Online Classifieds. Online classified ads work just like the local newspaper and magazine classifieds, except they are probably free and provide more space (including photos) than print ads. Some popular online classified sites include craigslist.org and hoobly.com. When you visit these sites, simply select your state, then city, then community/pets or pets, depending on which site you use. You may also look at your local newspaper's online classifieds for information. Dog-Listing Websites. Dog ownership is so popular that many people have created websites devoted exclusively to listing available dogs (primarily puppies) for people to search. Some of the most popular dog listing websites include PuppyFind.com, PetFinder.com, and PuppyDogWeb.com. These websites typically have ads similar to what you'd find in online classifieds, as well as pictures of available dogs. You can search these websites by breed, age, and size as well as dogs located in your local area. Benefits of Finding Dogs Online. The main benefit of finding dogs online is the huge available selection. You may be able to find hundreds or thousands of locally available dogs online. You may find dozens of breeders in your area. This enables you to start your research and an opportunity to apply the criteria you have learned for finding a responsible breeder before you meet. It is much easier to find a dog using the automated database tools available on the web and your phone as opposed to driving from breeder to breeder. Disadvantages of Finding Dogs on the Internet. The Internet is a completely mixed collection of responsible breeders, backyard breeders, commercial breeders, puppy mills, dog brokers and pet shops. When you're looking at dogs or puppies online, it may not be immediately apparent whether you're looking at a responsible breeder's website or a puppy mill dog with a host of medical problems. Conduct in-depth research and conversations with the source before you consider getting a dog online. The things you want to avoid when you're looking for puppies or dogs on the Internet include: • USDA or State Licensed; • ACA registered, or any registry other than AKC, UKC or CKC (Canadian Kennel Club, not Continental Kennel Club); • Terms like 'full-blooded' and 'pedigreed' that indicate the breeder doesn't know correct breeding terminology; • Charging extra for papers; • Advertising 'vet checks,' 'health guarantees,' or 'shots' as a marketing tactic; • Selling puppies too young (puppies should stay with littermates until at least 7 or 8 weeks of age with 10 to 12 weeks even better); • Offers to bring the dog to you which could indicate a broker or pet shop owner. Any of these things in an ad alerts you to the fact that at the very least, you're not dealing with a knowledgeable breeder; at most, you could be dealing with a commercial breeder or puppy mill. To reduce your risk of getting a genetically-inferior dog, avoid ads with one or more of these items.