Animal shelters are bulging with dogs who were acquired for the wrong reasons, or without sufficient investigation. If your family has decided to buy a dog, by all means take the time to learn about the breed you have in mind. Every breed has characteristics of temperament, and some of these traits may not fit in with your life-style. Some breeds are prone to physical problems such as hip dysplasia, ear cankers, and eye anomalies. If you are aware of these problems, you can do a more intelligent job of selecting your puppy.
Many towns have kennel clubs whose members are reputable, knowledgeable, and generally helpful.
Most breeders will be glad to answer your questions and to help you locate the pup you want. A veterinarian can put you in touch with the nearest kennel club. If you take the time to do some investigating before you buy, you will know what the going prices are for your breed. Pet shops are often able to sell pups of very low quality for show-dog prices simply because few buyers bother to check. A puppy is not a gift unless the giver is certain that this particular pup will be wanted.