If you want a puppy you need to find a reliable breeder with a litter. This means that you will see dogs that have been breed for profits sake. You will find these puppies in your local newspaper, some of them will have pedigrees but a lot will not. Never buy a puppy too young and always ask to see the mother’s papers. Try to visit as many breeders as possible and also find out if the breeder will give you advice after you have bought a puppy.

Never buy a puppy on impulse as it will need a lot of care and attention for at least fourteen years.

Ask to have the dog for a trial period.

Look at the mother, is she well cared for, calm and non aggressive. The mother is a sign of the quality of the breeder and of the puppy.

Try to avoid buying a puppy whose mother was kept in a kennel. Kennel dogs miss the experience of family life and socialising in its early months.

Make sure the puppy is over eight weeks old.

Have all agreements in writing.

If you would rather have an older dog you can contact the breed association. Sometimes owners cannot keep their dogs because of moving home, work matters or buying on

impulse and will ask the association to re-home them.

You must also take into account the fact that if the dog has a pedigree it is only proof of descent and does not mention the health of the parents of the dog.