Finding the Right Dog (and Breeder): What I Learned as a First-Time Owner

Deciding to get a dog wasn’t impulsive for me—it was intentional and, in many ways, logistical.

I had wanted a dog for years, but for a long time the timing wasn’t right. I was moving often, traveling frequently, and didn’t feel settled enough—financially or geographically—to offer a dog the consistency they deserve. Eventually, that changed. By early 2025, I felt more stable, more rooted, and more comfortable taking on the long-term responsibility of a dog.

That’s when I started planning seriously.

Start with timing, not aesthetics

In early 2025, I knew I’d be traveling to France for Christmas later in the year. That immediately shaped my search, because dogs need to be at least six months old to travel internationally. If I wanted to travel with my dog, the timing of her birth mattered just as much as breed or temperament.

Working backward from that date helped clarify everything.

I needed a puppy who would:

• be old enough to travel internationally by December

• have time to settle in, train, and build trust before a long trip

• realistically fit into my lifestyle—not an idealized version of it

That meant narrowing my search to litters born in late spring 2025, which immediately reduced the noise and pressure to rush.

Considering breeds (and why I came back to a dachshund)

Before settling on a dachshund, I did explore other breeds seriously.

Initially, I was looking into Havachons and Havapoos, especially because of their size and temperament. I spent time browsing breeders and listings, including sites like Pilesgrove Pups, and trying to imagine what daily life with those breeds might look like.

But after thinking it through more carefully—energy levels, independence, travel adaptability, and my own experience—I came back to what I already knew.

Years ago, I had a dachshund named Gizmo, and he was an incredible companion: affectionate, funny, opinionated, and deeply loyal. Choosing a mini dachshund felt less like starting from scratch and more like returning to a breed I understood and trusted, in a version that fit my current lifestyle better.

From platforms to people: how I actually found my breeder

Once I had clarity on timing and breed, I started looking for breeders. I began on Good Dog, but that wasn’t where the process ended.

Good Dog was useful as a discovery tool. By checking listings regularly, I started noticing patterns—breeders whose values, communication style, and dogs stood out. From there, I followed several of those breeders on Instagram, where I could see more day-to-day updates, past litters, and how they interacted with potential owners.

That’s ultimately how I found Louise’s breeder.

Through that combination—platform research followed by social presence—I came across a breeder who had the exact type of puppies I was looking for, born at the right time and raised in a way that aligned with what I wanted.

The path wasn’t linear, but it felt intentional.

I’ll share more details about working with the breeder, the questions I asked, and what mattered most to me in a separate post.

What I paid attention to early on

As a first-time dog owner, I didn’t assume I knew everything. Instead, I focused on a few grounded signals:

• clear, transparent communication

• willingness to answer questions without pressure

• a genuine interest in where their puppies were going

• no urgency tactics or “last puppy available” language

The process took longer than I expected, but that turned out to be reassuring rather than frustrating.

Why patience mattered more than speed

Waiting meant:

• I didn’t compromise on timing

• I didn’t rush into a situation I might regret

• I had time to prepare—mentally, financially, and practically

By the time Louise came home in August 2025, she fit naturally into my life and upcoming travel plans. By Christmas, she would be old enough to travel internationally, and we’d already built routines and trust together.

What I’d do the same again

If I were starting over, I’d still:

• work backward from real-life constraints

• choose timing before emotion

• use platforms as discovery tools, not shortcuts

• accept that the right match takes time

Getting a dog is exciting, but it’s also the start of a long-term commitment. Taking the time to prepare—before choosing a breeder or a puppy—made everything that followed feel calmer and more intentional.