Welcome to Harpo's K9 Korner - HOW TO BUY A PUPPY/DOG

presented by Ishkur Kennels Reg and The Mac Lady - Vancouver, BC Canada

Dedicated to helping the Dogs of the World

CLICK HERE for information on Where to Buy a Dog

WHERE TO FIND A PUPPY OR DOG

If you have decided to get a cross breed or older dog your local animal shelter or one of the many dog rescue organizations is an excellent choice. They have many wonderful dogs who have lost their homes through no fault of their own. Many are well trained loving animals. Sometimes puppies may be available as well.

Pure breed rescue organizations rescue specific breeds of dogs. The dogs come from many places, some have been left at animal shelters, others are saved from puppy mills and some are turned in by owners unable to keep the dog for some reason. The dogs' temperments are evaluated and it's health checked by a veterinarian. Then it is nuetered and a suitable home looked for.

There are rescue groups for all the different breeds.

If you have decided to by a pure bred puppy you will need to do some research to find a reputable breeder of your chosen breed. Do not go to a pet store. These puppies come from puppy mills or at best from an unreputable breeder who cares nothing about producing healthy well adjusted puppies that will be the wonderful companion that you deserve. You risk buying an aminal that will need expensive medical care and may never be mentally sound enough to be a trusted member of your family. It can be a big temptation to save this puppy from it's tiny cage at the pet store but the only way to stop puppy mills is to stop buying their puppies. They are in business and profit is their only motivation. If no one buys the pups they will be sent to the animal shelter when they get too big to sell and the store will not be anxious to lose more money by replacing it with a new puppy.

WHAT KIND OF DOG IS RIGHT FOR YOU

There are many things to consider when buying a puppy or dog.
- can you give a puppy the care and attention that it needs to grow up to be a pleasant companion and not a problem.

If the answer is no maybe an adult dog would be a better choose. There are many wonderful adult dogs available from breeders, rescue organizations and shelters. Or maybe a cat would be a better choose.
- What is your life style? Do you want a dog to sit on your lap and watch TV with you? or go hiking in the country with?
There are breeds that will suit either life but rarely both.

- How about grooming?
Long haired and fluffy breeds need alot of grooming that you need to learn to do yourself or be prepared to pay a groomer to do.

What is a reputable breeder?

A reputable breeder is a person who is breeding dogs to be the healthest best represenatives of the breEd that is possible. They only breed healthy bitches with good temperments that are free from hereditary problems to the best mate they can find. They often travel great distances to find that perfect mate for theIR bitch. The puppies are raised in the house, often in the kitchen, so that they bond with humans as early as possible and are accustomed to the daily household routine. This early socialization is very important to the puppies' future mental health. Puppies raised isolated from loving care and cuddling from their humans often never over come their distrust of people.

The breeder will question you closely on your family and life style to determine if there breed is the one for you and if your home will be a safe loving enviroment for a dog.

And remember . . .