You're getting a puppy. Someone asks you "Why don't you adopt one from a shelter?"
Buying a Puppy from a Breeder
Good breeders won't breed their dogs unless they believe that they are improving the overall breed. They stand for high quality, not quick quantity.
A Good Breeder will have the following characteristics:
Pros for Adopting From a Shelter
- You are saving a life
- It will be an older dog, so it should be house broken
- Up-to-date on shots, and hopefully his teeth are cleaned
Cons for Adopting From a Shelter
- You have not history on the dog
- Your dog may not be good with kids
- Might have a bad temperament
- It's not a puppy, it's a dog

Shelter Living

Shelter dogs usually live in close quarters. In some shelters, they even sleep together in the same cage or next to each other. If you don't have another dog and you are not planning on getting one. Get prepared for some anxiety from your new BFF when he finds out he is on his own.
If he gets along with other dogs, walks are a great way to make new friends. You can kill two birds with one stone and sign up for some group training. Which will strengthen your bond and give you a chance to mingle with other pet owners.
Living with other Dogs

Going from living with a pack to being on his own can be hard for any dog. What makes things worse; shelter dogs are abandoned by their previous families
Most of the adoptable dogs are mixes. Even if the volunteers at the shelter swear they know the combination of genes behind a particular dog. It is almost impossible to tell the breeds that originated it.
So go and check out www.thefriendlypuppy.com and see what puppy you can find.