We decided to create a page to help the puppy buyer when looking for a new puppy!!
The information listed on this page is a collection of facts and opinions, that I have gathered to try to help the puppy buyer to educate themselves.  Regardless where you decide to get  a puppy from, we believe that getting a new puppy should be a POSITIVE EXPERIENCE!   There can certainly be work involved in getting a new puppy,  house training, trips to the vet, chewed items, and so on.  Our hope is that with a little bit of knowledge, your decision to get a new puppy, can be an educated one, and won't include any unnecessary problems! 
This page is a work in-progress.  As I find things that may be useful to a potential puppy buyer I will add more Facts and opinions!!
If there is anything we can do to assist you in you search for a new puppy,
PLEASE just ask!  We'll do our best to try to help.
DON'T TRUST A BREEDER TO TELL YOU THAT THEY'RE  A RESPONSIBLE 
BREEDER, DECIDE THAT FOR YOUR SELF!
Not that any one of these is a definite sign, but many should raise a Red Flag.

SOME SIGNS OF A RESPONSIBLE BREEDER:

SOME SIGNS OF A BREEDER TO BE CAUTIOUS OF:

Is a die-hard dog lover.  This should be evident from the start.

May treat dog like livestock rather than intelligent. sentient family companions.

Breed only a few carefully planned litter each year.

Most often has puppies available.

Has just 1 (or maybe 2) different breeds

Has numerous dog breeds.

Usually belongs to a local breed club.

Usually does not belong to a local breed club.

Usually has a waiting list for puppies.

Has lots of puppies available.

Breeding dogs are part of the family, and live in the breeder's home.

Breeding dogs are kept like livestock in a  barn, Kennel or dog pens
and do not share the breeder's home.

Breeder is very particular about whom he/she places puppies with.

Breeder pressures you to purchase a puppy as soon a possible.

Breeder is very knowledgeable about the breed, including health issues, 
breed characteristics, etc.

Breeder knows little about the breed, or contradicts information you have 
researched about the breed.

Does health tests on breeding dogs before they are bred, and offers
a reasonable health guarantee on puppies.

Does little or no health testing.  Does not offer a health guarantee, or offers an 
inadequate health guarantee. 

Is pleasant to deal with and welcomes your questions about his/her dogs
and puppies.

Is grumpy, rude, evasive or does not welcome you questions about their dogs 
and puppies

Can provide numerous references from satisfied puppy buyers.

Does not have references, or has very few references.

Is happy to provide post-sale support and wants you to stay in touch 
after you take your puppy home

Not willing to take a puppy back if you cannot fulfill your
 commitment to care for it.

Insists that the puppy be returned to them in the event that you
cannot keep your commitment to care for the puppy.

Does not want you to visit or see the puppy parents.

Welcomes you to visit their home to see their dogs and puppies
(by appointment).

Puppies are born in a filthy environment.

Puppy whelping (birthing) area is kept neat and sanitary.

Puppies are not usually socialized. 

Great care is taken to socialize 
(introduce puppies to children, other pets, household items).

A search on google for the breeder's full name, kennel name, etc., 
may reveal consumer complaints, animal cruelty charges, etc. 

 

REGARDLESS OF WHAT BREED OF DOG YOU DECIDE ON:

I think it is good idea, is to find out the breed-standard for the breed you are looking for.  
If you go to www.akc.org they have a list of breeds, if you click on your choice,
 it will give you a detailed outline of the breed-standard for the dog you are looking for. 

This will also help to prevent being taken advantage of: 
Some breeders like to put titles like RARE or EXOTIC on features that may in-fact 
be a disqualifying feature, then they will charge you a premium for the feature
 that may in-fact make your animal,"According to the standard set by the breed club"
less desirable.  Not that they can't or won't make fine pets, it's (in my opinion) just dishonest, 
to try to take advantage of someone else's lack of experience!  
If you know it is an undesirable or disqualifying trait and your okay with that, 
you should be given a fair price not charged a premium for it.

If you are looking at a dog that has "Champion lines" you should have some knowledge of 
how to read a pedigree.  Your breeder should have one available for you to view, and explain
what the titles mean, before you purchase the puppy.