i want to get a dog but petstore or online? Is it mean that you go to a petstore you see a dog that you like but you didn't want that dog, but you just keep looking at . or go online and not feel bad that your looking but the dogs can't see you looking at it. does that make sense?help
2007-08-02 02:48:54 · 45 answers · asked by andrea 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Neither!
Go to a reputable breeder.
Make them show you their credentials and bloodline of their stock. If they can't go back at least 5 generations on both ***** and sire find another breeder.
There is really a lot that should be done prior to the purchase to insure it's a good experience for both you and the dog.
There are health issues with many breeds that need to be addressed and subsequent health checks of the breeding stock.
It's not a simple process and shouldn't be taken lightly. If it is you might be disappointed and some poor dog may end up in the pound.
Please do some extensive research before you purchase a dog.
Knowledge is power.
Another very good option would be a rescue.
They are all over the place and for almost every breed. They will know the nature of the animal and may be able to fit one to you, your home and circumstance.
2007-08-02 02:59:46 · answer #1 · answered by Iceman 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Depends.. where are you looking online.. If you are researching legitimate breeders, and talking to people who breed to produce better dogs, and care about the breed, and where their dogs end up.. Then buying a dog online is better..
If you aren't researching and you are just buying from anyone who has a cute something or other.. Then it makes no real difference if you buy in a petstore or online. You will be getting the same dog.. Puppymills also have websites set up.. They are often very easy to spot.. You have to know what to look for, what to watch out for, the ' red flags ' to know whether you are buying from someone legitimate or not.. Taking Mastercard / Paypal / Visa is often a good indicator that you have found a puppymill online..
Petstores get their dogs from puppymills.. There is no two ways about it.. No responsible breeder would allow their puppies to be sold in a petstore..
If at all possible, you should contact a breeder in your area if you are looking for a dog.. You can go to their house, look at the puppies, where they were born and raised, see at least 1 of the parents, and have someone you can talk to face to face..
2007-08-02 03:07:51 · answer #2 · answered by DP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would find an actual breeder online that is in your area. Then I would go to the breeder's house and look at the dogs, how they are living and how the puppies are cared for etc. I would ask for recomendations from past clients to ensure that the puppies are high quality. Don't buy from a petstore they are bred badly and will have more problems than a puppy from a quality breeder. Also don't buy something online without seeing it first. You might order a yorkie and end up with a bull dog. Do as I said and visit a local breeder. Good Luck!!!!
2007-08-02 03:06:09 · answer #3 · answered by Teresa V 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Neither is a good option for buying a dog, or any other animal. Pet stores buy from puppy mills, hideous places that should never be supported or rewarded in their torture of animals (most of those animals live their entire lives in one little cage, kept alive only to breed and produce litters). Buying online is a crap shoot...anybody can post nice pictures of cute little puppies and a beautiful clean facility where they are raised by hand (sure!). Best bet is to find a breeder near you, where you can actually visit and see the pups before you decide to buy. The options you mention are not options at all. If you want a pedigree, be prepared to pay dearly for it. If you have a certain breed in mind, but cannot afford breeders' prices, consider contacting a rescue group for that particular breed....those you CAN locate on the internet without too much concern for their authenticity. If you just want a dog, no breed preference, then go to your local ASPCA or humane society. Failing that, contact your police dept and ask for animal control....find out what they do with the animals they capture. Most are kept for only a matter of days before they are put down. There are many ways of getting a pet without buying from pet stores or risking your money on the internet.
2007-08-02 02:57:55 · answer #4 · answered by claudiacake 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Try a shelter first. You can save a dogs life! but, if you want a good quality pure breed dog you can search online for a breeder. Once you have found a breeder that you think is reputable, ask then if you can go see the puppies. Chances are that if they are reputable they will want you to visit and ask questions. Even though you can see a puppy in a pet store you cannot be too sure where they are coming from. You never want to support a store that gets their pets from a puppy mill. try www.petfinder.com they post a lot of lovable pets that need a home, that where I found my baby. Or for a pure breed dog try www.terrificpets.com and search for a breeder in your area. Good Luck!
2007-08-02 03:10:57 · answer #5 · answered by puppyluver 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Neither...
First establish what breed of dog you want and fits into your lifestyle. Temperment, size, activity level, grooming, etc. Do you want a male or a female?
Then go breeder shopping. A good breeder is the key to a healthy, happy dog. Interview several breeders. I interviewed 6 different breeders before I narrowed it down to the one i wanted to work with.
And yes, you should be working with the breeder, not just contacting them once or twice, and voila! Your puppy is on a plane heading your direction.
Get references, ask about future litters, find out why they felt that the breeding you are possibly getting a puppy from is a worthwhile breeding, check the pedigree of the puppies' parents, you should get to see the health certificates of the parents. Both parents should be sound!
Read and reread your breeds parentclub standards... this way you know what you are looking at.
Visit the kennel or home that your puppy is born in at least one time before pick up. You should at least see the mom.
I know that is sounds a bit overwhelming, and at first it is. But so is bringing a puppy home, so wouldn't it be better to have the support of a reputable and responsable breeder who takes her dogs seriously? Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a person who can help you out with nutrition, behavioral or whatever advice? I love having a breeder that takes pride in her puppies, and i have a friend now in my breeder... she is a wonderful person.
I don't know what breed of dog you are looking for, but i am going to give you her website. It is full of wonderful advice on finding a good breeder, and is a steller example of what you wanna find in a website when you are shopping.
Best of luck
2007-08-02 03:04:08 · answer #6 · answered by willodrgn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, absolutely not! You will be supporting Puppy Mills, if you do. Please go to these links and find out why:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2HM8UmHM8Uo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2HM8UmHM8UoXRmfKg&mode=related&search
If you go to purchase a puppy and you see any of the following - Please, walk away! Go to a shelter, breed rescue or a reputable breeder.
PUPPY BROKERS =
Sometimes call themselves "breeders" or a kennel
Do not have the at least one of the puppy's parents on the premise
Do not screen you with lots of questions
Do not take puppy back (for any reasonable reason) after a few weeks
Do not have quality health records for puppy and parents etc... (especially breed specific ailments health screenings)
Do not let you meet either parent (dog not here today, at the groomer, vets, etc.) or any information on both parents location
Do not let you see where puppies are kept (put you in a "special" room or location)
Have multiple breeds of puppies (more then 2)
Insist you see another puppy (even a different breed) if your not interested
Does not socialize puppies
Don't have clean, healthy looking puppies (puppies smell badly)
Shows you the Mom (who clearly has not recently given birth)
Has a puppy who is very fearful (puppy has had traumatic experience)
Do not show any concern about the puppy's welfare
Good, Reputable Breeders =
Always stand behind their puppies
Try to better the breed
Have references
Will answer any of your questions
Let you meet at least the Mom, and give you location information on the dad, if not there
Breed only one or two different breeds
Have clean areas for the puppies
Let you see where puppies are kept (have nothing to hide)
Have all heath information & screenings (breed specific health concerns) for a few generations before
Will screen you
Socialize their puppies
Do not breed dogs with aggression or faulty temperament
Have homes for most, if not all the puppies before they are born (why bring puppies into the world with no demand for them?)
Do not breed dog every heat season
Please pass this information on to every dog owner you know. Let's STOP THIS!!
2007-08-02 02:59:42 · answer #7 · answered by Jackie 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
NEVER EVER buy from a petstore :( Petstore dogs come from puppymills or backyard breeders. Ask any of the responsible breeders on here THEY would NEVER sell to a store.
http://stoppuppymills.org/ (warning this is AWFUL it shows the way the petstore mommy's live :( ). Anyway they also are bred for $$ and not from health so the dog can have major health problems as it grows up.
try petfinder.com or if you have a certain breed in mind google "x breed club of america" and you can usually find a list of responsible breeders for that breed on their website.
Oh and online breeders are often puppymills and backyard breeders too. Look for online ones who have 8 million questions for you, who only breed 1 or 2 breeds of dog, and who show their dogs. Ask about certification and genetic testing too...
2007-08-02 02:55:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Neither.
Either way, you really don't know anything about the dogs.
Research for breeders who live close to you. Breeders are all over the place. Call them, make an appointment to go out, see their dogs, see the puppies. See how the dogs are cared for...are they all groomed? Toenails cut? How are their temperaments?
A responsible, good "breeder" will not sell a pup to just anyone. When I was raising dogs for conformation showing (a breeder) I would never have sold to someone over the internet. I screened people in person. They had to sit and listen to my "how to take care of the puppy" speeches. I showed them how to brush the puppy, how to cut toenails, they went with little collars, etc etc......because I brought them into the world and was RESPONSIBLE to find the best homes for the puppies I was not going to keep for myself.
A breeder does not breed to sell puppies. They breed to produce a better quality animal to keep for themselves, to perpetuate the breed, enhance their breeding program. The puppies they sell are "extras".
You may need to drive a ways, but when it comes to adding a living being to your family, it is an important, life long commitment and responsibility. You have to "like" the little critter you get.
A puppy is not a puppy is not a puppy...each is an individual with its own personality.
2007-08-02 06:05:53 · answer #9 · answered by Marna O 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's always a gamble when buying a dog online and it usually cost more because you may need to have the dog shipped to you. it is also hard to determine the behavior of the dog and it's compatability with you. there have also been stories of fruad and sick puppies being sold online so make sure you at least find a local breeder and check references before buying online. pet stores are fine too but they also over charge for pets. check out your local shelter. They sometimes have puppies if you really want a puppy but they also have great dogs that are often already house broken.
2007-08-02 03:06:48 · answer #10 · answered by Victoria J 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋