A dog is a new member of your family, not a fashion accessory, so finding one with a temperament suitable for your lifestyle is more important than finding a trendy breed.
The Humane Society of the United States has a list of tips for how to be responsible when you adopt a puppy at . The second item in the list includes a link to additional tips for finding responsible breeders.
The main objective of this website is to educate people about puppy mills, but the tips will also be helpful for avoiding a backyard breeder.
My husband and I are looking for breeders of german shepherds in the VA/MD?DC area for a dog that is going to be a family pet.