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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

I think I just bought a puppy!

85 replies

CakeyCakeyCakey · 10/06/2014 18:10

It's a gorgeous black springer x cocker spaniel. A really pretty 8 week old girl, hopefully I'll pick her up in two weeks.
I could have her tomorrow but it'll take me two weeks to get te money together, I'm slightly stressed that I'm getting her from a woman who's only had her a week but needs to pass her on as her son is allergic. She's going to keep her for me but if her little boy gets worse she says she will have to let her go to someone else.
I'll have to try and scrape the money together from somewhere quicker.
I'm a little excited but wary it's a scam or something, she'll get no money from me till I have the dog and I'll keep half back till we take her straight to the vets, she'll get the other half when she's had a clean bill of health.

What have I forgotten to fret about? What do I need to buy? Should I hold off buying anything till I have the dog in my hands?
Am I being scammed?
Am I neurotic?

Am I too excited? We've been discussing this forever and were let down twice this week with other dogs.

OP posts:

SnakeyMcBadass · 12/06/2014 10:45

Cakey, I have a sprocker and bought him in similar circumstances. He's now nearly 3. He has been to the vet 32 times, is highly strung and dog aggressive. I am on my knees and came very close to rehoming him a matter of weeks ago. I can only hope that you spare yourself this heartache. The pup is almost certainly puppy farmed, and you have no way of knowing what sort of dog it will turn in to.

LtEveDallas · 12/06/2014 10:51

If I were in charge of the UK (oh how I wish ) I would reinstate compulsory dog licenses and make them much dearer - and to get a licence you would have to prove the dog had been chipped, vaccinated, vet registered and insured - including 3rd party insurance.

I'd place a one year ban on ALL breeding, extended if Rescues remain full.

After that I would make Breeders pay, yearly, for a licence to Breed that would make it impossible to make any money from the breeding of dogs - that way I believe that only those doing it for the love of the Breed would continue. It would be compulsory for Breeders to obtain full health checks, chips and vaccinations before passing the puppies on and they would be contracted to to take puppies back for up to a year after.

...but then I'm a bitch

Joking aside, this country is in a terrible state at the present. Something needs to be done, but it will take someone with balls to do it - and I don't think we have anyone.

Gileswithachainsaw · 12/06/2014 10:56

Not a bitch at all :o

I expect rescue centres and vets are tearing their hair out!!

GobblersKnob · 12/06/2014 11:39

My first dog looked what so many people would consider to be ideal on paper, breed that is considered good with children, excellent breeder, met both parents, both gorgeous in temperament, breeder breeding only to improve her own line, life time back up etc, etc. Sadly despite all the right training and good socialization my pup turned out to be quite uncomfortable around children, foolishly I decided he would be okay with my own children, missed all the warning signs and ended up with a badly bitten 7 month old baby.

Mostly my fault and hindsight is a lovely thing, however it does show with the best will in the world and a lovely will bred puppy things can still go horribly wrong.

I now have a rescue dog who I feel very confident with as I got her as a young assessed adult, knowing already that she was very comfortable with and indeed actively seeks out the company of young children.

Personally I would always now advise people to choose the latter option.

GobblersKnob · 12/06/2014 11:52

Sorry just realised it sounds like my latest dog was a replacement, I lost my old dog four years ago and ds (who was bitten) is now ten. I kept my first dog for the rest of his life, though it was a logistical nightmare of baby gates and time sharing.

The behaviourist who's advice we sought thought that ds and the dog could be integrated again, but I was never brave enough, maybe with hindsight I should of tried but having seen tiny ds go down for surgery once, it wasn't a risk I could take.

moosemama · 12/06/2014 12:23

I'd vote for you LtEve

Bubble2bubble · 12/06/2014 16:01

I would also vote for you LteEve
I am in Northern Ireland where dog licences and microchipping are both now compulsory but where it is sadly going to be a very long time before it becomes socially unacceptable for anyone and everyone to breed their dog for profit but that's a whole other thread so I will shut up now

LtEveDallas · 12/06/2014 18:12

Excellent, only a couple of million more voters to go

Gileswithachainsaw · 12/06/2014 18:21

1 million nine hundred thousand nine hundred and ninety nine- u have mine

Original poster

CakeyCakeyCakey · 12/06/2014 20:07

I just got a call that they're no longer selling the puppy.
I think I asked too many questions.

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 12/06/2014 20:18

I think you have had a lucky escape ,have a look at Many Tears and see what they've got available.

CMOTDibbler · 12/06/2014 20:21

I think you've had a lucky escape there.

EGLR rehome to people with small children, and have had 17 puppies born in foster in the last couple of weeks, let alone all the other dogs that need homes, so have a look at them maybe

SpicyPear · 12/06/2014 20:24

Cakey when buying a puppy it is not possible to ask too many questions so it really is for the best.

Original poster

CakeyCakeyCakey · 12/06/2014 20:27

I admit my heart overran my head and I was completely unreasonable.
It was lucky really.

I'll look into those rescues, spam me with ideas!

OP posts:

SpicyPear · 12/06/2014 20:36

Hey don't feel bad. It's very easy to get swept along. You came and got some advice and you'll have that in your mind as you go on with your dog search.

LEMmingaround · 12/06/2014 20:36

Cakey - you might want to check your pdsa entitlement. They are after all a charity run for those who cannot afford bills for existing pets. You have to be on means tested benefits. Tax credits doesn't count. I don't want to be mean but if you would be relying on a charity to cover vets bills then don't get s dog. Pet insurance would cover major vets bills. Obv not vaccinations etc but if you are banking on pdsa then you might be disappointed. Your dh is working so I dont think pdsa will do it. Sorry x

batteryhen · 12/06/2014 20:40

Cakey where I work they sometimes look for homes for retired police dogs. Not just german shepherds etc but spaniels too. That might be an idea?

BravePotato · 12/06/2014 20:51

Too many questions? Hmmm

I got a "reject" puppy from a breeder she had been returned to.

She had as many questions to ask me, as I had to ask her.

Good luck, there is a perfect dog out there for you, somewhere!

Original poster

CakeyCakeyCakey · 12/06/2014 20:51

And the right things to do and ask.

OP posts:

Original poster

CakeyCakeyCakey · 12/06/2014 21:01

I get three of the entitlements that allow me to access pdsa. I wouldn't use it except in an emergency. I steady have a vets.
I'm not "banking on the pdsa" as I've explained twice already.

I just want a nice dog to fit into our family and grow up with my ds, I always had dogs as a child and wouldn't have survived a lot of things that happened without my best doggy friends to talk to. Ds it's going to have the turbulent childhood I did but I think all kids should have a best doggy friend.
The whole thing is much harder than I thought, researching breeds and temperaments, finding dogs only to be let down, this was the third time.
I'm just getting so upset by it all!

OP posts:

MySpideySenseTickles · 12/06/2014 21:03

Ugh typos

I already have vets

Ds won't have my childhood.

LtEveDallas · 12/06/2014 21:43

Do try Many Tears love, they will rehome to homes with kids - as long as you pass the checks. They've got 20 or so puppies less than a year old at the moment, plus some slightly older dogs that have been tested around kids (look for the ones in Foster homes). I have to say I'm glad that the dog fell though, sorry for you of course, but remember it could have been much worse.

If you are anywhere near Oxfordshire I would also recommend Ardley Kennels, the owner of that is a good 'un.

Good luck in your hunt, and don't forget we need photos when you get your pup

SpicyPear · 12/06/2014 22:14

It might help if you don't mind saying whereabouts, roughly, you live.

LaBelleDameSansPatience · 13/06/2014 05:35

I live roughly in the Dorset, S somerset, W Wiltshire area and I am looking for a puppy. Sorry to hijack ... have looked on all the websites recommended and seen no suitable puppy ... Cavaliers with heart problems seem to be the only puppies on there ... Can't take a lurcher as we have various small pets which mustn't be eaten ... Any ideas?
Totally agree about irresponsible breeding; have a friend who does this and find it very annoying, especially since her breeds are those which one thinks shouldn't be perpetuated anyway, due to multiple health problems.

BravePotato · 13/06/2014 07:55

Shame you can't have a lurcher, we love ours as she has the sweetest nature and my kids adore her. But yes, maybe not compatible with small furries.

Unless small furries kept in cage?

Our lurcher is cat friendly btw, quite a few are.

Lots of lurchers in rescue too

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