Where do you buy dogs from ?

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   afriqnetposted 12 years ago

   Where do you buy dogs from ?
   
   Puppies are sold almost in every other corner of the Internet. With all these offers where do you buy dogs from ? Do you buy puppies from the local breeder, Puppy mills or pet stores. What is your experience buying puppies from where you buy them. Do they come with health problems ? Lets know from your experience and we discuss here in the best place to buy puppies.

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2. 83

   ii3rittlesposted 12 years ago

   
   
   I would NEVER buy from a pet store. The only animals they should sell are fish. Honestly, them animals are abused and neglected thru poor understanding of the needs of each animal and the way they ship them in. Some animals are stripped right from the wild instead of being bread in captivity. The dogs and cats, unless they are part of a rescue, like Petco does, are often abused. If you are looking for any old puppy, local shelters are the first place to go. Those dogs need homes first! If you want a pure bred dog, I would find a local breeder who has years of experience. Petfinder.com is a great place to search your area for puppies.
   
   My mother got two German shepherds thru local breeders. The first one, Laredo, is a 130 pound, healthy 10 year old now. Never really had problems, but his parents were MEAN. So he is pretty protective. The other one, Kane, is 2 years old and he came from a different breeder in the area who was advertising in the news paper. He smelled horrible and was dirty as all heck! But his parents were nice, and the pups all looked healthy. He's about 70 pounds, with a long tail and big ears.

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      afriqnetposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Your comment is highly appreciated. Thanks

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3. 96

   agilitymachposted 12 years ago

   I believe that unless a person really needs a "bred for purpose" dog, the best place to get a puppy is through the shelter/rescue system.  The places you should never get a puppy from are pet stores, puppy mills, people who just decided to "let their dog have a litter," or anyone who doesn't have a puppy contract, do health testing of the parents, know all of the ancestors and their health issues, have the pups already vetted, do DNA testing, have a spay/neuter contract on all puppies, etc.  (This list actually is much longer than it shows here).
   
   You should NOT buy a puppy from anyone who does not do the above.
   
   I need "bred for purpose" pups as I compete in the sport of agility, so I go to breeders who focus on drive and structure.  I'm looking for a monster dog (what a pet home would call a "hyper" dog).  These high drive, working dogs require a strong trainer, and good breeders are hard to come by.  It takes me years to research breeders and lines before I pick the breeder/litter that's right for me.
   
   Always remember, there are far more dogs than there are homes in the US.  If you get a puppy from a back yard breeder, a pet store, etc., you have just put a puppy in a shelter to sleep.  Give your home slot to a dog needing it.  If the demand for puppies from bad breeders drops, we can stop the over population of dogs.  It starts with you!!  Only go to a breeder if you need a "bred for purpose" dog.

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      afriqnetposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your comprehensive answer. I think you are right about going to a specific breeder who can give a good history about the Pups. Thanks for your contribution once more.

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4. 60

   wetnosedogsposted 12 years ago

   I got my three dogs from the humane society. Other than a rescue place, I wouldn't get any dogs anywhere else. I don't need a dog "bred for purpose", so I will happily go my way to the humane society for my dogs. (Right now, my three dogs are telling me I'm staying put, no going there, there are enough dogs in the house!)

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      agilitymachposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah!  Congrats on your wonderful dogs.

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      wetnosedogsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your kind comment. The older dogs are brother and sister and laid back type of dogs.  The youngest dog came home a year later and she has kept us busy ever since.

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      afriqnetposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah Humane socities are one of the best places that offer good pups for adoption.

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   cavedwellerposted 12 years ago

   Do yourself and the dog a favor..go to your local shelter and find a dog you love.

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      afriqnetposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      thanks for contribution

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      cavedwellerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      were you planning on buying a dog?

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6. 82

   zsobigposted 12 years ago

   The word 'puppy mill' caught my eye in your question.
   I would strongly recommend you to NEVER buy any puppies from a place like that. I know that loads of people buy puppies from those places just to be able to save them, but in fact with this you just put more money in the 'breeder's' pocket and they will just bring more puppies to the world with their 'work'.
   I think the best is if you just adopt a dog (there are many shelter with loads of lovely dogs all over the world) or if you want a purebred animal, check reputable breeders.
   2 days ago there was a similar question here and I wrote 2 hubs on this topic, I hope it is not a problem if I will link them here now. Moreover, I hope I will be able to decide!
   http://zsobig.hubpages.com/hub/Tips-on- … at-breeder
   http://zsobig.hubpages.com/hub/Breeders … ifferences

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      afriqnetposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for taking time to answer the question and give further reading suggestions. The links you shared are OK since they are of the same context. Thanks

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   crazymom3posted 12 years ago

   You should go to the pound, why would you spend hundreds of dollars on a "new" dog when you can save one.(:

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      cavedwellerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Usually depending on the shelter they all have their shots to...that saves you a couple hundred dollars at the vet!

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