| Once you've made the decision you want a dog in | | | | wants to train the dog for work or sport. If the |
| your life, you have a lot of choices to make. Do you | | | | puppy is free and is wanted as a loving home |
| want a puppy or a dog? Many people prefer a grown | | | | companion and it is healthy, this is a good deal. |
| dog so they don't have to go through all the | | | | If the puppy is free, find out how old the litter is. So |
| housebreaking and puppy chewing which can really | | | | many backyard breeders give the puppies up at five |
| take an expensive toll. | | | | and six weeks of age and the pups should not leave |
| Do you know what kind of dog you want? | | | | their mother until they are 7 or 8 weeks old. If they |
| Sometimes where you live dictates simply that you | | | | are any younger than that, they will not yet have |
| need to get a small dog or a dog that doesn't need a | | | | the proper socialization and imprinting needed from |
| lot of exercise. You may not have a specific breed in | | | | their mother. |
| mind at all and if this is the case, the classified ads or | | | | The shelter is a great place to get a free pup or dog. |
| your local shelter are good places to start looking. | | | | These dogs are neutered or spayed to avoid future |
| If you are the person who has unwanted puppies, it | | | | unwanted litters. Usually they are also free from |
| is a sad fact of life, but giving your puppies away for | | | | disease and have been evaluated to determine if |
| free might be condemning them. Many times this is | | | | they have proper personalities. |
| how pups are obtained for clinical testing or worse. | | | | If you are searching for a puppy for sale, always |
| If you are looking for a puppy or dog and don't have | | | | start with the breeder instead of the pet store. If |
| a lot of money and are attracted to the puppy for | | | | you are looking for a specific breed, the responsible |
| free ads, there are steps you can take to protect | | | | breeder is the only way to go. Do your research; |
| yourself. Ask the right questions. Why are these | | | | know in advance what you should expect to spend. |
| puppies free? Since they are usually unwanted, what | | | | While you may be able to make some kind of deal, |
| you are looking for here is honesty. If it was an | | | | keep in mind that the better the breeder, the more |
| unplanned litter of mixed breeds, for example, the | | | | time, hard work and money has been put into that |
| breeder should tell you this. | | | | puppy. The lines of the puppy have been ensured for |
| Surprisingly, sometimes you will find free purebred | | | | both physical and mental health. |
| puppies from a responsible breeder. Breeders imprint | | | | The truth is that when obtaining a puppy from a |
| and study their litters, test and evaluate them. Often, | | | | responsible breeder, you are usually always getting a |
| when a puppy is determined to be "pet quality only" | | | | good deal because the breeder could never charge |
| the breeder may just be interested in finding a loving | | | | what the puppy or dog is actually worth. |
| home for that pup. There is nothing wrong with a | | | | If you have decided on a specific breed, you should |
| pet quality pup. This just means it cannot be shown | | | | be able to learn more about that breed from the |
| for something as simple as one white toenail. Or, it | | | | breeder; responsible breeders are always looking for |
| could mean the puppy does not show the right | | | | the purity in their lines. It is up to you to still check |
| emotional traits. For example, when a person is | | | | everything out when it comes to the health of the |
| buying a Doberman, they are looking for a protection | | | | pup and the rest of the dogs in the kennel. |
| dog. If a puppy in the litter shows no self confidence | | | | Remember, you are adding a member to your family |
| and no apparent prey instinct and has a low | | | | and it is important to ensure the right family is |
| protective score, the breeder should not be | | | | getting the right dog. |
| knowingly passing this puppy on to an owner who | | | | |