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!

She said mum and dad are both bred from pure pedigrees so therefore these pups aren't mongrels apparently. Their correct name is Shipoochon

She's delusional

Their correct name is Shipoochon.

Their correct name is Mongrel/Mutt, albeit cute and fluffy mutts.

They will be health tested at 6 weeks by pets at home

They will have a cursory health check at PAH, not health testing. Health testing is what should be done to the prospective parent dogs before they're bred to ensure that they're not going to pass on any genetic disorders.

She said mum and dad are both bred from pure pedigrees so therefore these pups aren't mongrels apparently.

I wouldn't give 2k to any person who is daft enough to believe this. She sounds like a very greedy, very amateur backyard breeder.

Why not find a decent breeder who knows their (actual) breed and has some actual knowledge about dogs?

She sounds like she doesn't have a fucking clue!

Please don't buy one of those puppies.

But surely if their mum and dad are cross breeds regardless of their parents heritage it does make them mongrels? My boy is a mongrel, a very cute mongrel at that but it doesn’t matter what name they call them they are not recognised breeds.

Obviously it’s up to you OP but I think they are asking ridiculous money for the puppies, but I’m sure if you don’t buy one there will be others queuing up to buy them. Only you can make the decision.

Back in The Day you could pick up a mongrel for free!!
You are being had op.
And I doubt any dpuppy will be grateful you have a toddler!!.

Their correct name is Shipoochon.

That is not a correct name that is a made up name so people will spend £2000 on a mongrel. I own a mongrel it doesn't have a fancy name it is just a mongrel. Mongrels are generally the jealthiest dogs you will ever meet. Wouldnt pay £2000 for one though.

* The mum and the grandad were both there*

Where's the sire? What's his health status and temperament? Seeing the (maternal) grandfather tells you nothing (are you sure he isn't the sire?) You need to asses the dog contributing 50%of your puppy.

They will be health tested at 6 weeks by pets at home and she said that she won't have paperwork for this but we will be welcome to access it one the dogs ours as we can request it.

That means they're getting a quick vet exam as part of their gealth check to ensure they're ok for vaccinations. It will tell you nothing about hereditary diseases such as PRA because it isn't designed to. Her answer means she's either utterly clueless about responsible breeding and health risks in the dogs she's breeding, or she's trying to con you.
More info on genetic testing can be found:
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/health/getting-started-with-health-testing-and-screening/dna-testing/
There are standard tests required for assured breeders (see attached image)

They will be microchipped and have their first vaccinations done*
This is essentially alegal requirement (chip) and age requirement (vaccine) so nothing impressive here.

and their 2nd ones will be paid for also with pets at home as part of the puppy pack.

Standard pets at home (cheapest vaccine provider) package. Again, nothing here is suggesting thoughtful breeding, just cheap, minimal standards

She said mum and dad are both bred from pure pedigrees so therefore these pups aren't mongrels apparently. Their correct name is Shipoochon.

Correct according to who? Her? Certainly not according to any reputable animal care professional. Have you asked her for the breed standard?

Classic commercial breeding for profit.
I suspect she's also not declaring her earnings to inland revenue.

It’s a crossbreed (or a mongrel). Dogs now cost £2k. Those say By “I wouldn’t pay £2k for mongrel” are being ridiculous. Why pay £2k for a Labrador but not say a labradoodle.

Sorry @Hmmmmminteresting
The formatting on my post went a bit bonkers - hopefully you can figure it out!

Dogs now cost £2k. Those say By “I wouldn’t pay £2k for mongrel” are being ridiculous. Why pay £2k for a Labrador but not say a labradoodle.

Dogs don't cost £2000, my mongrel cost £200 adoption fee. My uncles labrador cost £600. Some dogs cost £2000 because some people will pay it.

She said mum and dad are both bred from pure pedigrees so therefore these pups aren't mongrels apparently
WTAF
A mongrel is a mix of three or more breeds.....

To add to the "puppy farm"/backyard breeder comments.

My friend got a pup at the start of lockdown. Yes, I know. It was an "accidental mating" resulting in a crossbreed. Cute pups, £300.

Funnily enough, the same "accident" happened again and the dogs had another litter in October. The cross breeds are being sold this time with a designer name (like maltipoo, but this is a bloody weird mix of dog so I won't name) for nearly £2000. Brilliant, so back to back breeding of dogs and all the health implications there, ridiculous prices, etc. No vaccinations done, no chips, no health tests done, pups won't have seen a vet.

My warning would be that someone disreputable will always tell you what you want to hear. So you may be told "last litter" because that sounds responsible and puts the pressure on to buy. But that's no guarantee, is it?

A good breeder with a planned litter will have a waiting list. It's worth it in the long run to research breeders, research a breed and join a waiting list. A reputable breeder will want to interview you properly.

FWIW, I have fallen prey to this too. I thought I'd found a great breeder years ago when I was a lot more naive. KC registered etc. They let us all take pups home at 6 weeks as it "let them settle before Christmas" (pups would have been 8 weeks on 21st December). Breeder said it would be fine. I knew no different and as they'd seemed really knowledgable until then I went with it. Ended up with a dog with horrific separation anxiety and some low level behavioural issues. I was experienced with older dogs, but I'd never had a puppy before.

'Price is not an issue' WELL IT BLOODY WELL SHOULD BE the dog isn't even a cross its a mongrel! One word - MUG

I think she is probably looking after those pups well and they are in a nice 1 home environment. I'd rather have one of them than most available 'pedigrees'. It's a steep price but that's what puppies cost at the moment. You could wait to see if the price goes down after the winter lockdown. I would go for it.

Size wise is perfect if you have small children
None of those breeds have horrific physical or behavioural problems
Low shedding which is nice, but will need grooming so factor that in
The price is irrelevant to be honest, I’d rather pay £2000 for a puppy than a handbag or getting my hair done etc. And I’d rather pay £2000 for a mongrel than some pedigree breeds.

I would say go for it, but having a puppy and young children is hard!

If MN was real life, no one would have nice family pets as they would all still be on the 5 year waiting list for a pedigree champion pup

@IHeartHounds

I think she is probably looking after those pups well and they are in a nice 1 home environment. I'd rather have one of them than most available 'pedigrees'. It's a steep price but that's what puppies cost at the moment. You could wait to see if the price goes down after the winter lockdown. I would go for it.

The home environment is definitely a good thing. Not knowing the parentage is a problem - behaviour Especially anxiety, has a strong genetic component.

I'd be worried you've not seen the father and also not seen how the mother responds to new people etc - would she hide under the sofa, bark frantically or calmly trot over to say hi?

I'd honestly leave it until you can visit in person to choose a pup. Parental temperament is a big thing

This is why I will never have another dog no way would I pay that for a pedigree crossbreed or mongrel it's dam right greed. I can safely say my dog owning days are gone. I'll leave it to the gullible.

This ‘breeder’ is having an absolute laugh with her £2000 ‘schipoochons’! Please don’t entertain this.

Size wise is perfect if you have small children

I'd also argue that a toy breed pup is much more likely to suffer injury from boisterous children than the other way around

**Dogs now cost £2k. Those say By “I wouldn’t pay £2k for mongrel” are being ridiculous. Why pay £2k for a Labrador but not say a labradoodle.

Because you know what you're getting with that labrador from a decent breeder with family history.. and absolutely no clue which genetic, breed trait, coat type, illness etc makeup you're getting with a labradoodle.

You'd have to pay me £2000 to take a risk on that pup.

Stay well away.

It baffles me when people say that small dogs are better with young children. It's about the temperament and not the size.
I've known some really poor tempered dogs who are snappy and difficult and they have all been small breeds including one of the breeds mentioned in the OP.

There's been some really good advice including from a vet here which shouldn't be ignored.
And re prices, as has been discussed on another thread in the past couple of days, reputable breeders are not inflating their prices because of the increase in demand and nor should they be.

@Veterinari

Size wise is perfect if you have small children

I'd also argue that a toy breed pup is much more likely to suffer injury from boisterous children than the other way around

None of them are tiny breeds or thin/fragile (ie Chih, Italian Greyhounds, Daxies etc)

Bichon's aren’t that small, Shih tzu are small but stocky etc
They don’t have the potential to knock over young children like boisterous Labradors for example.

@Frenchfancy

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!

Wow. Yes. Actually, you'd get a lot more than £2k for each pup if you are bringing in pure breeds. The £2k was the price for mongrels in the OP.