Do's And Don'ts For Purchasing A Puppy On The Internet

Maybe you grew up with a certain dog breed that you feel would work the best with your current family situation; or you just saw the most adorable purebred at the Westminster Dog Show and have to have it, but can't find one in your area. The Internet provides instant access to every breed available in the world. Should you purchase your next puppy through an Internet dog breeder?

For many people, there are no other options. The decision is yours, of course, but there are a few things to seriously consider before choosing a dog breeder from the Internet.

* Call the dog breeder yourself.

Questions to ask the breeder you have chosen:

How do they deliver the puppy?
Who is your veterinarian, and how do I contact them?
Have you had any lawsuits? (This is public record and should be checked)
How large is your facility, what is the ratio of employees to puppies/dogs?
Are you licensed; what is your agricultural license number?
What is your EXACT address? (Map quest it to make sure it is a legitimate address)
What health guarantees are offered?
Can we visit the facility in person?

* Do your own research on the breeder.

No amount of referral letters can replace your own background checking. Ask for telephone numbers of previous clients; not just one, but as many as you can get. CALL ALL of these people and talk about their experiences with the breeder.

Ask:
Was the adoption handled in a professional manner?
Was there an iron clad guarantee given on the puppy?
Does the guarantee cover more than just a short period?
Did they tour the breeding facility or were current pictures provided?
Are they in any way related to the breeder?
What was the condition of the puppy upon arrival?
How was the puppy delivered?
Would they recommend this breeder to a family member?

* Do your research on the dog breed in question.

You should know what the dog breed looks like, even if you are not purchasing a show quality puppy it should have the same characteristics of the breed.
For example:
A Cocker Spaniel should have long ears, and a wide rounded snout.
A Newfoundland should be completely black (possible tinge of white on belly)
A Maltese should be completely white.
It is impossible to tell if you have a good representation, unless you know what the breed SHOULD look like.
Also check for genetic flaws such as under bites, as this could lead to dental problems down the line.

* Do get a health guarantee for at least a 2 year period.

This is important because many problems cannot be diagnosed until the puppy gets older. Problems such as hip dysplasia do not present until the puppy is close to full grown, and many large breed dogs are susceptible to this disease.

* How is delivery of the puppy handled? Can we pick up the puppy in person?

Delivery of puppies is somewhat controversial. Most of the Internet breeders opt for flying puppies to the airport nearest your home. Take into account the weather situation in the breeder's area, as well as your own. Variations in temperature could stall the delivery, as most airlines have strict policies on when they will fly pets. There are also strict rules on vaccinations/health certificates for pets being flown, especially if out of the country (there may even be a quarantine period, definitely for international flights).

The very best scenario is to pick up the puppy yourself, or hire a service to hand deliver the pup. There are a few individuals offering this service now, myself included. This is helpful as this person will be able to give you objective first hand knowledge of the breeder and facility.

The don'ts are fairly obvious:

Don't deal with an unprofessional person. If you don't feel comfortable with ANY part of the adoption process, DON'T do it!

Remember, any problems that arise after adoption are going to have to be dealt with by you. The breeder may be thousands of miles from you, and become severely detached after the purchase. It is easier (and less expensive) to clarify what you both expect IN WRITING prior to the adoption, rather than trying to battle it out in court later.