Pet stores are like automobile dealerships. They are in the business of selling a commodity and making money — in their case, on puppies. We live in a free enterprise system, and these are legitimate businesses. However, when you buy a puppy at a pet store, you need to realize that the contract you will receive covering the animal's health and the store's policy of returning a pup is written more to protect the pet store than to protect you.

Pet stores get their pups from commercial breeding kennels, most of which are located in the Midwest, and many of which fit into the infamous category of puppy mills. These are wholesale breeding operations that breed their bitches every time they come into heat and keep their dogs in the worst possible conditions. Such breeders are unlikely to know or care about the breed standard or to breed with breed betterment or sound temperament in mind.

These kennels sell their pups to a broker, who in turn sells them to pet stores or chains. The pups are crated and shipped to the stores when they are as young as four weeks of age and are sold when they are six to twelve weeks old.

Under federal law, commercial breeding kennels are required to be licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). If such an operation is convicted of fraudulent practices or inhumane conditions under the Animal Welfare Act, its license can be withdrawn. Due to under-staffing and difficulty in enforcement, this rarely happens. Obviously, there is no way for you to know what kind of environment produced that adorable little puppy you fell in love with at the pet store.

Potential problems with pet store pups do not stop there. Once they arrive at the pet store, the conditions under which dogs are kept there may lead to infections and illnesses. Even though the law requires that the puppies be examined by a vet and given a clean bill of health before they are sold, in many cases this exam is perfunctory, sometimes no more than a rubber-stamping of a pen full of pups. Even if the young dogs appear to be healthy, they may be incubating diseases picked up after they arrived at the store. Like human infants, puppies' immune systems are not yet fully developed, so they are susceptible to a wide variety of illnesses.

State law allows consumers to return sick puppies, but most stores will offer a credit, not a full refund. Often the purchaser has already bonded with the pup and is fearful that it will be euthanized if they bring it back. Increasingly common, these puppy “lemon laws” enable dog purchasers to return a sick or dead puppy for a refund or replacement, and some offer the option of keeping the dog and being reimbursed for its medical care. Check with your state's Department of Consumer Affairs or with the AKC to find out about such protection.

The amount of socialization the pup has had is another consideration. It is important to spend time with the dog you are considering and observe its reactions to you and other animals. A dog that seems shy and fearful or overly aggressive may lack socialization or have inbred temperament problems. Pet-store clerks usually work for low wages and are not breeding experts, so they may not be equipped to answer your questions about the dog you are considering. Pet-store and puppy-mill puppies are often weaned, shipped, and sold so young that they do not have a chance to develop the social skills needed by every dog, large or small. If a pup is weaned and shipped to the pet store at five or six weeks of age, it has not had sufficient time to develop a personality and to learn important social skills. Without a mother's guidance and the chance to grow and learn, the puppy often develops behavior problems.

While some pet stores are clean and are run by caring people, you need to proceed with caution if this is the route you choose to get your dog. First and foremost, make sure the pup has been examined by a local veterinarian who is also accessible to you. Ask where it came from and if it has been registered with the AKC, an indication that at least the breeder's USDA license has not been revoked for unethical practices or unsanitary conditions. Ask to see genetic clearances on its breeding stock, and request a copy. Go over the store's contract to find out what kind of protection is offered if your pup should get sick or die.

If pet-store personnel are unable or unwilling to answer your questions, it's best to continue your search elsewhere. Your goal is to get a dog that will grow into a happy, healthy example of the breed you've chosen. If you don't find that puppy there, at least you have broadened your knowledge as you continue your search.