• You should choose breeders who will let you come to their location to see your pup, if something happens to your puppy, you need to know how to get a hold of your breeder.

  • Use caution when using Western Union or Money Gram.  You should be allowed some time to get the deposit to them.  Money orders purchased from the post office is the safest.  Signature required shipping as well.  USPS Fraud division

  • Call breeders in your breeder's area to ask question about the breeder you are interested in.  www.breeders.net is a good place to start.  I suggest you contact at least 3 or 4 breeders.  Most are real friendly and will be glad to talk to you.


  • Sales Contracts are very important.  Read it and then read it again.  Have the breeder sign and date it too.  If your breeder doesn't sign it then make sure you have a copy of it attached to the final payment receipt for your pup so you have a documented date.  Sales contrats are only as good as the reputation of the breeder.  Is it on their site? Does it change daily?

  • Size guarantees - I have seen this on numerous websites, it is just a ploy, no one can guarantee size of a dog.  This would mean, keeping the dog intact and dealing with hiking, or heats.  Don't pay extra for this stupid guarantee.  What they can guarantee is you will fall in love with your dog by the time they go over their target or "Guaranteed size" and won't want to return it.  That is the only thing they can guarantee. Another guarantee is, atleast you won't go back to them for pup #2.  I love that guarantee, it puts these scammers out of business!

  • Many states have puppy lemon laws.  Know your breeder's state laws!  Some states hold very high standards that breeders have to follow.  These laws out weigh any sales contract.  Here is the link to the puppy lemon laws.  I would suggest trying to buy from a state who does have some sort of laws breeders have to follow.

  • Show Prospects - If a breeder claims they have "Show prospets" yet doesn't show any signs of attending shows themselves? Major red flag! If you are looking for a Show Prospect pup, please, please, please, don't waste your money on dealing with someone who "Claims" they have show prospects yet obviously doesn't even attend shows.  Look for breeders who have many pictures up of THEM showing, see pups produced by these dogs not just the offspring of a champion but from the actual champion.  Talk to the breeder in length about their show career and the career of the dogs they show.  Show breeders are happy to post their winnings with dates and awards.  This is major bragging rights! and they should be proud to show their accomplishments to everyone. Just remember anyone can buy a champion sired dog.  Basically, you are gambling with your money when purchasing a show prospect pup from someone who has no clue what one is.

How do you know you are dealing with a reputable breeder?  Just because they have a nice website doesn't make them reputable.

It is harder for a "Brick & Mortar" type business to change their name if they have a trail of bad business practices.  Did you know anyone at anytime can purchase a new URL (website address) and become a "new business"? THEREFORE, hiding their poor ethical business practice they have had in the past is as easy as a click of the mouse. I've seen breeders have you put money orders into their kids's names, they misspell their last names (just enough so you can't track them online, but enough where they can insert one letter or adjust one letter to be the right letter and cash it without you even knowing.  Copies can be obtained though and if they are adjusted, this is tampering and against the LAW)

There are plenty of website that will let you know the length of time a URL has been in existence  whois.net.

Please remember, a puppy is a 15 to 20 year commitment.  Make sure the pups personality matches your personality.  GO VISIT!!! 

DON'TS:

DON'T Western Union your money
DON'T feel like you have to complete a transaction if your gut tells you differently
DON'T purchase a puppy based on a website picture! GO TO THEIR HOUSE! SEE THE PARENTS!
DON'T feel you are saving a puppies life by "getting it out of that environment".  You are only supporting poor breeding.  If breeders can't sell pups, then maybe they will move on to something else (hopefully something that doesn't breath) to scam the public with.

DOS:

DO make copies of ALL important pages off the breeders website
DO contact other breeders
DO go visit the parents and the puppies
DO buy AKC only pups
DO ask many, many questions over the phone and follow up with an email to have a paper trail.
DO buy within your state if possible and know the puppy lemon laws in that state. No matter what state you buy your puppy from, your breeder can be held responsible.  Don't let them convince you otherwise AND no matter their sales contract, it will never out weigh the LAW
DO  Ask others where they got their puppy from and what the experience was like

 

Puppy Shopping
“Because of the emotional investment, consumers are more vulnerable to being taken advantage of when it comes to a cute cuddly puppy than with any other purchase. A dog is a major investment -- a living, breathing being who will rely on you for 10 years or more. Take time to educate yourself on the hallmarks of a legitimate and responsible breeder.”
Helpful links
Now that you know how to protect yourself.  GO visit our puppies :)


What lies behind us and what lies before us are but small matters compared to what lies within us.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson