing. So why not share one, two, three. 
Can you sing our National Anthem in it's entirety? If not... why not make it your goal this month!
St. Patrick's Day - May the LUCK OF THE IRISH be with you all month long!
Yeah!!!! 
