What is the ethical way to get a puppy?

[blouseenthusiast]

Hello, we are new to dog ownership (although I grew up with dogs) and are keen to get a puppy. I know there are all sorts of issues with breeders etc and would be grateful for some advice about the best way of getting a puppy. We probably won't go for a rescue dog because we need a breed which won't create issues for my niece who is allergic and spends a lot of time at our house. Grateful for any thoughts

[blouseenthusiast]

Bumping!

[sununu]

further down this page is a thread 'taking on a dog, what NOT to do...' that has tons of helpful info

[blouseenthusiast]

Thank you sununu, i forgot I could do a search!

[fuzzysnout]

Depending on which breed you want the best thing to do is to contact the relevant breed club, however before you do this first research carefully any potential health problems that the breed may have (kennel club website is a good starting point). If you can say which breed, some of us may be able to start you off on what to look for.

It would be a good idea to try to see the breed at a breed show or try to talk to current owners / breeders about the pros and cons of their breed. The breed club should be able to tell you which health problems to look out for - if they say there are none then walk away!

There are very few dogs that are suitable for people with allergies so take great care in your selection. Whatever you do dont spend a fortune on any sort of cross breed / something with doodle in its name on the basis that it will be allergy suitable as it may well not be

A good breeder will want to ask you loads of questions. Dont buy from an ad in the paper or from anyone who cant allow you to see the mother for any reason.

[Scuttlebutter]

Blouse, if you want to make sure your niece is not allergic, it isn't necessary to avoid a rescue. Firstly, many of them are pedigrees rather than cross breeds especially if you go via a breed rescue. Secondly, it's important to establish precisely what type of dog your niece is allergic to. My DH for instance is allergic to cats, horses and long haired dogs, but copes brilliantly with our greyhounds. Our greys are rescue dogs, but have pedigrees as long as your arm . If you have an all breed rescue near you, it might be worth seeing if you and your neice could visit and spend a short time in the company of a few dogs to see which trigger a reaction, choosing a long haired, a short haired etc.

Simply buying a doodle will NOT guarantee no allergic reaction and if any breeder claims this, then walk away.

The other thing to consider is the degree of allergic reaction, and if your DN does not live with you and has a mild reaction this probably wouldn't need to constrain your choice. Obviously if her reaction is more serious then it would and you might need to even rethink having a dog at all. How old is she? Other things to consider are things like taking up carpet, minimising soft furnishings, ensuring house is well aired etc to minimise the accumulation of allergens. We switched from carpet to wooden floors downstairs when the dogs arrived and this helped DH considerably as carpet really hangs on to the allergens.

[blouseenthusiast]

thank you, fuzzysnout and scuttlebutter, for your really thoughtful and helpful posts - it makes me realise I need to investigate the allergy issue much more fully. I did some looking on rescue sites but I suspect we would fail the adoption criteria as there would be some days when a dog would be alone for up to 6 hours - maybe that is in itself a reason to rethink. Neice gets itching and running eyes and some asthmatic symptoms around dogs but does visit her grandmother who has dogs. Time to some proper research methinks.

[overthemill]

you need to find out what the actual allergy is to: hair, saliva etc. there are loads of non shedding breeds eg poodles (hence the labradoodle etc which mixes great non shedding with lovely temperament), bichons, lagatto romalgono (?) etc which all have wool like fleeces. So do take advice. if you find that this type of fleece coat is ok then contact breed associations to find a breeder or breed rescue organisation. You also get all breeds at all rescue centres.

[CalamityKate]

Aaaaargh!! Labradoodles are NOT necessarily non- or even low-shedding! And besides, being non-shedding is no guarantee that a dog won't set off someone who's allergic to the proteins in dog urine/saliva.

[overthemill]

calamity yes, exactly what I said! its the 'oodle which supposedly gave the mix the hypoallergenic tag - but go back to the original breed and you'll get that every time! labradoodle owners choose them not just for non shedding - which yes, is n no way guaranteed and doesnt guarantee non allergicness - but for their temperament.

anyway, research cause of allergy to dogs and choose breed accordingly

btw, i have a labradoodle which sheds bucket loads but my old labradoodle didnt shed a hair! and 2 allergic kids totally unaffected by it...