FINDING THE RIGHT BREED
First, you must do your research to learn what breeds will work for you. A new pet will be a fifteen year commitment. If you are thinking about buying a puppy as a gift, offer to help the other person do the research, then offer to get them a puppy that they have selected. Online, the AKC website is a good place to start looking, one of the dog encyclopedias detailing characteristics of various breeds will also be helpful. Make some decisions about what you are looking for in a dog; size, activity level, hair, training requirements etc. Decide what you want to do with the dog, what the dog is supposed to be; family pet, agility, herding, etc. By eliminating breeds that don't meet your requirements, you should be able to narrow your breed list down to 10 or less.

KNOW YOUR BREED!
1. Find out what reputable kennel clubs register your breeds. Most popular breeds are registered by the American Kennel Club, in Canada, it would be the Canadian Kennel Club. Rare Breed Clubs and others have breeds not part of AKC. Contact the National Breed Clubs for the breeds you are interested in, most have information packets available. Read the breed standards.
2. Find a Breed Rescue. Find out why people are giving up the breed. Decide if the common reasons are ones that would make the dog a poor choice for you. Attend some dog shows, or go to the local dog training clubs, and meet some adult dogs of the breed and talk to their owners. If you have computer access, visit some of the dog message boards or e-mail lists dedicated to the breed you are looking at. TALK to the people who actually own one, ask them what it is like living with the dog, problems they have had, etc.
3. Know what the common genetic and health problems of the breed are, ALL breeds have problems. Find out what tests should be done on breeding stock, and do not accept excuses for a breeder not having the major ones done.
4. Decide what age dog you want, and what you want it for(pet?, agility?, breeding?). Do you really want a puppy or what about an older dog? How about a rescue dog? One advantage to getting an adult dog is that you already know what the temperament will be like, and any major physical problems will already be evident.

FINDING A DOG
1. It is against most breed clubs' Code of Ethics to sell to a broker or pet store. Responsible breeders place their own animals, with written contracts and guarantees. The best way to find a breeder is through the National Breed Club's breeder referral list, then meeting breeders and getting references to other breeders. You will very seldom find reputable breeders advertising in newspapers etc.
2. Talk to the breeder. A breeder who does not have time for you now, is not going to have time for you later. A breeder should become a new friend, and your best source of advice and help. You should have your new dog or puppy for 15 years or so...the breeder should be interested in how the puppy is doing its entire life. Learn the questions a breeder should ask you, learn the questions to ask your breeder.
3. Be sure and see certificates of health testing on the parents of any dog or puppy you are interested in.
4. Rescue or Shelter Dogs: All National Breed Clubs have rescue programs, these can be wonderful places to get a dog from rescue people familiar with the breed. Animal shelters can also be good places to get a new pet, if you are not familiar with evaluating a dogs temperament etc, ask for help.

THE RIGHT DOG
A breeder should meet with you, get to know you and what you are looking for in a pet, and will help match you to the right puppy. If you do not trust the breeder to do this, you have chosen the wrong breeder. Not all puppies are right for all people and not all people are right for all puppies. If a breeder will let you pick any puppy out of a litter, you have picked the wrong breeder. Also, responsible breeders breed for themselves, they should be keeping one or more puppies out of the litter. Puppies should rarely leave the litter prior to 8 weeks of age, and with some breeds not until 10 to 12 weeks of age, puppies need to remain with their littermates to learn pack behavior and biting inhibition. Anyone willing to place a puppy less than 8 weeks should be viewed with caution. Be aware it is also ILLEGAL in some states to place before 8 weeks of age.