How to get a dog
How I did it: We started by thinking of personality traits, etc. that we wanted in a dog (plus any other factors like shedding, etc.) and then did research to narrow it down to about 2-3 breeds that fit the bill. I read as much as I could about these breeds and then looked for breeders in our area and talked to some of them. We ultimately got an 8 month old, pure bred dog (in the breed we had decided upon) through the classifieds. The original owner was selling him because of an increase in her need to travel for work.
Lessons & tips: DO YOUR RESEARCH!! So many dogs end up in shelters because people don't like the way a dog behaves or because it sheds too much - even though these things are often inherent in the breed or can be overcome with proper training. If you're set on a pure bred dog, there are many pure breds in shelters that are looking for homes or owners who are trying to sell them through the local classifieds. Look there first! If you prefer to get one from a breeder just know there are a lot of backyard breeders and puppy mills - so make sure you're aware of where your puppy is coming from. Most often puppies in pet stores are from puppy mills or irresponsible breeders - please don't purchase your puppy from a pet store!
Resources: Google, as always, is a great source for finding information. Once you've figured out what kind of dog you'd like, your local shelter and classifieds are good sources.
