The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust, anger, and sadness. The Humane Society of the United States calculates that as many as 500,000 puppies every year are sold in pet shops, and that many of these pet shops buy their pets from the worst breeders-so-called puppy mills. What do these puppy mills (and kitty mills) have to do with you if you're on the market for a new furry companion? You know what you're doing when it comes to buying a purebred, right?
Truth be told, puppy mills are largely responsible for even harsher statistic: as many as 25 percent of all purebred pups suffer from genetic difficulties because of bad breeding. And as knowledgeable as you think you are about buying a dog, you could come across one of these poor pups and not even know it.
That could mean that you spent hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on a pet, only to have it succumb to a birth defect and maybe even die at an early age. Even if this worst-case scenario doesn't occur, buying from the wrong breeder can also land you an animal that picked up diseases because of the intolerable conditions at the breeder. That could lead to additional thousands spent on vet bills.
Why leash yourself to such heartache? There's no need when there are so many great and trustworthy breeders out there, who can pair you with a loving new puppy.
To find the right breeder for you, start local. Your best bet is to find breeders within driving distance. That way, you can visit the actual breeding facilities. And while there, be sure to scout out for the following characteristics that all best-of-show breeders possess:
? A litter of dogs that play, smile, and show all the other signs of being happy and healthy. Take notice, too, that the pups are sociable to the breeder, you, and their brothers and sisters.
? More demand for their dogs than they can handle. Usually a long buyers' waiting list at a breeder is like a wagging tail on a puppy-a good sign.
? A discerning eye for customers. Good breeders should ask you as many questions as you ask them, on topics such as your reasons for wanting their dog, your past pet experience, whether you have enough space at home, and who in your family will be responsible for daily puppy care.
? The willingness to show you the puppy's parents during your visit if you provide the right answers to the above questions.
? A wealth of knowledge on the dogs that they breed, including specific advice on the breed's standard and temperament, to satisfy all of your questions and concerns.
? A health guarantee in writing that shows exactly what vaccinations the pup has had.
? The friendly advice about what future vaccinations you should give, along with the best ways to train and care for the puppy.
? A guarantee, again in writing, this one stating that the breeder would be willing to take back the dog if you cannot keep it at any time.
? The care and thoughtfulness to keep in touch for some time after your purchase, to check on the dog and offer further advice when needed.
If you keep your eyes peeled and your ears perked for these signs of a good breeder, you won't have to rely on luck or a good reference in finding the right puppy (though those don't hurt either). You'll learn soon after you bring your new pal home that you made the right choice, and over time, your family and pet bond. Your pet will live a long, healthy life as part of your family.
Donald Lee is the public relations manager for Buysellcommunity.com. Buysellcommunity provides free classified listing services. Buy, Sell and trade: auto, computers, household items, real estate, pets and much more. For national and localized classifieds, please visit http://www.buysellcommunity.com - Free Buy & Sell Classifieds
There are thousands of local and online Pet Stores but... Read More
Some sources seem to indicate that living with a serval... Read More
Internet Fraud, Classifieds Scams, Abuse and Suspicious Replies are world... Read More
Remember when you first met your dog? He was fresh... Read More
I really do not hope your are eating something, but... Read More
It was the Saturday morning of August 20, 2004 and... Read More
Wondering how to begin crate training your puppy or dog,... Read More
You've seen them in movies and on TV shows, and... Read More
'I named all kittens, although they were all stillborn.' 'My... Read More
Pets provide an unconditional love that requires very little on... Read More
If you have never seen a Shar Pei before, the... Read More
In the last decade or so, the popularity of sugar... Read More
Tips to getting the right GoldfishGoldfish are a temperate breed... Read More
Pets are family members and should be treated as such.... Read More
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That's become the burning... Read More
If you are considering opening a dog day care, then... Read More
This is a question that has been asked of me... Read More
Attempting to train your dog to walk on a leash... Read More
The holidays are a wonderful time of year, full of... Read More
As a parent, you want to be able to give... Read More
In horse training or natural horsemanship, Approach is nothing more... Read More
Domesticated rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart... Read More
Before we talk about using the essential oils, we first... Read More
A family, including three dogs and a cat live happily... Read More
One of the biggest question asked of the discus breeder... Read More
Our dogs are now, more than ever, a very important... Read More
If you are having behavioral issues with your dog that... Read More
Small dog breeds are great pets, but since their personalities... Read More
Glassily transparent, the lemon tetra (hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis) could appear to... Read More
If you are looking for tips on breeding tropical fish,... Read More
Anyone wanting a new kitten should be a cat lover.... Read More
Flea control can be a very hard thing to do... Read More
How many times have I hear fellow dog owners say,... Read More
Some people say they are exclusively "cat people," meaning they... Read More
Incredible advances in veterinary medicine are making it possible for... Read More
In most cases you should not be too concerned about... Read More
According to the American Humane Society, just 15% of dogs... Read More
Got a mischevious mutt on your hands? Then you may... Read More
If you thought dog noses were just a source of... Read More
When goldfish swim up to the glass of the tank,... Read More
You spoil your pooch as close to rotten as you... Read More
Some people are so attached to their pets that they... Read More
Interacting with a pet bird outside of it's cage is... Read More
Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present... Read More
Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive... Read More
Tired of cleaning the cat box? Here are some tips... Read More
In order to add love and affection to their lives,... Read More
The shutting and opening door trick can be taught to... Read More
Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty bitty teeth, but not... Read More
If you have a passion to learn all you can... Read More
Pet Pet |
|
| العاب | منتديات هيدى | الزاوية الحمراء | |
|
Pharaohs products egypt products Egypt shopping Shopping in Egypt sho Egypt Bazaar Pharaohs Shoping Center Egypt Pharaohs |