What to look for when BUYING or ADOPTING a puppy?!?

Question

I'm planning on owning a Chihuahua (toy-sized preferably).
I looked at this one store yesterday and this morning by my area (called Pet Paradise). Got weird feelings when I first entered, long story short.. I researched this morning and found out that THAT store was held up with many complaints and law suits about their pups and dogs being sold sick. And saw at RipOffReport.com the many complaints about the business.
There was this one puppy (Chihuahua at 2 months old) that I fell in love with! I'd purchase her, but she was $1600 (and plus I was only 'looking around' for the time being) and after my research I don't think I'd go there again..

I just want to know what can I look for or what I should keep an eye on when buying or adopting my FIRST puppy.
Some PRO's/CON's, what they SHOULD look like, WHERE'S the best place to buy one, what's kinds of documentations to look for, etc etc..

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

if interested, here is the site that I was talking about http://www.ripoffreport.com/searchresults.asp?q1=ALL&q5=Pet+Paradise+&submit2=Search!&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0

Answer 1

worst place to buy a puppy is a petstore or over the internet
petstore= puppy mills
best place is to adopt (petfinder.com ) or go to a reputable breeder
heres some info on petstore pups:http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/common/petshops.html
heres what to look for in a dog :http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/common/puppies.html
heres how to pick a breeder:http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/common/breeders.html

if i was you id go to petfinder.com type in your zip code and chihuahuas and look at the available dogs for adoption
these dogs are only $50-200 to adopt.http://www.petfinder.com/breeds/Dog
if you do decide to go to a breeder make sure the parents have been eye and hip checked , are friendly , are a healthy weight and have akc papers
dont get fooled into buying a teacup chihuahua there is no such thing these are just over priced sick puppies.

Answer 2

Wow. This Pet Paradise place sounds more like a Pet Prison.

First of all, avoid ALL pet stores; they will more than likely stock unhealthy puppy mill puppies!!

Petfinder.com is an excellent place to start. If you don't want to handle high vet bills from illnesses, look for a dog given up by a previous owner because they couldn't take care of him, but was from a reputable breeder.

If you are interested in show or breeding stock, find a reputable breeder. The breeder should not breed more than once every two heats for bitches; they should make you soak your shoes in disinfectant so their dogs don't get sick; they should show their dogs; their dogs should be screened by PennHip or the OFA to insure complete health; and the dogs should have won some shows. Oh yeah--and the dogs should seem friendly.

Answer 3

A 1600 dollar chihuahua at a petstore when you could adopt or buy from a breeder twice as less . I'd never buy from a petstore . The puppies are always sick physically or mentally . And could be scarred for life . There have been tons to tons of complaints about petstores with sick pets and about how the animals die within weeks after there bought . These animals bought from petstores are not bought from quality breeders they are bought from BYB and Puppymills . People who buy animals from petstores have money to just throw around and have fun and dont care about how much there spending when they're animals in shelters dying .So like i said either adopt from a private rescue or a shelter or if you want purebred look for a reputable breeder so you can look at what the parents are like and what there tempermants are . Buying from a petstore will cost you dearly because sometimes the have life threatining diseases and mental diseases which could effect them badly causing hundreds to thousands of dollars being lost for vet care .

Answer 4

All Chihuahuas are "toy" size..they are in the toy group.
NEVER buy from a pet store!!

As someone looking for a breeder..make sure all paperwork is in order..ask to see copies of genetic health tests, AKC (or other reputable registry) paperwork, health history of parents/pups, name of vet, show titles of parents. Be aware that reputable, responsible breeders do not charge more for females then males..if there is a price difference it is between show potential and pet only. Be ware of a breeder who sells everything on full registration..the only pup that should go on full registration is one that has show potential and is being sold to a show home all others should be sold on limited registration and spay/neuter agrements.

Please be careful when dealing with breeders listing their puppies/dogs on Internet "for sale" sites (puppyfind.com or puppysites.com). You will seldom find ethical breeders advertising their litters on these type of sites. Also be careful of breeders advertising in newspapers, trade magazines, Dog Fancy, etc...Responsible, ethical breeders usually don't advertise in these areas either. Normally reputable breeders already have their puppies sold before the litter is born.


Also wanted to add be wary of the breeder who lets their pups go before they are 8 weeks old, who vaccinates before a puppy has completed it's 7th week, who tries to sell puppies with no vaccinations, vet exams, dewormings, who pressures you to buy..I need to get them into homes because (fill in the blank with any numbero f excuses), I have several peopel who are looking at this puppy, etc..., who doesn't keep in contact, help if needed, etc.

Answer 5

The best place to buy a puppy is all from your own perspective, although I'll tell you the best places in my opinion are either from a reputable breeder or from an SPCA or animal shelter.
A pet store is one of the WORST places to buy a dog, not only because often they're overpriced, but also because of all the things that can be wrong with the pup. You don't know anything about the sire or dam, the puppy grows up in horrible conditions for some of the most crucial part of his puppy years as far as socializing goes, the dogs sit in small kennels, often with other dogs, and don't have adequate room; they sit often in their own feces, and have a possibility of getting worms, some of the dogs aren't even bought from breeders, but from puppy mills where the dogs are kept in horrible conditions and are susceptible to so many diseases before even coming into the shop......... I could go on and on about the problems of pet store puppies..
However, some of my friends (against my advice) have bought pups from pet stores and they have grown up to be fine dogs. But with all the money you pay, it's better NOT to risk all the things that have a great possiblity of going wrong.

Buying from an animal shelter should be one of the easiest and most rewarding ways of getting a dog. I can't give you directions on exactly what should happen there because every shelter differs in the adoption process, but the usually excellent staff at these shelters should be able to guide you through this process. It should ususally involve filling out some paperwork, contracts on getting the dog neutered/spayed- nothing very complicated. It really is one of the most rewarding ways to know you've helped out a puppy that probably has never has a home.

The other way that I highly reccomend, if you're looking for a purebred and willing to spend what's often a good sum of money, is from a breeder.

Good signs of a BREEDER are:
#1. They are very open with you, ready to answer any questions.
#2. They are willing and able to show you the sire and dam (the parents).
#3. They are able to provide the parent's pedigree.
#4. They let you see where the puppies are kept (just ask and they should let you) rather than making you stay only in a specific area.
#5. The facilities should be clean and free of pungent odor.
#6.A good breeder will ask you questions about you, your family, and your lifestyle, and should tell you whether this is a good breed or not for you/ your family.
#7. They should not rush you into a sell.
#8. They should be members of a local breeders club- even if they are, always check the club's "members list" just in case.
#9. They should be able to answer any questions you may have about the breed.
#10. They should not breed their female more than twice a year.
#11. Ask the breeder about all the genetic diseases your dog is able to contract. The sire and dam should be screen and free from all the these.
#12. The breeder should be more concerned about the home the puppies are going into rather than the money they are getting.

You should get a feeling of ease around the breeder, They should be taking things at your pace rather than quickly trying to find a home to dump the puppies into.
When you meet the parents, you should also find them charming, you know, like what you're looking for- if you don't warnings ahead: this is what your dog may very well turn out to be.
Look around pricewise, to make sure the breeder isn't ripping you off. And on a bit of personal advice, if you don't find the breeder friendly, don't pursue them. A good breeder should be able to be contacted any time during your puppy's lifetime to answer questions, and just so you can tell them how your dog's doing.
Now y ou've finally found the place to get your dog, whether you take my advice and go to a shelter or breeder, or you decide to go to a pet store. You've made your choice.. Now for tips on selecting a healthy and happy puppy. =D

Looking for GOOD signs in a PUPPY:
#1. The puppy's eyes should be clear and bright.
#2. The fur should be clean of mites, fleas, and other insects.
#2.5 The area where the puppies are kept should be clean from feces and urine!!
#3. The puppy's gums should be pink (or black- you know, depending on the breed) and the teeth should be white and stainless. If they are stained brown, ask the breeder about it; this is a sign the puppy has or has had distemper (don't buy a puppy who's had or has it!!!)
#4. The puppy's anus should be clean and not have fecal debris around it. This is a sign the puppy has/has had diarriah.
#5. The ears should be clean and free from mites and other debris.
#6. The belly should be normal (look at pictures of the breed as a puppy before going, so you'll be able to see any differences) and not round and distented. This is a sign the pup has ringworm (an exception is IF the pup has just eaten. thier bellies get like that after meals)
#7. The puppy should be alert and interacting with his/her surroundings- not lethargic (once again, IF they have just eaten, they will be lethargic and tired)

Once you've made your choice on which dog, be sure to ask the breeder any questions about the specific pup that you have- remember, this dog may very well be with your for 15 years. Don't rush your decision.

That's all I can think of to tell you. As far as documentation is concerned; the breeder should talk to you about the pedigree and should have all your puppies paperwork in order by the time you pick your puppy up.

Last but not least, do a little reading on picking dogs out yourself:
"The Dog in Your Life" by Matthew Margolis is an excellent book for first time dog owners- it's what I read when I got my first dog. (yes, it may be a little old but it has excellent information)
"Family Dog" or "City Dog", Both by Richard Wolters are excelltn books, not only informative, but interesting. The book is a bit out dated, but it has tests on how to choose your dog and other information on house breaking and other tips that are sure to help.
There are thousands of books out there; all claming to all be the best: don't just read one


If you need any more help, or if you find something I've left out, just email. Best wishes for you!!