Your puppy will be a commitment of many years. Please make sure you are ready for one and have decided that you can devote the time, training and money it takes to keep a dog happy and healthy.  Make sure your entire family is committed to the new arrival and is willing to work together to make training and play a positive experience.

Please do not buy from a pet shop.  No matter how dear those little puppies are, and you feel you need to "save" one, remember that by buying from a pet shop only continues the cycle of puppy mill dogs being kept for the demand that the pet stores put on them for more of "those cute little puppies."  DORG will be doing an article on Puppy Mills and will highlight stories of individual dogs who were taken from puppy mills in a future issue. NoPuppyMills is a site you'll want to look at also to better understand why it's important to stop the irresponsible breeding and horror that goes on in a puppy mill. 

With that said, picking the right puppy entails thought. Do you want a purebred? Do you want a puppy of mixed parentage, or will you be taking in a puppy from a rescue organization?  They all need the same care.  Love, training and a healthy environment.

The important steps to finding a good puppy.

The ideal world would have only responsible people breeding and all dogs having wonderful homes and empty humane societies. But, that is not the case, therefore, before you go looking for that new family member, remember that there are many unwanted puppies and dogs in rescue organizations and humane societies that would make a wonderful addition to your family.  If you prefer to get a puppy that is purebred, here are some steps and thoughts to help you.

• Research the breed you're interested in. Decide if it's the one that will work for your family. Understand what the breed was originally bred for.  Many of the behaviors that they were bred for will be strong behaviors instinctively. Dachshunds love to dig, and no freshly planted bush is safe, no is that mole that tunnels under the earth.

• Visit a dog show to see many representatives of the breed. Talk to the people with the dogs to find out the breed's characteristics if you're unfamiliar with it. Use courtesy when doing so because those at a dog show are usually busy and may not have the time to answer a lot of questions. Get their card or a phone number and ask if you can call at a more convenient time.  A good breeder will be happy to answer your questions.

• If you can locate a breeder whose dogs you're impressed with, and that is the breed you're most interested in, discuss getting a puppy from them.  A good breeder is selective in their breeding and will only breed when their dam and sire have obtained their championship.  The key is to better the breed and a responsible breeder shows and exhibits their dogs to obtain the certification that their dog meets the standard that has been set by the AKC, CKC or UKC.  Responsible breeders may only have one litter a year or every two years. Be cautious of those who have a number of litters a year and multiple litters. Back yard breeders breed a number of litters a year for supply and demand, breed  "rare" colors and multiple females and do not look at the puppy's well being.  Most often, you'll encounter dogs who have health issues and do not meet the standards of the breed. 


Be very cautious of the Internet when looking for dogs.  Sites that show multiple breeding dogs, their puppies, have all colors, cross breed coat types and always litters are fronts for puppy mills. 

Some of the biggest puppy mills have sites that would "impress" you with their willingness to educate you on the breed standard and to say anything that an unsuspecting buyer wants to hear and see. They are puppy mills non the less. These sites can either list multiple breeds or they can say they breed only one breed.  But, don't be fooled.  A site with a large number of breeding females and  males is not a loving home. It is a puppy mill. Please DO NOT BE FOOLED.  There are many out there in the Dachshund breed alone, but, they are good at disguising themselves as "kennels" and say everything you want to hear. Please be cautious.  A responsible breeder will interview YOU to make sure you are the type of home they want for their puppy.

Related Links

The 4 P's of Puppy Training - A logical look at how to start training your puppy. How to Housebreak a Puppy How dogs think - Understand these reactions and you'll have a better relationship with your dogs. Human and Dog Interdependency - A lengthy paper on dogs and their personalities. It includes a puppy behavior test. Click here to see the test. Warren Eckstein's puppy selection information.

Mr. P's Dog Training Library - A very concise site with a lot of articles and info on puppy rearing. Puppy Care Manual - from shots to food Your new Puppy by Cindy Tittle Moore - Very comprehensive and includes all the changes your little one goes through in his/her new home. From what age to separate to why they cry at night. Find a name - Find names, meanings and favorite names - a huge repository. The types of sources you'll find breeders from responsible to irresponsible.

Recommended Reading

	The Art of Raising A Puppy - Written by the Monks of New Skeet.  A must have! for your library. Written with kindness and explaining training practices geared to how a dog thinks. They explain "why" a dog reacts as it does.