Purchasing a Puppy

Bringing a pet into your home is a lifetime commitment to the pet. For Cairn Terriers, you should consider it a commitment of 12-15yrs but up to 18yrs in some cases. You should consider your lifestyle over the time period, and consider all characteristics of a breed. Different breeds were brought about for different reasons and therefore have vastly different characteristics, from energy level, intelligence, disposition, instincts, health, grooming needs, etc. Take all characteristics into account before choosing a breed. For example if you want a lap dog that will snuggle and sleep most of the time, a Cairn Terrier or similar breed is NOT what you are looking for! If you are looking for an energetic companion that may be independent at times, but highly intelligent, loving, and a big dog in a little body, a Cairn Terrier may fit your needs precisely.

When you think you know what breed you would like, contact reputable ethical breeders and let them know who you are, about your family, and what you are looking for in a companion. They can offer advice and expertise about the breed, and help you ensure that it is in fact, a good choice.

For more information about what an ethical reputable breeder is, refer to my web page. A reputable breeder is concerned about the placement of their puppy because they are responsible to that life for it's entirety. They want it to be a forever home and if circumstances in your life change where you can't keep it for it's lifetime, they will assist you in placing it in a new home. If you ever have questions, concerns, or difficulties with your puppy they will be available to help you manage it. Many behavior issues that may eventually cause a family to give up a dog, can be corrected if managed appropriately early.

This is why it's inappropriate for backyard breeders to breed. A backyard breeder is not an expert in the breed, they can't track health disorders beyond random occurance, and they don't have the goal of improving the breed. I've talked to numerous backyard breeders who not only didn't know the health disorders within the breed, they have an overall lack of knowledge. This lack of knowledge continues through the puppies they produce when buyers have a pet and no one to turn to for good information. The continuance of ignorance results in families having no where to turn when they need a new home for their dog and the animals end up in shelters or being abused.

Large unethical breeders and puppy mills are also a cause of pet overpopulation due to selling large numbers of puppies with no attention to appropriate homes. If a breeder pushes a sale instead of placing the puppy in a forever home, they're the wrong breeder for you. If they aren't in touch with the puppies over a period of time, they probably aren't tracking health disorders and therefore aren't improving the breed. Only through staying in touch with my buyers and having an open line of communication, am I notified if a dog develops a hereditary health disorder. By selling mass numbers of dogs and not being in touch with them, when buyers have issues with the animal, what do they do? They surrender them to shelters and rescues, furthering our issues of pet overpopulation.

Reputable ethical breeders never sell puppies at auction. They don't donate puppies to auction, they don't sell them online in auctions. They may advertise puppies that are available, but then one should expect an interview process to be able to purchase the available puppy. Expect to provide references or photos of your home if asked. Breeders want the best home for their puppies and want to know that it's a forever placement in quality care. Be forthcoming and give good communication, and expect good communication in return. If you can't talk with your breeder, they don't answer emails or phone calls, you know they aren't going to be available when you have a 1 yr old dog with health or behavior problems.

We want to ensure all dogs have forever homes. Spay and neuter at 5-6 months of age. Only purchase a puppy from a reputable ethical breeder. Stay in contact with your breeder with behavior problems, questions, concerns, and most importantly cute pictures and updates! If you need to find a new home for your dog, NEVER surrender to a shelter or rescue. Notify your breeder first and they will assist you in placing the animal, or take them for foster care if the situation is urgent. As the buyer you are just as responsible to that animal for the rest of it's life, as the breeder is.