Don't support disreputable breeders. We often have idealized images of dogs. Lassie, not every Jack Russell acts like Frazier, no Dalmatian can match the feats of Pongo and Perdita. It pays to research a breed thoroughly before you make a decision. A person who wants a cuddly Golden Retriever puppy may not realize that the cute ball of fur will grow into a big rambunctious dog that needs lots of strenuous exercise and sheds a great deal.
Responsible breeders are the best repositories of knowledge about a breed.
If they think the breed is not suitable for you, they usually have good reasons why. Breed FAQ Homepage - Great articles on most breeds of dogs, written by experts. The pet store said they don't use any puppy mills. Any breeder that sells to pet stores is not an ethical breeder. Buying Petstore Dogs - The downside of that cute puppy in the window.