I'm about 99.9% sure that the ad you described is a puppy either from a Backyard Breeder or a Puppy Mill. First off, no decent breeder would advertise in the newspaper, good breeders have waiting lists for their dogs because they are involved in showing and working their dogs. Second, there is no possible way that a breeder can get the parents health checked, show the parents, get frequent vet check-ups on the puppies, get 2+ dewormings and all of the necessary shots and only charge $100 per puppy ~ my guess is that the pups have recieved the bare minimum of shots, if any, and the parents had no work done. They probably are not AKC registered either, which is a MUST! If you don't buy from a breeder that does all of these screenings, showing, vet checks and has AKC registered puppies, you are only supporting and encouraging the massive overpopulation of dogs in our country.

I thought you were volunteering at a shelter? Don't you see ALL of the dogs being euthanized every day? Haven't you seen plenty of sweet, wonderful small-breed puppies come in and out of the shelter? Supporting BYB's and Puppy Mills kills homeless animals, period. PLEASE don't buy from these people and support more litters down the line, and more overpopulation! Please consider paying an extra $400+ for a well-bred puppy from a reputable breeder, OR better yet rescue a homeless puppy from a shelter.