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GETTING STARTED BEFORE YOU BUY YOUR NEW PUPPY
OK folks, you don't have to tell me, buying a puppy can be confusing. There are so many great breeds and products for them, it can make you dizzy.

RESEARCH
As far as picking the right puppy. My best advice is to research the breed. Make sure you have the time and the right accommodations for the particular breed. So many people buy puppies only to find out later that they can't accommodate them in one way or another. I have included some great links to get you started on your search. Start with the American Kennel Club. They have breeder referrals on their site for all the states. After you find out a few types you might be interested in, surf the web or buy books on the breed. (If you are really in a hurry or totally excited and don't have time to read about the breed, move to the next step!)

NEXT STEP
The best information I can give next, is to either contact the club(s) for which the breed(s) has in your area or nationwide. These are good places to get information from people experienced with the specific breeds of your choice.
For example, MID JERSEY LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB, INC, Hoosier Labrador Retriever Club, Bichon Frise Club of San Diego or Bichon Frise Club of America, Inc. Most of these people show their dogs so they are extremely interested in preserving the breed characteristics and rescuing any in bad situations. . They have the knowledge you need but are extremely protective of their litters and other litters in the club. They sometimes require you to qualify for the puppy first, which means they want to check you out and get more information about you and your living situation.

My next suggestion would then be to look in your local newspaper under Pets and Livestock. Be sure to avoid pet shops and any ads that say discount or 100's of puppies to choose from. These can be puppy mills and unfortunately they do exist. Remember, this is a serious decision and a live creature that needs you to be responsible. The people listing discounts and quantity are inhumane and have nothing but making money on their minds. They do not care about the dogs and usually do not have much knowledge. "Quality is remembered Long After Price is Forgotten". Try to choose an ad that says parents on premises or at least the mother on premises. If they don't say, ask! Also make sure that they aren't taking the pups away from their mothers too early. The standard is 10 -12 weeks old but some like to keep them longer. Don't worry if there is only one puppy left or older puppies. In some cases they save the best ones for last or themselves and then change their minds. Sometimes these home or hobby breeders have a few types of dogs. This can be all right but try to examine their situation and how things appear when you get there. If they seem only interested in the money too and the puppies are in kennels all around or it's filthy, beware! They might be over breeding on a smaller scale. What you want are people who love the breed(s) and breed for the love of the dogs.

OLDER DOGS AND RESCUES
This could be your best choice. No paper training and ready to be loved. .. There are literally millions of unwanted or stray pets out there. Use the links below to help you find what you're looking for. Even pure breeds are out there in droves!

PREPARING FOR YOUR NEW ARRIVAL
As far as products go, I have compiled packages for each size breed, small, medium and large, of the minimal items you would need to start off on the right foot before bringing your puppy home.