The addition of a new puppy/dog to your household can provide a great deal of pleasure and there is nothing better than the companionship and enjoyment that is derived from dog ownership.

A well-bred and healthy dog is likely to be with you for anything up to 10 or more years. In order to ensure you have a healthy dog (both physically and mentally) your approach to dog ownership should be carefully considered.

Making a mistake when buying a puppy/dog is something you may live to regret and above all is something that could have implications for the welfare and happiness of the dog you have purchased.

As reputable breeders, we along with many others, recognise that for most people the acquisition of a new puppy/dog is not something they undertake regularly or indeed perhaps they may be first time owners. Reputable breeders want good homes for their puppies and as part of this process, they, for the sake of the puppy, want to help potential owners make informed decisions.

Here is some information you might find beneficial and should help your transition from would-be dog owner to dog owner!

	Having decided to add a puppy/dog to your household your first step should be to determine whether you have the time and commitment to offer a good home to a puppy/dog? In addition to this, buying a pedigree puppy and the costs of ownership (feeding, grooming, health care, insurance etc.) should be considered.
	If you are sure you are ready for a dog, the next step is to determine which breed would best suit your lifestyle and which you feel would give you the most pleasure. Having decided upon a breed your next step is to find a reputable breeder.
	Puppies from reputable breeders are normally in demand and potential owners should understand why this is the case. In popular breeds, there are plentiful supplies of badly bred, poor quality puppies from people who do not have a commitment to the breed or from breeders who do not fully health test their dogs and are producing puppies for financial gain and for no other ethical reason. Puppies are not like other purchases where buyers can shop around for a "good deal." Puppies from reputable breeders are not cheap and not always readily available. Potential buyers may need to wait before a puppy is available. Buying a puppy from a reputable breeder is not as simple as deciding to have a puppy/dog today and bringing one home tomorrow! Many people wanting a "pet" dog do not consider that a good breeder's commitment to the health, temperament, socialisation and care of their puppies is important for ALL puppies regardless of whether they are destined to be companions, show dogs or working dogs. "Pet" dogs have an important role to fulfil, they will be your friend and companion and a good natured and healthy puppy/dog is a must!
	Having made contact with a good breeder, your next step is to ask them about their dogs and puppies. A reputable breeder will also want to know about you, your lifestyle, employment, family commitments, home etc. In addition, of course as a potential owner, you will want to know about the breeder and their puppies. The exchange of information is a two way process! Please do not be offended by the questions you are asked. Good breeders take their responsibility towards their puppies seriously and want to ensure their pups are placed in appropriate, loving and permanent homes. Reputable breeders are very exacting about where their precious pups are going to live and are very particular about a potential owner’s suitability. They generally prefer owners who they believe they can have an ongoing relationship with as this helps them ensure that their precious pup is going to be a much valued member of an owner’s family for the duration of the pup's lifetime. It also enables a breeder to provide advice and support where necessary. Responsible breeders also want you to enjoy your new puppy and if they know your background, they can help to ensure you have the right puppy, which will aid your enjoyment and keep any training issues to a minimum. A caring breeder will not be offended by the questions you ask them and should willingly answer any queries you may have. Please keep in mind that they are busy people whose first priority is to their dogs and their puppies. If you call at an inconvenient time please allow them to call you back, they will then be able to offer you their undivided attention.
	Once a prospective purchaser and breeder have made contact, if both parties are content, arrangements can be made for the potential purchasers name to be added to the breeder's litter waiting list and for the potential purchasers to meet the breeder, their pups and the pup's mother in due course.
	When would-be buyers have an appointment to meet the breeder they should note that unless a breeder is a commercial breeder, most breeders are not operating a business, their dogs are their hobby and your visit is to their private home. Good breeders will of course welcome visitors from potential puppy owners, however please remember that just like you, breeders have lives to lead, many have jobs, family obligations and of course the day-to-day care of their dogs to contend with. Many also receive a large number of general enquiries about the breed and an even greater number will be offering ongoing support and advice to their existing puppy/dog owners. Please respect a breeders other commitments and endeavour to try to work with them, they really do want to help would-be owners but they do have to juggle their other commitments in order to accommodate visitors etc. Good breeders are usually very helpful in their dealings with potential puppy owners or indeed, when offering general advice, however, this willingness is often taken for granted, please try to see the process from the breeder's viewpoint as well as your own.
	Reputable breeders will honour their commitment to purchasers on their waiting list. They will not "double book" puppies! Once the litter has been born, breeders will "reserve" a puppy for the would-be buyers pending both parties meeting. If you are happy with the breeder you are in contact with, you should consider your search for a puppy over! Please do not add your name to multiple breeders' waiting lists to "hedge your bets.” Reputable breeders whilst honouring their waiting list commitments will turn other potential good homes away in order to "reserve" a puppy for you. Please meet the breeder, their dogs and the litter before continuing to look for a puppy. Please offer breeders the same courtesy they extend to you. No doubt, as a potential buyer, you would be very unhappy, having waited for a puppy, to be told that the breeder had sold the puppy to another buyer! If you have done your homework and chosen a reputable breeder, you should be delighted to meet them and their puppies and you should consider your search for a puppy over. Naturally, if at the meeting you have reason to change your mind, or should your circumstances change it is appropriate to withdraw from a breeder's waiting list, however please do this in a timely manner, as again this is simple good manners. Good luck with your search!
	The Price of a Puppy - A Breeders Tale: I love my little puppy, he makes my house a home, He always is my best friend, I never feel alone. He makes me smile, he makes me laugh, he fills my heart with love, Did some breeder breed him? Was he sent from heaven above? I've never been a breeder, or seen life through their eyes, I hold my little puppy, just sit and criticise. I've never know their anguish, I've never felt their pain, The caring of their charges, through snow or wind or rain. I've never waited all night long for puppies to be born, The stress and trepidation when they're still not there by dawn.... I've never felt the heartache of a little life in my hands, A darling little puppy who weighs just 60 grams !! Should you do this instead of that? Or just pray to God? Alone you fight, and hope one day he'll grow into a dog. Bring joy to another being and make a house a home. You know it's all just up to you, you fight this fight alone. Formula, bottle, heating pads you've got to get this right, Two hourly feeds for this little mite throughout the day and night. In your heart you know it, you'll surely lose the fight, To save this little baby, but God willing, you just might.... Day one he's in there fighting, you say a silent prayer, Day two and three he's doing well, with lots of loving care, Day four and five - he's still alive your hopes soar to the heavens! Day six he slips away again, dies in your hands day seven. You take this little angel and bury him alone, With aching heart and burning tears, (and an exhausted groan), You ask yourself, Why do this? Why suffer all the pain? But see the joy that puppies bring - it really self explains! So, when you think of breeders and label them with "greed" Think what they sometimes endure to fill another's need, And when you buy a puppy, with pounds and pence you part. You only pay with money........ We pay with our hearts. .... Author Unknown....