A dog sold through a want ad may be a good bet if you are looking for an older dog and can find one with a good story: "We're being transferred to New Zealand and they said it would cost $1500 to ship him." Getting an adult dog from a known family situation greatly reduces the chance of an unpleasant surprise, his early problems and expenses are past and you are likely to get all of his equipment with him for little or no extra money.

One problem, though, is that sometimes people are less than truthful when they're eager to re-home a pet. Check references on both the people and the dog. For starters, with the owner's permission, call the veterinarian. If the dog is a problem, chances are that the vet will know about it. Often you can get information from the receptionist or a veterinary assistant if you explain why you need to know about a dog's temperament--be sure to have the current owner call beforehand or send a letter of permission. Most veterinary offices will not give you information on another person's dog without authorization.

If you're buying a purebred puppy, go to a responsible breeder. The family who has bred a litter "so the children can experience the miracle of birth" do not know enough about dogs to give you the support you may need later. The parents should have had pre-breeding health screening, genetic testing (where available) for common breed problems, and some thought should have gone into selected the parents. The fact that they are of the same breed is not nearly enough! Some very responsible breeders advertise in the local paper, but many do not.

Adopting a mixed breed puppy from a newspaper ad may work out if you are careful. Look for about the same things you would look for when visiting a breeder. The puppies should be healthy, have had vaccinations appropriate to their age, and have been wormed. They should be well-socialized, bright-eyed, and happy. Never take home a puppy younger than eight weeks old. All puppies need to stay with their mother and littermates for at least eight weeks.

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