Don't buy a dog. Get the dog from rescue. Unless you plan on showing the dog (AKC dog shows). There is no reason to get a dog from a breeder when there are countless dogs in rescue. Even purebred dogs. The rescue foster home will have all the data about the specific dog. As far as which breed, there is ample information online about the specifics about each breed. You could also get a book on dog breeds with lots of information and pretty pictures.
Our rescue group usually charges a $200 adoption fee. A bit more for puppies. This is a tax deductible donation and helps the club stay afloat. It really is the way to go.
If you plan on showing the dog then I recommend going the the national competition for that breed and asking lots of questions about breeders and breed specifics. Everyone's super friendly at these events. You can make your decision from there.
Good luck.
Info about dog breeds:
http://pets.yahoo.com/pets/dogs/
http://www.akc.org/
Where to get a dog:
http://www.petfinder.com
2006-12-24 04:43:16
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answer #1
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answered by Crazy Malamute 3
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The best way to find any information on any type of breed is to search the internet. (That's just my opinion, though)
Two sites you might want to check out:
www.akc.org
www.dogchannel.com (Click on Dog Breeds, then you can research breeds)
**Calling a breeder is also a good way to get information, too. I think it is a good idea to buy from a breeder as long as it is not a puppy mill or anything. Also, if you get a puppy (or a dog) from a breeder, you should be able to see their living environment and how they behave and other things such as that. The breeder determines the prices of the dogs/puppies, so I can not really answer the question about spending a lot of money.
****Also, if you don't want to buy from a breeder, you can check with a rescue agency that rescue specific breeds of dogs.
******If you do not want to buy a dog from a breeder or a rescue agency, then adopt one from your local shelter. There are many homeless dogs that need a home and someone to love them.
Good luck!
2006-12-24 13:40:15
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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first deterime what tyope of dog would best fit your family. Big, littel , active, long hair, short hiar.
Keep in mind a dog live 10 to 15 years or more. YOU will be making a long term commitment. this is a living creature who has feelings and thoughts, wants and needs.
Like this long haair dogs look beautiful BUT the hair gets everywhere and they often get pooh caught in the hair by thier behinds and someone has to clean up the mess or they can get really sick. It can even crust over so they are unable to go and that can kill them. I am serious I have a couple long hiared dogs.
Little dog? Well they are very delicate! You can't have a tiny dog in house where there is any rough housing!
A big dog? I fyou rhouse is small you will be tripping over him.
Really think about the what kind of dog would best fit your famiily and home.
Then once you figure out that think about what kind of home you can provide a dog. You want a dog to sleep in bed with you? YOU don't want a small dog because they can't get off and on the bed with out help. A small dog jumping off a bed can be dangerous and shorten thier lives. So you would want a medium or larger dog.
Noone home all day? You want a dog with a calmer disposition. You like to run 5 miles a day, you want a big active dog like a hunting dog or a shepard.
See what I mean?
And I urge you to go to a shelter and buy one of the dogs who needs a home. Chances are you will get a better dog many breeders have no business breeding dogs they breed badly. And there ar so many homeless dogs! Dogs of every size and type.
2006-12-24 14:06:36
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answer #3
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answered by raredawn 4
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Not all breeders are good breeders and unscrupulous breeders are not going to give you correct info. My advice is to check with owners of dogs you like- find out where they got theirs, ask more than one local vet about the best breeders in the area, check into the shelters for adoption but be aware that some (not all) of those dogs will come with problems you will need to work hard to overcome- great if you have the time. Read up about the breed from reliable sources.
2006-12-24 08:00:48
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answer #4
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answered by juneau 1
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Hi Bethany I don't want to sound preachy BUT have to agree with the others about the risk of buying over the internet. Puppy farmers want to sell healthy looking dogs but they really don't give a toss about the dogs health once you have had it for a while. Before long you will fall in love with your dog regardless of where you got it from but wouldn't you rather a dog that will live to a ripe old age rather than die prematurely or be plagued with expensive illnesses. Our first dog was from a puppy farm- we bought it from Harrods and at 5 he is healthy but we were lucky and naive. We now know better!!!! Why not try looking for breed specific forums and wait until you get a feel for them and then ask for recommendations, if you are convinced that the forum is full of caring and professional breeders who know what they are doing? Best of luck
2016-05-23 04:02:43
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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I highly recommend the American Kennel Club (AKC) website. They list every breed of dog (except the all popular mutt) and also provide links for breed websites. This will allow you to check out what breeders say on their websites about a particular breed. For example, the Jack Russell Terrier website has a "test" that will let you know if you are compatible with this breed of dog. Other websites do that as well.
Once you've done the homework and settled on a breed, the AKC can put you in touch with a breed club in your area. The breed club can provide you with "recommended breeders" that are affiliated with the club. A good breeder will spend time on the phone with you, once you've decided on a breed, so spend the time and do your homework to make sure that a specific type of dog is right for your home, your space, your family and the amount of time you have to spend.
You may find a lot of website that offer information about puppies and specific breeds as well. But when you are ready to make a puppy a part of your life, make sure there is a recommendation. There are a lot of websites out there that seem ligit, but then turn out to be nothing but puppy mills. It's sad :(
As for adopting, another fantastic choice! There are plenty of puppies and older dogs who are in need of good homes. We adopted our 7-month old puppy and people ask me what kind of dog she is, and well, we just don't know! So everytime I see something that reminds me of a particular breed (Jack Russel, Dauschund) I think, maybe there's a little bit of that in there :)
Good luck!
2006-12-24 05:33:38
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answer #6
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answered by Flowerlady NYC 2
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The best website for breed information for a potential owner, is:
www.dogbreedinfo.com
People always recommend AKC.com but that focuses on what makes a show-quality dog in that breed.
Buying a purebred from a breeder, is going to cost you a good amount of money. You might want to look into local shelters & rescues, as they come across the occasional purebred.
2006-12-24 13:41:29
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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I'm going to give you the response I give everyone looking to get a dog - PLEASE ADOPT! I know that there is a great attraction in buying a puppy, but there are so many animals in need! It takes only one conscientious and caring decision to save the life of a abandoned animal, one who did nothing but love their owner, only to be discarded like a piece of trash.
I read a blog (listed below) by a rescue organization volunteer who pulls animals out of NYC kill shelters. This morning, Christmas eve, ONE shelter she adopts from has 44 cats on their euthanasia list. I can assure you the numbers for dogs are similar. This is ONE of the MANY shelters in NYC, and ONE of the THOUSANDS of shelters in this country. If you decide to get a dog, I implore you to adopt a loving and needy animal!
2006-12-24 05:09:33
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answer #8
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answered by maguire1202 4
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Don't buy one -- adopt one from a shelter! They are normally abandoned or abused dogs who really need a home with people who will love and care for them!
I love retriever mixes
2006-12-24 04:57:50
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answer #9
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answered by Chelsea 2
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you should ask your local veterinarian or local pet shop. vets have pretty much all the information and pet shops should have info too. plus pet shops have those little books that you can buy that tell you about the breed and they only cost about $7.00.
2006-12-24 04:54:44
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answer #10
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answered by Angie,, 2
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