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Original poster

Getting a puppy from an accidental litter

30 replies

CleverQuacks · 13/05/2018 19:02

So I know all the advice on her is to find a reputable breeder etc but a friend of mines dog has just had a litter of puppies. They are mixed breed (Mum is a cain terrier crossed with we don’t know what and dad is a chihuahua). Being my friend I know how much my friend loves and cares for her dog. It’s like her baby and I know the dog is kept as part of her family (not in the conditions associated with puppy farming). I am considering having one of the puppy’s as I have been planning on getting a dog anyway but what are people’s thoughts on this type of “breeder”. Obviously it was irresponsible of my friend not to get the dog spayed sooner but the puppies are here now and need homes.I know my friend will be getting the bitch spayed very soon and so this will be the bitches only litter.

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 13/05/2018 19:08

Are you happy with the pros and cons of all the breed mixes you have mentioned? After all you could be getting any mix of traits.

I presume accidental means the parents have had no health tests. How much do you know about the parents health?

Has your friend read up on all the things she needs to do when the puppies are born. I gather it's very hard work and requires a lot of effort and work to ensure they get the best start in life?

missbattenburg · 13/05/2018 19:10

Are you paying for the dog? If this really is an accidental litter then presumably not. If she is charging then this is not as innocent as it seems and someone is attempting to make money off the back of this 'accident'.

The risks here are that you don't know the health or temperament of the lineage, beyond knowing something of the mother and a bit less of the father.

Temperament and health is determined to a great deal by genetics. This dog could have a long line of wonderfully friendly, biddable, calm dogs with perfect genetics. Or the puppy could have a hyperactive grandparent, one with a short fuse, one with a particularly stubborn streak and one with diabetes.

Your life, your choice whether you want to risk it or not Smile

Original poster
CleverQuacks · 13/05/2018 19:17

Thanks guys. I would be paying for the puppy, not a lot though. I read it was bad for puppy’s to be given away for free because then they fall into the hands of dog fighters and things?

Health testing was my main concern. The parents haven’t had any tests. Reading up on the parents breeds they aren’t breeds that are prone to many health issues but obviously don’t no temperament etc of the gran parents so there is some risk there.

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 13/05/2018 19:27

Would she also be getting the puppies checked out by a vet, wormed and chipped before they leave? Any insurance?

Also what about a contract? Mine had one where we could return him if any certifiable condition was found within 1 week by a vet.

All things I would be looking for when getting a puppy.

fivedogstofeed · 13/05/2018 19:29

I know how much my friend loves and cares for her dog .... well actually no, if this was the case then she wouldn't have let her dog get pregnant.
These puppies need homes as much as any others - homes where they will be neutered and not allowed to perpetuate the cycle of 'accidental' litters. By all means buy one, and tell your friend to put the money towards getting her dog spayed.

Battleax · 13/05/2018 19:31

Thanks guys. I would be paying for the puppy, not a lot though. I read it was bad for puppy’s to be given away for free because then they fall into the hands of dog fighters and things?

Presumably your friend knows you’re not into dog baiting, though?

tabulahrasa · 13/05/2018 19:31

“I read it was bad for puppy’s to be given away for free because then they fall into the hands of dog fighters and things?”

She’s your friend, does she think you might use a puppy as a bait dog? Hmm

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 13/05/2018 19:32

I would be paying for the puppy, not a lot though. I read it was bad for puppy’s to be given away for free because then they fall into the hands of dog fighters and things?

Yes but this is your friend. She knows you aren’t the wrong hands so doesn’t need to charge you. Right?

afreshnewname · 13/05/2018 19:33

You shouldn't give dogs/puppies away so they don't fall into the wrong hands and end up in dog fighting rings BUT presumably your friend knows you well enough to know if you fight dogs? Charging you for an accidental puppy is a bit cheeky in my opinion

afreshnewname · 13/05/2018 19:33

Seems that everyone had the same thought there 😂

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 13/05/2018 19:34
Grin
Original poster
CleverQuacks · 13/05/2018 19:35

The puppy’s have all seen a vet already (they are a week old) and will be being wormed, fleed and chipped before leaving Mum.

I would also be getting my puppy neutered / spayed at the earliest opportunity.

Of course my friend knows I don’t fight dogs but I need to give her something to cover the puppys care. I wouldn’t feel right taking one for free.

OP posts:
Battleax · 13/05/2018 19:36

🙄😁

Sadsnake · 13/05/2018 19:36

I fail to see how that is an accidental pregnancy...people who don't want to make money from their pets ,get them spade.people who choose not to get their dogs spade clearly don't care for their welfare ,and are happy to financially benefit from their pets misery.as soon as she knew she had a female dog she should of factored in the cost of spading.

Battleax · 13/05/2018 19:37

You seem a bit muddled about what you’re paying for.

Floralnomad · 13/05/2018 19:37

I really doubt this litter is accidental however that wouldn’t stop me from having one of the pups if the price was right and it was the sort of dog I wanted . It might make me rethink being friends with this person though .

Ickyockycocky · 13/05/2018 19:38

As these puppies are here and need a loving home, I would go for it. Enjoy 🐶

fivedogstofeed · 13/05/2018 19:39

Genuinely accidental litters are as rare as people who don't know where babies come from.

Sadsnake · 13/05/2018 19:40

ive a friend who has a female dog,and takes great delight in all the stories of a near miss when the dog is in season...makes me so cross that she won't get her pet spade .she thinks she can manage the situation and she thinks she's saving money.

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 13/05/2018 19:41

Of course my friend knows I don’t fight dogs but I need to give her something to cover the puppys care.

Why? Did you ask her to breed the dogs?

tabulahrasa · 13/05/2018 19:41

No litter is accidental btw, there’s always the mismate jab or spaying after that...

But anyway, leaving aside the fact that your friend let a random dog at her while in season and then chose to let her go through pregnancy, birth and rearing a litter.

From the perspective of taking one, the puppies could be absolutely any combination of the breeds involved, including the unknown one and you’ll have no clue about health or temperament of the father.... so basically it’s complete pot luck what you’ll end up with.

Nesssie · 14/05/2018 10:21

It'll be fine. Crossbreeds are generally healthier than pedigrees anyway. Obviously you will be taking a chance with any health issues, but that's the same as rehoming a rescue dog tbh. Get it vet checked before you buy to make sure there isn't any obvious immediate heart problems etc.
Enjoy your puppy!

SpanielsAreNuts · 14/05/2018 10:59

I wouldn't. Its not just the health gamble and conformation risks (sometimes mixing breeds up can resulting puppies that have a poor shape/build, causing issues). Good breeders will have in depth knowledge of breeding, rearing and socialising puppies. When they first started out breeding they will have had a mentor available at all times of day and night for advice and support, to ensure they give the pups the best possible start.

Your friend presumably had none of that?

Also I don't believe she can deeply care about her dog and have had an accidental litter. She chose not to spay her dog, it was therefore her responsibility to ensure her female was kept safe from entire males, when she was in season. Not only did she fail to do that, she then failed to get her dog the doggy version of the 'morning after pill' or to get her spayed straight away. Instead she chose to have these puppies, with no health tests on parents, no knowledge of lineage, and presumably without mentor to ensure the puppies are given the best start and early socialisation (which isn't actually about meeting other animals, but lots of small positive experiences, with various situations, to get puppy to grow up confident and secure to face the world.

I don't think that's the actions of a caring owner.

pigsDOfly · 14/05/2018 13:47

Your friend is either incredibly irresponsible or is lying to you. No caring owner allows their bitch to have an 'accidental' mating resulting in puppies.

That apart, people get puppies from rescues all the time where the history is completely unknown and there have been no health checks so this really isn't any different from that.

Just be aware though, that you will be taking on a combination of breeds; could be good, could be bad. You won't know until puppy starts to grow.

Just make sure you get the puppy all their jabs, get good insurance and train it well.

The puppies need a home, if you think you can give one a good home, go for it.

TossDaily · 14/05/2018 13:52

Genuine question to pps who are saying the OP shouldn't take a puppy.

What should happen to the pups now, seeing as they're already here?