What I Know Now

As a newcomer to the world of pet adoption, I assumed common sense would get me through the first stages of finding and entering into an agreement with a breeder. Alas, the guidebooks I consulted a little too late and the events of the following months proved me wrong. The result was a little egg on my face, a lot of heartache, and a desire to help the same thing from happening to anyone else. After all, a mistake isn't a total waste if a lesson is learned, right?

Things to consider (I wish I had!) before entering an agreement with a breeder:

- During your search for the breed you have chosen, consider distance from your home carefully.
The online world is small, but the real world is large. Stumbling upon a web page showing the most adorable schnauzer puppies is not enough.
There are many options to consider when buying a dog, but being able to drive to and meet the breeder in person should be double- or triple-weighted. Humans are pretty perceptive, but there is only so much we can gauge over the phone. Physically meeting a breeder, seeing where the puppies will spend their first eight weeks of life, being able to pick up your pup rather than shipping him as plane cargo, and having the option of jumping in the car should there be an emergency or other major concern (rather than sitting miles away at the mercy of the breeder’s willingness to call you)… is absolutely invaluable.
If you’ve done everything in your power but can’t find a breeder nearby, ask for several client references as well as the name and number of the vet they use. And contact them!

- Get a detailed description of how the pups will be cared for.
That means how and where they will sleep; who will attend to them during the day and how often they will be handled and played with by humans; what sort of medical regimen they will be given and by whom; what shots and treatments they will have received by the time they enter your home; whether their dew claws will be removed (if that is important to you), and what sort of health guarantee the breeder provides (if they don’t, move on because health guarantees are extremely common these days and extremely important).
Keep in mind that some breeders do give their own shots, but the puppies should still physically see a vet. Don’t blindly trust if your gut feels uncomfortable with the way something is being done. You may only have to deal with the breeder for two months, but you'll have the dog they give you for another 15-or-so years.

- Find out when the breeder usually sends pups home, and what happens if a puppy gets sick and has to stay a bit longer. Also inquire as to whether this has happened before, and whether any of their dogs have had major health problems after being placed in their new homes.

- Find out how accessible the breeder is.
It is not always a great indicator, but if you are being neglected before you even put down the first payment, signs are you’ll be sitting on pins and needles for two months wondering when and whether you’ll be getting your puppy. Trust me, it's not a good feeling.

- Find out what will happen to your payment and your deposit should something go wrong.
Get this in writing. Also, you should not be asked to pay the entire sum until the puppy is on his way home.

Finally...
When gathering all this information, it is extremely important to speak to the breeders directly, so you can better gauge how sincere they are and what is driving them. If your gut tells you to walk away, there is most likely a very good reason and you should listen.

Again, you are making a very long commitment to this dog, and he deserves an owner who will stick with him no matter what. Make sure you're comfortable with the entire situation before taking hold of that leash.