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Association of Peoria County Veterinarians |
Before You Buy a Puppy
Unfortunately many people buy a puppy the same way as a toy at the local discount store. Selecting a puppy, or any pet, is a serious matter. Take time in selecting the breed and the puppy. Perhaps you are better to get a young adult dog. Remember, he will become a part of the family for a long time. A dog is unlike a car, whose lifetime is short and traded often. Do you have the time for house training, obedience training, and daily playtime? If you have small children, do you really have time for a puppy and all its needs as well? Do you need the approval of the landlord to own a pet? Do you have room where you live, a fenced yard, or a kennel run for outdoor exercise? Can you afford the daily care of this dog? Yes? Then proceed.
Pure bred: There are over 135 breeds recognized and registered by the AKC. A pure bred dog is a dog of known quality and ancestry, with both parents being of the same breed for many generations. Each breed has its own standard of perfection written by its official National Breed Club. Note: There is a wide belief that "AKC Papers" and quality are the same. Unfortunately, some people breed with no understanding or concern for the breed standard. When this occurs repeatedly, quality can be extremely low, yet still pure bred.
Before you buy a puppy, you might like to take the time and travel to one of the nearly 60 All Breed dog shows held in Illinois each year. Here you can see adult dogs, and meet with breeders to ask questions about their breeds.
When buying a puppy we strongly endorse buying from a known reputable and reliable breeder. Reputable breeders are concerned first with the best interests on their breed, and devote a lifetime of study to it. They are well aware and knowledgeable of the genetic problems which exist in their chosen breed. Most are involved in showing or competitive events like obedience trials and field trials. Their dogs and facilities are well cared for and clean. They will take the time to help you select a puppy that fits your lifestyle and will be there to answer questions and help when problems arise throughout your dog's life. A reputable breeder will not pressure you, and will encourage you to discuss all the options. Man use a written sales contract and will require that pet quality puppies be spayed or neutered by a particular age to prevent unwanted litters, will not release puppies prior to eight weeks of age, will provide proper inoculations and a written health guarantee with a minimum of 48 hours. Some breeders will require that the spay/neuter agreement be completed before they will issue AKC papers, but all pertinent information will be included in the agreement. You may need to place a deposit and wait for an upcoming litter, reputable breeders do not mass produce puppies. This gives you time to learn more about the breed, its needs, and to better know and learn from the breeder.
To contact a reputable breeder,
Contact IVKC Breeder Referral
(309) 446-3477