Puppies for Sale in Florida

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Dogs in Florida

Florida is a 500 mile long, 160 mile wide peninsula with coastlines on both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The 22nd largest state in the nation, Florida has a mostly flat landscape with some hilly regions occuring in the upper northwestern portion of the state, especially near the capitol city of Tallahassee.

The lowest elevation point in the state, sea level, occurs where the Gulf of Mexico, which runs along the western coast, meets the Atlantic Ocean. Florida's mean elevation is 100 feet above sea level and the highest point in the state can be found at Britton Hill in Walton County, which is 345 feet above sea level.

Monthly average temperatures for the state of Florida can range from a summer high of 91.7 degrees to a winter low of 39.9 degrees. Temperatures tend to be cooler in the northern portions of the state and warmer in the southern regions which are nearer to the equator.

The lowest elevation point in the state, sea level, occurs where the Gulf of Mexico, which runs along the western coast, meets the Atlantic Ocean. Florida's mean elevation is 100 feet above sea level and the highest point in the state can be found at Britton Hill in Walton County, which is 345 feet above sea level.

Monthly average temperatures for the state of Florida can range from a summer high of 91.7 degrees to a winter low of 39.9 degrees. Temperatures tend to be cooler in the northern portions of the state and warmer in the southern regions which are nearer to the equator.

The lowest temperature on record for the state, -2 degrees, was recorded in Tallahassee in 1899 while the highest recorded temperature, 109 degrees, was recorded in 1931 in Monticello. Dog owners will find that temperatures can be a bit warm for outdoor activities in the summer months but the warm winter weather makes it very comfortable to spend some extra time outside playing.

In 1953, the state officially adopted the Sabal Palmetto Palm as the official tree and tall, swaying palm trees indeed line the streets and landscapes in much of the state. Live oaks draped with spidery clumps of gray Spanish moss are another common feature of the Florida natural landscape.

The commonly encountered American Alligator is the official state reptile but lizards and snakes of all types are plentiful in Florida. Dog owners are advised to be cautious leaving their pets unattended near lakes, ponds and rivers due to the high incidence of encounters with alligators and other wildlife.

Vaccinations

Florida puppy owners need to be aware of all current vaccination laws and requirements to ensure that their dog is in compliance. In Florida, being up-to-date on the Rabies vaccine is required and all animals entering the state from other areas must produce a current Rabies vaccination record. Vaccinations are important because they inoculate and protect the individual animal against Rabies and ensure the safety of other puppies and dogs who may come in contact with your pet. Rabies vaccinations also safeguard the general public.

Puppies for sale in Florida

While we may not be able to guarantee that your puppy will never have a health problem, we guarantee that we will do our best to ensure your new family member is a healthy one! It starts with choosing our family of breeders, we thoroughly screen our breeders and only associate with those who adhere to our Code of Ethics. We then provide all our breeders with a comprehensive health evaluation report that has been carefully created by our In-house veterinarian. Our breeders are required to take this report to their vet for completion as part of the comprehensive health check required before the puppy's departure. Our breeders also ensure our puppies are up-to-date with vaccinations and have been de-wormed. Finally as an additional check, we ask that you take your puppy to a licensed veterinarian 48 hours after you receive your puppy, so we can be sure that your puppy is a happy, healthy one.

In Florida, individual counties and cities may enact vaccination laws and requirements but the state mandated Rabies vaccine covers all areas. Generally, a 3 year Rabies vaccine is recommended for dogs and a Rabies vaccination can begin at 12 to 16 weeks of age. It is recommended that the Rabies vaccine be given again one year after the first dose and at 3 year intervals there after.

Rabies vaccinations are available through many individual county animal services centers and at veterinary offices across the state. The average cost of a 3 year Rabies vaccination for puppies is often around $12, not including an office visit fee. Rabies vaccinations are generally safe for healthy animals but if your dog is ill or elderly, you can request a special form from the state of Florida to make your pet exempt from the vaccination requirement.

Leash Laws

Florida is one of the few states in the country with no officially mandated statewide leash law. Instead, individual counties establish their own regulations for restraining dogs and determine penalties for violations. As an example, the three largest counties in the state, Hillsborough, Dade and Palm County, all require that dogs be under the owner's direct command when not on the owner's private property. Dade and Hillsborough County require that a leash be used to restrain the dog while Palm County allows voice command for a well trained dog.

Dog owners should remain up-to-date on current county and city leash laws and fees for violation where they live. In many counties across the state of Florida, public beaches are considered 'No Puppies / Dogs Allowed' zones but specific areas may be designated as dog beaches for off-leash play. Generally, safely confined dog parks and designated dog beaches are the most common off-leash dog zones. Regulations for dog waste removal vary by city and county, with most requiring dog owners to pick up after their pets.

Licenses

There is no official state mandated license law in Florida but most individual counties require that dogs be licensed through the animal services or health department. In many counties, there is a discount for licensing spayed or neutered pets while dangerous breeds will require an additional fee for licensing. Generally, proof of the state mandated Rabies vaccine and any other county mandated shots must be provided before the license is issued.

Many counties require veterinarians to report when puppies and dogs receives a yearly exam so animal control officials can keep tabs on individual animals and whether they are licensed. If a dog owner fails to license their pet, or fails to renew a license on time, many counties will assess fees and interest.

When a dog is lost, a license will alert county animal control officials that the animal is up-to-date on all required vaccinations and can provide contact information for the owner. Because a license is generally renewed every year, the information it provides is more valuable than a chip, which may be several years old. Generally, a chip cannot verify if the dog is current on their state mandated Rabies vaccine, or other shots required by the county. It is very important to keep your dog licensed.

Dogs in Vehicles

According to Florida Statute 828.12, anyone who transports a pet in a vehicle in a cruel or inhumane manner is guilty of a first degree misdemeanor. Additionally, Statute 828.13 says that confining an animal in any place without adequate water, food or exercise is a first degree misdemeanor. Clearly, anyone who leaves their dog locked in a vehicle, especially in the Florida heat, would be considered in violation of each of these statutes.

While Florida has mandated that puppies and dogs must not be confined in locked cars or under unsafe conditions, there is no official mandate on transporting dogs in cars or the beds of trucks. Individual counties have the responsibility to regulate the transport of dogs in cars and trucks. Some counties, such as Dade County, have mandated that it is against the law to transport an animal in the bed of a truck or the trunk of a car. Dog owners should check with their individual county for specific regulations and penalties for violations.

Dog Parks

Dog parks are extremely popular among dog owners in Florida, with year round warm weather and an abundance of sunshine making all kinds of outdoor activities appealing. Many dog parks are located within city or county parks and some dog parks are actually dog beaches. Many dog parks and dog beaches allow off-leash play as long as the owner is present and attentive.

With no statewide mandate on dog park regulations, individual counties and cities establish their own rules. In general, it is common for dogs to be required to have current state and county mandated vaccinations and licenses before using a public dog park. Pet owners are generally required to only allow small dogs into the small breed areas of the dog park. All owners are required to pick up after their pet, bring their own toys and it is considered good etiquette to make sure there are no dogs loose near the entrance or exit when opening the gate.

Fun Activities

It is not uncommon to see dogs surfing, boating, fishing and riding jet skis with their owners in the state of Florida. Many pet owners purchase life vests for their dogs so they can safely enjoy watersports with the rest of the family. Additionally, many of Florida's active dog owners purchase pet sidecars for their motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles.

Florida is a state where adventure and outdoor living come naturally and many dog owners have made a habit of bringing their pets along for all the fun! Be sure to check local and county regulations before trying a new outdoor activity with your dog to ensure that everyone stays safe and happy.

Top Breeds

American Bulldog | Aussiedoodle | Australian Shepherd | Basset Hound | Beagle | Bichon Frise | Bloodhound | Border Collie | Borkie | Boston Terrier | Boxer | Brittany Spaniel | Brussels Griffon | Cavachon | Cavalier | Cavapoo | Chihuahua | Chinese Crested | Chiweenie | Chorkie | Cockalier | Cockapoo | Cocker Spaniel | Collie | Coton de Tulear | Dachshund | Dalmatian | Designer Breed | Doberman Pinscher | Double Doodle | English Bulldog | English Springer Spaniel | French Bulldog | German Shepherd | German Shorthaired Pointer | Golden Retriever | Goldendoodle | Great Dane | Havachon | Havanese | Jack Russell Terrier | Japanese Chin | Labradoodle | Labrador Retriever | Lhasa Apso | Mal-Shi | Maltese | Maltichon | Maltipoo | Mastiff | Miniature Australian Shepherd | Miniature Pinscher | Morkie | Neapolitan | Mastiff | Olde English Bulldogge | Ori Pei | Papillon | Peekapoo | Pekingese | Pomapoo | Pomeranian | Poodle | Pug | Puggle | Rottweiler | Schnauzer | Schnoodle | Sheepadoodle | Sheltie | Shiba Inu | Shichon | Shiffon | Shih Tzu | Shihpoo | Shorkie | Siberian Husky | Weimaraner | Welsh Corgi | Westie | Wheaten | Yorkie | Yorkiepoo

Metro Areas

Miami | Fort Lauderdale | Pompano Beach | Tampa | St. Petersburg | Clearwater |Orlando | Kissimmee | Sanford | Jacksonville | North Port | Bradenton | Sarasota | Cape Coral | Fort Myers | Lakeland | Winter Haven | Palm Bay | Melbourne | Titusville | Deltona | Daytona Beach | Ormond Beach | Pensacola | Ferry Pass | Brent | Port St. Lucie | Tallahassee | Ocala | Naples | Marco Island | Gainesville | Crestview | Fort Walton Beach | Destin | Panama City-Lynn Haven | Punta Gorda | Sebastian-Vero Beach | Palm Coast