Poodle Puppies for Sale
So you’ve done all your homework. You know for sure that the poodle is the right dog for you. Then, one day as if by fate, you come across the sign: Poodle Puppies for Sale. Should you buy one on the spot? Only if you want to risk making a bad mistake.
Instead of getting a poodle pup on the spot, take a little time and think about the following questions.
Who’s Selling the Poodles?
Chances are, it’s a backyard or casual breeder (an owner who has allowed a female poodle to give birth for fun or profit) who won’t be able to vouch for your poodle pup’s health or lineage.
Worse still, it might be a pet store that obtains its dogs from puppy mills. Puppy mills exist only to make a profit. No thought is given to the animal’s comfort or health. Animals from puppy mills tend to be poorly socialized and sickly. You may think you’re doing a kind thing by “rescuing” a poodle from a pet store, but in truth every dollar you spend on a pet store poodle convinces the pet store that there’s a profit to be made from using puppy mills.
When you buy a poodle, you want to work with an established an ethical breeder who cares deeply for his or her dogs and can produce documents to show that they are healthy purebreds.
What Does the Seller Know about the Poodles?
A professional breeder should be able to give you a poodle puppy’s ancestry from several generations back. A casual breeder might not even be certain as to the identity of the father, let alone the great-grandmother.
Look for a seller who has gotten to know the puppies well and who can discuss their personalities, individual quirks, and health issues knowledgeably.
What Paperwork Does the Seller Offer?
Ideally, you should expect a blue AKC (American Kennel Club) registration form, the poodle puppy’s veterinary record with a list of any treatments and vaccinations and the dates they occurred; and a statement from a vet that to the best of his or her knowledge the poodle pup is healthy.
Is the Price Fair?
Prices for poodles can very widely, depending on whether they are purebreds, whether the breeder thinks they have good show potential, and whether they are healthy. Do a little research online, talk to breeders, and check the local newspaper to find the average going rate of poodle puppies. If the person selling the puppies is asking for much more or much less, be wary. Highballing the price could mean the breeder isn’t familiar with his or her market; lowballing the price might indicate that something is wrong with pups.
Are You Really Ready for a Poodle?
Have you thought through your choice carefully? Do you have the supplies you need to take care of a puppy? Are all family members on board with this decision? Remember, buying a poodle is a twelve to fifteen year commitment.
Poodle puppies are extremely cute. It may take a willpower of iron to pass up that sweet, intelligent face and those huge dark eyes, but you want to be sure you get the best puppy you see, not just the first puppy you see.
Now it’s time to look at things to consider before buying a poodle puppy.
