WHERE TO FIND A PUREBRED DOG:

• Pet stores which sell puppies are among the worst places to buy.  Most puppies in pet stores come from large commercial breeding operations (often called puppy mills) that raise puppies as a cash crop.  Little or no attention is paid to health, temperament or adherence to the breed standard.  Breeding stock and puppies are often kept in deplorable conditions and given little or no appropriate care.
   
• Smaller commercial breeding kennels will often sell puppies directly to the public as well as to brokers who in turn sell to pet stores.  As with the larger operations, little or no attention is paid to health, temperament or adherence to the breed standard.  Breeding stock and puppies are often kept in deplorable conditions and given little or no appropriate care.  The owners often have little knowledge about the dogs they are breeding.  Corners are cut in providing care to increase the profit margin.  These "breeders" almost always have puppies available for sale.  They may have puppies of several different breeds.  They may advertise that they accept credit cards or "We Ship Anywhere".  They will usually sell a puppy to anyone who is willing to pay with no concern as to whether the home will be a good one or the dog being purchased is at all appropriate for the buyers´ lifestyle.  These "breeders" should also be avoided.
   
• The "backyard breeder" is the person who has one or two dogs as pets and has a litter once or twice a year.  Puppies and dogs are often well cared for and loved.  They may or may not receive  adequate health care, proper vaccinations, etc.  The "breeders" often have only very rudimentary knowledge about their breed, the potential health problems, special care needs, etc.  Their dogs are seldom checked for hereditary health problems which may be common in the breed.  The stud dog used is usually the one most convenient - owned by the people down the block or the "breeders´" uncle - or least expensive, rather than the one most appropriate for their bitch.  These folks usually mean well and you may get a wonderful dog...or you may not.
   
• A recognized Purebred Rescue Organization may be a good option, although often the dogs available from Rescue originally come from puppy mills or backyard breeders.  A good Rescue Organization will evaluate each dog for health, temperament or behavioral problems and often resolve these problems before placing the dog into a home.  They will carefully screen potential owners to be sure the dog placed with them is appropriate to their expectations and lifestyle.  The best known Rescue Organizations are those dedicated to placing Greyhounds retired from racing.  However, most breeds do have some form of organized rescue.   Click here for a partial list of National Breed Club Rescue Coordinators.
   
• Your best source for a purebred dog is a reputable and knowledgeable breeder.  This is a breeder who breeds only the best possible representatives of their breed.  They have studied their breed, often for years or even decades.  They know its quirks, potential health problems, temperament foibles, care and grooming and want to share that knowledge with others.  They rarely have more than one or two breeds at the most.  They test breeding stock for health problems before breeding.  They carefully screen potential buyers.  They usually have puppies available only "occasionally".  Your best sources for finding a reputable breeder are Breed Clubs.  Every breed has a National Breed Club.  Many also have regional breed clubs.  These Clubs can refer you to reputable breeders in your area.

Find a Breeder, Breed Club or Rescue
Information about each breed
More information on buying a puppy

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