You're Ready to Get a Dog
So you've decided that you're ready to take the big step and make room in your life for a dog!
Before you get a dog or puppy, talk to vets, breeders, shelter workers, groomers, and trainers to help you determine the type of dog that would best suit your lifestyle and preferences.
Visit more than one shelter, or more than one breeder; don't impulse-buy--they're ALL going to be cute.
Please do not buy from a pet store. You'll likely end up with an unhealthy specimen of the breed you pick, and you will be encouraging puppy mills (see FAQs for more info.) to "manufacture" more pups. Many rescue groups hold their "adoption days" at local pet stores. This shouldn't be confused with pet stores that sell puppies. Adoption days held by reputable adoption/rescue agencies are a good way to select a new canine family member.
Before getting that puppy or dog, be sure you have already investigated vets, trainers, and premium food suppliers in your area.  If you've decided to go with a purebred dog, check Petfinder and the many purebred rescue agencies available on the internet. Here is one pretty comprehensive list. If you talk with a good breeder, you should learn reasons why you shouldn't get that breed as well as reasons why you should.
If you prefer to go direct to a breeder for your purebred pup, you'll need to do some intensive research to find a truly responsible breeder. Beware of puppy mills and irresponsible breeders. Don't allow yourself to be swayed by flashy websites, handsome dog photos or verbal assurances and promises. This is your new family member, and will be with you for about the next 15 years! Make sure you spend the time your family deserves. Download this list of questions to ask the breeders you choose to investigate: Breeder Questionnaire
It may seem like a daunting list of questions, but insist on a thoughtful answer to each applicable question. Reputable breeders will often provide you with detailed contracts and questionnaires of their own, and will understand and appreciate your desire to get the best puppy possible for your family. Of course, good answers to these questions do not guarantee you will end up with a "perfect" puppy, but it will go a long way towards this end.
 Never accept a puppy younger than 7 weeks of age. Furthermore, if a breeder wants to give you a puppy that young, go to a different breeder!
Another valuable piece of advice--resist the temptation to get littermates or more than one puppy from the same litter! Littermates are extremely difficult to train and do not bond to their humans anywhere near as well as they bond to each other. If you want more than one dog, wait a while before getting your next one. You will be very happy you did!
Go to www.dogstardaily.com for an amazing amount of free information about getting a new dog or puppy. Further go here for a FREE downloadable copy of Before You Get Your Puppy by Dr. Ian Dunbar (I had to pay for mine!). This book provides some of the best research for those planning to buy a puppy.
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