There is no hard-and-fast rule on this, but reputable breeders do not usually advertise their pups in the newspaper. They often have a waiting list of people lined up to purchase their puppies before the next litter is born. If you decide to go the classified-ad route, carefully check out the pup's parentage, living conditions, and health before you reach for that checkbook. You also need to remember that people who sell puppies through the newspaper can say anything they want to about themselves and their dogs because few buyers check out their credentials. There is no great savings to be had, either. A pedigreed pup from a reputable breeder usually costs about as much as one from the classifieds or pet store. If you do pay considerably less for your purebred pup, down the road you may end up paying the difference plus a lot more in vet bills when health problems arise.

If you call one of these advertisers, find out how long they have been breeding dogs. This might be a litter that was a surprise or it was bred to let their children experience the miracle of birth. On the other hand, if they are breeding the mother every time she comes into heat, that's not good either. A breeding bitch needs time to recover. She is not supposed to be a money-making machine.

Often those advertising litters in the newspaper fall into the backyard-breeder category. Many small-breed puppies are produced by amateurs. They mate dogs without regard to breed standards, potential genetic problems in the breed, or temperament. You can get lucky and find a good dog this way, but it's a big gamble.

When breeders discuss their dog's lineage, are there AKC champions in its immediate background? Any pup whose parents are registered with the AKC is eligible for registration; however, just because a pup has registration papers does not mean it is a worthy specimen of the breed.

Some ads might mention OFA certification. The OFA is the Orthopedic Foundation of America, an organization that maintains a registry of dogs with hip and elbow dysplasia. Dogs whose X rays show they are clear of these conditions are called OFA-certified. This is generally a problem with larger breeds, but no puppy is eligible to be certified until it is two years old. If the parents have what it known as OFA clearances, that's a good indication the pup will not end up with dysplasia, but it is not a guarantee.

If you have discovered that your breed of choice is prone to hereditary eye problems, you should find out if your potential pup has had a Canine Eye Registration Foundation or CERF exam. Performed by a board-certified member of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, this test screens for cataracts and retinal dysplasia, and results are recorded in a national registry. CERF exams are good for one year only. For breeds in which eye problems are an issue, a breeder should at least be able to show that the pup's mother has had a current CERF exam.

When you visit the premises, is it a clean environment? Obviously, you will get to see the mother dog and possibly the father as well. Are they healthy and friendly? Are the pups being raised as part of the breeder's family so they will be well socialized, or are they kept in isolation? Are there all kinds of pups running around, or just the breed you are looking for? When several different breeds are on the premises, that person is most likely not an individual breeder but might be working with a broker for puppy mills.

Wonderful puppies come from diverse breeding situations, but as you shop around, the more knowledge you bring with you, the better.