• Never be in a hurry. There is a responsible breeder out there with a puppy for you. Wait until you find him or her.
• Contact the nationals breeds associations for the breed in which you are interested..
• Ask questions. A responsible breeder will be prepared to tell you the bad as well as the good points about her breed. Ask about health problems. A responsible breeder will be informed about the genetic problems in her breed. She will also guarantee that your puppy is free of these defects. Ask if your breeder belongs to any dog clubs. Most responsible breeders belong to their national breed association or one or more regional clubs. Ask if your breeder shows in conformation, obedience, agility, field trials, etc. Responsible breeders seldom sit home cranking out puppies. Nearly all of them are involved in one or more activities with their dogs.
• Inspect the premises where the puppies have been raised. That includes a look at the parents, if both are available, or at least the dam. The area where the puppies are raised should be clean, well-lighted, and in close proximity to people and interesting sights and sounds. The breeder's dogs should display the temperament appropriate for their breed (noisy for terrier's, guarded for Schipperkes, etc.) but they should not be shy, fearful, or menacing. The dogs should all be clean and well-groomed.
• Beware of a breeder who has many different breeds. A good breeder normally concentrates on one or two breeds at the most.
• Be prepared to wait. A good breeder is unlikely to have puppies available all the time. Be cautious about making a deposit on unborn litters. Ask instead for a referral to another responsible breeder who DOES have puppies.
• Be prepared to pay a fair price for the puppy. A responsible breeder is lucky to break even. Most are bleeding money by the time they have paid the costs of breeding, raising, immunizing, and training their puppies. Buying from a pet shop or backyard breeder usually results in paying more and higher vet bills.

“Before you buy any puppy, be sure you fully understand what the future holds in store. Will the adult dog be large and/or require extensive grooming? Is it likely to need lots of outdoor exercise? Don't forget to ask yourself whether its temperament will be appropriate for your family, especially the younger members...”

“A fundamental decision you need to make is which sex you plan to buy. Males are typically larger than females . . . A bitch that has not been spayed will come into season approximately twice a year, at which time you must take measures to isolate her from males and prevent staining in your home..."

“Once you've decided on the right breed, you should make every attempt to find the right breeder, someone you can communicate with and trust. The right breeder will advise you on your choice (perhaps even point you in another direction) and will guide you through the selection process. The breeder will also continue to provide information and support as your dog matures, and should be able to answer your questions and address your concerns about issues such as housebreaking, leash training, grooming and feeding...”

"Do not buy a dog from a pet shop or a retailer who purchased the animal from a wholesaler. Instead seek out a legitimate breeder, preferably one who specializes in the breed you have in mind. When visiting that breeder, ask to see the parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, and/or grandparents. Look for healthy, happy dogs raised in a clean home or kennel. Ask questions. A breeder is there to help you and a good breeder will be at your side..."

“...Your puppy should be fully weaned, appear healthy and alert and be clearly ready for independence from its mother. Do not select a puppy that appears ill (signs include nasal discharge and/or watery eyes) or one whose littermates seem unhealthy. A cowering, trembling, shy puppy, or one that seems snappy and bad tempered should be avoided. As soon as possible, bring the new puppy to your own veterinarian for a complete physical examination and any necessary inoculations or dewormings.”

"Now that you have identified the breed that suits you and your lifestyle best, its time to find a responsible breeder..."

"A responsible breeder is the best source for a well-bred, healthy dog. The breeder will carefully select the parents of each litter to emphasize desirable attributes and minimize faults in their progeny. Some people breed dogs only to produce puppies to sell. These individuals have no regard for the advancement of that breed; they are motivated solely by profit. Responsible breeders will never breed a litter without considering the advancement of the breed. Each litter should improve the quality of breeding stock, resulting in healthy puppies with improved breed soundness- that is, physical and mental health- that are an advancement toward the ideal..."

"Another good reason to buy a puppy from a breeder is that gives you the opportunity to interact with the puppy's siblings and dam, also possibly the sire. You can, therefore, form a general impression of what the future holds for the puppy you take home..."

"Buying from a breeder means that you are part of an extended family. Most breeders expect a call if the dog has a crisis at any stage in its life, so they can help you understand and cope with the problem. This can be especially comforting for the first time dog owners who can't even imagine what kinds of questions they'll have in the future..."