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The doghouse

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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:
monkeyfacegrace · 13/02/2015 16:59

Don't be ridiculous! I volunteer for somewhere, and I'd much rather somebody was up front than possibly took a dog that wasn't suitable. Trust me, we have MUCH more specific requests than that.

If you give the criteria, I could find you a puppy. Easy as that. And you're only looking at around a £200 donation so you can buy me wine and flowers with the change Grin

ggirl · 13/02/2015 17:00

KittiesInsane- yes Tibetans are quite stubborn and aren't as easy to train as other dogs Ive had. They need to be able to see the reason you're asking them to do something.But once you've got their attention they do well with obedience and agility. Totally in love with the breed , they have hilarious personalities.

TheCunnyFunt · 13/02/2015 17:02

Do you like whippets? I have terrible dog allergies but I'm fine with greyhounds and my friends whippet. A greyhound would be too big for you but whippets are smaller, with a bit more energy, they're not scruffy though, they're very sleek but on the upside mud doesn't stick to them, it dries and falls off! Whippets love nothing more than a snuggle on the sofa, they are so loving and make fantastic family pets :)

averylongtimeago · 13/02/2015 17:02

Don't be put off - it takes time to find the "right" breeder. Some people like the designer cross "poo" type dogs, some always say rescue, other will only go for their favourite pedigree ....and they often argue their point very strongly indeed!
Work out what you would like in a dog and go on from there - it's fine to ask questions - you can always ignore the posters who think they are in AIBU!

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 17:03

Thanks Monkey. I may well come back for some help with the search but at the moment I need to sit and have a word with the rest if the family.

OP posts:
MrsDeVere · 13/02/2015 17:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheHoneyBadger · 13/02/2015 17:05

weird they don't mention lhasa apsos on that list. if kept in a shortish coat they are very easy maintenance and lovely dogs (bit biased maybe) and make great alarm dogs for genuine intruders/strange noises without being yappy for no reason like some smaller breeds are.

the reality is though that no breeder should ever claim their breed will be great for allergy sufferers as not all people are even allergic to shedded hair - sometimes it's the saliva for example. certainly no crossbreeder should claim it as there is no guarantee of whether the dog will even be a non shedder in many of these pairings.

i agree by the way that 70miles is absolutely nothing for the right dog - a few long journeys as opposed to more than a decade of living with an animal? really it's nothing. you want a puppy that has been raised in the home amongst all the normal noises and routines and ideally handled by children very regularly and in the midst of family life. i bred a litter last year (shoot me i know) and this is how they were raised and they were all so healthy and happy and confident and their new owners were delighted with how fantastically they adjusted to new homes and how affectionate and confident and happy they were as members of a new family. it is so important to know how they've been cared for in those first couple of months - it's the equivalent of the first couple of years of a child's life as in the foundation of the whole emotional and psychological make up as daft as that may sound.

i was so proud of how lovely and set up for new homes the puppies we raised were and how wonderfully their mum did with my help. i still get pictures and updates from their owners and feel proud of them and how well they're doing.

TheHoneyBadger · 13/02/2015 17:08

agree also by the way that it can be impossible to rescue a dog - i couldn't find anywhere that would let me rescue with a child in the house. it was so sad and frustrating to be endessly calling and emailing and never even getting replies most of the time unless i managed to catch a voice instead of an answermachine.

BlueKarou · 13/02/2015 17:09

Lawks... Not judging you, OP, but am massively judging that breeder. That is not a small family business, that is a puppy factory.

Those prices are ridiculous for crossbreeds.

The worst of it is that they're breeding so many puppies they have a 'reduced to clear' section. There's a cocker spaniel x poodle which has reached 15 weeks (they seem to let them go at 8) and is practically half price; presumably because it's not a cute little puppy any more...

Good on you for backing off now you know what they are.

My main question to you would be; does it have to be a puppy? There are breed rescues who might have slightly older dogs - a 18-24 month will still be bouncy and will probably be most of the way through the chewy, not-house-trained phase!

Also, I don't think most rescues would find you silly for having a clear idea of what you want - better that than someone with no clue! You might get a fair few saying they don't have anything suitable in need of rehoming at that minute, but if you can get on their radar and just keep going back to them your persistence will hopefully pay off.

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 17:10

Thanks Mrs Devere. It's very supportive to hear all that! I'm feeling quite stupid and crap at the moment. I've spent nearly 2 years looking at breeds, allergy advice, buy a puppy v adopt a dog etc....but still don't seem to have looked very hard at all!

About 3 of my nearest rescue centres were very against rejoining to a home with children and only seemed to have Staffies! I'll admit It kind of put me off a bit.

But I will carry on.

OP posts:
Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 17:13

Bluekarou, I know it sounds silly and I know the tiny puppy stage doesn't last for a long time but I really wanted the experience of having a young puppy.

OP posts:
monkeyfacegrace · 13/02/2015 17:16

Harry you sound mega sensible and not silly at all.

Local rescues do tend to just have staffs, that's true. It's the breed specific countrywide rescues that'll be of more use.

Worth giving Pip or Lyn a call at Evesham Greyhound and Lurcher rescue if you decide you want a whippety/lurcher thing. They are fab and have puppies all the time.

tabulahrasa · 13/02/2015 17:16

Don't feel stupid or crap...it really is hard to find a good breeder, especially of crosses.

For future reference, a council licence is not a good thing, you need one if you're breeding 5 litters a year or more, breeders that boast about having one are pretty much relying on people not knowing that decent breeders won't breed that many litters.

BlueKarou · 13/02/2015 17:20

Doesn't sound silly at all. I got a 4 month old puppy about 18 months ago, so I totally understand. Just wanted to put the question out there in case it was something you'd consider!

TheHoneyBadger · 13/02/2015 17:22

whippets are lovely!

there actually aren't enough lifetimes to have all the lovely breeds that there are out there Grin

EasyToEatTiger · 13/02/2015 17:27

Poodles are fantastic dogs. I think, though I may be wrong, that water dogs are less likely to shed than other dogs. In your research it is really worth going to Crufts and wandering round the Discover Dogs section. Discover Dogs happens all over the country and can be really useful for looking at different breeds and asking questions. This Kennel Club link may be worth a look at. www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-puppy/finding-the-right-dog/non-shedding-breeds-of-dog/. I can understand your predgudices against poodles. They are actually fantastic dogs and you don't need to give them odd haircuts. We all think we know what a fancy poodle looks like. I was quite surprised when I saw an ordinary one.

We've just got our first puppy. They are exhausting. Puppyhood will rumble on for at least 18 months and it's only then that you can start to relax a bit. Puppies are cute and cuddly, but so is a teddy bear! A pup is a huge amount of work! Our little girl's pin teeth are not quite big enough to shred everything she comes into contact with. Give it a little bit of time....

notarehearsal · 13/02/2015 17:30

Shame about not choosing Norfolk Terriers as you mentioned , I've got two, they're smashing dogs imo. However, they do shed a lot and that's even with four monthly hand stripping at a groomers so may not have been ideal

EasyToEatTiger · 13/02/2015 17:34

When dh and I went to look for a dog in the first place we did a lot of research and went to dog show after dog show, spoke to breeders, and looked at rescue. We researched Vislas and thought they were the dog for us. We went to a rescue centre thinking we'd come home with a gundoggy dog. But no, we came home with a border collie. I had not thought in a fit of monkeys that I could deal with a collie. The following year we rehomed another and now we have 4 aged between 8 weeks and 17 years.

needastrongone · 13/02/2015 17:37

Don't even think you are being silly. I am so glad you posted.

Dogs Trust will definitely re-home to families. When we started looking, they even had a litter of 'sprockers' and a litter of Dalmations in. We were just not quite ready at that time, but they were happy to re-home to us, as first time owners.

Our Springer's breeder was found via Champdogs, as was our working cocker. Ddog1 breeder was a breeder in the sense that all the relevant health checks were in place for sire and dam, and they had full pedigrees and were lovely examples of the breed, but, primarily she wanted another puppy as her eldest dog was ageing. So, she's only ever had two litters, hardly 'big time'

But, she was a childminder and the litter had 14 in it, so, needless to say, ddog1 is bombproof!!! By the time we got him, he'd been handled to death Smile

Ddog2 came from very strong working stock, and the parents are field champions. Our breeder had 5 pups to working homes booked even before thinking of breeding, and wanted another worker for himself, therefore did have a litter. Therefore, he's had a few more litters, but only breeds a pup when he wants another, and has 7 working in the field.

For me, these a valid reasons to breed. Others might not think not.

It's worth taking time OP, and asking the questions, which you have. That's very sensible imho.

Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 17:37

Thanks again everyone. I have a lot of reading and thinking to do! I'm as confused as ever about breeds now.

I am really prepared to put in the work for a puppy, but will keep an open mind.

OP posts:
Original poster
harryhausen · 13/02/2015 17:39

I think it's the low shedding thing that's my stumbling block.

OP posts:
TheHoneyBadger · 13/02/2015 17:41

go lhasa - naturally non shedding pedigree, hale and hearty, long life span and good alarm dogs. just don't mistake them for a toy breed or a handbag dog.

Nationalmust · 13/02/2015 17:43

You aren't doing bad at all, plenty of us buy first and learn later:)

Think nationwide and breed specific for rescue (many have crosses of that breed too) and use everyone who offers to help:)

I have had lots of rescues whilst having babies, toddlers and older kids. It can be done. Cheaper and more satisfying and you still get a puppy without having supported some puppy farm.

GandalfsOtherHat · 13/02/2015 17:47

Hi Harry, I Absolutely get why you would like a puppy rather than a rescue, I would like a dog from 'puppyhood' too and hoping for a GR pup at the end of April. Have you considered Cavalier King Charles spaniels? If irresponsibly bred, they could have many health problems, but there is quite a drive within the breed to 'breed out' the problems and produce healthy pups. They seem lovely dogs and would have been top of my list is DH wasn't desperate for a GR (he's had many since childhood, last one died aged 15). Good luck with your search.

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