Salvatore Piazza has been in the puppy breeding business a long time. He specializes in German shepherds. He says there are several things consumers need to know before they purchase a new pooch.

"You want see the parents. You don't just want to look at them. You want to play with them. You want them to bring the parents out,” said Piazza.

That is key. You need to know the dog’s parents, because that will help you understand the dog’s temperament. That’s something you don’t normally get from a puppy store.

"When you go to a pet store, you don't know the parents, the temperament. You don't know where the puppy came from. You want to make sure it's vet checked, if you do buy a puppy at a pet store,” said Piazza.

Piazza and other local breeders stress the importance of x-rays. Many dogs that weigh more than 40 pounds can be prone to hip problems. Socializing is also key.

"It does need to socialize with other animals and people, different people: children, adults, older people, younger people, people in wheelchairs,” said Piazza.

We have made several attempts to contact Maxie Biggz, but those phone calls have gone unanswered. In the meantime, we have found a number to call for warranty information.