Finding the perfect puppy can prove to be challenging; here are some tips to help you find a trustworthy breeder and a wonderful companion.

Questions to ask when choosing a puppy:

• Do you offer a guarantee with your puppies?
• Do you have any references?
• Are you affiliated with any breeder associations? Why or why not?
• What kind of lifestyle does this breed require?
• What personality traits should I be informed about?
• What grooming requirements are there with this breed?
• What type of exercise does this breed require?
• What is the average lifespan for this breed?
• Are there any common health problems associated with this breed?
• Can I meet the puppy's mother and father?
• If one of the parents is not available, are pictures of the parent available?
• May I see / visit the site where the puppies are raised?
• How many litters do you have per year?
• What happens to your retired breeding dogs?
• How many different breeds do you breed?
• What type of food do you feed your dogs?
• At what age can the puppy move to its new home?
• What immunization protocol do you follow for your breeding dogs and your puppies?
• Do the puppies have any type of socialization prior to being sent to their new home?
• Do the puppies have any type of training prior to being sent to their new home?
• Do you require spay/neuter contracts on your pet quality puppies?
• If, for any reason, I am unable to keep the puppy, what is your policy?

Most breeders will be glad to answer your questions, and happy to see that you are interested in the background and well-being of your future puppy. Make sure that you feel good about the breeder; their care for the puppy will have a large impact on the type of dog it will become. And remember that it is also the breeder’s responsibility to determine whether you will provide a good home for the puppy. By searching for a puppy by location, you can find puppies that are within driving distance of your home and talk to the breeder about setting up a time to visit the puppy before you make a final decision.