...but somehow feel completely clueless how to go about it.

I know how to find AKC breeders, but I'm not looking for dogs on the gold standard. I have looked around at online inventories at adoption facilities, but I don't want to get an older dog, and a lot of them want $300+ adoption fees for pups (for good reasons, but if I'm gonna pay that much, I should get to pick one, you know?)

Is there some sort of useful resource for locating pups that normal people are selling/giving away, or do you just keep looking in the classifieds until you get lucky?

I know this is a dumb topic, but while I've been around dogs all my life, I've never been involved in locating/purchasing one. For the love of dogs, please help!

We found a great brittany on Petfinder.com. The dog was being fostered in Glendale, AZ and the rescue group was really helpful in getting the dog to WA. Don't overlook the older dog. There's a lot of satisfaction in giving a senior dog the best days of his/her life. If you get a vet checked healthy one, you could have a "best friend" for six years, or more. An older dog is more apt to be mellow, housebroken, and family friendly; there's likely to be some history if it's not.

Petfinder.com features all breeds and ages. The fees of the rescue groups range from reasonable to outrageous, usually depending on whether they are publicly or privately funded. It's amazing how often these adopted dogs turn out to be "the best dog in the world" in their owner's eyes. My daughter got a senior rescue beagle from the Tacoma Humane Society. Everybody that meets that dog, falls in love with it.

Do your research and get as much information as you can on your prospective pet.

Good luck!

I have a friend who's dog should be throwing a litter in about 5 weeks. Chocolate labs, I believe.

That sounds like a money litter, Dogfish. Love chocolate labs. Please PM details when convenient.

Thanks for the tips, Cedar. I saw that site, too, and I have ruled out nothing. The only thing about an older dog is knowing no matter what, that dog won't be around for long. I agree that it would be very satisfying to "rescue" an older animal and have a chance to right some wrongs, but I got a wife and kids to make happy here, and I hate to think of losing a good dog in just a few years. Rescued puppy is not off the table, by any means.

We're off to a great start, folks. I already knew this place was better than the rest of the Internet combined for news and sports, but for pet matching? Color me impressed, once again.

"Well, what kind of pup are you wanting?"

This.

Alright. I guess that's a good question.

Not wanting to spend much more than $300, but will go a little higher for the right dog.

Breed's less important than just being a good pal who's good with kids. Pedigree is less important still. Good with cats is a plus, but not essential, since cats tend to do just fine at telling dogs to back off, and pups seem to adjust to cats pretty well. Even the kids thing isn't a big deal, since mine are all 10 or older and not too rowdy.

Wife mentioned a Cocker Spaniel. Only place I've found those so far is on a waiting list, at $1,000 per pooch. More than I want to spend. I haven't looked very far, though.

We love all kinds of dogs. Of course, we all have our favorites, but basically, man's best friend is the only requirement we're absolutely stuck on. No yippy ankle biters, though, if you please.

As a hunter I'm only interested in purebred puppies so I have a pretty good idea what I'm getting. For a family pet I'd just pick a pup up at the local shelter.

Really the only breeds Id stay away from are Pit Bulls (who wants to own a dog that doesn't play with other dogs), beagles (only hear thru their nose), huskies (unless your backyard is 40+ acres) and I'll throw in German Shephards due to hips. I guess I'd also steer clear of bull dogs due to their short lifespans.

I'll always have a purebred hunting dog but when I'm retired I'll most likely also always have one shelter dog. If I was looking for a shelter dog I'd be looking for a dachshund, any farm dog (collies, heelers), or Rottweiler as these are some of my favorite breeds. I'd love to have a dachshund to boss around a Rott.

Finally, and this probably wouldn't work for you being busy with a family, but there are a lot of Military Working Dogs being retired at the moment. Many with PTSD or other health issues. I think this is something all dog lovers with the means to do so should look at.

Good Luck on your search and post puppy picks when available.

Golden Retriever or lab would be my go to family dogs.
I will turn my ears out and pay attention.

+ 1 what everyone else has said...

Labs and Goldens all day long and twice on Sunday. Auto. Matic.

$300 bones won't go far these days. I just picked up my new black lab pup 3 weeks ago and the males were $2500 and females $3500. I really lucked out and got my new pup for free (long story).

If you are going to hunt, buck up and pay for quality. If you want a family pet, there are lots of shelters with younger dogs. I adopted an 8 month old Cocker several years ago who's turned into the best dog you could ask for.

Lastly, they estimate for every 1 breeder / puppy mill bought pup, 10 shelter dogs get put down. Please go to the shelter if you can.

PS: Aren't there some chocolates for sale in the classifieds? Check em' out.

A good pal and good with kids....Labrador.
Goldens are just as good but too long hairy for a huntin' dog and for the house, IMHO.

But Chesapeakes are my favorite...now that's a huntin' dog and a family and a guard dog.

partial to labs myself but chessies are great dogs too, loyal af.

Now we is a talking.
PM sent.

PAWS in Aberdeen probably has lots of dogs needing a nice home, and Animal Services in in Oly always has dogs.

I'll second the labs and sheltie/collie...

stay away from spaniels, both springer and cocker... they can develop some really bad traits if they aren't trained really young... the most stubborn f'n dogs on the planet I've ever known was a springer and a cocker...

the wife might love the cocker, she can take it to the beauty parlor every month and have ribbons put in its ears...

If you do not have a specific job for the dog ( hunting, herding) to do I would forget breed and shop temperament. You want a dog that you can easily lay on it's back , put your hands on the neck and look it right in the eye for at least a minute without a rodeo. If you have a wife and kids have them do the same. You want a pup that will roll over but not cower. Get all the pups in a big room lay on the floor perfectly still And do not make eye contact with the pups or interact with them in any way. The one that nuzzles up to you and is mellow is a good bet. Lots of tricks like this to find a non dominant dog.
Don't let a woman pick the dog on here own. She wants one that will love her you want one that will respect you first.
Word on labs. I love them and think they are the greatest dog ever bred. However I will not own one as I think they are over bred . The eyes hip certs etc are BS because they are replacement guarantees . So when your dog is 5 and has eye, hip problems they will give you a new dog. your dog still has problems that need to be dealt with and you are head over heels for the hound etc. hard to find a lab with out fatty nodules or some form of cancer any more.

Some good info here...
Pick up the pup and try to cradle him upside down.
You don't want one that squirms out of the hold within a half second.
Good chance that he'll be scaredie (nervous....jumpy).

Agree that the back test is key. Another good simple test when selecting a pup is to take an empty pop can, put some small rocks inside and duct tape over the opening. Shake it loudly and toss it to the litter. The ones that run to it are curious and the ones that don't, aren't. Lastly, grab and hold their paws. If they let you take their paws without a fuss, they're good to go. Good luck,

Sounds like solid advice from people that have read "Gun Dog".

Thanks, all. The wife's a bit strange sometimes; she says she doesn't want another lab (mostly because they're big and energetic), but she's okay with a Golden Retriever, which in my experience is almost as large and more hyper still. I personally love just about everything that barks.

I realize that $300 is a low price point, but I think it's insane that people pay so much for a pedigree (translates fairly well to in-breeding, which leads to health problems and exceptional stupidity, in far too many cases). I'm not expecting a show quality (or, really, even pure bred) dog at that price. Besides, I will go up a little if it proves necessary.

It seems likely we will end up rescuing something. Most of the rescue shelters these days seem to charge a $300-$350 adoption fee for puppies, to cover the cost of shots and sterilization. Right in my wheelhouse, there.

Thanks again, and I'll post pics as requested.