The first step in finding a pup is understanding the types of breeding practices going on. Then you can compare Apples to Apples and Apples to Oranges. You can also decide (before seeing puppies...since they are ALL little and cute) what breeding practices you want to support. Some people feel that once the puppy has been produced there is no "damage" done in buying from a petstore, puppymill, backyard breeder or commercial breeder. Just remember when you buy a pup you are encouraging a practice to continue.
The "damage" of petstores is most continue supporting puppymills.
The damage of puppymills is they mistreat their dogs.
The damage of backyard breeders is they produce poor quality dogs and owners are often disappointed with their adult dogs. (remember, all puppies are cute) The damage continues when these poor quality dogs are sold and more poor quality dogs breed and make even poorer quality. Most backyard breeders don't know about the lines their dogs came from and health problems are bred over and over too.
Some people don't see a problem with commercial kennels but I would never support that kind of treatment of these little dogs. Imagine our dogs who crave human contact living in a kennel environment surrounded by 20 other kennels? Buy from them and their business continues.
Learn this stuff first. Keep doing research and save your money for a pet you won't be disappointed in. The difficult part is finding a breeder so learn what kind of breeder you want to find!
http://www.shilohshepherds.com/puppy...erMatrixv4.htm