Ideally a purebred puppy should be purchased directly from the breeder so that the mother can be present to be seen, talked to and studied. It is also possible to buy purebred puppies from dealers and pet shops, but in both cases it is highly likely that the puppies have been obtained from a variety of sources. They may have traveled long distances from their home and may well have come into close contact with puppies from other litters and had time to pick up any germs. The stress of being removed from the comfort of the maternal home tests the most resilient of puppies and is compounded by transportation in a noisy train or van, the company of many strange, equally frightened pups, temperature and food changes, and a motley of human faces and voices.
For the prospective buyer, the best advice is to find a reliable breeder within a reasonable radius of home. The local veterinary practice often knows of local breeders, and this has the advantage that something will be known about the quality and the health of the pups. In addition, many small breeders advertise in a local press, to announce the sale of a forthcoming litter. There are also several weekly and monthly magazines and periodicals devoted to the world of mainly purebred dogs. They discuss exhibiting, training and breeding, and virtually every breed has its separate column; advertisements give details of pups for sale and addresses of secretaries of breed clubs. Major dog shows are excellent places for checking on a particular breed, in respect of appearance and temperament, and the major breeders.
The next step is to find a breeder who has or will shortly have puppies for sale and to make arrangements to see the litter and discuss price. If everything goes smoothly, it then becomes a question of selecting an individual puppy of the chosen sex and possibly color, and waiting patiently until the pups are old enough to leave home, at the age of six or preferably eight weeks. The waiting me can be used to gather together the necessary basic equipment.
For the prospective buyer, the best advice is to find a reliable breeder within a reasonable radius of home. The local veterinary practice often knows of local breeders, and this has the advantage that something will be known about the quality and the health of the pups. In addition, many small breeders advertise in a local press, to announce the sale of a forthcoming litter. There are also several weekly and monthly magazines and periodicals devoted to the world of mainly purebred dogs. They discuss exhibiting, training and breeding, and virtually every breed has its separate column; advertisements give details of pups for sale and addresses of secretaries of breed clubs. Major dog shows are excellent places for checking on a particular breed, in respect of appearance and temperament, and the major breeders.
The next step is to find a breeder who has or will shortly have puppies for sale and to make arrangements to see the litter and discuss price. If everything goes smoothly, it then becomes a question of selecting an individual puppy of the chosen sex and possibly color, and waiting patiently until the pups are old enough to leave home, at the age of six or preferably eight weeks. The waiting me can be used to gather together the necessary basic equipment.