How To Find A Puppy

Dedicated to quality Shetland Seepdogs for Conformaion, Performance and Companionship

PET STORES and PUPPY MILLS - DO NOT BUY A PUPPY FROM A PET STORE or PUPPY MILL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!

Pet stores buy their puppies from puppy mills - places that mass produce puppys. The dogs are kept in cages, are not socialized, do not have proper health care, and are not genetically sound. Puppies are often raised in filthy pens, which are not cleaned. They play in their own waste. Not a pretty site!

Do not buy these puppies because they are cute or you feel sorry for them. By taking them home, you proliferate these puppy mills. Pet stores will stop using puppy mills if they cannot sell their puppies. In addition, these puppies tend to have lifetime health problems and often die at a young age. Not a wise investment - you will spend too much money on vet bills, and open yourself for a lot of heartache. Many of these puppies will never adapt of life among people since they were not raised in homes.

BACKYARD BREEDERS - DO NOT BUY A PUPPY FROM A BACKYARD BREEDER

A backyard breeder is a pet owner who decides to breed their pet. They do not strive to improve the breed and often do not understand the risks of breeding a dog. They use a friend's male dog, rather than carefully selecting the best stud to provide high quality puppies with their female. They do not perform genetic testing - often they are unaware of the potential genetic problems of their breed. They do not provide health guarantees. Often they do not provide shots and worming for the puppies. They often advertise their puppies through the newspaper or a note on a local bulletin board.

RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS - Puppies should ONLY be purchased from Responsible Breeders.

Responsible Breeders care about their dogs and strive to produce high quality puppies for show and pet homes. They have genetic testing done on the parents and guarantee the health and genetics of the puppies they produce. They raise the puppies in clean and healthy conditions. They make sure their puppies have all appropriate shots and worming, and provide a health certificate with the puppy. They ensure that the puppies are well socialized, get lots of attention and toys to play with, are exposed to different environments (not just kept in one pen during their short life with the breeder), and are loved. They are proud to show you their puppies, dogs, and home. Their dogs are well groomed, their dog room or kennel is clean. They screen the prospective buyers to find a suitable home. They volunteer to answer any questions and to teach you how to care for the puppy. They promise a lifetime home for the puppy if the buyer cannot keep him.

FINDING A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER

In all cases, use caution, visit the breeder, ask the right questions.

	Responsible Breeders can be found by contacting the AKC and asking for a puppy referral.
	Responsible Breeders can be found on the Internet. But be wary of listings that provide several different breeds - they are likely Puppy Mills .
	Responsible Breeders will sometimes advertise in the newspaper. Be careful, since Backyard Breeders often advertise in the newspaper.
	Responsible Breeders can be found by attending dog shows. This is a good way to observe breeds you are interested in and talk to the breeders. The names and addresses of owners and breeders are listed in the Show Catalog.
	Responsible Breeders can be found by contacting a local dog club.
	Responsible Breeders can be found by asking a local Veterinarian. Again, be wary of your vet recommending a Backyard Breeder.
	Responsible Breeders can by found by asking at your local Pet Food Store. Do not use pet stores that sell puppies. Many local Pet Food Stores maintain a list of breeders in the area.
	Responsible Breeders can be found by asking at local Dog Trainers and Dog Training Clubs. Talk to the instructor - they often know the breeders in the area.