Hi all,
I thought I'd post this thread here because I'm sure many others have been through the experience. My lifestyle is suitable enough to own a puppy, and I've done my homework and have come to the conclusion that a Boston Terrier is the breed I'm going to go with. I have absolutely no preference on the gender.
That being said, the next question is: from where? The two primary options I'm considering are from recommended breeders of the local breeders club and from the classifieds section. I think rescuing a dog is an extremely admirable thing to do and I know some people who have been very lucky in that regard, but admittedly, I can't get past the idea of potentially adopting a dog that's been so abused it will never be able overcome it to be "normal". Don't worry, I have no intention of looking at a pet store or anything along those lines.
As you'll probably expect, the price difference is significant between the two options. Purchasing from a recommended breeder in my area is a minimum of $900 for a male and about $1000 for a female. I've checked with other breeders and confirmed that is indeed the going rate for a puppy of this breed. On the other hand, you can find puppies of this breed available in the paper from $200 - $300. Price is not a major consideration, but if a perfectly fine puppy can be had from the classifieds, the price difference would make the decision a no brainer.
My reluctance towards buying a puppy from a listing in the classifieds is that I have the impression that I am less likely to know exactly what I'm getting vs. someone who has years and years of experience in this area. If anyone that has gone either of these routes would care to share your experiences and/or advice, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Boss