"Pick a Pup"

Breeder

Once you’ve determined the right breed for your lifestyle, one possibility is to go through a breeder. You can find breeders by looking in the classified ads in your newspaper (the prices are usually pretty steep, ranging from $100 to $3000, depending on the breed and the quality of the puppies).

Alternatively, you can call the American Kennel Club at 1900-407-PUPS. The breeder reference person will put you in touch with reputable breeders in your area. Then call several breeders and talk with them; they’re a valuable source of information about the breed you’ve chosen.

Breeders are a good route because you’ll get someone who knows all about your breed of dog, so if you have any questions, you’ll have a new friend to ask. Also, breeders generally take very good care of their dogs. So good, in fact, that they’ll usually interview the prospective buyer to make sure that the dog is going to a loving home. The drawback about using a breeder is the price – you can get a puppy for free at a shelter. But if you’re looking for a pretty puppy that you might eventually want to breed or take to dog shows, using a breeder is the way to go. Read more…

"Lifestyle"

Getting a pet dog is really a Zen process of self-discovery. You can’t know the right dog for you until you know yourself (lifestyle or personality). For example, a jock would prefer an active dog.

A lazy slug would prefer a dog that doesn’t require much exercise. A touchy-feely person would prefer a friendly dog. A tightly-wound person would probably prefer a dog that doesn’t bark or shed too much. Think of picking a pup like choosing a mate; you have to find one that compliments your personality.

Here are some very general guidelines. Of course, we won’t list every dog breed on the planet, but they’ll get you thinking in the right direction:

Intelligent dogs
• Poodle
• German Shepherd
• Australian Sheepdog
• Belgian Sheepdog Read more…