Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

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

Original poster

I have done a very stupid thing

50 replies

RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 04/05/2017 13:36

Please don't slate me for this, I know it's a mess and I'm really just writing it down to beat myself up about.

DD wanted a dog, we have 2 already and all agreed that a 3rd would be fine. Our current 2 are big dogs and DD wanted a small one but a specific cross. Well DP actually found the X she wanted from a home breeder (doing a one-off litter), lived with other dogs, cats and kids - so absolutely perfect for our life. He is ready to collect this Sunday so assuming all is well he'll be home with us very soon.

My stupidity is that

  • we have been looking after a family dog this week and it has really upset my cats. She barks at them (only b/c she is young and wants to play) but the cats don't appreciate it at all. I have to feed them outside, they spend the day upstairs and then sleep in the garage. It is unfair on them but it is only a week.
  • I am due to look after a friend's dog at the end of the month and this is a problem. He absolutely hates cats and I have no doubt would try to kill them if he got hold of one. I looked after him last year and by having the upstairs/eating out arrangement all managed to go quite smoothly. He is in himself a lovely dog and again it's only a week so we coped although I felt awful for my poor cats. I can't believe I said I'd have him again after last year, but my friend looked after my 2 a couple of times so I felt honour bound to look after him in return.

However I now have to factor the puppy into the mix - we'll only have had him 3 weeks before friend's dog arrives and although we'll have introduced them before that I am still worried this could upset the pup. Not to mention the poor cats who'll only have had 3 weeks of their normal life before he arrives.

Friend doesn't have anyone else who can look after her dog and tbh she's not actually that helpful where he is concerned. I'm rather annoyed with her about it and will say no in the future but right at this moment I have to face it that her dog will be coming to me.

The only slight brightside is that it will be half-term so DD will be home to look after the puppy plus the doors will be open so all four will be able to come and go as they please.

But I'm still feeling worried about the whole thing. I feel that I'm not being fair to the cats (who I love) and that this might affect the puppy's development (although that might be over-projecting the whole thing).

I know no-one can help and I'll just have to get through it but OMG I'm such a fool.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 04/05/2017 13:42

You posted a thread about this exact cross didn't you? You were told it was daft to get a particular cross breed as your hold wanted that and nothing else, you said you could only find dodgy breeders on gumtree and people told you to stop looking for this cross breed.
You shouldn't be buying a dog for the child. Let alone a child who only wants this one particular breed.
I highly doubt this "breeder" had done any health tests or will only breed one litter.
So yes. A fool. Angry

GreenHairDontCare · 04/05/2017 13:45

You're going to have to say no to your friend. She'll have to make other arrangements.

Original poster
RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 04/05/2017 13:45

I'm a fool about the arrangement but there is nothing wrong with the breed we're going for. And no we didn't go through Gumtree, as you'll know having read the original thread I was very specific about not doing that.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 04/05/2017 13:47

It's not a breed. You won't find a "breeder" deliberately producing these puppies who is legitimate. The only reason anyone would be selling these puppies is for cash. They won't be health testing.

crazycatgal · 04/05/2017 13:50

Why are you going to look after your friends dog if your cats will potentially get injured or killed? Why is making your friend happy more important than the welfare of your own animals?

Honestly, I don't think you should get this puppy either.

Original poster
RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 04/05/2017 13:52

Leave it for goodness sake. It's nothing at all to do with the type of puppy. You said yourself in the original thread that you are not an experienced dog owner so please don't assume to know everything there is about dogs.

It's a cross-breed and yes people do specifically breed them. And yes some people do breed one litter at home if they have a bitch. I personally wouldn't and my bitch is spayed but I know a fair few people who have done this and are perfectly responsible and caring. God knows why they want to do it but there you go, it does happen.

OP posts:
Original poster
RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 04/05/2017 13:54

Yes the cats are more the issue and yes I am in a complete mess with the arrangement.

OP posts:
zenasfuck · 04/05/2017 13:55

What x breed mongrel is it ?

Wolfiefan · 04/05/2017 13:56

It happens for money.
I may not be an experienced owner but I have spent long enough around animals and welfare to know some things are a bad idea.
Getting a pet for a child
Buying from a puppy farmer
Seeking out a "designer" cross breed because it looks cute

Wolfiefan · 04/05/2017 13:57

Dachshund cross I believe

Original poster
RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 04/05/2017 13:57

It's a dachshund x with a Jack Russell.

I believe that they are cross-breeds when there are 2 breeds and become mongrels once 3 or more are involved in the parentage.

OP posts:
Judashascomeintosomemoney · 04/05/2017 13:57

Have you had your other dogs from puppies? IE do you know/can you remember how full on puppies are? I only ask as we have two older, laid back, easy, large breed dogs. We recently looked after DSDs Border Collie puppy. For two days! I thought I was going to go insane! My poor doggy boy thought she was making fun. At first. But honestly by the second morning I think if he could left home he would have done! There is no way on earth I could have also had another, less easy, dog visitor thrown in to the mix (and I'm quite well seasoned with dog ownership and training etc). I think you need to say to your friend, as soon as possible, that your sorry but you've misjudged things and you can't have him now. She'll just have to find a kennels or Barking Mad type arrangement.

Orangebird69 · 04/05/2017 13:57

Deliberate mongrel breeding is NOT a trait of perfectly responsible and caring people.

Original poster
RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 04/05/2017 13:58

Well you'll be glad to know that I've done none of those things then.

And I am an experienced dog owner so that should put your mind at rest further.

OP posts:
1happyhippie · 04/05/2017 13:58

I don't think I would be looking after other people's pets if it meant my own were suffering.
Your friend would probably be horrified if they realised the impact their dog is having on your cats!
Just tell your friend that it's not possible anymore. They will have to sort out other arrangements.
Regarding the new pup, surely you thought about the impact of getting another dog on the other pets you have? How olds your dd? Is she going to be the one caring for the pup?

BiteyShark · 04/05/2017 13:58

Are you able to segregate both the cats from the dog but also the dogs from the puppy as the puppy will probably need somewhere quiet and safe until he/she settles in.

Is it too late for your friend to make other arrangements?

Original poster
RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 04/05/2017 14:02

To answer Judas - my current pair are 6 and 5 so young enough to still enjoy a play but old enough to be calm most of the time. They are both well used to younger, smaller dogs and I'm not worried about them and the puppy.

Both are rescues but one came when he was about 8 weeks, the other was 6 months when I got her. One is purebred and the other a X.

I'm getting the sleeping bag down this weekend to prepare for a couple of weeks of disturbed nights whilst I house-train!!

Yes I think friend will have to sort it out.

OP posts:
Original poster
RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 04/05/2017 14:06

It's going to be difficult for friend as her dog has stomach issues and so she prefers to leave him with someone she can trust to look after him properly - stress causes his problems to flare up hence kennels are out of the question.

I can totally separate all the animals from each other when needed. It's not impossible from that aspect. My cats are my main concern- although for their state of mind not their actual lives!

OP posts:
GreenHairDontCare · 04/05/2017 14:07

I really don't get the crossbreed angst on here. It's not something I've ever encountered in real life.

And my beautiful chi x Jrt is sleeping on my lap as I typed this. I've had her since a puppy. The breeder was a reputable GSD breeder for years, highly thought of and well respected. I honestly don't see why people think everyone is a puppy farmer.

donquixotedelamancha · 04/05/2017 14:18

"Deliberate mongrel breeding is NOT a trait of perfectly responsible and caring people."

Why?

I chose my Pug cross to reduce the risk of health complications. Some breeds are becoming far to genetically narrow and crossbreeding is useful.

Elphaba99 · 04/05/2017 14:21

Nothing wrong with x breeds. What is wrong is breeders charging - and people paying - £850 or similar for a cross-breed. They charge pedigree prices appropriate for if the dog/bitch comes from a long line of champions. And the reason they charge up to £1000 is because people will pay it.

/rant

Anyway, OP - if you are sure you want to get puppy now as opposed to in the summer holidays, could the breeder not keep yours for an extra couple of weeks while you're looking after your friend's dog?

pipsqueak25 · 04/05/2017 14:24

as an 'experienced' and supposedly caring for animals why would you get another dog on he request of your dd [how old is she by the way ] and let your poor cats be in effected pushed out previously, who to say the same won't happen again.
then you have the audacity to get arsey with people giving an opinion that you actually asked for, you called yourself 'a fool' after all.

TempusEedjit · 04/05/2017 14:25

If your friend doesn't want to use kennels then she needs to pay for a dog sitter. I know she's looked after your dogs twice before but it sounds like you looking after her dog put you to a lot more trouble. You're not being awkward, you have to think of your poor cats. Even if you kept friend's dog in another room again your cats would still feel anxious with him being there. To have him again would be cruel.

EezerGoode · 04/05/2017 14:26

Why do people breed dogs if not for the money? So many dogs up for sale,puppies of all kinds £500 to £1000 or more per pup....that's why people breed dogs....anyone who really cared would get a rescue dog.there really should be more control over breeders..

pipsqueak25 · 04/05/2017 14:27

meant to ask why can't your 'friend' board her dog if it is that nasty with cats and you know it to be why the hell would you offer to look after it ? just explain to her and say no. if she doesn't like it that's tough.