Finding the Perfect Puppy

First of all, there is no such thing as a perfect puppy. Even if there were, it wouldn't be perfect for everyone. A perfect puppy can only be perfect to the new owner that takes it home - after lots of researching different avenues, going to different breeders, and asking lots of questions about yourself and the puppy. Perfect means it is just right for you, and no one else. And over the years you will find out how perfect it actually is for you.

There seems to be a correlation between winners of show dogs and the top dog to buy. You should never buy on a whim or on a trend, but if you have already decided on a certain breed – check out how it stacks up to other breeds in different shows.

Registrations for Puppies

 
There are many registries, and most of them are accurate about the background of the breed and its ancestries. In the US, the AKC, APR, United, and Universal are just a few overall registries, with many individual registries of their own breeds. In the UK the Kennel Club reigns supreme!  These are purebred registries, which can go back as far as five generations, but three is usually average. Contacting these registries, which can be found online, is one way of knowing local breeders in your area for specific breeds.

Finding a right breeder is almost more important than deciding on the perfect breed of puppy you want. Finding a good breeder is even harder work, but much better than going to a pet shop, where you can find very little background or guarantees on the puppy you may be looking at. Even though some of the registration papers are with the dog, that doesn’t guarantee a purebred lineage. Some breeders who sell to brokers or pet shops can falsify papers, and the lineage may not be accurate. So go to the breeder directly, talk to them, and look at the dogs. It’s the easiest and safest way to ensure a high quality puppy.

Health Guarantees

One of the most important things when purchasing a dog from a breeder is to make sure there is a health guarantee. Even the best breeders sometimes have a puppy who has a problem even they don’t know about. A guarantee will cover most genetic flaws in the puppy. One year probably won’t cover everything. And read it carefully!