Finally, before spending any money on a new puppy, consider going to shelters, or to breed rescue to see if they have any puppies, or young adult dogs of the breed you are interested in. Keep in mind that mutts are nice too! And need safe and loving homes also.

Every rescue dog I have ever ended up with has been toilet-trained already, well-mannered, and so grateful to have a human and home of their own.

Many of them are homeless through no fault of their own, and as the economy goes spiralling downwards, and the credit crunch has meant a great number of foreclosures, it is the dogs and cats who are ending up suffering. And being destroyed if there are not enough homes for them.

So if you are thinking of getting a new pet and are sure you can afford it and understand that it is a lifetime commitment for the life of the pet, however long that may be, visit petfinder.org and see if your new furry friend is waiting there for you.