PET SHOPS & FLEA MARKETS
Buying from a pet shop or a flea market is begging to be taken for a ride. When you buy from a flea market
or a pet shop, you have no way to know where that puppy came from or the conditions under which it was
raised. Puppy mill breeders often batch registrations to save money and there is no guarantee that the
puppy on those papers is the one you are buying or that it is even a purebred dog. Puppy Mills often sell
through brokers who double or triple the price of the dog. You will pay three to four times what the dog is
worth with no information about the dog, its parents, or its lineage. You will have no real knowledge of the
dogs health or genetic soundness other than a health certificate which is often meaningless. More
importantly, you may have no recourse if the dog is sick or has a genetic defect. Do not be fooled by
meaningless "guarantees" offered by some pet shops. Pet shops and flea markets exist for one reason and
only one reason and that is to take your money. They are there to make a profit. Unless you are determined
to be ripped off, stay away from pet shops and flea markets. Those sweet little faces are hard to resist and
they count on that! They play on your tender emotions BUT - every time you purchase a dog from a pet shop
or flea market, you condemn another dog to the same fate.
PRIVATE BREEDERS
Before buying any dog, read the A.K.C. breed standard and learn what that standard means. If possible,
attend some dog shows and talk to the breeders you meet there. Whenever possible, buy from a local
breeder -- someone who will have to face you again if there is a problem. Local breeders rely heavily on
personal referrals from satisfied customers. They have ties to the community and a reputation to uphold. A
good breeder is proud of the dogs they produce. The puppy should appear happy, well adjusted and well fed.
Be prepared for an extensive interview. A good breeder wants to ensure that their dog will go to a stable,
loving, permanent home. Sadly, due to the increases number of thefts, many breeders are no longer
comfortable allowing strangers to visit their home. However, the breeder should be able to provide your with
complete contact information such as their place of business and a permanent phone number - not just a cell
phone. If something doesn't feel right, it isn't!
BUYING OVER THE Internet
Buying over the Internet is asking for trouble unless you know the breeder and know the market place.
There are many beautiful web sites that are nothing more than a front for a puppy mill. You cannot judge
the quality of any dog by the web site it comes from. If a breeder's prices seem exorbitant, that is a breeder
who is out to rip you off. While prices do fluctuate somewhat from region to region, most breeders in a
particular area charge about the same amount for their puppies. High prices are no guarantee of quality!
SHOW PROSPECTS
For those who are considering a show quality dog, keep in mind that hobby/show breeders do NOT sell their
dogs over the Internet to the first person with a credit card. Good breeders interview prospective buyers and
often prefer to sell their dogs to someone with a proven track record in the ring. This can make purchasing
that first show dog a bit of a challenge but if you learn about your breed and are patient, persistent, and
develop a relationship with a responsible breeder, you will find that special, first show puppy. Stay clear of
breeders who insist on co-ownership. With a co-owership contract, you may have little control over your
dog's life or who it is bred to, etc. Be prepared to pay a bit more for a show prospect but the price should not
be exorbitant. Keep in mind that a show puppy will be an older puppy because it is difficult to tell whether a
dog is show quality before six months of age. Even then there are no absolute guarantees. An honest
breeder will make the terms of the purchase clear and in writing. A good breeder will also know their
pedigrees and the lines they are breeding. Ask lots of questions!
DANGER SIGNS
* Is the dog registered with any registry other than AKC? If so, why?
* Is the breeder is charging more for a particular or "rare" color or pattern?
* Is the breeder charging exorbitant prices?
* Is the breeder taking deposits on unborn or newborn puppies?
* If there is a deposit, is it non-refundable? Do they accept credit cards or Pay Pal?
* Is the breeder asking you for a puppy back before spaying a pet quality female?
* Is the breeder selling puppies under the age of twelve weeks?
* If the breeder claims show quality dogs or puppies, do they actively show their dogs?
* If the breeder has a web site, does it contain the breeders name, and location? If not, why not?
* Is the breeder willing to guarantee the health and genetic soundness of the dog?
* Is he/she prepared to return the purchase price or provide a replacement puppy if the one you purchase
turns out to have a genetic defect?
* Is the breeder insisting on co-ownership or a breeding contract for a dog purchased strictly as a pet?
* Do you have references from other people who have purchased dogs/puppies from this breeder?
Buying from a pet shop or a flea market is begging to be taken for a ride. When you buy from a flea market
or a pet shop, you have no way to know where that puppy came from or the conditions under which it was
raised. Puppy mill breeders often batch registrations to save money and there is no guarantee that the
puppy on those papers is the one you are buying or that it is even a purebred dog. Puppy Mills often sell
through brokers who double or triple the price of the dog. You will pay three to four times what the dog is
worth with no information about the dog, its parents, or its lineage. You will have no real knowledge of the
dogs health or genetic soundness other than a health certificate which is often meaningless. More
importantly, you may have no recourse if the dog is sick or has a genetic defect. Do not be fooled by
meaningless "guarantees" offered by some pet shops. Pet shops and flea markets exist for one reason and
only one reason and that is to take your money. They are there to make a profit. Unless you are determined
to be ripped off, stay away from pet shops and flea markets. Those sweet little faces are hard to resist and
they count on that! They play on your tender emotions BUT - every time you purchase a dog from a pet shop
or flea market, you condemn another dog to the same fate.
PRIVATE BREEDERS
Before buying any dog, read the A.K.C. breed standard and learn what that standard means. If possible,
attend some dog shows and talk to the breeders you meet there. Whenever possible, buy from a local
breeder -- someone who will have to face you again if there is a problem. Local breeders rely heavily on
personal referrals from satisfied customers. They have ties to the community and a reputation to uphold. A
good breeder is proud of the dogs they produce. The puppy should appear happy, well adjusted and well fed.
Be prepared for an extensive interview. A good breeder wants to ensure that their dog will go to a stable,
loving, permanent home. Sadly, due to the increases number of thefts, many breeders are no longer
comfortable allowing strangers to visit their home. However, the breeder should be able to provide your with
complete contact information such as their place of business and a permanent phone number - not just a cell
phone. If something doesn't feel right, it isn't!
BUYING OVER THE Internet
Buying over the Internet is asking for trouble unless you know the breeder and know the market place.
There are many beautiful web sites that are nothing more than a front for a puppy mill. You cannot judge
the quality of any dog by the web site it comes from. If a breeder's prices seem exorbitant, that is a breeder
who is out to rip you off. While prices do fluctuate somewhat from region to region, most breeders in a
particular area charge about the same amount for their puppies. High prices are no guarantee of quality!
SHOW PROSPECTS
For those who are considering a show quality dog, keep in mind that hobby/show breeders do NOT sell their
dogs over the Internet to the first person with a credit card. Good breeders interview prospective buyers and
often prefer to sell their dogs to someone with a proven track record in the ring. This can make purchasing
that first show dog a bit of a challenge but if you learn about your breed and are patient, persistent, and
develop a relationship with a responsible breeder, you will find that special, first show puppy. Stay clear of
breeders who insist on co-ownership. With a co-owership contract, you may have little control over your
dog's life or who it is bred to, etc. Be prepared to pay a bit more for a show prospect but the price should not
be exorbitant. Keep in mind that a show puppy will be an older puppy because it is difficult to tell whether a
dog is show quality before six months of age. Even then there are no absolute guarantees. An honest
breeder will make the terms of the purchase clear and in writing. A good breeder will also know their
pedigrees and the lines they are breeding. Ask lots of questions!
DANGER SIGNS
* Is the dog registered with any registry other than AKC? If so, why?
* Is the breeder is charging more for a particular or "rare" color or pattern?
* Is the breeder charging exorbitant prices?
* Is the breeder taking deposits on unborn or newborn puppies?
* If there is a deposit, is it non-refundable? Do they accept credit cards or Pay Pal?
* Is the breeder asking you for a puppy back before spaying a pet quality female?
* Is the breeder selling puppies under the age of twelve weeks?
* If the breeder claims show quality dogs or puppies, do they actively show their dogs?
* If the breeder has a web site, does it contain the breeders name, and location? If not, why not?
* Is the breeder willing to guarantee the health and genetic soundness of the dog?
* Is he/she prepared to return the purchase price or provide a replacement puppy if the one you purchase
turns out to have a genetic defect?
* Is the breeder insisting on co-ownership or a breeding contract for a dog purchased strictly as a pet?
* Do you have references from other people who have purchased dogs/puppies from this breeder?
