How much is that wagging-tail doggy in the window?

It depends.

Which pet store window are you looking in? Is the doggy being adopted from a local animal shelter?

Or, which classified ad are you reading?

Costs for puppies range from free to thousands of dollars.

While the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has declared October Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month, several other options are available for someone who wants to buy a dog.

After taking over the breeding business his grandfather started, Grant Minnich sells and breeds AKC purebred boxers in Willshire, Ohio.

Minnich, 26, has owned a boxer since he was 5 years old. Advertising his dogs in many Ohio and Indiana newspapers, Minnich’s recent boxer litter had four pups, which sold for $500 each.

His two female dogs usually produce one to two litters a year. And though he is making money, Minnich says, unlike some breeders, he’s not doing it just for the money.

“Christmas is a good time to sell puppies because it seems everyone wants one. But I take my time and do it right. Winter is hard on puppies. I have a barn out back where I can control the temperature. It’s hard to take care of pups in the winter, and I don’t think most people know that when they are buying them,” he says.

“There are so many variables on when and where to buy a dog. I tell people to do research beforehand. What I don’t like about pet stores is you can’t see the mom and dad. Seeing the parents gives you a good idea on what the dog will look like and how big it will get. You need visual aids like that. You can’t see that in a pet store. All you know is that dog was raised to be sold to a pet store.”

Yet, buying a dog from a pet store isn’t a bad idea.

Keith Nieberding owns two Fort Wayne Petland stores and says customers buying dogs receive a “three-year heredity and congenital warranty for the puppy’s health. We don’t have any other health issues breeders don’t have, but it’s a guarantee we make to our customers,” Nieberding says. “The best thing about buying here is if a person didn’t know what kind of breed they wanted, we have a wide selection, 60 puppies, for them to touch and hold.”

Nieberding also knows where all those puppies were born.

“I know all the breeders we buy from. I have been to their facilities. I know how they were raised. I would have to say 95 percent, if not higher, of all our puppies are locally bred. People have an idea pet stores buy from far-away breeders. We don’t.”

Since October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month, Diane Pomerance, a Dallas-based author and pet grief counselor, advocates people adopt dogs from local shelters, such as the Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control, 3020 Hillegas Road, or the Fort Wayne SPCA Pet Shelter and Adoption Center, 4914 Hanna St.

“Adoption is the best option,” says Peggy Bender of Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control. Dog adoptions are $85 and cat adoptions are $65, which includes flea treatment, microchip ID insertion and spay and neutering services.

“We don’t deal with organizations calling themselves rescue operations getting breed-specific dogs from shelters and it’s really a buy-sell operation. We have prosecuted someone for that. Red flags go up for us on some of those rescue operations.”

During a telephone interview, Pomerance says she has adopted 18 dogs that were abandoned, abused or neglected.

Regardless of how a dog comes into a person’s home, Pomerance says people should understand that after a dog is home, the dog becomes a member of your family.

“No one likes to put a price tag on the love and dedication of a beloved companion, which is what you want your pet to become,” says Pomerance, who established and serves as director of the Pet Grief Counseling Program for the SPCA of Texas.

“The reality is dogs can be expensive and at times intensive. It is important to understand the costs and responsibilities ahead of time when choosing a dog. Being a pet parent is not an easy job.”

Pomerance discusses pet parenthood in her new book, “Pet Parenthood: Adopting The Right Animal Companion for You.”

“No matter where or even how a person received a pet, it’s critical people understand the responsibilities of pet parenthood. This is a lifelong money and ethical commitment. This lack of foresight is one reason 6 (million) to 8 million pets end up in shelters each year and 3 (million) to 4 million are euthanized,” says Pomerance, who as a “pet expert” has appeared on national TV and radio shows to discuss pet issues.

“You have to do your homework, think this out and don’t make an impulse buy. With their senses minimized, more dogs are lost in the winter than any other time of the year. People don’t realize that. Some people breed to sell dogs so they can make money. That’s all they do. Those are back-door breeders. Go to reputable breeders. Some pet stores don’t sell (dogs), but they can give you excellent advice where to adopt. The main thing is think before you buy; you are adding a family member. You can also ask your vet where to buy a dog.”

Dr. Christian Bader of Portland Veterinary Clinic in Jay County says knowing a dog’s background and history are important when buying a dog. He advises consumers to be leery of Internet and mall pet purchases.

“There’s a big difference where you purchase a puppy. Some people are buying dogs from the Internet. They are buying sight unseen. Never buy sight unseen,” says Bader, who has been at the clinic for almost 15 years.

So what should a person look for in their dog purchase? Bader says the key word is look.

“I say it’s best to purchase from an individual breeder. That way you can see the (parent) dogs yourself, get a better history of the dog and how the dogs interact. Most pet stores don’t have a history or background on the dogs. All they have is a paper,” he says. “Even answering an ad in the newspaper is good. If it’s a reasonable price, go ahead and check it out. At least you have an idea of where the puppy is coming from.

“Most of all, get a guarantee. People don’t knowingly buy a problem. At least with a guarantee you can take it back and get your money or get another dog, if something bad happens. That’s why I recommend going to a breeder close by. You can probably find a better dog.”

kjackson@jg.net