How much would you expect to pay for a female Havanese puppy?

[Zoe999]

And can anybody recommend another breed that would be small, not require a 10 mile walk every day but is very affectionate and a healthy dog that doesn't bark too LOUDLY. don't mind a bit of barking but not too high pitched or loud! I've done some research, I see the cons are that they can be hard to toilet train but I'll take that if everything else is perfect. If there is another breed that is similar, less well know, but just as good for children (not young children) then I'd love to know.
thank you.

Oh no Molecule, sorry, got the wrong end of the stick. I'm addled now reading this thread. It didn't play very well. But I really do appreciate the helpful comments, thank you.

OP, I think you've read lonecat's posts in the wrong voice - I can't see any criticism there.

'Rescue dogs' aren't just a big pen of discarded, slightly imperfect mutts that no one else wants. While some have ended up there because of behavioural problems, there are a lot of perfectly well-mannered adult dogs who've been given up by owners no longer able to look after them. Have you contacted Havanese breed rescue to see if there are any adult Havanese in need of a home? As a show dog, there are probably quite a few year-old puppies each year who don't make the grade looking for pet homes.

Don't discard rescue as an option. I thought I wanted a puppy too, but I ended up adopting an adult dog who'd wound up in breed rescue through no fault of her own. As you say in your post, I adored her the moment we set eyes on each other, and she was 'my' dog from that instant. She's lying on my feet as I type - I feel lucky that Fate put me in the way of such a loyal and easy-to-love creature, and sadly, there are too many like her waiting for a home.

OP, perhaps I'm mistaken but the tone of your posts suggests you're looking for a fight. If you are you'll have more fun on AIBU.

"I want the dog that is perfect for us! I want to adore it the second I lay eyes on it. I don't want to just pick up a random dog and hope that we grow to love it, hope that it suits us."

But that's exactly what happens when you get a puppy! You pick a breed with traits you think will suit you and you put in work and just hope that it ends up having those traits...but you have no idea really what that puppy is going to be like.

With a rescue dog, it's already got a developed personality, you already know whether it suits you or not.

You don't just turn up at a rescue and go - I'll take that one, a good rescue matches you with dogs that might suit your needs and then you see if you click with any of them.

I'm not saying you're right or wrong to be looking for a puppy of a certain breed, but it is much more of a gamble doing that than getting an adult dog. Also, there's no shortage of any breeds in rescues and every pedigree breed has breed specific rescues.

By all means look for a puppy, but it's no guarantee of getting what you expect.

Anyway back to your original question, small affectionate breeds - Bichon Frises, Tibetan Terriers, Lhasa Apso, Shih tzus, Whippets, Lowchens...if you're looking at Havanese there are also the Bolognese and Coton De Tulears.

Two worth a mention because they have great personalities even though there are health issues and you'd need to find really good breeders are pugs and cavalier king charles spaniels.

Maybe look at a Tibetan Terrier? They're not actually terriers but they are fab little dogs. I'd also recommend a Cavalier King Charles because they're brilliant family dogs.

I totally get you not wanting a rescue dog. That's entirely your prerogative and you shouldn't be 'bullied' into feeling bad because you don't want to explore that option.

I am definitely NOT looking for a fight. Good grief. Ender, like Fannywatsit that is your first comment to me. You are joining a discussion with no other comment other than lining up to criticise me, and you say I am looking for a fight.

Thank you florafoxley . It's nice to read your post. I know that you're right but just to read somebody else say it at the end of this thread, thank you. x

Zoe - Lonecat is a vet.....so I would think you should think about what she is saying.
Hang out here for a bit, and you will be astonished at the "I hate my Puppy", "it was the biggest mistake (getting a puppy)", "my puppy is just so naughty" (no its just a puppy), "I want to give my puppy away" threads, depressing but true.

What lone cat is saying is yes do your research on breeds, find one that is suitable, but the breed characteristics are a small part of what make it a fabulous family dog, it will be the work that is put in that makes it a fabulous family dog.

I would also say this about rare breeds (having one myself) is that really do you research on breeders - KC registered means nothing, find out about what Genetic diversity there is, that they are testing for everything they should be, and don't believe what they tell you on the face of it - as alot lie.

I don't see any comments on this thread that are 'bullying ' you into getting a rescue or trying to make you feel bad about getting a puppy . You asked for advice ,you got advice ,but you have chosen to take it as criticism .

Mrslaughin, thanks that is helpful. I don't care about pedigree as much as i care about health, so genetic diversity is a good point and I wouldn't hesitate to ask a breeder about that.

I don't want to be upset by the comments on this thread but I feel under the spotlight of a relentless beam of criticism and I just did NOT see that coming. What IS lonecat saying?! That I can't see in to the future? I know that obviously.

I recognise that most people are posting because they are dog lovers/vets/own rescue dogs, but twoposters Fanny and Ender just posted nothing but an insult .

Most of the time getting a puppy does works out. It might not, but it is more likely to work out if you do your research first and think about it all carefully first which is what I'm doing.

Right, going to hide the thread now, but I have stored the useful info in my head. thank you for the breed suggestions.

What I am saying is the biggest factor that allows getting a puppy to be right is putting in a tremendous amount of hard work training it to fit into your life.

Zoe - certianly ask the breeder, but then ask around about the breeder......ask to see the relevant health screens.
The breed I have is prone to hip and elbow problems - the first breeder I spoke to, said yes, all her dogs passed to screening...blah blah blah.....However, then later discovered, they had passed the elbow and hip screen, because they had been operated on - this is apparently acceptable to the KC.......they also appear to be breeding from a dog that is passing on epilepsy to some of its off spring, but there is never any mention of this......
so what I am saying, is the breeding world is a bitchy back biting place, many KC breeders are not what they seem, they don't necessary breed for temperament, or for healthy dogs (they breed for money and winning at shows) and they lie.

Zoe if you haven't flounced I can recommend an Affenpinscher breeder.

"I thought I wanted a puppy too, but I ended up adopting an adult dog who'd wound up in breed rescue through no fault of her own."

And I wanted an adult, female dog, but came home with a 14 week old male puppy. It really was love at first sight for both of us, I adore him. He ended up being rehomed because the people who originally owned him thought they had found the perfect dog for them, but didn't realise just how much hard work puppies can be.

OP, I know you said you grew up with dogs, but have you owned one as an adult - it is very, very different!

Well, OP if you do check back.

Since your timeframe is broad have you considered going to discover dogs?
We have been there a few times and helped people to contextualise the breed they were looking at. You may be surprised at how many people find a different breed, sometimes a complete curveball, that suits them better. Or have just smelled their first Otterhound
What is helpful is the dogs there are generally on more of a level playing field - to be able to be 'exhibited' they are often of similar levels of socialization and training so breed traits can be easier to generalise among the dogs of a particular breed as you see them in front of you. It is harder to extrapolate that with the one unusually bucolic spaniel or fizzy Spinone you may meet day to day.
Not that we've been for yonks so may have more up to date info from other posters.

What a weird thread though, I don't see the hostility in mentioning breed rescue, we have recently had a litter of puppies and several under ones in one of ours

When you go to a rescue centre they dont just march out some random dog and you have to take the first one they bring you know. I certainly wasnt criticising but hey ho.

I have experience of both rescue dogs and puppies. I dont love them any different to each other although I do admit to being utterly smitten at first sight with both my rescues. Saying that they weren't the first ones we saw it took time but its worth it toi find "the one".

I've had a rescue dog and wouldn't ever do it again. She came with all the problems which had caused her to be abandoned. Not her fault but she was all hard work and no fun.
Rescuing other people's failures is not what everyone can or wants to do.

Its not always like that though portrait - it sounds like the rescue centre wasn't entirely honest with you and there was a mismatach. I agree that many rescue dogs have some pretty severe issues. My first rescue was a rotweiller with food aggression issues, so certainly not for everyone! he was sat in the car many times ready to go back My most recent rescue is currently curled up on my lap and is the best behaved little dog I have ever shared my life with. I hate to admit it, as i feel a bit guilty about it but i think i probably have more love for the rescues than i have the dogs ive had from pups, im not sure why that is, maybe its because they hit the nurturing button a bit more as they have had a rough start in life.

Rescuing dogs isn't for everyone, but it is extremely rewarding and i would never consider a non-rescue now because im lazy and can't be doing with toilet training

My rescue wasn't a failure as a pet and she's made the transition from worker to pet remarkably well. Our previous rescue dog had a few issues - but with sensible training she turned out to be a fabulous family dog.

hahaha LEM - we even had to housetrain our 2yr+ recent rescue. And that meant teaching her that outside, not inside was where you did things.

yeah to be fair we had to teach our recent rescue to go outside, it didn't take too long, but when they are in kennels they just have to go so i suppose they get "trained" into going inside.

OP if you are still here - im sorry if you felt i gave you a hard time, its ok to want a specific breed of dog. I hope you find the right one for you.