Before you decide to adopt a new dog, please consider these suggestions and comments.  I would say that age does not matter as long as the dog is at least eight weeks of age when you take it home.  Sometimes a breeder will try to place an animal at six weeks of age.  This is too young.  The extra two weeks with its mother and siblings will help it grow socially and puppies learn from each other and the mother.  Also, the series of puppy shots begins at eight weeks of age and is repeated at twelve and sixteen weeks.  If a breeder is adamant about adoption at six weeks, it is probably best to find a different source for an animal.

Personally, I prefer adopting an older dog.  Most adult “rescue” dogs have been house broken and should have much better bladder control than a new puppy.  They also will be quicker to learn their new routine.  Puppies are more work; just as new babies are compared to older children.  Besides, unless you are adopting from a no-kill shelter, the adult dog has a short time to be adopted and puppies are always easier for the shelter to place.  You may even be able to find a purebred dog for very little cost from a shelter.

Before you commit to the animal, perform your own physical exam.  Look for obvious sores, discharge from the eyes, ears or nose or any limping.  Its coat should be shiny as well.  Realize that a shelter dog may not be that pretty, but with a little TLC it can be made to look great.  A reputable breeder and reasonable shelter should let you take the animal to your veterinarian for an examination before adopting it.

If you are buying from a breeder, be sure to insist upon a complete tour of the facility.  Make sure the establishment is very clean.  I would also ask for references.  Call pet owners who have purchased from that breeder and ask about their experience and how healthy the puppy turned out to be.

I have seen many clients spend hundreds or thousands of dollars buying a puppy from a breeder, then become attached to the puppy, only to have it develop parvo or distemper.  Plan to spend lots of money saving the animal.  At that point check the paperwork you received from the breeder.  It should have a health guarantee under certain circumstances; however, typically, they will only exchange the sick animal for a replacement puppy.  They will not help with the vet bills.  If they take the sick puppy back, it will probably be euthanized and the supposedly healthy, replacement animal will have come from the same environment, so it could very likely have the same disease.  Serious diseases like parvo and distemper emanate from the breeder’s environment and are passed from animal to animal.

Make sure the breed has the attributes that suit your lifestyle.  If you are looking for a lapdog do not get an animal that was bred to be a working dog such as a border collie or birddog.  Since we live in a very hot climate, I do not think it is appropriate to have a thick-coated breed, nor is it fair to the animal.  Do some research in various breed books regarding the personality of the breed you are considering.  Many purebred animals end up in shelters because the owner was not aware of the characteristics of the breed.

If you would like to discuss dog breeds or attributes or do some research in our animal library, feel free to call us or come by Dr. Doolittle’s Animal Hospital.  Good luck!