I must look or smell like a dog [hopefully a clean one] because I'm often asked by friends and even people I just meet about how to find a dog. Or maybe it's that I just look like a wise [young] man. Anyway, sometimes they're looking for a specific breed, some people just want a friendly companion, some are parents looking for a good family dog and any number of other situations. The bottom line is that I hear this question a lot. Of course it also comes in the form of "what kind of dog should I get?, where can I find a good dog?, do you know a good breeder?, what is the best breed of dog for my family?", etc.

I was in Costco yesterday and the cashier noticed that my Costco card says Hiltonhall Labradors. So she posed it to me as a question, "Hiltonhall Labradors?" And I replied as I always do, "my parents breed and train labrador retrievers." She then asked me, "would you know anyone that breeds [sorry, I don't remember what breed she actually asked for]?" There were customers behind me and it was 6:10 PM (they close at 6 on Sundays) so I didn't get to really discuss it with her, but [and keep in mind that I am no Dog Whisperer] here's what I would say to anyone asking.

First of all, the advice that I give everyone is to take your time and learn everything you can beforehand! Getting a dog, especially if you have never had one, changes your life. Not as much as having a child [crate training children is generally frowned upon ], but they still depend on you for food, shelter and everything else. Learn about the different breeds, what being a responsible owner entails and how it will affect your lifestyle.

There are a few initial questions that need to be answered...

• Are you looking for a specific breed [and do they have to be a purebred]?
• Do you have a specific purpose in mind for the dog?
• Is money an issue?

If you are looking for a specific breed...

• Ask friends you trust for breeder recommendations - If you have friends that have already been through this quest then lean on them for information. Word of mouth is still the best form of advertising.
• Ask breeders you trust for referrals - People who work with different breeds often know each other through clubs, shows and competitions so don't hesitate to ask a Greyhound breeder if they can recommend a German Shorthair breeder.
• If you don't know either of the above then start with the American Kennel Club's (AKC) Breeder Referral system - This will provide you with a list of contacts for each breed. Each point of contact should be able to direct you to registered breeders in your area. Being registered doesn't guaranty quality or honesty, but it certainly is a place to start your search.
• Talk to more than one breeder - There are tons of quality breeders out there and the good ones will even refer you to others in their circle of friends. By talking to more than one breeder you get multiple perspectives. Take it as a warning sign if a breeder will not give you referrals either to existing clients or other breeders.
• Investigate a purebred rescue program for your chosen breed - These are programs for dogs rescued from bad situations (abusive owners, puppy mills, etc.). The AKC lists breed rescue groups for the various breeds. Be aware that these dogs might require special needs or care based on the circumstances from which they were 'rescued.'

If you are NOT looking for a specific breed...then do you have a specific purpose in mind?

• Determine what it is you want from a dog - Just a household companion for yourself? Family dog? Jogging partner? Protector? Comic relief? Hunting? All dog breeds have tendencies and you should select the breed that fits your wants and needs. Just as I wouldn't recommend a Chihuahua for a jogging partner I also wouldn't recommend a Bichon Frise for duck hunting. Look through the AKC's breed descriptions for starters, then talk with friends who have dogs, go visit different breeders to get a feel for their chosen breed and continue to narrow down what it is you want.
• Once you have decided what kind of dog you want then focus on those breed(s) in your search - Now you have to decide if you want to go through a breeder, another private party or a shelter.

If you want to spend as little money as possible and/or they do not need to be a purebred...

• Go to your local dog shelter(s) - There are tons of good dogs in shelters. A lot of them are mix-breeds, but there are also plenty of purebreds to be found. Spend as much time as possible with your chosen dog to learn their personality before taking them home. Be sure that the shelter you select also allows you a trial period at home or to take the dog back in case things don't work out.
• Search the classifieds - Many people get a puppy, it grows into something they don't want or cannot handle and then change their mind. They often list them in classified ads before taking them to a shelter, so look here for good deals. Just be careful...there are a lot of unsavory people out there looking for suckers.

This is far from an all-inclusive answer to the question "how to find a dog," but I think it gives some good starting points. My main point to get across is to learn all you can before taking the plunge! Ask lots and lots of questions. Trust me, good breeders are used to people asking questions and will be willing to meet with you [even multiple times] to answer them.

Some other resources...

• AKC's Future Dog Owners - lots of good information for people looking to get a dog.
• ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) - lots more good information along with a searchable listing of animal shelters for adopting pets.
• Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue

~tod