Tips for buying your first purebred puppy

When beginning your search for a purebred puppy, there are many things to consider. Having a purebred dog is not only a great responsibility, but it can be a great investment. The excitement of deciding to buy your own purebred puppy can sometimes overshadow your judgment. 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

Buying 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 2-3 breeds that suit your lifestyle, do some more in-depth 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 big backyard? Questions like this will definitely help you figure out what type of dog will work best for you.

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

There are purebred puppy breeders all over the world. Many people like to see / meet the puppy before deciding to take him home, but buying a purebred puppy online from a responsible breeder significantly opens up your options. People often find that there are no good breeders locally. The internet, however, allows people to find a responsible breeder without being restricted only to 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 bringing your purebred puppy home

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 enter but your dog cannot leave. Next on the list is to make your home dog-proof – sit on the floor and see if there are any dangerous items your pup could get into, for example electrical cords, trash cans, etc. Another thing to keep in mind is that investing in a dog crate and dog bed before bringing your pup home is a good idea. Cages may be necessary to get your puppy used to sleeping in one place, and it also prevents him from having accidents throughout the house. Over time, most dogs make a very good transition to dog beds.

The tips above are not all 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 puppy of your dreams.