## Advantages of Purebred Dogs
In Sweden, there are many advantages to the organized breeding of purebred dogs compared with mixed-breed breeding.

## A regulated system
A major advantage is that purebred breeding takes place within a regulated framework. Ongoing checks are made to ensure that the dogs are kept properly and that the rules are being followed. If serious problems are discovered at a breeder’s and they are not corrected, the matter is reported to disciplinary boards and—when warranted—to the County Administrative Board’s animal welfare inspectors.

## Getting a dog with the traits you want
Another major benefit of purebred dogs is that you have a better chance of getting a dog with the traits you are looking for. Every breed has its typical characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. Purebred dogs are much more homogeneous (similar within the breed) because they have not been crossed with dogs from other breeds. This means that as a puppy buyer, you can reasonably expect your puppy to have the traits described as typical for the breed. Of course, there are always individual differences between puppies. When you buy a purebred dog, you therefore have a much better chance of finding a dog that suits you and your lifestyle.

A purebred dog’s temperament, appearance, and characteristics are therefore easier to predict than those of a mixed-breed. In some mixed-breed puppies, many different breeds may be involved, which makes it hard to predict, for example, the dog’s adult size and temperament.

## Known versus unknown medical history
For many purebred dogs, there are health programs in place to tackle hereditary diseases. The parents of most mixed-breed litters have not been examined for conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and similar problems. If you mate two different breeds where both are prone to the same hereditary disease, the risk can in some cases be higher of getting a puppy with defects than if you had bought a purebred puppy whose parents have been examined and cleared.

Many breed clubs have introduced requirements that veterinary examinations, carried out before mating, must be registered centrally in order to prevent the spread of diseases. This gives breeders access to information both about the dogs they use in breeding and about the breed as a whole. As a result, they can make better choices about which dogs to use for breeding.

## Buying a mixed-breed dog requires more knowledge
In mixed-breed breeding, people often have no real idea what they are crossing, beyond the fact that the two individual dogs are pleasant. In the worst cases, no thought has been given to this at all, and the litter is simply the result of an accidental mating. That said, there is nothing to say that a mixed-breed dog cannot become just as pleasant and healthy a companion as a purebred dog. However, breeding of mixed-breed dogs is not supervised by the SKK (Swedish Kennel Club) or by any authority, which often means that it takes more knowledge on the part of the buyer to purchase a mixed-breed or unregistered dog.

## The risk of unexpected veterinary costs for mixed-breed dogs
A purebred dog is often more expensive to buy than a mixed-breed dog. But keep in mind that a mixed-breed may develop diseases or congenital defects that you were not aware of, leading to many costly veterinary visits. Since there are often no extended pedigrees with the same type of mixed-breed background, it is harder to predict the health risks that mixed-breed puppies may face. The purchase price makes up only a small part of the total cost of a dog over its lifetime.

What are the real advantages of purebred dogs? Here are a few we’ve listed.

Why Should You Buy a Purebred Dog?

## Start by being passive
Step in with the puppies and be passive at first. This can give you an idea of which puppies are curious and socially interested. Then you can try sitting down and watching them. Look at how vigorously each puppy wags its tail, which indicates how interested it is in social contact. This can help you see which dogs are likely to enjoy cooperation.

## Pick the puppy up
Pick up the puppies one at a time – of the sex you’ve chosen – and observe how each one reacts when lifted. Does it cling to your hand with its front legs and go still, does it growl, or does it allow itself to be picked up willingly? This can give you a hint as to whether the puppy hasn’t been handled enough in a positive way, or if it’s showing signs of anxiety.

![Dog in arms](https://skaffahundse.s3.amazonaws.com/content/production/15bb03d440d3530fa52c7c58970274e4/conversions/nd9rFAovZjf5di0inahJBYgJDbVb89iJ-default.jpeg)

## Close to your face
Another test is to bring the puppy up to your face and talk to it calmly to see how it responds to your cooing. Does it repeatedly snap at your face, does it turn its head away and remain passive, or does it return your social greeting by licking your face and gently nibbling your hair? Whatever it does, the important thing is that it feels okay to you.

## What is the puppy’s mother like?
Naturally, the mother is just as important as the breeder when it comes to how the puppies are raised. If the mother hasn’t cared for her pups, this will show in the puppies through poorer social behavior, such as not responding when she growls at them.

## Put the puppy in an unfamiliar place
You can then test the puppies one by one in a place that is unfamiliar to them and see what each one does when you set it down. Wait a minute or so and watch what the puppy does and – regardless of what it does – quietly turn away from the puppy and slowly walk off. Does it follow you, turn in another direction, or stay where it is? It’s perfectly fine if the puppy is a bit cautious before it starts exploring its surroundings.

## Ball test 1
Play is an important part of communication between humans and dogs. Roll a ball away from the puppy while gently holding it by the chest. Is it curious enough to follow and grab the ball? And what does it do after it has taken hold of the ball? Does it spontaneously come back without you having to call it, with just a bit of encouragement as it returns, or does it prefer to play with the ball on its own? Repeat the test 3–4 times to see whether the puppy behaves differently from one attempt to the next.

## Tug-of-war test
You can also try a short game of tug-of-war with, for example, a glove or a sock to see whether it enjoys social play. If the puppy grabs quickly when you drag the sock in a zigzag pattern along the ground, let it tug for a while until its intensity in wanting the sock makes it try to pull back or shake its head. If that happens, loosen your grip, walk away, and sit down a short distance off without looking at the puppy. How does it behave now? The most desirable behavior is for the puppy to immediately seek contact and want to continue playing. The important part is not whether the puppy brings the glove or sock back, but whether it is interested in social contact with you. If the puppy does come back with the glove or sock, pet it, give the sock a gentle tug, and then trade it for a dog treat.

## Ball test 2
You can also test by holding the puppy while you throw a ball, then immediately letting the puppy go to see how long it takes before it becomes engaged in finding the ball.

Step in with the puppies and stay passive at first. This can give you an idea of which puppies are curious and socially interested.

Tests for Choosing a Puppy from a Litter

## Get help from the breeder
Ask the breeder questions about the parents and close relatives: their health, temperament, conformation, and working ability. What expectations does the breeder have for the planned litter? Do these match the type of dog you are looking for? 

Feel free to ask the breeder how they perceive the different puppies. The breeder has lived with them for many weeks and has observed them closely. This gives them a good idea of each puppy’s individual personality. However, remember that a breeder can never guarantee that a specific puppy will be suitable for a specific purpose. 

If possible, visit several breeders to form your own opinion of the breed.

Some breeders also do not let the buyer choose a puppy themselves, but instead place each puppy where they believe it will fit best, based on your personality and how you plan to use the dog. In cases where you do get to choose your puppy, don’t pick the cutest one just because it’s cute. In the end, your dog will be the most beautiful dog in the world to you, even if it wasn’t the cutest in the whelping box.

## Build a good relationship with the breeder
Try to develop a good relationship with the breeder, as it is invaluable to be able to call and ask about things you are unsure of. The breeder will most likely also be happy to receive regular updates about the puppy’s development and will usually be glad to help answer your questions.

![Dog holding a leaf](https://skaffahundse.s3.amazonaws.com/content/production/9b3a9fb4db30fc6594ec3990cbc09932/conversions/YqHpH8ebzd2dpyB6N7TJFbFlVMyByqHH-default.jpeg)

## Visit the breeder and puppies several times
To get a sense of what the puppies are like, you should visit the breeder on several occasions. On your first visit, for example, the puppies may have just been playing and might be tired.

Naturally, you will get a much better picture of the puppies if you can visit more than once, see how they develop, and get to know the puppy you eventually choose. If the breeder lives far away, try to stay a bit longer so that you have the chance to visit twice. Most breeders who have once accepted you as a buyer will happily let you spend time with the puppies so you can get to know them.

Also try to visit several breeders so that you can see more adult dogs before making up your mind. Be pleased if a breeder asks you many questions about you and your family, as this increases the chances that you will end up with the right puppy for your home.

## Do you trust the breeder?
It is also important that you feel you can trust the breeder. Finding the right puppy is just as important as feeling confident in the breeder, who will hopefully still be there for you after the purchase price has been paid. Choose a breeder who you feel is genuinely interested in staying in contact. 

Also try to get to know the adult dogs in the household so you can get a sense of their personalities. Keep in mind that buying from a well-known breeder is no guarantee of better puppies—especially if it is a breeder who produces many litters per year. Many breeders are more interested in selling than in carefully assessing you as a buyer.

## The breeder’s ability to create a good environment for the puppies
There is an enormous amount a breeder can do for their puppies to give them the best possible start in life before they go to their new homes. Puppies that have experienced more than just their pen—who have gone on short walks, car rides, met other dogs, children, and so on—are generally better prepared to cope with change and stress than puppies who have spent their first eight weeks more isolated and sheltered. This is especially important in breeds that are genetically more prone to fearfulness around sounds, people, dogs, etc.

## The breeder’s expertise in choosing the right puppy for you
The breeder is by far the most qualified person to choose the right puppy for your wishes—but this naturally assumes the breeder has had the time to get to know the puppies’ different personalities.

## Should you choose the same breed as your neighbor?
Buying the same breed as your neighbor just because their dog is incredibly nice is no guarantee that the dog is typical of the breed, and often it is more relevant to ask why that dog turned out so well. How much training and work lies behind the behavior that you find so appealing?

If you still decide on the same breed, try as far as possible to look into the lines behind that dog and talk to a couple of breeders about whether this particular dog is a good representative of its breed.

Choosing the right breed and the right breeder can often feel like a lottery, but as with so many other things in life, it helps if you avoid impulse-buying a dog and instead take the time to decide what type and age of dog is suitable for you, whether you want a male or female, and above all which breeder you want to buy your dog from.

A good relationship with the breeder is invaluable. Being able to call and ask about anything you’re unsure of makes a big difference. The breeder in turn is very likely happy to receive regular updates on the puppy’s development and will usually be more than willing to help answer any questions.

Make Use of the Breeder’s Expertise and Commitment

## The puppy’s temperament  
There are always different personalities in a litter. Some puppies are calmer, others are more high-energy. Some are bolder and some a bit more cautious.  

If you want to compete with your dog, you shouldn’t choose the calmest puppy in the litter. At the same time, if you want a companion dog, you shouldn’t pick the wildest one. Try to find a puppy that matches your own personality. Also remember that a puppy’s character can change from one day to the next, depending on where it is in its developmental stages.  

## Your knowledge and your puppy’s  
You need to learn to understand a puppy’s needs and personality. You also have to teach your puppy many things you yourself may never have thought about or practiced before. If you place the wrong kinds of demands on the puppy, it can have unfortunate consequences for the dog.  

If you’ve never had a dog before, you’ll be like a first-time parent. You may want too much and set overly high goals compared to your level of knowledge, which can sometimes lead to frustration. Many puppies quickly learn what the word “no” means, but they probably haven’t understood what they themselves did wrong.  

Ideally, don’t buy a puppy that has grown up as a single puppy in the litter, since it won’t have had the important social training that comes from interacting with other puppies of the same age.  

## What is the mother dog like with the puppies?  
The mother of the puppies is a very important factor. Be wary if the breeder doesn’t have the mother dog at home or, for some reason, won’t let you meet her. If the same thing happens on further visits, choose another breeder. Not all parents are good at raising their young, and this applies just as much to dogs as to humans. Some bitches are uninterested in the puppies, sometimes even afraid of them, and are therefore minimally involved in their development. Remember that choosing the right mother for your puppy is just as important as choosing the right puppy.  

Ask the breeder for help – they’ve lived with the puppies for many weeks and have observed them closely. Read more in the article “Uppfödarens kompetens och engagemang” (The breeder’s competence and commitment).  

## Insurance  
Through our partner Trygg-Hansa, you can insure your puppy from 6 weeks of age. The best option is to take out insurance from the day you pick up the puppy from the breeder, and preferably before the puppy is 4 months old. If you insure your puppy before 6 months of age, you also receive a 25% discount for the first year.

It’s important to be aware that many different factors influence whether things will turn out the way you hoped with your new friend.

Advice for When You’re Buying a Puppy

Time and commitment are crucial when choosing your dog. It’s important to decide whether you want a female or a male, as the difference in temperament between the sexes is significant. Males generally require more effort during the first few years to achieve the same results as with a female, and they are usually more independent. The risk that they will develop aggression toward other dogs is also considerably higher. 

## Females
Females usually come into heat 2–3 times a year (for about three weeks at a time). This involves some extra work, such as not being able to let her out freely whenever you like. An accidental mating can happen very quickly if you’re unlucky. 

Some females experience false pregnancy after their heat, which can be a difficult period for both the dog and the owner. However, females are generally easier to manage and more compliant than males – they are usually gentler than male dogs. 

## Males
A common argument for choosing a male is that you avoid the heat cycles, which can sometimes cause problems for some females in the form of premenstrual discomfort and possible false pregnancies, during which the female may be hormonally and mentally off balance. 

Sometimes a male dog may feel the need to climb the social ladder, which can lead to dominance issues and cause friction with both other males and people. 

Some males become very frustrated when females in the neighborhood are in heat and then show undesirable behaviors, such as trying to escape, refusing food, and howling. And not all females come into heat at the same time. 

Some say that females are in heat 2–3 times a year, but males are “in heat” constantly – and there’s some truth to that. In some breeds, the differences between the sexes are quite pronounced, but this is not the case for all. 

Keep in mind that every dog is an individual, so it’s hard to say whether a female or a male is generally preferable. It’s a good idea to seek out breeders’ experience and advice before you decide.

Time and commitment are crucial when choosing a dog. It’s also important to decide whether you want a female or a male.

How Should You Choose Your Dog’s Gender?

Puppies are irresistible – who can say no to a bunch of lively, charming little pups instead of an older dog? Getting a puppy can also feel like the obvious choice, since you may want to be there as early as possible so you can shape the dog’s personality and development yourself. But is a puppy really the right choice for you?

## Puppies need time
Many people feel short on time, but a puppy doesn’t care about that. They won’t wait until next week when you finally have time to take them to training. Compared to an older dog, there is a lot a puppy has to learn. And if you’ve never had a dog before, choosing a puppy can be difficult. What should you look for? What should you teach it? An older dog is already partly trained.

## Older dogs’ experience and risks
You might worry about what an older dog has been through, and that’s something you should respect. But it doesn’t have to mean anything negative for the relationship between you and your new, slightly older companion. An older dog isn’t automatically “used up” just because it grew up with someone else first. It may even have learned things that you won’t have to teach it yourself.

Keep in mind, though, that dogs are often extremely sheltered while living with their breeder. In a new environment, without the support of older dogs, a previously cheerful clown can turn into an anxious dog that barks at everything it sees.

It often takes 3 to 4 weeks for a dog to settle into its new surroundings. Make sure the dog hasn’t just been kept in a kennel up until you pick it up, but has actually received the socialization training it really needs. If you notice that after just a week the dog is already showing signs of anxiety or aggression, you should seriously consider what that will mean in terms of time and commitment from your side if you take on a dog with problems.

The cause of these problems may be that the dog hasn’t been sufficiently socialized with other people and dogs, but has instead grown up isolated with its own pack. In all likelihood, such a dog will probably never function quite as well as a dog that has been out and about, experiencing different situations from an early age.

One solution might be to take the dog on a trial basis for a month to see whether your personalities and interests are a good match. This is much harder to do with a puppy, since its development will be influenced by so many more factors than in the case of an adult dog you take in.

Puppies are irresistible – who can say no to a bunch of lively, charming little pups instead of an older dog?

Choose an Adult Dog or a Puppy?

## How long can a dog be left alone?

Dogs need contact with people and other dogs to feel good. How long they can be left alone varies from dog to dog, but puppies can barely handle being alone at all. It’s still important to train your dog to be on its own so that later on it can manage several hours alone at home if needed. If you delay this training, it will only become harder and more stressful for the dog.

An adult, well-trained dog can usually cope just fine on its own for 4 to 5 hours, but under Swedish law you are not allowed to leave a dog unsupervised for too long and you should take it out for a walk at least every six hours. There are many dog daycares where you can leave your dog while you’re at work, either for shorter or longer periods.

![Sleeping dogs](https://skaffahundse.s3.amazonaws.com/content/production/1ff8a7b5dc7a7d1f0ed65aaa29c04b1e/ByxilTNwnRIDFn47nPqa2TQ9a3a0oemp.jpeg)

## Time and patience for your dog

There are two key factors when you have a dog – having time and having patience. Dogs must not be left alone for long periods. You should have time to take your dog for several walks every day – regardless of the weather or how you’re feeling. It’s important to keep your dog active through exercise or play to stimulate it and help it feel well.

## What kind of dog suits me?

Once you’ve decided to get a dog, it’s time to start thinking about what type of dog is right for you. There are many options and a lot of things matter – for example, whether you live in a townhouse, a detached house, or an apartment. Do you want a dog for companionship, hunting, or shows? Feel free to try our [Breed Guide here](https://getapet.com/en/breeds/dog/which-breed-suits-me) to help you choose.

Depending on how you answer our questions, we try to identify a breed that suits you. But you should only see this as suggestions from us. Also ask other people and read up on the different breeds. You can [read more about breeds here](https://skaffahund.se/raser).

![Child playing with dog](https://skaffahundse.s3.amazonaws.com/content/production/f7e6c85504ce6e82442c770f7c8606f0/S1U9jI5TcuUh2lhdvyZVMsjqW6UOH89e.jpeg)

## Do all dogs get along with children?

Some dog breeds are better with children than others. We offer tips in our Breed Guide, but in general larger dog breeds tend to be more child-friendly than small dogs. This is because small dogs can be afraid of children due to their small size. They are more fragile, and children are often not as careful with dogs and may accidentally hurt them. But whether the dog is big or small, you should always keep an eye on your child when they are with a dog.

Have you decided to get a dog? In this article, you can read more about the information you may need.

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