Look at what you think you want in a dog and can offer it, and work out which breed ticks all the boxes.
Puppy farms tend not to have animal welfare as a priority. They churn out large numbers of puppies with scant regard for the dogs’ health or the puppies’ futures.
When you go to buy or pick up your puppy or dog, ask questions. If anything concerns you, raise it. Ask about what the dog is fed, how it has been brought up, its likes and dislikes.
However, older dogs tend to be less destructive in the home, are usually neutered and you can often obtain their history from the rescue organisation.
They say that the perfect dog is out there waiting for you. While this may not quite be true – and there may not be such a thing as the “perfect” dog!
A dog doesn’t know what day it is. While it’s fun for children to celebrate a dog’s birthday with cake (canine-friendly of course), presents and suchlike, a dog is happiest with a routine
Always get the details of the adoption or sale in writing. This should include not only details for the fees paid, neutering agreements, restrictions on breeding, living arrangements
In the UK, since 2016 it has been a legal requirement for all dogs over the age of eight weeks to be microchipped. In the US it is not mandatory.