Finding Your New Dog

You have researched dog breeds and know what kind of dog you
want. Now, how do you go about finding your dog?

Please do not buy your dog in a pet store. This is asking for
trouble, both with health problems and psychological problems.
Pet stores are notorious for getting their puppies from puppy
mills, which just churn out puppies with no regard to their
health or psychological well-being.

I would suggest these as the best three ways to find a dog:

1) Get your dog from a reputable breeder. If you want a
purebred dog, this is a good option. A good breeder is concerned
about the dogs they breed, and will make sure the dog is a good
match for you. They will do their best to make sure the puppy is
healthy and well-adjusted. They will give you advice on how to
raise and take care of your dog.

How do you find a good breeder? One way is to check around in
your community for recommendations. Ask vets or other dog
professionals for their recommendations. You can also check a
dog breeder directory on the internet. You can usually select
the breed you are looking for and your geographic location, and
you will get a list of breeders in your area. Just type "dog
breeder directory" into your search engine to find one.

2) Get your dog from a dog rescue organization. These
groups find homes for unwanted or abandoned dogs of a particular
breed. There is usually an organization for each breed. The
American Kennel Club has a list of dog rescue groups on its
website.

3) Adopt your dog from a shelter. This is a good option
if you don't care about having a purebred dog. Shelters have a
wide variety of dogs available. I got my dog at a Humane Society
shelter. They do a good job of talking with you to find out what
kind of dog would be best suited to your needs.

It is very rewarding to adopt a dog from a shelter and give it a
good home. Also, I like adopting a shelter dog because you can
adopt a dog who is already past the housebreaking stage, if you
want to. If you don't find the dog you want there right away,
they can keep an eye out for you, or you can keep returning
until you "fall in love" with one of the dogs.