• Do your research on the Bichon Frise before calling a reputable breeder. There are many great books about our breed on Amazon and in bookstores. Make sure this is the right breed for you.

• Do ask a lot of questions when you call the breeder. Have them ready on a piece of paper. This way you won't forget anything. Be prepared to answer a lot of questions, too.

• Do some research on your breeder. Don't necessarily believe their own hype - especially if you feel that they think that they are a legend in their own minds.

• Do trust your gut feeling about a breeder. If something doesn't feel right, you're probably right. Go home.

• Don't be pressured into buying or showing a puppy.

• Don't be upset if a breeder decides not to sell you a puppy. Their instincts are probably right - and you'll be better off in the long run.

• Do ask for copies of all of the paperwork regarding pedigrees, health certifications, etc. Keep these in your permanent records. If the breeder can't back up their statements about their breeding stock on paper, go home.

• Don't believe a breeder who says that they don't do health checks and certifications on their breeding stock because there is nothing wrong with their dogs. If they don't do any checks, how would they know?

• Question blanket "pet health guarantees". You should receive a healthy dog and have it double checked by your local vet immediately upon entering your home environment as a double check. However, how can you guarantee any dogs health down the road? Do you know if you are going to be very ill in two months? How many genetic diseases are YOU predisposed to? Do you know? Health guarantees longer than one or two weeks old are probably worth the paper that they are written on. "Lifetime health guarantees" should not be the main reason you buy a dog.

• Remember that unexpected health problems can arise at any time in your dog just like they can arise in humans. Once a dog leaves the environment of a reputable breeder, they have no control over its health once its exposed to another area.

• Do have an enclosed area or a fenced in yard for your dog to exercise. If this is impossible, be prepared to exercise your dog on a leash several times a day.

• Don't let your dog run in an unenclosed environment. They are quick as bunnies and this is an accident waiting to happen.

• Do keep a standing appointment with your groomer - unless you like the look of a shaved Bichon Frise. This breed is a high maintenance breed and their coat requires constant care.

• Do ask your breeder if they have ever had a scheduled or unscheduled visit and inspection of their premises by the local dog warden, dog police control officer or an unannounced visit by the AKC. If so, ask them why they were inspected.

• Do check the AKC.ORG web site and via a search engine such as Google to see if the breeder has ever been suspended or accused of animal neglect. It will only take a minute of your time and can be considered "due diligence" on your part. It is up to you to research your breeder just like it is their job to research you. You can even contact AKC to see if they are a member in good standing if they are selling AKC registered dogs. Do your homework.

• Do familiarize yourself with the AKC.ORG web site and their rules and regulations. Breeders that sell AKC registered dogs must follow certain rules and regulations to sell AKC registered dogs. If you have any questions of the breeder, you can refer to these rules. A reputable breeder will be more than happy to show you what you want to see.

• Do insist upon a sales contract that spells out the responsibilities of both the breeder and yourself. Read it and understand it. If you don't like what you are reading, either insist on changes or do not buy the dog. Yours and their signature is binding.

• Do contact the local breed or all-breed club through their corresponding secretary or internet contact to see if you are dealing with a reputable breeder. They are a wealth of information and their names can usually be found on the AKC web site.

• Do understand that a pet shop, puppy broker or "online breeder" who will sell you a dog that you have never seen and they don't care to meet you probably has no idea as to the actual background of your dog. A numbered photo should especially raise an eyebrow.

• Don't buy a dog to teach your children responsibility. It won't happen and you will end up having to take care of the dog yourself. Teach them responsibility using a non-living item. Everyone will be happier in the long run.

• Don't buy and breed a dog to teach your children the "miracle of birth". Buy a DVD instead.

• Don't hesitate, if you feel it is necessary, to call AKC or the town's animal control to find out if your breeder has any violations in their records

• Don't buy a dog to breed to "make money" or because you and your friends want puppies. It won't happen. Be prepared for emergency c-sections, tube feeding puppies should something happen to the mother, bottle feeding a weak puppy every 90 minutes, etc. As a matter of fact...

• Don't buy a dog to breed unless you intend to show your dog to its Championship. It's just not worth it. Go visit an animal shelter and you'll see what we mean.

• Do treat your Bichon as a member of your family. They are very smart and understand everything you do. Include them in on daily activities. It's good for the dog and it's good for you!

• Do bring your entire family when you visit the breeder for the first time. Spend several hours getting to know the breeder and letting the breeder get to know you and your family. Perfect matches are made this way.

• Don't agree to meet your breeder for the first time in a supermarket parking lot.

• Do feed your dog good, nutritious dog food. Stay away from table scraps.

• Do crate train your dog. It's the best thing you'll ever do.

• Do love your dog. You will get it back 100 fold.

• Do donate to dog related charities. Take the Lead, the Canine Health Foundation, Angels on a Leash, are all worthy charities. Don't forget to support your local shelter, too.

• Do rescue a dog from your local shelter.

• Don't buy a puppy as a Christmas or Birthday present. A puppy isn't a present, a puppy is for life.

• Remember - if it smells like duck, waddles like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's usually a duck. Follow your gut. Don't make an impulse buy.

• Do give your dog a kiss every single day and thank him or her for being such a wonderful part of your life. There's nothing like unconditional love.

Click here to read an article about care and the Bichon Personality from the May 2010 edition of the AKC Gazette [and see photos of Carly and Cosmo, too. PDF File wil open]