Seeing a puppy in lockdown

[Wheresthebeach]

So we're thinking of a dog...sorting out local vets, dog sitting services and the like. Friends have just collected their Cockapoo and there is one left from the litter. She's adorable. We've seen video's and the breeder has offered a video call as well.

However, due to lockdown she can't do a home visit and suggested meeting up in a park. The puppy has had one set of vaccines, and the second set is booked.

The puppy is 9 weeks old. Our friends have been told to keep the puppy indoors until the second vaccine. So if that's the case, how come she's suggesting meeting us in a park?

It worries me a bit and wanted to get dog owners opinions as to whether I'm overreacting.

Red flags all over this.

One left from the litter? Unusual, especially with the popularity of poos and the desiribility of dogs during lockdown.

Meeting in a park? Very puppy farm MO. Where’s the mother, father? Have you seen them?

Is the puppy microchipped?

No chance!
It’s has dodgy written all over imo

In terms of parents our friends have seen them, and been to the house.

We haven't as its very recent and lockdown makes it not possible, although she has offered video call to see the mother and the environment.

We are told puppy is microchipped.

Have you put the ‘breeders’ phone number into google to see how many litters come up?

Sounds dodgy to me. As said before red flags all over this one.

What do you know about the parents health? Have they had genetic testing and health screening etc? (Not just a visit to the vet and declared healthy).

@bluebluezoo

What do you know about the parents health? Have they had genetic testing and health screening etc? (Not just a visit to the vet and declared healthy).

Nothing in the on line description about that, whereas looking at other puppies various genetic testing has been done...

Hmmmm...bloody shame she's a lovely little dog.

Stupid to have gotten strangely attached after a video and photo's!

@MrsJunglelow

Have you put the ‘breeders’ phone number into google to see how many litters come up?

Nothing came up, did 'Dog Breeder' and the phone number....

More accurately things like Kennel Club came up but nothing for an individual.

Just do the phone number without “dog breeder”

I doubt someone would include “breeder” in an ad.

If your friends did go and visit and saw mum and other puppies and you trust them, it wouldn’t hurt to go and see. She may bring mum to the park, she will probably be carrying puppy.

You want to be looking for health tested parents, and know hip scores, elbow scores etc. Doesn't guarantee a healthy puppy, but puts the odds in your favour.

Best to walk away if you cannot get the information you request.

Nothing but 'reverse phone number' type sites came up.

I don't want DD to see the dog if I've concerns. We have to be sure all is okay before that step.

Doesn't necessarily mean red flag, meeting in a park. Look at all current Covid 19 restrictions at the moment, breeders are currently doing video calls and having to work out safe measures to meet up in a socially distanced way. Not easy. If there is something suspicious about the situation, walk away from the puppy. Don't buy out of sympathy.

In answer to your first question - it’s broadly fine for the pup to go to a park if it’s not put down on the floor where other dogs have been I think. We took ours out in a papoose for socialisation as she had to have her second set of jabs late.

I just meant to type in the phone number into google; or the number and word ‘puppies’; if they are dodgy you’ll often get lots of adverts come up for puppies, often of different breeds

I met a breeder in a park a few months ago to meet her dog, then when we were happy she then invited us to her property to see all her other dogs (outside only). We were there to do research, not to buy though. Nothing dodgy about this set up!

Ask about parents full health checks and insurance for puppy for a few weeks after.
How much research did you friends do? Do you trust their judgement? Are they fussy and thorough or did they buy their pup on a whim?
I have a cockerpoo - they are adorable dogs. Some are crazy and high energy though.
I walked away from one puppy after a house visit wasn't right (long before Covid).
I got a good one eventually .
I think the park visit is fine if everything else checks out as long as you don't get too close to them as it's just the circumstances we find ourselves in.

The park on its own wouldn't be a massive red flag. But there seems to be an increase in people only having litters because of the prices being crazy at the moment. Have you been researching breeds and pros and cons before looking at buying this breed or is more of a seeing your friend getting one and mentioning there's only left made you think about getting a cockapoo?

Not meant as judgmental as it sounds, it's just it sounds like you're weren't looking to buy that breed as you'd have known about this breeder already instead of finding out through a. Friend that there's one left. Puppies a lot of work and some breeds are more high energy than others, different breeds have different pros and cons, they need a lot of attention, not all puppies settle straight away and can take months to toilet train and settle, they chew and nip which can be upsetting to young children. I've known people fall for the cuteness and then complain about being kept awake all night with the howling and a couple of weeks later complain about the getting up during the night to let out for a poo, children being nipped, items being chewed and not expecting any problems when leaving a very young puppy alone several hours a day while they work, have days out, do their hobbies etc and have rehomed a month after getting when the puppy when it's nipped their child or the reality of just how tiring and hard puppyhood can be is.

I'd consider meeting her at the park and ask her to bring mum with her. Make a list of questions you need the answers to and what happens if something goes wrong down the line, or you find in a few weeks you can't cope. I wouldn't take your child for this visit, get your answers, check the puppy over, see the mum and go home and think on it. If you decide you might want to go ahead then arrange another meeting and you can see your child with the puppy then. If the breeder try's to rush you or says things like "there's loads of interest so be quick". I'd back out because it would imply she wants the money rather than the best home.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

I understand how it all sounded Woman but we have been looking into it all for some time. Very aware of just how much hard work puppies are. Its babyhood all over again with sleepless nights!

Due to allergies Cockapoo's have always been the number one choice.

Due to allergies Cockapoo's have always been the number one choice
I hate hearing this!
😡
There is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog, there are less allergenic dogs and there are loads to choose from!

• poodles (three sizes!)
• schnauzer (two sizes!)
• Yorkies
• pretty much all terriers that are hand stripped
• bichon frise
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Pumi
• Maltese
• Italian greyhound
• whippet
• greyhound

There’s no doubt even more out there.

Mixing one allergenic breed (cocker) with a less allergenic breed (poodle) does not give you a hypoallergenic dog.
It gives you a crossbreed that could inherit either coat type..

Due to allergies Cockapoo's have always been the number one choice

I also hate hearing this.

Why would anyone think that crossing a hypoallergenic dog with a non hypoallergenic dog somehow magically produces a more hypoallergenic dog than either parent?

If you have allergies get a poodle. Crossing it will increase the chance of you be allergic.

It seems to be an urban myth that if you want a hypoallergenic dog you have to cross it with a poodle.

Basic genetics people. You have a 1 in 4 chance the puppies will inherit the poodle hypoallergenic coat. A poodle it’s guaranteed.

I saw a wanted ad for a yorkie /poodle cross a while back. Woman wanted a yorkie, but again “due to allergies” it had to be a poodle cross. Wouldn’t be told that yorkies are hypoallergenic themselves.

Thank you to those who have answered my query genuinely and have been helpful.