Questions To Ask Yourself...Are You Prepared To:

• Take full responsibility for this dog and all of its needs for the next 10-15 years? This is NOT a task that can be left to children!  The whole family needs to be involved.

• Invest the considerable time, money and patience it takes to train the dog to be a good companion?

• Always keep the dog safe; not running loose, riding in the back of an open pick up truck or chained outside?

• Make sure the dog gets enough attention and exercise?

• Live with shedding, retrieving, drooling and high activity for the next 10-15 years?

• Spend the money it takes to provide proper veterinary care including but not limited to: vaccines, heartworm testing and preventative, spaying or neutering, dental care and annual check ups?

• Become educated about the proper care of the breed, correct training methods and how to groom? There are many resources available to help with education.

• Keep the breeder informed and up to date on the dog's accomplishments and any problems that may arise? Taking your questions to the breeder or other appropriate professional before they become problems that are out of hand?

• Have the patience to accept (and enjoy) the trials of puppyhood (which can last through their adult lives) and each stage afterward? Continue to accept responsibility for the dog despite inevitable life changes such as new babies, kids going off to school, moving or returning to work?

• Resist impulse buying, and instead have the patience to make a responsible choice?

If you answered yes to ALL of the above, you are ready to start contacting breeders. Responsible breeders will ask you as many questions as you should be asking them!!

Remember, the right puppy or adult dog IS worth waiting for!

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