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The doghouse

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

Original poster

I'll admit to being scared to post here..puppies.

141 replies

harryhausen · 13/02/2015 15:07

Hello. I've been lurking here for a long time.

In about 12 weeks we will hopefully be bringing home our new family puppy.its not even born yet! Both dh and I have had dogs in our family before but weren't the primary carers. I think I will need a fair bit of advice.

I have to admit that I'm scared of posting here. I'm certain I will be told that everything I've done/choose will be wrong and I'm not an 'experienced' dog owner so am irresponsible. Call me paranoidGrin. Please tell me it's okay to post for puppy advice?

In RL, I have much conflicting advice from dog owner friends. I've been told to get a puppy/not to get a puppy etc. I get conflicting advice on best breeds etc.

I've been researching for a long time. Over 2 years. We're on a waiting list for a breeder who specialises in labradoodles and 'poo' dogs. We're on a waiting list for a Yorkiepoo. This is because we want a smallish dog with less shedding as possible.

I work from home in a garden office so the dog will be with me all day. We have a large garden and a huge green area opposite our house. My dcs are 10 and 7. Ds and I have an animal hair allergy but it is eased with antihistamines. My dh will brush the dog regularly.

I have a lot to learn. I'm excited but apprehensive. Please tell me my decisions so far are okay and it's okay to come backGrin.

OP posts:
Buttholelane · 13/02/2015 16:27

Also, £1095 for a crossbred?!
That is insane.
You could get a well bred, well socialised, vaccinated, microchipped, kc Reg Yorkie or toy poodle for between £500 and £800....

The comment 'the coat can be left uncut' concerns me greatly aswell.

If your pup inherits a poodle type coat it WILL need cutting.
A non shedding coat does shed..straight into the new coat!
And it grows and grows and grows and grows......
The coat is high maintenance, you will need to be very careful to groom out dead hair thoroughly and get it clipped regularly!

The Yorkie coat, as far I am aware, grows constantly also and will need frequent trimming.
It's also fine and prone to tangling so again, you will need to groom thoroughly.

needastrongone · 13/02/2015 16:28

How about the bitches that provide them though? Sad And, as butt says, I want my puppy to have been brought up within a family environment, handled daily, socialised extensively, by adults, children, strangers. It's impossible to do that breeding that many dogs.

alwayssleepy · 13/02/2015 16:29

Wentwood is considered a puppy farm, with a glossy website, on a few doggy forums I use. Anywhere that needs 10 'whelping kennels' and has a pet shop license (which means you can also buy in and sell puppies), sounds like a puppy farm to me.

KittiesInsane · 13/02/2015 16:30

ggirl, I've known some lovely Tibetan terriers, but the general view seems to be they're stubborn blighters -- was yours easy to train? (Apart from training to pose for photos!)

needastrongone · 13/02/2015 16:30

Just think, if you are going to invest in a family pet, that will be part of your life for 10 plus years, I wouldn't be taking a chance here.

ganeshamouse · 13/02/2015 16:34

Please don't buy a dog from there - as others have said, it's a puppy farm. Find a reputable breeder who keeps their dogs in a home environment and who isn't breeding more puppies than they can sell (check out the "reduced puppies" page on the Wentworth website). Also, a decent breeder will be more interested in checking out your suitability as a dog owner than in taking an inflated sum of money off you.

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 16:36

Ok. Point takenHmm.

Back to square one then. I never thought it would be so hard to buy a puppy.

OP posts:
Nearasdammit · 13/02/2015 16:38

Yep. Puppy farm. Disgusting.

Floralnomad · 13/02/2015 16:39

Frankly it's worth travelling as far as necessary to get the right puppy - 70 miles is nothing , if you want a Norfolk terrier find a breeder you like and wait for the right pup - good luck .

MrsDeVere · 13/02/2015 16:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

monkeyfacegrace · 13/02/2015 16:41

Yep, you lost me at 'poo' dogs Wink

Lots of rescues rehome to families with kids.

And why won't you drive more than 70 miles? It's a 10-15 year commitment. One day travelling for the correct dog is insignificant.

There are so many yorkies that need a home. Please don't pay stupid money and assist BYB.

I mean all that in a nice way too, not in a snarly way!

TheCunnyFunt · 13/02/2015 16:42

May I ask why you don't just go for a pedigree Poodle? If you have allergies then surely it would make sense to go for a dog guaranteed not to shed rather than a dog which might not Confused

ErrolTheDragon · 13/02/2015 16:43

Harry - seriously thank you for taking the point! (the scraps that happen in the doghouse are usually when people ask for advice and then won't take it.)

There may be people who can suggest good alternatives, maybe you might want to start a new thread when you've had time to mull it over a bit more?

monkeyfacegrace · 13/02/2015 16:45

www.manytearsrescue.org/display_mtar_dog.php?id=12673

Here you go. A 2 minute search and I've found literally 20 yorkies and small poodle crosses that need a home.

This one is particularly gorgeous!

ErrolTheDragon · 13/02/2015 16:46

One day travelling for the correct dog is insignificant.

well, ideally more than one day TBH - ideally one to suss out the place, one to choose a pup from the actual litter and finally to pick it up. But even so, worth the effort.

MrsDeVere · 13/02/2015 16:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

monkeyfacegrace · 13/02/2015 16:47

www.manytearsrescue.org/display_mtar_dog.php?id=12151

This is the mum. Who also needs a home Sad

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 16:47

Thecunnyfruit, this may sound crazy but I don't love pure poodles. My GM used to run a poodle parlour in the 80's and I used to spend a lot of time there with lots of poodles who were being pampered and trimmed etc. done of them weren't in the best of moods. I think since then I've just not been keen.

Going for a poodle cross I was hoping to dilute the poodle a bitGrin. They're great dogs, but I like them quite scruffy and smaller.

OP posts:
monkeyfacegrace · 13/02/2015 16:48

There are a gazillion puppies in rescue too though. Lots are born in rescue centres, so haven't had a bad start to life.

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 16:50

Thank you everyone. I need to have a big talk with dh tonight and a lot more looking. Feeling a bit nervous if honest. I don't trust anything right now.

OP posts:
MrsDeVere · 13/02/2015 16:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 16:53

Thanks monkey. I briefly had a look into puppies at rescue centres near me and was put off a bit as I was told they hardly ever have puppies to rehome.

I just need to keep trying I guess.

OP posts:
Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 16:55

I think I feel silly going to a rescue for a small breed puppy/young dog of a breed that won't shed. Maybe I'm being silly but I think they may laugh me out of the place. It's quite specific.

OP posts:
Scuttlebutter · 13/02/2015 16:57

As others have said, it's a puppy farm, and I'm glad you're no longer going there.

There are absolutely MASSES of rescues that will adopt to families with DC - you honestly can't have looked very hard, and there are also plenty of puppies in rescue, often born while in the care of a loving foster home, so they get a great start in life.

Just a few rescues that will be able to rehome a dog with you (most have a sensible dog by dog approach). Hope Rescue - excellent all breed rescue. Four Paws Rescue - another excellent all breed outfit. Hounds First rescue - sighthounds, whippets and lurchers. Most greyhound rescues (which incidentally are brilliant if you have an allergy). Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher Rescue. Wiccaweys collie rescue. The list goes on. Dogs Trust do for some of their dogs. Good luck with your search.

TheCunnyFunt · 13/02/2015 16:58

I hate to tell you but a poodle cross is no guarantee that it'll be less poodley, I know a cockerpoo that is almost pure poodle! If I didn't know he was a cross I would assume he was a pedigree!