"AKC/CKC/UKC Registered" or "With Papers" - Any puppy that comes from a responsible breeder should be registerable. "Registration" does not translate into "quality." The only thing that it proves is that the puppy's parents are both of the same breed. Most registries do not limit the breeding of the dogs they register only to those that are healthy, temperamentally sound, and free of genetic defects. Anyone can breed a registered dog and get registered puppies, but I would avoid any breeder who uses registration as his or her biggest selling point.

"Purebred, no papers" - At the risk of sounding repititious, any responsibly bred puppy should be registerable with a reputable registry. If a dog is not registered, you have no difinitive proof that it is purebred. Many breeders only sell pet quality puppies on limited registration (meaning that their offspring cannot be registered), however, this does not discourage some people from breeding the dogs and just not registering the puppies (or the puppies are registered with a bogus "papermill" registry such as the American Pet Registry). Some people have even been known to make a profit from adopting seemingly purebred dogs from shelters and breeding them. This is even more abhorent because nothing is known about the genetic background of the parents, their health, or temperament. Such ads may also indicate that the breeding was an accident between "Fluffy" and the neighbors sneaky little dog.

"Champion Bloodlines" - All this means is that somewhere in the puppy's pedigree is a dog that was a show champion and does not necessarily suggest that your puppy is of show potential. It says nothing about the quality of the puppy's parents, unless the parents are champions themselves. Look instead for ads that advertise "champion parents" or "champion sired".

"Ready for Christmas", "Surprise Your Valentine", "Just in Time for Easter", etc. - These type of advertisements indicate that these puppies were bred with the sole intention of making a profit. Such breeders prey on people's emotions by suggesting giving puppies as gifts. Most responsible breeders will not allow puppies to go to their new homes around the holidays as there are too many hazards to curious young puppies and people tend to be too busy to watch them during this time. Also, once the novelty wears off, many of these breeders would not be willing to take the dog back. Again, if this is the breeder's biggest selling point, you would be better off avoiding him/her.

"Rare Colors, Sizes, etc." - Many "rare" colors advertised by some breeders are also disqualifying characteristics for the breed because they are associated with genetic health problems (ex. solid white being linked to deafness in some breeds). Dogs of either extreme in size can also be prone to health problems related to size. Breeders often advertise these so-called "rarities" as such so that they can make them seem more desireable and charge more for them. Also, be wary of any breeder who advertises "rare hybrids" or mixes such as Peek-A-Poos, Labradoodles, and the like. Despite what they'd want you to believe, these are not actual breeds and shelters and rescues are already full of mixed breed dogs and puppies needing homes.

"Cheap, Affordable, Low Prices, etc." - The saying "you get what you pay for" definitely applies here. The reason why puppies from responsible breeders cost more than those from BYBs is because of the cost incurred by breeding properly (health testing for parents, caring for mother through pregnancy, caring for puppies until they can be placed in new homes, unexpected emergencies, etc). Responsible breeders put more money into the care of their dogs and rarely ever make enough money from selling their puppies to break even on the breeding costs. You would be better off paying more for a better quality puppy now rather than paying hundreds or thousands of dollars to treat a health or behavior problem that is a result of bad breeding later on.

"Both Parents on Site" - Although it is recommended that you meet both of your puppy's parents, having both parents on the premises does not necessarily mean that the puppies were thoughtfully produced. In an effort to improve their breed, reputable breeders often use stud dogs from other kennels that best compliment their own lines. Both parents being on the premises could imply that the breeder chose to breed the two of them solely out of convenience and not because they have anything wonderful to contribute to the breed.

"Health Guarantee" - This suggests that the breeder is willing to stand behind the puppies she/he produces. Be careful, however, to read the health guarantee thoroughly before purchasing a puppy. Some breeders will only guarantee against viral and bacterial diseases up to 48 or 72 hours after purchase and will not guarantee against genetic disease. It should guarantee against genetic disease for the life of the dog as some genetic conditions do not show up until the dog is older. In order for the guarantee to be effective, you must have the puppy examined by a vet as soon as possible after purchasing it. Also, be sure to get it in writing before any money is exchanged.

"Interview or Application Required" - This is an indication that the breeder cares about the future of his or her puppies. You can expect any responsible breeder to interview potential puppy buyers and ask for references. I would be wary of any breeder who considers any buyer willing to hand over cash a suitable home for one of his/her puppies.

"Signed Contract Required" - Another indication that the breeder cares about the future of his or her puppies. Most reputable breeders require some sort of contract with puppy buyers. Contracts usually require that all pet quality puppies be spayed/neutered as soon as possible and that the dog be brought back to them should the new owners decide that they are no longer able to care for it, among other things.

"Parents CERF, OFA, BAER, etc. tested" - This means that the parents have been tested for hereditary eye disorders, orthopedic disorders (such as hip and elbow dysplasia), and deafness and proves that the breeder is dedicated to producing healthy, quality puppies. Be sure to ask for proof that the tests have been doen as well as the results. Some breeders have been known to give false information regarding health testing in order to seem more credible.

"Champion Parents" or "Champion Sired" - As stated before, this means that one or both parents have earned their championship title(s). All it means is that the parents conform to the breed standard and are outstanding examples of the breed in that respect. It does not, however, indicate that they are healthy and temperamentally sound.

"Raised in Home" - Puppies that have been raised in the home tend to be better adjusted than those that have been isolated to a kennel. They are used to being around people and are generally more social. They are also already accustomed to things that one would normally find in the house such as carpeting and tile flooring, vacuum cleaners, telephones, etc. Puppies that have been raised in a kennel environment with minimal handling tend to be shy and submissive and have greater difficulty adjusting to a new environment.

"AKC Bichons, Maltese, Yorkys, Saints, Silkys, Cairns, Pug, Poodles, etc $295 up."

"Basset Hounds AKC, tri-colored, ready for Valentine's Day. $200."

"Chihuahuas AKC Tiny teacups."

"Cocker Spaniel Pups, AKC champ bloodlines, small, yr. guar. $300."

"Cocker Spaniels, AKC, Exceptional pups bred for quality. Care kit & guar. $300."

"Lab Pups AKC- 6wks, Choc, M/F, shots, wormed, breeder for 16yrs. $250."

"Rottweiler Pups - Looking for the best family dog? We have it! AKC, OFA, hips guaranteed, temperament cannot be beat."