I want each of my puppies to go to the perfect forever home. I want both the puppy and its new family to enjoy a long life together, so there are some things to consider before adopting a puppy.
Why do I use the term "adopt" rather than buy? I would sell you a car, a couch or a lamp. These are disposable items. Things you enjoy for a time and then upgrade or trade for a new one. A puppy becomes a member of your family. It shares your life, your living space, maybe even your bed. I feel that adding a four legged child is almost like adding a 2 legged child to your family. You have to love, feed, discipline and play with your puppy.
A puppy is a living being. You can't just play with it when you want and expect to put it in a crate and leave it there until you want to spend time with it. A new puppy is much like a new baby. It needs food, water and loving attention.
The first few days may be stressful on both you and the puppy. The puppy does not recognize anything around it. The smells are all new, the voices are new, the sounds around it may be a bit scary. The puppy may cry at night because it is lonely. A radio placed close to its crate, if you use one at night, may ease some of this crying. If you sleep with it, be prepared that it may go to the bathroom in your bed if you don't awaken easily when it wants to go.
Then, there is the financial consideration. The puppy will need vaccinations and de-wormings. Your puppy may become ill and need veterinarian care. You need to be able to afford to feed it a good quality dog food.
I recommend spaying or neutering your new puppy as soon as your vet recommends. Using your dog to teach your children about birth could very easily backfire on you. Trust me, watching the birth of puppies will totally gross out your children. Your sweet little female may give you a litter of puppies with an unknown heritage and a female in heat will draw dogs from miles around to your yard. Taking a female to a dog park for a walk will just become an uncomfortable experience for you. Every male and even females will want to sniff her hiney. Males that are neutered do not mark territory, thus saving your furniture. You will not have to worry about your male wandering around if a neighbor has a female in heat. Our animal shelters are too full now of puppies that may never find a home. Be a responsible pet owner.
Are your children going to be afraid of the puppy? Make sure your child has been around other dogs before bringing one into your house. Puppies bite when playing with one another and until you teach it that this behavior is unacceptable it may nip and chew on your toes and fingers. Make your child aware that the puppy is not being mean, teach your chld that a gentle slap and a stern "no" will soon stop this behavior. I say this because as much as I love dogs and have ever since I remember. I guess when I was 2 this wasn't the case. My daddy brought home a puppy to my sister and me. We had never been around a dog. The poor puppy had to be placed in another home, because we were so afraid of it. This is important, because my guarantee does not cover such situations. I expect people who adopt puppies from me to have done their homework and are sure that children or other dogs in the home are willing to accept the new arrival. Before puppies leave here they are carried around and played with by my grandchildren. And are well acquainted with whatever dog I currently share my house. So my part is done in socializing your puppy.
There are both mental and physical benefits to owning a dog!! Studies have shown that many health concerns are lessened by adding a pet to your life. You can tell your dog all your problems and trust that he won't tell anyone. A dog gives far more unconditional love than any human. I personally feel that everyone should have at least one dog, maybe even more!!
Check out the breeds in which you are interested. I have found that most pure bred dogs do have certain characteristics that make them suitable for your own situation. Even the designer breeds will carry the most desirable characteristics of the parents.
I hope you choose to adopt a puppy from me, if I have the breed in which you are interested. I assure you that all has been done here to make it the best four-legged friend you will ever have.