Buying a purebred puppy is not something to enter into lightly. It is not like buying an item that is to be put on display. The new puppy will be your family member. A fur baby that will need attention, training, be cared for, and most importantly, loved and treated with respect.

You can always take a chance on getting a puppy that is being given away, but you will have no idea what to expect. If it is a mixed breed that was not controlled you could get a mixture of good, bad, or maybe one of them alone. It would be like playing a game of chicken. 

It is better to go through a certified dog breeder, but they are not all the same either. You will need to make sure you follow the tips below when checking around to find one, and once you have found one that you feel comfortable working with.

• Research-You will need to check around and find breeders in your area, or within traveling distance. One of the fastest, and most efficient ways of doing this, is to find a trusted website like this one when looking for purebred puppies. Gather the information together and break out the laptop. Do some thorough research on all of the breeders and find one that matches the type of pup that you are looking for. Once you have found that information you need to check the breeders out. Make sure that they are registered and in good standing. Talk to their vet and see if the puppies are cared for. If all that passes, it will be time to go and meet them, and play with some puppies!

• Meet-You will want to go meet the breeder in person. Check out how they treat their puppies. If they care for them correctly the puppies should be socialized already, and partially trained. Introduce yourself to the puppies and make sure they look healthy. Play with the ones that seem interested in you. Pick one but keep it in the back of your mind for now. If the parents are on the property meet them as well. It will give you an idea of what to expect if you take one of the pups home with you.

• Questions-Ask questions. Any and all enquires that you may have. Maybe even some that do not make sense but that are bothering you. The breeder will be a wealth of knowledge. They will know of any health issues that the breed has, the size they should get, their temperament, and everything else related to the dog. They will have a firm understanding about dogs in general.

• Health-Ask to see the current health records on the puppies. A reputable breeder will have no problem showing you proof of health screenings and shots. If they do have an issue with it, or claim that they do not have any, walk away. 

• Be patient-The puppies may not be ready to go home with you yet. In fact, most of the time you will pick one out and then wait until they are the correct age and size before taking them home. It is important that they get pulled away from their mothers in the right way, so give the breeder the time that they need. 

If during any of the steps above you get a strange feeling in the pit of your stomach, or you see or hear something that you do not like, go to a different breeder. There are some dog breeders that push puppies through without any care or concerns. They are commonly called ‘puppy mills’ or puppy farms, and if you do run across one do the puppies a favour and turn them in to the proper authorities.