Tips for buying your first purebred puppy

As you begin your search for a purebred puppy, there are many things to consider. Owning a purebred dog is not only a huge responsibility, it can be a huge investment. The excitement of deciding to buy your own purebred puppy can sometimes overshadow your judgement. Make sure you have all the facts to get the perfect, healthy purebred puppy you’ve been wanting. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you start looking for that special companion:

• Research the breed of purebred puppy you want

Purchasing a purebred puppy is a big decision, the best place to start is by researching particular breeds and evaluating their characteristics, i.e. appearance, size, health issues, etc. Once you narrow it down to 2 or 3 breeds that suit your lifestyle, do some further research – there are dozens of books in the library and plenty of articles online to help you. Think about your life, how often are you at home? Have children? Do you have other animals? Do you have a large backyard? Questions like this will definitely help you figure out what type of dog will be best for you.

• Decide if you want to buy your purebred puppy online or locally

There are breeders of purebred puppies all over the world. Many people like to see/meet the puppy before deciding to take it home, but buying a purebred puppy online from a responsible breeder significantly opens up your options. Often people find that there are no good breeders locally. The Internet, however, allows people to find a responsible breeder without being restricted to just their geographic area. Many websites allow you to view puppies by breed type, gender and age, which means you could see hundreds of puppies in the time it would probably take you to drive 30 minutes locally and meet one in person.

• Before you bring home your purebred puppy

There are definitely a few things to take care of before you can bring your purebred puppy home. One of the main things is to make sure you have a fenced yard. Invisible or underground fences are not considered a practical alternative as other animals can get in but your dog cannot get out. Dog-proofing your house is next on the list: sit on the floor and see if there are any dangerous items your pup could get into, e.g. electrical wires, trash cans, etc. Another thing to keep in mind is that investing in a dog crate and dog bed before you bring your pup home is a good idea. Crates may be necessary to get your pup used to sleeping in one place, and also prevent him from having accidents all over the house. Over time, most dogs make a very good transition to dog beds.

The above tips are not all there is to consider when purchasing a puppy, but they are definitely a good place to start! Do your research and be sure to bring home the pup of your dreams.