[cheryl000]

I wrote a process essay for my English class about choosing a puppy from my experience with finding Brandy. I figured it might be useful to some people on here. If any of those Yorkietalk English scholars are out there, then I appreciate the constructive criticism! Thanks!

Choosing Man’s Best Friend
Dirty, greasy, and smelly, the four Yorkshire terrier puppies stared up at me from inside of the soiled newspaper-lined box. I carefully reached inside and pulled out the only female puppy. Despite her filthy fur coat she had the most soulful eyes I have ever seen on an animal. I looked up at the puppy’s mother who had the same beautiful eyes, but she looked ashamed and tried not to meet my line of sight. I could tell the puppy’s mother(dam) was not well taken care of, she even had chunks of fur missing. I told the so called “breeder” that I thought they were too young to take from her. The breeder informed me that has kept them separated from their mother for the past week and sold one the day before. The puppies had just started eating watered down dog food at four weeks, they were not even drinking water on their own yet. Regardless, I felt like I could not put the puppy back in the soiled box. The breeder did not ask me any questions, and that she did not care whether or not I breed her. None of the puppies had ever been to a vet or had their shots. I wanted to get them all out of there, but I only had enough money for one, whom I named Brandy. Brandy’s breeder was a text-book definition of a backyard breeder. A backyard breeder is a person that only breeds for money, and not for the dog’s best interests. One year ago I did not know much about finding the perfect dog until I joined a Yorkshire terrier message board. The process of choosing a puppy can be complicated, but it is very important to find a healthy puppy that is perfect for your family.
Looking for a reputable breeder is the first step of finding a healthy puppy. The best way to do this is to ask friends or other dog owners for their personal references. Joining meet up groups is a great way to meet breeders, get references, and make sure that you have chosen a breed that fits well with your lifestyle. A person can use the internet to find great websites and message boards to meet breeders. Beware of scams on the internet. If a deal seems to be too good to be true, it usually is. Never send money away Western Union and do not deal with another country unless you have developed a very good relationship with the breeder and they have a good reputation. It is best to find a local breeder and not ship a puppy due to the higher possibility of getting scammed or receiving an unhealthy puppy. Ask for the dog’s papers because they prove that it is a purebred and that it did not come from a puppy mill..
After finding a potential breeder, a buyer must ask the right questions. Popular questions are, “Why do you breed?” and “How long have you been breeding dogs?” The better breeders tend to be more experienced and they should be breeding for the love and betterment of the breed. If the breed standards are appealing, inquire if there are any champions in the bloodline, especially the dog going to be for showing purposes. Championship bloodlines justify a higher asking price of a dog. Do not forget to ask if the puppy has a good heath guarantee that covers genetic defects for at least one year. Good breeders do their own quality genetic testing to prevent inherited diseases such as liver shunt and collapsed trachea in future generations. A customer should also ask if the parent’s size is within the weight and size standards of the breed. Do not be afraid to ask many questions, good breeders encourage many inquiries.
Next, be prepared to answer some questions from the breeder as well. A good breeder will ask just as many questions as they were asked, if not more. Do not be offended, they are just trying to find good homes for their puppies they care so much about. Many breeders will ask if there are small children in the household because small children can be very rough with puppies. A breeder might also ask what other dogs are owned because a lot of smaller dogs do not get along well with larger dogs. The best breeders will also ask the buyer to return the dog at any time if things do not work out with it.
After the customer has chosen a good breeder who has answered all of the questions, it is time to meet and evaluate the breeding program. Some breeders do not allow strangers in their home for their own safety. If allowed to go on site to meet the puppies, look around to see how clean the breeding facility is. Ask if both parents are on location and make sure they look healthy and well taken care of. Make sure the dam is a healthy weight to have puppies. If the dogs are in cages make sure that they are appropriate to their size, the dogs are well socialized, and do not spend their entire lives in the cages. Good breeders usually do not breed more than two different breeds of dogs. This makes the breeders more specialized and knowledgeable about the breed they are dealing with.
Next, choose the right puppy for the family. The puppy should be at least eight weeks old. The runt of the litter tends to be the least healthy, but usually stays the smallest. A healthy puppy will be playful and should have a great temperament. Let the dog walk around and watch for any limping or straining. Pick up the dog and listen for labored breathing, coughing, or wheezing. Feel the puppy’s stomach, if it is swollen it could have a parasite infection of worms.
It is very important to not choose a dog impulsively through a pet store or a bad breeder. Finding a healthy puppy can be a very rewarding experience, but a poorly bred dog can cost you thousands of dollars in vet bills. Brandy ended up having tape worms, but has not had any other tribulations. We are lucky because some dogs end up with devastating results from inbreeding or other bad breeding programs. Some dogs end up dead or have to be euthanized so they will not have to suffer any more pain. Taking the steps necessary to find a healthy dog now might save your family from heartbreak in the end.