- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
In the early planning stages, knowing where to get or buy a puppy or dog can be overwhelming. There are breeders, shelters, rescues, and foster programs. But how do you know which route is the right one?
Each option has its own set of pros and cons to weigh. The right path for you will depend on your unique needs, lifestyle, and family dynamic. To learn more about how to get a dog, we spoke with Dr. Iram Gladan, DVM, veterinarian, Ph.D. candidate, and writer for Breed Atlas. With her guidance, we built a guide to cover what the process entails. We’ll also cover how to vet breeders and rescue organizations to avoid scams or poorly run operations.
Here’s to your (soon-to-be) new family member!
| Where | Ability to Choose Age | Ability to Choose Breed | Cost | Risk |
| Breeder | Puppies | Yes | Expensive | Dealing with unscrupulous breeders requires thorough vetting |
| Shelter | Yes | Limited | Less money | Uncertainty about the dog’s background and temperament |
| Rescue Organization | Yes | Some, if going with a breed-specific rescue | Less money | Some uncertainty, but fosters can provide feedback on behavior, etc. |
| Foster-to-Adopt | Yes | Some, if going with a breed-specific rescue | Less money | Highest chance of ensuring a good fit |
| Pet stores and online retailers | Yes | Yes | Expensive | High risk of puppy mills |
Getting a Dog from a Breeder
Pet parents with a clear vision of the breed they want may have the best luck purchasing from a breeder. Breeders are also ideal if you know you want to buy a purebred dog or you’re certain you want a puppy (along with the adventure of raising one).
“Breeders specialize in one breed of dog, so buyers can find a pet that tends to have predictable characteristics like size, coat type, temperament, and energy levels,” Dr. Gladan explains. This predictability will appeal to people seeking a dog to fit their particular lifestyle. Additionally, folks with allergies may want to look for a breeder who sells hypoallergenic dogs.
Moreover, reputable breeders frequently offer a health screening for peace of mind. “Typically, they do health screening and genetic testing of the breeding dogs to minimize hereditary risk,” says Dr. Gladan. That doesn’t mean your dog won’t have health issues, but it reduces the chances well below what you’d see in a puppy mill.
There are also some downsides to consider. Breeders typically cost more than adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue. There might also be a long wait time, as most breeders work on a schedule, and dogs only produce one to two litters per year.
How to find a reputable breeder
Dog breeders are largely unregulated, so it’s essential to do your homework to avoid an unethical one.
First, if a breeder peppers you with questions, consider it a good sign. A good breeder cares where their puppies go, and they will often ask about your living situation, dog experience, and readiness for a new pet before selling you a puppy.
A reputable breeder will also be happy to invite prospective buyers to visit their facilities and see the puppies and their parents in person. “If the breeder refuses a meeting or offers multiple excuses, they may have something shady to hide,” Dr. Gladan explains.
Finally, it should give you pause if a breeder is vague or fails to show proof of health screenings or genetic tests.
Tatomm via iStock
Getting a Dog from a Shelter
Shelters operate out of a physical facility where they house strays, owner surrenders, lost animals, and dogs rescued from hoarding or abuse cases. Dogs are always available for adoption, but the breeds, ages, and genders vary at any given time.
One of the most significant benefits of getting a dog from a shelter is the satisfaction of saving a life. “Shelters are overcrowded,” Dr. Gladan reminds us. “When one adopts a dog from a shelter, the number of animals put to sleep due to a lack of space and resources decreases.”
You’ll likely pay less upfront for a shelter dog—and the cost of adoption may cover some primary medical care, such as vaccinations and spaying or neutering.
However, adopting from a shelter comes with its own set of challenges. For one, the dogs’ backgrounds are often unknown, meaning their health and behavior status may be unclear. “Some might have been traumatized or neglected, requiring extra time and patience,” adds Dr. Gladan.
On top of that, your options may be limited at a shelter, and you may not have as much choice in finding a puppy or breed that you want.
How to find a reputable shelter
When visiting shelters, they should be clean and well-organized. Avoid overcrowded facilities with unsanitary conditions or visibly distressed, unhealthy animals. In addition, a good shelter will be forthcoming with information about the dogs’ health, behavior, and history while in their care. “If a shelter dances around a dog’s background or health status, it might mean a lot is hidden,” says Dr. Gladan.
Another thing to watch for is shelters that insist on same-day adoption without proper vetting or planning. “Good shelters employ a complete series of procedures, including interviews, home checks, and after-adoption support,” Dr. Gladan explains.
Getting a Dog from a Rescue Organization
Unlike a shelter, most rescue organizations don’t have a physical adoption facility. Instead, they’re usually a network of volunteer fosters who care for dogs in their home until they’re ready for their forever family.
Many rescue organizations have a mix of dogs, but some focus on specific breeds. Depending on the breed, these rescues can sometimes be extremely particular about placement. For instance, a Border Collie rescue will want to make sure prospective adopters are up to the challenge of living with such a high-drive breed.
Adopting a rescue will cost less than a breeder, and of course, there’s the satisfaction of saving a life. Because the dogs usually live with a foster family before being adopted, you may also get a better idea of what to expect regarding behavior and training milestones.
However, like shelter dogs, the background of many of these rescues remains unclear, and some may require additional training and care to address behavioral issues.
How to find a reputable rescue organization
Dr. Gladan says a good rescue organization should be able to provide information about the dog’s health and behavior. They’ll also offer support to help new owners with problems that crop up. “Many rescues offer post-adoption support and, in some cases, even behavioral or training advice to ensure that the dog and the new owner acclimate to one another,” she says.
Reputable rescues will also have a thorough adoption process. Since these rescue groups want their dogs to go to good homes, there are usually lengthy applications, home visits, and interviews to ensure a good match. While this may be off-putting to some people, it helps ensure dogs get placed with the right families.
Fostering to Adopt
If you’re a first-time dog guardian or unsure about committing to adoption, consider fostering first. A foster-to-adopt program is an excellent way to dip your toes into the world of dog guardianship by temporarily caring for a dog before they go to their forever home—or stay in yours. You can adopt your foster if you find they’re a good fit or help rehome them if they’re not.
Foster-to-adopt programs are also ideal for households with young children or those who already have pets. You’ll have the opportunity to observe how a new dog interacts with them and how their personality jives with your lifestyle and routine. This test run means far less uncertainty around temperament and fit.
If you’re apprehensive about the process, Dr. Gladan points out that most foster programs offer training and support to build your confidence and skills.
To get involved, you’ll fill out an application that covers information about your living situation and home life. There will most likely be an interview and home check, too. Many programs will provide essentials like collars and food bowls and cover veterinary expenses.
Rover test pup Roo quickly became a foster fail in her first week in a foster home. Image via Elizabeth Holbrook
Pet Stores and Online Retailers
It may be hard to resist that puppy in the window, but it’s usually best to avoid buying dogs from pet stores or online ads. Unfortunately, pet stores often source their puppies from puppy mills, where the living conditions are poor, medical care is minimal, and there is little to no social interaction.
At a puppy mill, the animals’ welfare takes a backseat to profits, leading to higher incidences of genetic disorders, infectious diseases, and chronic health or behavioral problems.
With online retailers, there’s also the risk of being scammed. “There are many tactics that unscrupulous sellers use to dupe their buyers,” says Dr. Gladan. “This includes fake websites, false advertisements, stolen pictures, and more.”
Finally, pet stores and online retailers are unlikely to provide post-adoption support, which can be devastating if issues arise shortly after getting the dog.
How To Choose
To start your search, Dr. Gladan suggests asking for recommendations from your vet or other pet parents. “Look for breeders who are members of known breed clubs or rescue organizations that are part of respected networks with good animal welfare.”
She also advises visiting the breeding premises or the site where the animal is staying. “Observe the living conditions, the health and behavior of the animals, and the way the staff interacts with them,” says Dr. Gladan. “A site visit personalizes the information in a way that a website cannot.”
Finally, it’s a good idea to make a list of questions for the breeder or rescue. For instance, you can ask breeders for proof of health testing or inquire about a rescue dog’s background and health. You can also ask about the support offered post-adoption. “If you have questions, any reputable breeder or organization should be open and more than willing to answer them thoroughly,” Dr. Gladan concludes.
Further Reading
