Talk me out out of impulse puppy purchase!

[AtomicTit]

We decided we wanted to get a dog a few months ago. Did our research, decided on a lab and a local training club and agreed to wait until after Christmas before looking for a puppy. Have two cats and one ds who is 7.

I was just supposed to be having a look at puppy prices in our area.

There is an 11 week old Jack Russel girl, gorgeous but the saddest looking thing. In a metal cage without even a blanket.

Being advertised as having all her KC papers, vaccine card etc. but is being sold as she is ‘an unwanted birthday gift’

Talk me down.

I know there are many sensible reasons why it isn’t a great idea to leap in to my car and go get her. But if it’s possible to fall in love with a photo I think I just have. I know they are sharks at this age but though inexperienced I few I can handle it (joined an excellent group on Facebook recommended on here).

(Possibly relevant information - have just had a miscarriage, confirmed as complete three days ago. Hormones/emotions are all over the place at the moment.)

I don’t think we got ours from a puppy farm but he was certainly cheap!

He’s a lab and cost £350 just before lockdown and was an impulse purchase ( kind of)

No regrets. Best thing we ever did.

We won’t be trying for any more dc, we have been trying since ds was 2. This mc was physically much worse than the others so we have decided to stop.

Logically I do understand what is being said, and completely agree.

It’s almost like a physical ‘need’ and compulsion to go and get her/protect her/love her! A puppy I’ve only seen two pictures of.

I’m going to sit somewhere quietly for an hour and try to calm down and switch my higher brain back on...

As you have children and hope to have another baby, - I’m so sorry about the miscarriage, I’d steer well clear of a potentially unsocialised JRT.
As a ratting breed, they are very nippy and can be very reactive and aggressive. I was brought up in the country and every dog was either a lab or a JRT. I have known two soft ones and countless Tasmanian Devil dogs who bit postmen, visitors and had to be kept well away from children.

One, Whisky, was my friend’s “family” dog. He wasn’t allowed near us.

They are lovely, brave, intelligent little dogs, but I wouldn’t have one in a million years. They need lots of exercise and stimulation, lots of training and socialisation and my youngest Dd has Cerebral Palsy and is clumsy and jerky, a bit like a fully grown toddler.

Sorry, - I just crossed with your latest post.
💐

Ah! That could work!

I don’t want to contribute to puppy farming but...

It would make me feel much better to know she was out of there.

If I call up the local rescue would they do that do you think? I could pay her purchase price and maybe an extra donation for her care/to the rescue.

COntact a rescue, give them the money to buy the puppy and they will then give it life time support.

Then go back to researching your original breed.

There are huge issues with getting a dog that you do not know the history off and has not been assessed by a rescue. DO not do this to your family.

I am really sorry about your miscarriage and hope that they new labrador puppy can bring a bit of love and laughter back into your families life. Also that warm glow you can get from rescuing and supporting a terrier to ensure it gets the right home (which is not yours!)

This is such a dilemma, I'd be very tempted to just go get her regardless. My thinking is that if she has behavioural issues I couldn't handle I'd pass her on to a shelter and if she needs so much medical treatment that I can't afford it, I'd try to fund raise. Worst case scenario she has to be put to sleep, but at least, I'd have tried and she will have been loved.

My DP on the other hand would think I was insane and he might be right, but thinking and wondering if she's ok would be really hard for me.

I love PolyRoulsons suggestion, best of both worlds.

I'd have to go and get her 💔

I love dogs but would never get a terrier from unknown breeders, unknown parents, unknown first 8 weeks of life....with young children

You can’t “undo” all damage, you see

It could be disaster and what would that achieve

Sorry, but I would not

I would be extremely concerned in this situation that the puppy had a medical condition of some sort. As it seems hard to believe that they are genuinely selling a dog purchased recently for £1400 for £200. Be extremely wary.

Friends of mine recently purchased a puppy who has been diagnosed with a heart condition. Surgery has cost thousands with a specialist vet & the dog is likely to have a short life span.

I'm not saying that this is the case here, but having volunteered in dog rescue previously, I am aware of how many people are prepared to lie. Don't take anything on face value. This might not be the cheap price that it seems, but could cost you dear in the long run.

Also, there is a huge difference in the size and characters of labradors and Jack Russell's. Be sure of what you really want and don't just be swayed by a cute puppy face. A snap decision could be a 15 year commitment and maybe not to your breed of choice.

Good luck with whatever you decide and sending

I would feel the same OP but I would be wary about making a 15 year commitment to a dog because you feel sad for it. It could work out fine or it could not. I'd be tempted to buy it and then work with a rescue to find a suitable home. The only pitfall in this is if the dog needs expensive treatment and that cost then falls on the rescue. So tricky, I don't envy you.

Don't do it. You won't get the family dog you're dreaming of. You could end up with a dog with lots of health and behavioural problems who needs their environment constantly managing. Those relaxing family walks, having your DC friends over to play, all the reasons for wanting a dog may be compromised. I speak from experience.

Jack Russell Terriers are not KC registered and nor do they cost £1400

I have one

Now a parsons jack Russell maybe KC registered, not sure, and may cost £1400. But be careful. My mother had one and it bit a lot and in the hand had to be pts.

Proper jack Russell terriers are great dogs, but need lots of exercise

Sorry but she will almost certainly be from a puppy farm (with fake KC papers). A reputable breeder would have vetted the home she was going to, not allowed her to be given as a surprise birthday gift (which was not wanted). They would also take her back if the placement fell through.

@Chloemol see my post up thread. They can be, recently. Parsons are KC registered, 1400 high for either but that will be area dependent.

I'd buy it before anyone else can get it. Poor baby, this is why pets are never bought as gifts😡
If you do go through with it definitely get pet insurance as there's a chance due to mistreatment it could need veterinary care.

You have researched the breed you want and decided on a lab.

Now if, by word of mouth/proper recommendation from a known, trustworthy person, you found yourself considering a Goldie or some other good natured retriever, I'm be counselling care about the pup's background and taking time to check it out. But it just possibly being a viable idea.

JRTs are totally different dogs - size, temperament, stubbornness, the whole works really. You didn't choose this breed when your head was choosing. Do not think it's going to be a good match because you've seen one heart-tugging ad.

'First come first served' is an enormous red flag that something is wrong behind the scenes. Tip off a local rescue and offer to cover their costs.

Have you got the address? Google it. May give some answers...

No do not do this. It's the hormones ( been there and it's awful).
You researched and picked Lab as they are good family pets, gentle etc etc.
You absolutely do not go out and suddenly get an unknown JR of dodgy background.

I grew up with labradors my grandparents had a JRT they are not alike. With a child go for a Labrador!
Go back and look at pictures of Labrador puppies and dogs and contact breeders. Start doing something in that direction if you need.

Are you able to report this kind of thing? RSPCA? Sorry I dont know much about it but it doesnt sound above board

I’d go and get her , even if it was to just keep her until a decent no kill rescue could take her off you . For comparison we got a 16week ish patterdale x JRT from Battersea , he had never been in a house before we took him and I won’t say he’s not had the odd issue but he’s 10 now and has been the perfect family pet .

Don't do it, honestly once you have a dog and join dog groups/FB pages you will see there are so many unwanted dogs, it's so sad and your heartstrings can be pulled at every turn.
There are some amazing rescue groups out there doing great work, but back street breaders and puppy farms just keep going as there is so much demand for pups.
Whatever dog you get will be in your life (hopefully) for 10_15 years it's a long time.
If you really want a lab, wait and do it properly.
I have a friend who has a JRT (along with 2 other dogs) he had the biggest personality and adorable but also so so naughty, we all love him to death but are so glad he's not ours, my friend lives rurally has plenty of space and no small children, but he's still a handful, obviously not every JRT is like that (he was rescued as an unwanted pup on a farm) but they are so different than Labs.

I’m waiting for the rescue to call me back, I’ve offered the price for the pup, and to fetch her if they want. And with DH’s blessing (and massive relief!) a sizeable donation for the rescue in general.

We did pick lab for a good reason. Everything seemed to fit with our family/house/situation. We wanted a dog that was recommended for first time owners, responded well to training as long as we put the effort in and was good with children.

Ds is already researching how to be a good owner and about doggy body language bless him.

What a dilemma ! My heart probably would have ruled my head by now especially as our beloved Parson Jack Russell was put to sleep in April aged 15. I should point out though that JRs are a handful, noisy, selectively deaf, difficult to train, need masses of exercise and are often destructive. On the flip side they are incredibly loyal and very funny. Since we lost our boy I've signed up to Borrow My Doggy. I walk a Cockerpoo and a Labradoodle and I had no idea that dogs could be so easy to manage compared to the little bugger that was my JR. Its a lovely thing you've done by offering the purchase price and I hope the rescue will take her on.