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The doghouse

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Original poster

When to get a new dog?

35 replies

onoffon · 26/01/2011 13:12

Have spent hours reading all the wise MNetters advice about puppies/dogs etc as DH and I have decided to get a dog later this year; but I just have a couple of questions.

We can't get one straight away because we're waiting to move from London out to the countryside, but when should we start looking? and how do you find a good breeder?

I would ideally like a lab cross (or more fashionably known as a labradoodle!) and have had a look for a good breeder; but how do you distinguish the good from the bad?

And should I just wait until we're ready and then look for adverts of recent litters, or should I identify a good breeder now, visit them to see previous litters so then I can get first pick of a later litter?

Can anyone recommend a good breeder?

Thanks

OP posts:
nipplesofthenorth · 26/01/2011 13:21

Think of finding the breed rescue! There is a Labradoodle Rescue and Labrador Rescue organisations also have first generation crosses There are sooooooo many dogs in rescue due to irresponsible breeder .- all shapes, sizes, breeds, ages - please consider helping one of them out? Most rescues use foster homes instead of kennels so the dogs will have been assessed in a family home environment too

Original poster
onoffon · 26/01/2011 13:28

Hi, I have considered getting a rescue, especially after seeing all the comments on here (and I have a rescue cat who is amazing), but, having just found out I probably can't have children after a long time trying to conceive, I wanted something that I can train and raise from a pup. (Sorry, I know that sounds ridiculous)

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 26/01/2011 13:43

it's not always ridiculous to want a dog from very young

you can get pups from rescues, just might have to wait a bit longer, but that doesn't sound like a problem for you

walkies · 26/01/2011 13:56

Might be a good idea to talk to a breed expert at one of the big dog events - like 'Discover Dogs' at Crufts - you can ask loads of questions and make contact with reputable breeders too.

aspergillus · 26/01/2011 14:03

onoffon - I felt the same about wanting to raise from a pup.
I tried the Rescue route and had my name down for months but no young (8wks) puppies available. Met some very dodgy people selling labradoodles/cockapoos, found out a lot about the designer dog trade and very quickly went off the idea. Eventually put my name down for a labrador puppy from well established breeder. See Kennel Club web site for Accredited Breeders, but still important to do your own checks. Had to wait a while - good breeders tend to have waiting lists - but worth it, pup now 5 months old and am really pleased with him and enjoying the training. My next (2nd) dog will be a rescue

Original poster
onoffon · 26/01/2011 14:16

Thanks all.

Aspergillus, thanks for the advice. I too think my 2nd dog would be a rescue; but this time round only a puppy will do Smile

OP posts:
30andMerkin · 26/01/2011 15:04

There's quite a few doodle owners on here (I'm one!), so if you start a thread with that as the title you'll probably get some responses. If I ever figure out how PM works I could send you some of my breeder research info...

Also labradoodle.org has its own forum which is very helpful on general and behavioural stuff, although there's a lot of in-fighting & politics when it comes to breeders on there.

Where in the country will you be?

Original poster
onoffon · 26/01/2011 15:11

Thanks 30andMerkin...will try starting a new thread - perhaps you could come and comment on it Smile

OP posts:
DooinMeCleanin · 26/01/2011 15:33

Lots of young puppies in Many Tears rescue, there always is.

I am confused as to your reasons for wanting a puppy though.

You say you want a dog to train as your own? Do you realise that adult dogs are trainable and many (not all) dogs in rescue have problems stemming from abuse and need someone just like you who is willing and able to put in the time and effort to show them how to be loved? It's a very rewarding experience.

Original poster
onoffon · 26/01/2011 15:38

DooinMeCleanin Thanks for your response. I have had a look at the site and will continue to monitor it.

I mentioned that I want to train and raise a puppy - I want it to have been with me its whole life.

Yes, I am being selfish by not getting a rescue dog. But I am grieving for the fact that I can't have a baby and am trying to fill that gap. I know many people won't understand this.

I do know that it is rewarding - I have a rescue cat who is amazing; but she was already a grown up when we got her and I would really like to have a dog from a puppy.

OP posts:
ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo · 26/01/2011 15:40

lots of rescues have puppies to rehome. please dont rule out rescue just because you think you wont get a puppy.

Original poster
onoffon · 26/01/2011 15:46

ILoveitwhenyoucallmeboo I'm not ruling out rescue because I think I won't get a puppy.

But, perhaps you could answer me this, everyones first piece of advice when getting a puppy is, make sure you go to a reputable breeder and see the parents.

Why does this then change if its coming from rescue?

OP posts:
memphis83 · 26/01/2011 15:47

I totally understand you wanting a puppy, i want a puppy as I have a baby and was worried about rescues, not knowing their past got sort of bullied by friends and family to get a rescue and visited 10 rescue centers inc RSPCA none would rescue to us due to having a baby they recommended going to a breeder

Original poster
onoffon · 26/01/2011 15:47

Thanks memphis83 I was starting to think I'm only allowed to ask for advice on here if I agree to get a rescue dog Sad

OP posts:
ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo · 26/01/2011 15:51

i dont really understand your question. how on earth can you see the parents of a rescue dog unless tehy are brought in together?

and just as an aside. seeing teh parents is no guarantee of temperament at all.

however a rescue dog will have a hsitory, even if just found on teh street teh rescue it is with will have a good idea of it's temperament, how it is with children, cats, men (some dogs can have a fear of men and display it through aggression).

in a puppy you will know none of this. a good rescue will also be tehre to help ypu with behavioural issues after you have taken the dog.

DooinMeCleanin · 26/01/2011 16:01

A rescue will have had the puppies checked by a good vet prior to advertising them for rehoming. They will also have had an assesment by an experienced behaviorist.

To be honest I really don't get the fuss about puppies. They chew things and go to the toilet all over your house and they are puppies for such a short time if you blink you miss it Grin

No-one is saying that you can't ask for advise unless you agree to rescuing, but many people here work in or with rescues regularly and they know how many dogs are pts because there are not enough people willing to take them in, so of course they will promote rescuing whenever they can. Plus you get much more support and advise from a rescue than you do from a breeder.

ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo · 26/01/2011 16:06

dooin is right. just look at how many threads tehre are in the doghouse about problems with puppies and lots of them are from breeders, unless the breeder is very good, you aren't going to get any support once you have taken the dog and handed over your money.(that isn't to say all breeders are liek this, i know tehre are some very good breeders taht do offer support for any problems after sale.)

Original poster
onoffon · 26/01/2011 16:09

Ok, thanks anyway. This probably wasn't the best place for me to ask.

OP posts:
ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo · 26/01/2011 16:12

i think this is teh best place to ask about getting a dog. no-one here has anything to gain from your decision so their advice is unbiased. Smile

Original poster
onoffon · 26/01/2011 16:17

Yes, but no one is able to provide the advice I was after; or accept that I have considered rescue dogs/puppies.

And now I feel shit about the fact that I selfishly want to buy a puppy.

OP posts:
ILoveItWhenYouCallMeBoo · 26/01/2011 16:19

walkies, aspergillus and 30 and a merkin have given you advice on how to find good breeders.

Slubberdegullion · 26/01/2011 16:34

I think this is the best place to ask onoffon.

The dog house topic has lots of posters who (unsurprisingly) are very passionate about dogs, and several of which who work in rescue and see the sharp and tragic end of too many puppies being bred. I'm not surprised that you have had lots of recommendations to look at rescue and since becoming a dog owner and using this topic have had my eyes opened to what fantastic work these places do and how they will aim to make a perfect fit for your family and your future pet.

I can completely understand why you want a puppy. I wanted a puppy for some of the very same reasons as you. Smile and I went down the breeder route for various reasons.

If you have made this decision to go with a breeder you need to be very VERY fussy about who you get your puppy from. Unscrupulous breeders are ten a penny and every puppy bought from them promotes this trade even more.

Excellent breeders are hard to find. Expect to be grilled by them and expect to have to wait for your puppy. If they can't guarrantee to take your puppy back at any point in it's life for any reason then walk away.

Can I ask why you want a doodle and not a lab or a poodle?

Slubberdegullion · 26/01/2011 16:37

Please don't feel shit about wanting a puppy Smile. I certainly don't. Having my dog from 8 weeks has been an invaluable bonding and learning experience.

Slubberdegullion · 26/01/2011 16:46

When I was looking for a lab pup I found this thread very useful about what to ask a breeder before you go and see any puppies.

Scuttlebutter · 26/01/2011 16:55

Onoffon, please accept my sympathy for not being able to conceive. I do understand - we don't have children either Sad. However, a dog is not a substitute child. This is not the right place to discuss the pain of childlessness - you are probably still very raw if this is recent - I would strongly suggest tackling this as as a separate issue for you and your DH.

We have three gorgeous rescue dogs - I don't think of them as being child substitutes. I do think owning them is immensely satisfying and rewarding.

As I would ask anyone getting a dog, have you thought through the commitment, and will you be at home all day? Not fair to have a pup if you are both out at work all day.

You haven't said why you want this particular breed - is it an allergy issue?

If you have spent hours reading the Dogs threads you will understand why so many of us are unashamedly passionate about rescue dogs and so despairing when people talk about buying pups, especially "designer" cross breeds which are frequently sourced from the most appalling conditions. Of course it's your (and Slubber's) right to buy a pup, but don't be surprised when you are advised of all the options, or if we ask lots of questions. The majority of the regular posters here, regardless of their views on puppies, do have one important thing in common - being passionate about dog welfare.