Paw’s Corner: Purebred or pure bull?

Q: When our beloved mutt “Daisy” passed away two years ago, no one in the family wanted to replace her, as she had been part of our lives for nearly 15 years. But the kids are grown, and my husband and I would like another dog. I have been reading the classified ads for available puppies, and many ads say the dogs come “with papers.” What exactly does this mean? — Jane S., Daytona, Fla.

A: I chuckle every time I read the phrase “with papers.” What papers, exactly? The phrase is supposedly shorthand for “AKC-registered breed,” but has long been misused to lure inexperienced buyers to purchase substandard pups.

Many years ago, I accompanied a friend who answered an ad for free puppies. As we looked over the litter, all clearly mutts, the owner said, “Oh, these dogs have papers.” At my look of disbelief, she edited her statement: “I mean, their mother has papers.”

At any rate, if you are in the market for a purebred dog, be skeptical of any unproven claim of AKC registration. In fact, be skeptical of any breeder who isn’t registered with the AKC. Reputable breeders can be found at the AKC Web site, www.akc.org, where a referral service is available. Breeders will evaluate the people who want to buy their puppies to make sure the dogs go to good homes, and will refuse a sale if the potential owner doesn’t meet their standards.

If you insist on having an AKC-quality dog, be very careful and do your homework. The process can take months to complete. If you just want a happy, healthy dog to share your home, please visit the local shelters, where your perfect companion may be waiting and can be adopted at a very low cost — often for the price of the required spaying or neutering.