Will Falconer, DVM Moderator
Hey Lauren,
I'd worry more about buying a "rare" dog breed. That equates to a small gene pool in my mind, which usually means "marrying your first cousin," and you know that never turns out well. You could be spared a lot of grief and illness if you look for a natural rearing breeder of a breed that's more popular. Or, even buying a mutt, with her "hybrid vigor" of unrelated parental stock.