The pups in pet stores come from puppymills and should never be patronized.
If you'd like to rescue a dog, try searching www.petfinder.com
If you'd like to buy a pup from a responsible breeder, the best place to find one is through the breed's parent club:
Maltese:
http://www.americanmaltese.org/
Poodle:
http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/
Shih Tzu:
http://64.37.122.206/Info/want_to_own.asp?menu=Info
Please keep in mind that AKC registration is NOT a guarantee of quality.
Here are some suggested questions one can use to determine if a breeder is truly responsible:
1. Is she an AKC registered breeder of good standing and an active member of her breed Parent Club?
2. Are there AKC Champions listed on the pedigree, showing that the breeder spends her time & money to prove the quality of her breeding stock through competition?
3. Are all the animals kept in clean, comfortable, healthy, loving circumstances?
4. Did the breeder conduct extensive interviews with you and every member of your family?
5. Have the sire & dam received all available health clearances, (eg. OFA Hip & Eye, Thyroid testing, THESE VARY FOR EACH BREED)
6. Is she willing to honestly discuss any possible genetic defects that may exist in her line?
7. Does she have a Sales Contract?
8. Does the contract contain a clause stipulating that you spay or neuter the puppy before it reaches a certain
age?
9. Does the contract contain a clause stating that if at any time in the puppy's life, you can no longer care for it, it must be returned to the breeder? (This ensures that no animal bred by this breeder will ever end up in a shelter).
10. Will the breeder maintain contact with you for the life of the puppy to answer questions and help in general?
Neither they are puppy mills
References :
http://WWW.petfinder.com best place to look
Animals at pet stores come from puppy mills BAD IDEA! They get sick, and usually turn out to be bigger than the "toy" you thought you were buying. You can find those breeds in shelters or news papers. <3 Melanie myspace.com/thatspoiledbella
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Don't buy from Petstores:
http://www.prisonersofgreed.org
References :
Dog Rescue Director
AKC registered breeders.
NEVER buy from pet stores. Ever.
Edit: do not even consider taking Tegan C's answer into consideration because she is just a moron. Lixatatoratoring Patorilla? What the heck…? It's LUXATING PATELLA. I don't think I have ever seen someone spell that as bad as she has.
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breeder is much better~ but you need to make sure they are good breeder` and view the parents before you buy the puppy~ make sure you love the parents too~
References :
http://www.petfinder.com/
try this site is pretty good.
try it.
References :
Have you tried puppyfind.com and did a search in your area? I got my 2 Boston Terriers off of there. I wouldn't give them up for the world!! Best of luck to you!!
References :
Bought 2 BT off of puppyfind.com
Dog pound. New York must be full of them.
References :
Look at Tegan C's answer to see what happens if you buy from a pet store. DISEASED PUPPIES. Good reason not to touch them with a bargepole. Please go to the shelter and give a home to an unwanted puppy that has been certified healthy by a proper vet.
References :
The pups in pet stores come from puppymills and should never be patronized.
If you'd like to rescue a dog, try searching http://www.petfinder.com
If you'd like to buy a pup from a responsible breeder, the best place to find one is through the breed's parent club:
Maltese:
http://www.americanmaltese.org/
Poodle:
http://www.poodleclubofamerica.org/
Shih Tzu:
http://64.37.122.206/Info/want_to_own.asp?menu=Info
Please keep in mind that AKC registration is NOT a guarantee of quality.
Here are some suggested questions one can use to determine if a breeder is truly responsible:
1. Is she an AKC registered breeder of good standing and an active member of her breed Parent Club?
2. Are there AKC Champions listed on the pedigree, showing that the breeder spends her time & money to prove the quality of her breeding stock through competition?
3. Are all the animals kept in clean, comfortable, healthy, loving circumstances?
4. Did the breeder conduct extensive interviews with you and every member of your family?
5. Have the sire & dam received all available health clearances, (eg. OFA Hip & Eye, Thyroid testing, THESE VARY FOR EACH BREED)
6. Is she willing to honestly discuss any possible genetic defects that may exist in her line?
7. Does she have a Sales Contract?
8. Does the contract contain a clause stipulating that you spay or neuter the puppy before it reaches a certain
age?
9. Does the contract contain a clause stating that if at any time in the puppy's life, you can no longer care for it, it must be returned to the breeder? (This ensures that no animal bred by this breeder will ever end up in a shelter).
10. Will the breeder maintain contact with you for the life of the puppy to answer questions and help in general?
References :
http://www.petfinder.com
Pet stores should be avoided at all costs!
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