Finding a veterinarian

I have always picked a vet in the past based on recommendations of people I know that have dogs that I know treat their dogs and care for them like family. For example, I had a friend whose dog nearly died and was in a coma and the outlook was not good, and the place Stitches went to last was recommended to me by her because they really cared and saved her dog and by another couple I knew that had four toy poodles who were very well taken care of. Stitches vet in SC was recommended to me by a friend who was a nurse and had always taken her animals there.  Both places I liked, but the SC vet really went the extra mile and was super patient when I called with questions or when Stitches had a problem.
When I adopted Quincy a little over a week ago, the pet rescue recommended a vet to give him his shots and paid for it. I was very impressed with the vet there who took the time to answer my questions. They were very gentle with him and with Stitches, too, who had gone with me to the adoption to see whether she and Quincy would get along. They gave her treats and him while they had him on the table and gave him a very thorough inspection. They also called early this week to see how things were going with him and if any problems had come up or anything since they saw him last.
Since I have had animals on my own, I honestly have not had a bad vet for them. But when we had a cat when I was younger the vet that my mom took it to was mostly after money. He was really rough with her on the table (to the extent that she got so terrified she knocked down his diploma) and when she went to him to be spayed she got fleas after spending the night at his office. After that visit, my mom was so angry with him and swore that we would NEVER take a pet of ours to him again.
I mostly judge by recommendations from pet owners that I respect and the way that my animals are treated by the vet when they are there. I also judge by how ready the vet is to answer questions that I have. 
I hope this helps. Good luck finding a vet and congrats on getting a puppy.

I found my first vet by using the same vet that my husky breeder used. I liked that he knew the history of the family line and my puppy from birth. He ended up being a great vet and taking great care of my dog. I've since moved across town though and asked friends and co-workers who they take their animals to. An overwhelming amount used one particular vet (I even asked a lady I ran into while hiking one day and she also used that same vet) and the other half used a vaccination clinic for just shots.

So, I've since switched over to using both the vaccination clinic for shots ($10 beats $35 per shot any day) and the vet for more serious issues.
 
P.S. My vet tech friend (who lives an hour away or I'd use her!) says that she gets her vaccinations for $4! $4 vs. $35 - that's a big mark up! Which is why I go to the vaccination clinic for shots.

ORIGINAL: Jewlieee

So, I've since switched over to using both the vaccination clinic for shots ($10 beats $35 per shot any day) and the vet for more serious issues.

P.S. My vet tech friend (who lives an hour away or I'd use her!) says that she gets her vaccinations for $4! $4 vs. $35 - that's a big mark up! Which is why I go to the vaccination clinic for shots.

 
Are vaccination clincis similar to places like Petco & Petsmart?  If you use both, do you have to send the vaccination clinic results to your vet.

I have never been to Petsmart or Petco that has a clinic in it so I can't say.  I looked in my phone book here though and there are 2 places that advertise as "low cost vaccination clinic". Basically there's no appts. They just have vaccination hours each day. You don't see a vet, only a tech for shots. This keeps the costs down. If you want to see a vet, you have to make a request. (vets are there on staff during vaccination times).

They also do heartworm testing and will perscribed HW meds, either generic or name brand. They don't have a problem with writing scripts either if you want to order online.

I keep my dogs shot records in a folder and take it for the clinic to update each time. Then when I do take my dog to the regular vet, I just give them the shot record and have them update my file.
 
Edit: for yearly exams, I go to my normal vet. And for anything out of the ordinary (like my puppy eating dramomine as I was cleaning out my car last night!)

One of my criteria for a vet is whether or not they're willing to talk to you on the phone. Obviously for most things you have to bring the dog in, but I really value a vet's office you can call with something like, "My dog just ate my baby's diaper and I'm terrified, what do I do?!" My vet in CA (well, usually the vet techs) would always have good, calming advice, and be able to tell me the things to watch for that would signify my dog needed the vet.

If you plan to feed a home prepared diet (cooked or raw), be sure that the vet is not going to give you grief over it.   Also, if you are going to use a minimal vaccination protocol, be sure that the vet will accept that without too much arguement.

In addition to the above advice - which is excellent - I will also add:
 
Does the vet's hours match your hours?  Our vet is open until 5:30 in the evening, except Fridays (only until 1) and he is usually the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 8 until noon.  These hours work great for us.
 
I know someone who likes a vet practice because there are 3 vets that work there.  On any one day, 1 might be on vacation, 1 doing surgeries, and 1 is still available for "stuff" that comes up.
 
I would also know what your vet does if there is an emergency.  Our vet refers people to the emergency pet clinic, (there are 2 great ones in the Milwaukee area).  We are OK with this, but would you be comfortable with an "ER type of vet" working on your pet?

If there are medical-related issues you have strong feelings about or practice with your dogs (raw feeding, titering instead of annual vacs, holistic medicine, etc.) you might discuss the topic up front, so you can find a vet who supports you, or at least listens with an open mind. 
 
Also, ike chooing a doctor for yourself, trust your instincts.  If the vet puts you at ease and you get the sense that the vet cares about your dog and is really paying attention, those are great signs.  If you feel rushed or ignored or uneasy, take a pass. 

Also, though it's of course more of a secondary concern, look for a vet's office that has good vet techs and good reception staff. They should be friendly and seem like they at least like animals - if your dog has to stay for any length of time, the vet techs will probably be interacting with him a lot more than the actual vet will, so it's important that they have a good "bedside manner" (crateside manner? floorside manner? pillowside manner?) so your pet isn't unduly stressed.

My stinky little afraid-of-everything-in-the-world dog loooooved going to our vet in CA. The techs would ooh and ahhh over him and pass him around for snuggles, and this little twerp who is often afraid of strangers just loved them! It was often a big effort just to get him to leave the office. It's just indescribably comforting to feel like all the staff in your vet's office really care about the well-being of your furry friend.

The vet we used before that one was very good, but his receptionists were absolutely horrible. They were unpleasant, acted like they hated their jobs, and were not very responsive to questions or requests for the vet's attention. (One of the receptionists was the vet's wife, which is why she got away with it.) It was definitely, definitely worth it to switch vets. It made the whole vet-going experience much more positive for everyone. (Plus, if you're upset at your lousy treatment, it will upset your dog more, too. You want a place where you feel happy and relaxed as well.)