dogcomestoo wrote: You can also get an idea about a breeder by the questions they ask you. The breeders I've bought from clearly are careful who they let their puppies go to- they even asked for my vet's name and phone number to get a reference showing I'm a responsible dog owner. I figure a breeder who is that careful about placing a puppy is also careful with her/his breeding program.
I would be pretty comfortable buying from a breeder like this, also. I'd probably go a step further, though, and check out the BREEDER'S vet reference. Any GOOD breeder is going to have a good (and frequent)relationship with their vet. If the vet's office says they haven't seen them in 2 years, I probably would look elsewhere...
2012 Dutchmen Voltage Epic 3795
2010 Dodge 3500 DRW MC
2009 GMC 2500 DA CC
2012 Smart-for-two (sometimes hitches a ride in the Voltage!)
2005 Sundowner Sunlite 777
Go Dogs wrote: Monday morning, My husband and I both woke up thinking about that Doxie mix!
LOL!!! It sounds like there might be TWO puppies in your family soon?
Re: places to find puppies - here in the boondocks, our local grocery store bulletin board is a great place to find stuff that's local; plus our Vet also has a bulletin board (and knows where the latest puppy litters are!).
I hadn't raised a puppy in AGES - until Jimmy (mini-Aussie x mini poodle). I had decided I wanted complete control over how the pup was raised after dealing with some latent issues in my "rescues". Jimmy is everything I had hoped for and more.
I can't speak for the other breed clubs but the Aussie has a very devoted organization for the promotion of the improvement for the Australian Shepherd health and genetics; the Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute, Inc. Quite a few breeders subscribe to the 10-Steps program to the improvement of the breed now and in the future. It is a very comprehensive set of guidelines that includes DNA screening tests, education, disclosure, among other steps for a healthy breed
My advice would be to check the local CL. Most often puppies are there and the people have the mother and possibly even the father to see. Usually they have had an 'oops' litter.
Try to meet both parents if at all possible. Be sure all the pups in the litter are active, alert, seeking out human companionship, have dry eyes, no runny noses, no skin infections, no poopy butts, clean ears. I wouldn't worry too much about bloated, wormy-looking tummies as you can clear worms out pretty quickly and most pups have them anyway. The pups should be active, active, active -- playing with each other, your shoes, the parent(s). Unless they've just eaten, they shouldn't be still. Check for high flea infestations, although that can be taken care of also.
Be sure the parent(s) seem stable in temperment, not vicious/growly, friendly, willing to interact with at least the owner (if not you also). If you are not allowed to meet the mother, at least -- go look somewhere else.
Nothing wrong with getting a puppy wherever you want. Good Luck to your brother!
I have both bought puppies and rescued dogs. I have raised two German Shepherd pups (at different times from the same hobby breeder), and will admit that one of the reasons is selfish: I take a particular pride that they both turned out so well, and I can take full credit for that. I doubt that I will do it again, since, at my age, it is becoming increasingly difficult to raise a pup by myself, and there are an increasing number of stray, lost, abandoned and relinquished dogs at shelters and rescues all over the country. My rescues have all been wonderful additions to my family, and I can still take some credit in helping them adjust to their new lives with me. As someone else said, rescues seem to be grateful for being rescued, although it is likely more a desire for order and stability after the stress and confusion of change and uncertainty. In any case, it is most important that the potential dog owner consider the size, age and personality of the dog, and all the effects he or she may have on his lifestyle. Reputable breeders and rescue groups will always try to match a dog with a potential home. Sometimes the rules may seem restrictive, but they are trying to limit prospective relinquishments, which can drain a rescue's resources and people. Whatever you and your brother decide, I wish you good luck in finding a dog that will be a part of his life for the rest of its life.
Gary Shapiro
Col. Dash - GSD, DOTL Rainbow Division, in my heart forever
Spc. Lily - 10-year-old Greyhound (Racing School drop-out)
Spc. Molly - 9-year-old Shepherd/Husky Mix (aka Honey Badger)
Shadow - 1 1/2-year-old Greyhound 2011 Georgetown 280DS Class A
We have had both but mostly rescued until we rescued our first Shar pei. After that we purchased a 3 month old puppry from a breeder. She is now 8 years old and so far doing good. We also purchased another and he is 2 1/2. Of course we had puppies and still have two left both females, one blue and one black. We can NOT keep 5 dogs but..... they are special!
Papaw Hal and Gramma Suzy
Tascha,Diesel,Lottie and Ebony The Shar pei with Attitude
2012 Cedar Creek Silverback 33L
2000 F350 XLT LA West Custom DRW 7.3 PSD
B&W Turnover w/ 18k Companion Hitch
My husband and I have had experience with both Rescuing as well as getting puppies from breeders like many people on here. I have had 4 rescued greyhounds which are wonderful animals but they are a rare breed in the sense that you know what you are getting with them (if you go through pretty much any reputable greyhound rescue organization.) We have also had a rescued boxer mix which did not go so well. The dog was just under 2 when rescued and came with little knowledge about her past, just that the family that had her could no longer afford to keep her. Well the dog lived with my husband before we met, and when we brought my dog into the picture, the rescue attacked my dog within seconds of meeting. We figured it was just a case of 'waking up on the wrong side of the bed' and decided that we would try again in a few days. Well we brought both dogs to a neutral surrounding that way it was no one's territory, and she did it again. Being avid dog lovers we were certain we could fix this problem, so we worked with a dog trainer to try to get the aggression under control. After a few lessons that went extremely well, we muzzled the aggressor just in case she wasn't cured. Good thing, she got away from us and pinned my dog to the ground trying to eat her.
We decided it was time for her to find another home without a female dog. A friend of ours decided to take her and just loved her sweet personality, but after a few days she started to attack her dogs. Enough was enough, we couldn't have her attacking dogs. She was a great dog as long as there were no other canines around, so we took her to the shelter and requested that she be placed in an 'only dog home.'
Rescues are wonderful in the sense that you are giving an animal another chance but it is scary when you don't know what your getting.
Breeders can be great too, just be careful not to get involved with a breeder that has their best interest in mind instead of the dog, which is most important.
TravlinCatahoula wrote: Breeders can be great too, just be careful not to get involved with a breeder that has their best interest in mind instead of the dog, which is most important.
IMHO Breeders should have the breed's best interest in mind first and then the individual dog.
Rescuers should have the individual dog's best interest in mind first.
I and my spouse do not believe in getting a bought puppy, we have been adopting since we have been together. Its really fun to see some of those dogs which were bad in shape and now have some great looking physique and nice fur. It is a feeling of contentment from the inside when you rescue a dog.
Offline
