FAQ’s: Frequently Asked Questions about Buying a Puppy

Q. What if we want to pick up the puppy instead of having the dog flown?
A. Please contact the individual breeder to discuss options regarding picking up your new puppy in person.

Q. Can our puppy be flown to us outside the continental United States?
A. Areas outside the continental United States pose challenges because of restrictions, higher airfares, and fewer airports from which to choose. Contact the individual breeder to discuss shipping options.

Q. How safe is air travel for my puppy?
A. The shipping of puppies is considered "priority" with special handling and regulations for pets. That means the USDA monitors the transportation of pets with numerous guidelines and requirements in order to ensure puppy's safety, health, and well-being. soft and absorbent bedding should be provided inside the crate to make your pet's journey more comfortable. Your puppy will have food and water inside the crate and be in a climate-controlled, pressurized area of the plane. Make certain to discuss the transportation of your puppy with the breeder.

Q. The weather forecast is 15 F for the day of the flight; will my puppy be able to fly?
A. For the health and best interest of the puppy, temperatures must range from 35 to 85 F  at the time of departure of your puppy's flight as well as any connecting flights. Snub-nose dogs such as bulldogs, pugs and shih tzus have even stricter weather guidelines. If the weather is cold at the puppy's destination, departure of the puppy can be arranged from a warmer climate in the morning and arrival in the afternoon, where hopefully it will be warming up. Conversely, if the weather is hot, a pre-dawn, cooler departure for the puppy can be arranged.

Q. How do I buy my puppy with a cashier's check or money order?
A. Breeders can offer several different payment options. Please contact the breeder for their preferred payment options.

Q. How do I buy my puppy using Paypal?
A. If the breeders offer Paypal as a payment option, buying your puppy with Paypal is easy and safe. If you don't already have an account at Paypal.com, step-by-step instructions will be provided. Please include your address and phone number, which will be used for the airline documents, health guarantee/pet contract, and vet's health certificate.

Q. Should I have my male puppy neutered?
A. Discuss neutering options with your breeder. Most vets and breeders agree that neutering is the best option for a male dog if there are no plans to use him for breeding.

Q. What about potty training?
A. Contact the breeder regarding your puppy’s exposure to potty training.

Q. How much does the puppy weigh now?
A. Click on the puppy’s photo to get more details about the puppy.

Q. What kind of puppy food should I buy for my new puppy?
A. If the breeder included it, the puppy listing tells what food the puppy is currently eating. The breeder should send a sample of the food. You should buy a quality puppy food and stick to it once you’ve made the transition. Switching brands should be done gradually by mixing the old brand and new brand together.

Read the Free Puppy Care Information for more details on your new puppy’s care, nutrition, and training.