Thank you for all the replies.
I completely understand what everyone is saying. I have had dogs my whole life.
I have had dogs from various sources over the years.
I've dogs from local people who have had a surprise litter, dogs from breeders who were kc reg, dogs from cat and dog home and a Great Dane from a breeder who was recommended to me by dane owners.
The dog who was healthiest, hardiest and most loyal was a wee mongrel from the pound. Got her when I was 19 and she died last year aged 18. Even now I could cry typing this. She was just the best wee dog. It was like she felt I had saved her and she was just connected to me. Out of the dogs I have had she wasn't the best looking or the easiest going but she is the one who completely stole my heart. And I really have loved ALL my dogs.
My pedigree Great Dane from the recommended breeder had the most trouble. Perhaps just relating to the breed but it makes me feel so much about dogs is luck.
We now have a dog pound rescue who we got two years ago. He is a huge chocolate labradoodle now 6 years old. He has been fantastic with the children and I feel we were lucky to find him. Which happened by sheer chance. We went to the home to find a SMALL dog and the biggest dog chose us!
I still feel I would like a small dog. I also miss having a bitch. My children have never experienced the joy of a puppy.
Since looking I have come across stuff that makes me want to cry. People selling their unspayed 2 year old and ad says 'not neutered and due to come into season soon'. I feel so angry when I read that. Some people are disgusting.
The thing with this puppy was it looked like my old mongrel. My wee love. It was just a wee cross breed and when I contacted the woman at first there was no indication of her being a breeder. She said it was a mistake. Dog had come on holiday and her dog came into season. So I had already seen photographs etc when I came across her ad for other 'well bred, pedigree pups'. It was in this ad she said she was a licensed breeder.
I won't buy the pup from her. I won't allow myself to be that irresponsible but it was hard once I had seen the pup and her looking like my old girl.
I have been in touch with a kc assured breeder as recommended by the breed club but tbh she was just horrible. I know it must be hard to sieve through the buying on a whim people and the responsible forever home people but she was just bloody rude.
The whole thing is a minefield. I'm not sure which is most difficult finding the 'right' breed for us or the 'right breeder'.
Feeling very disheartened. 