They are delivered to Pet shops, most often full of parasites, sick and dirty. The national society for the humanitarian education of the United States (National Human Education Society) affirms that 90% of the half-million puppies that are sold every year in pet shops in the USA come from puppy mills. The treatment that one gives the reproductive females, is disastrous, one forces these females to have at least 2 litters per year, and as they are undernourished, they are literally drained by their puppies and this to the landlord's profit.. These puppies are often weaned at too early an age, are sick and are quickly sent to a pet shop, often at the age of 4 weeks. Females, once their reproductive life is finished are eliminated, without ever having had real contact with a human. This is one of the best examples of cruelty towards animals that we must not encourage.
That small dog in the shop window is just beautiful, it is often the first reaction that children have! But beyond appearances, what is he, where does he come from, is he healthy? To buy a puppy in a pet shop is quite an adventure. Employees generally know very little about the puppies they sell. Besides, you will never see its parents, won't know the conditions where the pups were born, won't have any prior information concerning medical history, won't know the exact age, won't get a guarantee of health, no applicable information how to raise the pup, its nutrition, etc. And furthermore, with the concentration of puppies from just about everywhere and anywhere, makes an auspicious infection source for propagation of several serious illnesses, even deadly.
It is more likely that you will pay more for a dog of a lesser quality. You will probably have a dog with an unsettled psychological development, having left its mother and its brothers most likely too early. It most likely will not have had any contact with man and its socialization will be almost non-existent. There is no guarantee that the subject that will be sold to you will be a pure breed. You risk to encourage the heedless dealers or bad breeders who look for, what ever the reason, any way to get rid of unsold litters. Worse yet, you risk encouraging a puppy mill, usual source of pet shops.
When looking for information, the canine exhibition (conformation or obedience) are certainly one of the best places to meet and to speak with a breeder. You can see different colors and mixes of colors, and learn different features of a breed and ask questions. Breeders who go to the trouble to show their subjects in exhibitions are very proud. They won't hesitate to give you information, they speak of their "babies" with passion. You will be able to see the quality of the subjects produced by the breeders, also wee that money is not their first priority when they sell a puppy. Such events entail a lot of expenses indeed (lodging, traveling, enrollment, handlers, etc.). Do your own research and try not to fall in love with the first puppy you see. Soak up all the information possible.
You can also find a breed in lists in such magazines as "Dog Fancy", "Dog Magazine", "Dog Word", "Dogs in Canada", as well as in the yearly compilations of Dogs in Canada annuals or Dogs in USA annuals. These are books with large circulation, consequently with the largest section of breeder lists. You will probably find one of these magazines at a good magazine stand. Just because a breeder announces in these magazines does not automatically make him a responsible breeder. You will need to ask him several questions.
A veterinarians is generally good counselor to facilitate your research. He is the most competent source to explain the medical problems concerning breeds that you are interested in. He will certainly know some good breeders in whom he has confidence. However, good health in a dog is not all you must be concerned in. Your veterinarian probably will not know the specifications and the particular behavior of the breed in question, after all their specialty is health.
All your research, if you really gave it your all, will lead you to the one and only good solution. The solution to all your problems consists without doubt to find a conscientious breeder for the breed that you want. If possible, you should try to find a breeder in your region, so you will be able to visit his facilities. It is the best way to be certain of the quality and the health of animals as well as the morals of the breeder. You will be able to arrange a visit at his home to see the conditions under which the puppies are raised. There remains only one last problem: to find a good breeder.
