Selecting and Bringing Home A Puppy



Brought to you by: Purina Pro Plan Dog Food



Before selecting a puppy, ask yourself if you are willing to make the commitment of time needed to train and care for the dog and have the money available to provide the proper nutrition and needed veterinary care over the years. Choosing a puppy is making a commitment to provide long term care for a living creature that will be totally dependent upon you.

Making the Right Choice
Once you and your family members have agreed that you are ready to make a commitment to care for a dog for many years (even up to 18 years for small breeds), it’s time to decide what breed is best for you. First, consider your lifestyle. Large breed dogs, hunting or working dogs, require more exercise than small breeds and may crowd an apartment or small home. Long-haired dogs require daily grooming to help avoid mats and tangles in the haircoat, which can lead to poor appearance and skin irritation. A short-haired dog requires grooming only a couple of times each week. Some breeds should be groomed professionally if they are to look like the standards of their breed.

Should you choose a purebred or mixed breed? Many mixed breed dogs grow into lovable companions. However, you are getting an unknown quality as to adult size. Local humane societies, animal shelters and neighbors are sources for a mixed breed puppy.

If you would like a purebred puppy, first consult dog books at your local library for photographs of each breed along with a description of the breed’s traits. To learn more about the breeds that interest you, contact breeders and attend dog shows in your area.

Important caution: Regardless of breed, the puppy you select will grow into an adult dog with behavior patterns largely determined by your care and training.

You may see a dog of a certain breed give an impressive performance in an obedience demonstration or admire a well behaved purebred that is a family pet. As a result, you may decide you want that particular breed because of these favorable impressions. Please remember that breed characteristics alone do not determine the behavior of an individual dog. A dog’s exemplary behavior represents the socialization and training it received as a puppy together with continuing reinforcement of that training throughout its lifetime.

If you decide on a certain breed, you will need to locate a breeder in your area and wait until a puppy is available for adoption. Most breeders separate their puppies into two groups, show quality and pet quality .If you select a pet quality purebred, you can usually get the breed you prefer at lower cost.

When You Are Ready to Adopt
Do not adopt a puppy until it is six to eight weeks of age. Select a puppy who is alert, curious and active. Avoid one who is shy or nervous. Look for a puppy with clear eyes, no discharge from the nose, clean ears, white teeth, pink gums, no skin irritations or blotches from insect bites. Check around the tail area to be certain there is no evidence of diarrhea or skin inflammation.

If you are buying a purebred puppy, ask to see at least one of the parents. Registration papers should be provided when you pick up the puppy as well as a record of the vaccinations and any other medical treatment the puppy has received. If you are getting a large breed dog, have an understanding with the breeder that the puppy is guaranteed against bone abnormalities such as hip dysplasia. Clean, odor-free living quarters for the puppies and their mother and a breeder who asks questions about the kind of home you will provide the puppy are indications that the animal has been well cared for.

Choosing a male or female depends upon your plans for the puppy and your personal preference. If you do not plan to enter into a responsible breeding program, keep in mind that a female will come "in season" for about 21 days twice each year, during which time she will attract male dogs. A male may damage shrubbery by frequent urination and will stay away from home for several days if he finds a nearby female in season. Neutering or spaying will ensure that your dog will not contribute to the serious pet over- population problem and will be a more contented companion. You should discuss the best time for neutering or spaying with your veterinarian.

If you buy a purebred puppy, you should be given a pedigree for the puppy and a registration slip which names the parents of the puppy and their registration numbers. If you wish to register your puppy, fill in the registration slip with your name, address and the puppy’s name and send it, along with your fee, to the appropriate registry. The dog registries and their addresses are:

American Kennel Club, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010

American Field Stud Book*, 222 W. Adams Street, Chicago, IL. 60606

United Kennel Club, 100 E. Kilgore Road Kalamazoo, MI 49001

* A registry for some gun dogs

Planning the Homecoming
If possible, make arrangements with the person from whom you are getting the puppy as to the time you will pick it up and ask that the puppy not be fed prior to pick-up time. This arrangement will help avoid the puppy’s becoming car sick on his way to his new home. Bringing the puppy home at the beginning of a weekend or, even better, a week-long vacation, is recommended. This provides time to introduce the puppy to its new environment and family members.

Go shopping before bringing the puppy home so you will have everything ready when the puppy arrives. Here’s what you should have on hand:
  • brush or hand mitt for grooming (depending upon whether your puppy is long or short-haired);

  • collar and leash;

  • food and water bowls that are heavy, non-tippable and easy to clean;

  • crate or bed for the puppy who is housed indoors;

  • well-insulated doghouse large enough to house the pup at its full-grown size if it is to be housed outdoors;

  • toys designed for dogs;

  • high quality nutritionally complete and balanced food to meet the special requirements of growing puppies such as Purina@ Puppy Chow@ brand puppy food.

  • information about housebreaking and basic obedience.


    • Choosing Your Veterinarian
    If you do not have a veterinarian, it’s important to select one for your new puppy as soon as possible. You may wish to ask pet owning friends and neighbors for recommendations of veterinarians in your area. The Yellow Pages of the telephone directory is another source. It’s a good idea to choose a veterinarian who is conveniently located. A nearby location also saves time if an emergency should occur. Once you have selected a veterinarian, take your new puppy it is time for a checkup as soon as possible. At this time, a schedule can be worked out for needed vaccinations to protect him from a number of viral and infectious diseases. The puppy should also be examined and treated, if necessary, for internal and external parasites. Bring any papers you may have received when you adopted your puppy to your veterinarian so he can start a case history for future reference. Always keep the telephone number of your veterinarian handy together with the telephone number and address of the nearest emergency animal clinic for quick reference in case of an emergency.