Guidelines for Selecting
a New Puppy
Ready…Set…Don’t Go Quite Yet
Congratulations, you’ve made the decision to add a new puppy to your family!
Remember that bringing a dog into your home is a commitment of time, love, and
money for the duration of that dog’s life. Before you simply go seeking out the cutest
puppy you can find, it’s a good idea to slow down and ask yourself these basic
questions to help determine what type of dog is right for you and your lifestyle:
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Why do you want a dog? Will your dog be primarily a companion? Will
your dog be used for show, hunting, breeding, or protection? Different
breeds are good at different things, so it’s important to have an idea of what
you expect from your dog.
Do you have adequate time to invest in a new dog? Puppies, especially,
require a lot of time during the early stages of life. They need to take numerous
potty breaks throughout the day, and there will be time needed for vaccination
appointments at your veterinarian’s office, as well as training classes. If you
work full-time and live alone, finding time can be difficult.
Do you live in a house or apartment/condo? If you live in a neighborhood
with a neighborhood association, or in an apartment/condo, be aware of any
size or breed restrictions that may be in place. Your living situation will also
help dictate the size and activity level of the dog that would best suit you.
Are there small children in your home? Having children in the home should
have an impact on the breed you select. You should look for a breed with a
child-friendly temperament.
How often do you travel? For how long? Remember, when you travel, you
will need to make arrangements for the care of your dog. Do you have a friend
or family member who can help you out, or will you need to use a boarding
facility? Care of your dog while you are away will need to be part of your
travel budget.
Do you or any of your family members have pet allergies? While there is no
such thing as a truly “hypoallergenic” dog, many breeds, especially poodle
cross-breeds, are known to be “less allergenic” and should top your list of
breeds to select.
Do you want a purebred or mixed breed dog? Purebred dogs come with the
advantage of a bit more certainty as to what traits and characteristics your
puppy will display later in life. Purchasing from a breeder allows you to meet
the parents of the puppy. Mixed breed dogs usually have fewer inherited
medical conditions, and adoption fees are almost always less expensive than
the purchase price of a purebred puppy. To help give you insight into the traits
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your mixed breed dog may display, you may opt to have a Genetic Health
Analysis (DNA test) to determine which breeds are in your dog’s genetic
makeup.
Are you set on a puppy, or would you consider an adult or senior dog?
Sometimes, if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, “skipping the puppy
stage” by adopting an adult dog may be a helpful decision. The personality of
an adult dog will also be apparent.
Do you want a male or female dog? While some people simply have a
preference for one gender over the other, this often does not play a huge role in
the personality of your dog.
What am I getting myself into?
It’s a good idea to look ahead at the rest of your dog’s life. Most dogs live an average of
12-14 years, so be prepared for the long haul!
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Veterinary care- Your dog will need multiple sets of vaccinations as a puppy,
and annual vaccinations as an adult. Your adult dog should have an annual
physical (just like you!) including an exam, routine lab work, heartworm test,
and fecal screening for intestinal parasites. You will also incur the cost of spay
or neuter surgery and routine dental care.
Shelter- All dogs should have some sort of crate or kennel to call their own.
Exercise & Companionship- Most dogs require daily walks or other forms of
exercise to let out excess energy. They also need time with you.
Training- Proper training is essential to teach your puppy basic skills. You may
enlist the help of local trainers. You will also need time to housebreak your
new puppy.
Grooming- Some breeds will require frequent bathing, clipping, and/or
brushing to maintain a clean, healthy coat.
Basic Supplies- All dogs will need food and water bowls, an appropriately
sized collar, a leash, toys, and food.
Pet Insurance- With the advancements being made in veterinary medicine,
insurance is something to consider for your dog to help you plan for and cope
with the unexpected.
When Selecting a Breed, Do Your Homework!
A lot more should go into the selection process than which breed is the cutest or which
one you’ve always wanted. To be practical, ask yourself:
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How big does the breed get?
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What is the breed’s temperament like?
How much grooming does the breed require?
How active is the breed? How much exercise does it need?
Is the breed good with children (if you have them)?
Is the breed easily trainable?
Are there any common medical or genetic conditions known to be associated
with the breed?
You should have an idea of how active a dog you want, whether it be a couch potato or
a jogging buddy. Know how much shedding of hair is acceptable to you, and how
much time or money you are willing to invest in grooming. If you already have other
pets in the house, canine or otherwise, take their temperaments into consideration, too.
Talk to your veterinarian, research breeds online (www.akc.org) or at the library, talk to
dog owners and breeders. All of these things should help you make an informed
decision.
Where Should My Puppy Come From?
Breeders- Selecting a breeder should be a bit of an interview process. Dr. Kelsey
remarks, “I’ve always said good breeders should be as interested in you as you are in
them and their puppies.” Reputable breeders should be able to willingly provide you
with references of people who have purchased puppies from them in the past. They
should allow you to see your puppy’s entire litter, as well as the mother of the puppies
(and the father, if on site). You should be able to see where the puppies spend their
time inside and outside. All guarantees and purchase agreements should be provided
in writing for your records. Here are some things to ask a potential breeder:
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How long have you been breeding?
What do you like about this breed?
How often do your females have litters? Preferably, the answer to this is once
yearly. Be wary of breeders who breed their females every heat cycle.
What type of health guarantee do you offer for your puppies?
Which vaccinations will my puppy receive before I get him?
Have the puppies already been examined by a veterinarian?
Do either of the parents have any medical conditions?
If I am unable to keep my puppy for any reason, will you take him back or help
me find a new home?
When can I take home my puppy? Preferably, breeders should keep puppies
with their litters for 7 to 9 weeks before letting them go to new homes. This
time is vital for the puppy’s socialization skills and development of other
behaviors.
Remember that a potential breeder will have a vested interest in where each of their
puppies ends up. Expect a responsible breeder to ask you questions about your
lifestyle, your family, your living situation, and your dog ownership experience.
Be wary of breeders who breed more than two breeds, who don’t provide references,
and who don’t provide anything in writing. You should always receive documentation
of any veterinary visits and vaccinations your puppy has had.
Rescue Groups- Nearly every breed has local or national rescue groups you can find
online through www.akc.org or www.petfinder.com. Dogs end up with rescues for a
variety of reasons, so it’s important to talk to the rescue group or foster owners to get
details on the dog’s personality. Rescue groups are a great source for adult and older
purebred dogs.
Local Animal Shelters & Humane Rescue Groups- Dogs find themselves in local
shelters and rescues for a variety of reasons. When adopting through a shelter, be sure
your potential pet has been thoroughly screened for temperament and overall health.
Adopting a pet usually requires less money up front, and many adopted dogs are
already spayed/neutered and vaccinated. Make several visits to the shelter or rescue
before deciding, so you can get to know your potential dog on an individual basis.
Picking the Right Puppy
A good breeder or shelter/rescue will help match you to the right puppy for you.
There are some key things, however, that you can look for:
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Look for a stable, well-rounded puppy
Watch how the littermates interact with one another. You should be able to
spot which puppies display more dominant or submissive behaviors.
Separate a potential puppy from the litter, if possible. Roll the puppy gently
onto his back for about a minute. Is the puppy aggressive and struggling, or
does he lie there quietly? Take a toy and try to interact with the puppy. Is he
playful or disinterested?
Check both ends of the puppy. There should be no discharge from the nose or
visible discharge/material in the ear. Check for a cleft palate in the roof of the
mouth. At the other end, there should be no sign of diarrhea or fecal material
caked to the puppy’s bottom.
Is there an obvious hernia near the puppy’s belly button?
Is there a soft spot on top of the puppy’s skull?
Does the puppy’s skin appear healthy? Are there fleas? Are there noticeable
bumps on the puppy’s belly or areas of hair loss?
Does the puppy look healthy overall?
Breed Suggestions Based on Lifestyle
Good with children- Beagle, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Bichon Frise,
Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Pug, West Highland White Terrier, Boston Terrier, Poodle
(Standard, Mini, Toy), Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Brittany Spaniel, Keeshond,
Bulldog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Weimaraner
Good for apartment living- Brussels Griffon, Cairn Terrier, Welsh Corgi, Cocker
Spaniel, Dachshund, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Chihuahua, Pomeranian,
Papillon
Less active lifestyle- Basset Hound, Bulldog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pug, Silky
Terrier
More active lifestyle- Weimaraner, Labrador Retriever, English Springer Spaniel,
Dalmatian, Boxer, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Miniature
Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky
Less shedding, less allergenic- Labradoodle, Golden Doodle, Poodle (Standard, Mini,
Toy), Bichon Frise, Schnauzer, Maltese, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier,
Airedale Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier,
Havanese
Remember, choosing a puppy or dog to join your family is not a decision to be taken
lightly. Plan ahead, do your research, and be selective…it will pay off with a lifetime
of love with a new canine family member!