Advise on this mixed breed please..

[Hmmmmminteresting]

We have an online meeting tonight with a breeder who has some 2 week old pups that we are interested in.
Mum is a Shih Tzu x Bichon
Dad is a Shih Tzu x Poodle

They want £2000 per puppy. They look adorable but I am very nervous about the fact that both parents are cross breeds already and not the same cross breed.

Would you buy one of these?

I havent had a dog for 10 years and she was a pedigree Cavalier King Charles. I really want to get this right.

Thanks!

That is basically a small mongrel. Why does that make you nervous? Less health issues, all three are good breeds, hopefully will be a smart pup (but no guarantees 😂), will need grooming.

Is it the price you are worried about? That is COVID through and through!

This person is breeding her dogs to make loads of money from the gullible , and if you buy one I'm afraid you are just that.
Have you considered a rescue dog ? At the end of the day is adorable really a number 1 factor in getting a dog ?

£2000 for a cross breed ( or any dog really). That’s outrageous!
I am not one of those who says you should only adopt, despite volunteering for 2 dog charities as a home checker I know it’s not for everyone, I bought our puppy.
However, these people are probably puppy farmers on some level and I would wonder why they had bred their dogs, well at £2000 I wouldn’t
Also, research the worst possible traits for each breed and imagine a dog with ALL of those because it could happen

Price is not an issue.
I've contacted all dog rescue centres in the Midlands and have been on waiting lists for over 2 months for a small dog which is good with young dc.
I am getting nowhere. Spoke to bham dogs home again yesterday who said they are in such high demand they often don't even make it to the website.
So now am looking at buying. Not bothered by it being a cute breed I am just most conscious about having a dog which is family friendly and nice natured. My children are 4 and 2.

cross breeds doesn't make healthier pups, they could as easily inherit the issues found in all 3 breeds. 2k for a complete mongrel seems laughable though.. thats what you could pay for pedigree, full history of perfect breed and medical history

Thanks for the advice. I have researched the worst traits of all 3 breeds and am not put off. Im more concerned about the genetic health implications, if that's even a thing with there being a few different breeds involved?

I wouldn’t worry about those particular cross breeds op. And ignore the multiple posts you’ll get from people demanding you get a rescue dog. Yes, prices have gone through the roof for dogs now, but they’re only worth what people are willing to pay, and this is obviously what they can get for them. If you want one then this is what you’ll have to pay nowadays

Also I agree £2000 is outrageous. However it also seems to be the going rate on Pets4Homes for pretty much most puppies of small breeds.

Are they health tested? I'd be worried about PRA, and luxating Patellas as a minimum.

How many litters has mum had?

Check the KC health test recommendations for each breed.
Also ask to see her socialisation plan.

Have a look at this website too
puppycontract.org.uk

Also have a think about whether you want to support the commercial breeding of dogs for profit.

Why would you pay that much for a crossbreed?

Google the health checks required for each of the individual 3 breeds, then make sure the puppies and parents have been checked for all of them.

There will be lots of people on soon dating you should only but pedigree but I prefer a normal dog to one that has been overbred in a small gene pool to exaggerate certain features.
I would check it is not a puppy farm. See the pup with the mother. Check her temperament. Is she friendly? Does she look healthy and well looked after? Are you at their home address? Has the pup been vet7 checked? I think the more of a mixed breed a dog is the healthier it will be.

I paid less than half that for a pedigree! Wouldn't pay even a quarter for a mongrel! 😳

Mum has had 1 litter prior to this (apparently). Seem like a nice family and home on the web and they're very local to us so will be easy to do some digging.

@Veterinari thank you for the advice thats really useful. I will make some notes and questions ready for tonight.

I have a shihtzu cross and paid... £300 for him (well before lockdown though).
Those are generally hardy mixes there - though it depends on how “flat faced” they are in terms of breathing etc.

They sound like a lovely mix.

Thanks @ihearthounds that is really helpful.

@PostTummyTuck I paid £400 for a full pedigree cavalier too, it was a long time ago though and times have changed unfortunately. A friend just paid £2300 for a pug x jack russel

£2000 for a cross 😳
I paid £950 for my Shih Tzu about 3 years ago, he has a brilliant temperament with small children. I wouldn’t pay double that for a cross though.

It’s a Shichon and a Shihpoo very cute. Just check the temperaments. Price probably due to covid.
Just hope all these people getting dogs are sure they are ok with the next 16 years or whatever of looking after them. A dog is for life not just for covid!

I saw the same breed as mine for £2000 online though - prices for dogs have gone through the roof!

The demand is high at the mo hence the prices. However i know that rescue dogs fitting your requirements are few and far between at the moment, but sadly these rescues will likely be overrun very soon i would be patient in your shoes. I think its utter disgusting what people are charging.

2k for a designer dog Personally I'd be really worried that this is a puppy farmer jumping on the bandwagon and churning these dogs out. Definitely do your digging on it but I'd be wary, people are good at hiding these things.

Crossbreed are often healthier than perigree dogs, if that is your main concern.
The health tests are the biggest point. If the dog and bitch have clear health tests then they sound great.
We would have originally liked a rescue but finding one available that was good with cats and small children was impossible.
Our mixed breed dog (was a puppy when we got her) is perfect.

To the person who said they wouldn’t have less health issues, I should clarify I mean less in bred health issues like breathing etc

Surely at prices like these puppy farmers are going to rub their hands with glee.

Sod human trafficking, I'm going to start dog smuggling. I'm in France. I pick my pup up on Saturday, pure breed (have met mum and dad) but no kennel club cert. She is one of 12 and I'm paying 450€ for her (1st vaccinations and chip included). If I bought the whole litter that would be 5400€ (£4850). Get them across the channel and I could sell them for £24000 so a profit of £19150. Crazy!

I feel really guilty now that im considering paying that amount for a dog 😔
We have wanted one for so long and now our circumstances have changed this seems like the best time. Is there anywhere else other than Pets4Homes where I should be looking?
I've rechecked again this morning and they are all generally that expensive