Ask Bill: Pet Store Puppies
Submitted by Bill on Wed, 2009-07-22 15:59.
Q: I am looking for a new puppy but I heard on the news about a puppy that was purchased from a pet store and ended up really sick. I definitely don't want that to happen. Do you have any advice?
A: The first rule you should follow is never buy a puppy from a pet store. Setting aside the risks you take with the health and background of your puppy, pet store pups are kept in cages and crates from the start, making them much more difficult to housetrain. Start at the Humane Society, which is currently overrun with good dogs and cats looking for homes and, yes, they even have puppies. We have 6 of them right now! Adoption and rescue is always a great option. However if you have your heart set on a breed you cannot readily find in a shelter, you will need to look for a breeder. Your best resource is the AKC website, www.akc.org. They will have a list of breeder referrals for all AKC recognized breeds. The breeders listed on these websites are in good standing with their breed club, meaning they follow all the rules and regulations set forth. The code of ethics states such things as members are required to demonstrate honesty and fairness in dealing with others, use breeding stock of sound temperament with no major hereditary defects, free of parasites and communicable diseases. They are required to provide accurate documentation regarding the health of the dogs, including genetic testing. They should screen prospective buyers to place not only the right puppy, but the right breed with each family. And finally, they are disallowed to donate, sell or consign dogs to commercial facilities, brokers, pet shops or laboratories. All of these codes are designed not only to protect the breeder and the buyer, but also the puppy himself.
A: The first rule you should follow is never buy a puppy from a pet store. Setting aside the risks you take with the health and background of your puppy, pet store pups are kept in cages and crates from the start, making them much more difficult to housetrain. Start at the Humane Society, which is currently overrun with good dogs and cats looking for homes and, yes, they even have puppies. We have 6 of them right now! Adoption and rescue is always a great option. However if you have your heart set on a breed you cannot readily find in a shelter, you will need to look for a breeder. Your best resource is the AKC website, www.akc.org. They will have a list of breeder referrals for all AKC recognized breeds. The breeders listed on these websites are in good standing with their breed club, meaning they follow all the rules and regulations set forth. The code of ethics states such things as members are required to demonstrate honesty and fairness in dealing with others, use breeding stock of sound temperament with no major hereditary defects, free of parasites and communicable diseases. They are required to provide accurate documentation regarding the health of the dogs, including genetic testing. They should screen prospective buyers to place not only the right puppy, but the right breed with each family. And finally, they are disallowed to donate, sell or consign dogs to commercial facilities, brokers, pet shops or laboratories. All of these codes are designed not only to protect the breeder and the buyer, but also the puppy himself.