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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Looking to buy a puppy after Xmas. Never done it before. Where do you start looking?

256 replies

Untang13d · 22/12/2021 20:01

Dd 16 has been v poorly the past year and in hospital a fair bit. She has researched a lot as have we and think the time is right. Where do we start looking? Want to find one from a reputable breeder and not to be ripped off. It will be our first dog and thinking of a Cockapoo.

OP posts:
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7
cheeseisthebest · 22/12/2021 21:21

I have a shih tzu, he's lovely. It has been hard work but gets easier all the time. I would be wary of anything with spaniel in it only because they are so high energy!

Original poster
Untang13d · 22/12/2021 21:22

That’s you.

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EmmaWoodhousestreehouse · 22/12/2021 21:22

@Untang13d

Don’t want a dog with history as we have enough to cope with.
If you can’t cope with a rescue you shouldn’t be buying a puppy. They are damn hard work. You sound very naive re what it’s like to have a puppy.
Hothammock · 22/12/2021 21:23

Sorry but if you don't know what a puppy farm is you are not yet ready to find a puppy. I suggest you start with lots more research, then book yourself tickets to crufts next year where you can see lots of breeds of dogs and get a bit of an idea about size and your preference. Speak to dog owners and interact with dogs when you can. Then make a shortlist. When you have an idea from your research what kind of dog would work for what you have to offer, you can start contact contacting breeders. If a pedigree dog you do this via breed clubs, and if a cross breed I would suggest personal recommendation which is the next best thing. Then you visit, meet the parents, meet the breeder and if they think you will be a good owner they will let you join their waiting list. Then you wait.
This will take you a year or more.

cansu · 22/12/2021 21:23

If you have a lot on and still do then I really can't see why anyone in this situation would take on a puppy! I have a friend with endless patience, no kids and a supportive partner and she told me it was much more difficult than she could ever have imagined.

Wolfiefan · 22/12/2021 21:24

If you don’t know what a puppy farm is then you’re not ready to buy a puppy.
It’s rare as hens teeth to get a cross like that from a decent breeder. Eg parents well looked after, not bred again and again, not all living in kennels.
Health tests are vital. You need to know which each pedigree parent should have.
You won’t find a decent breeder suddenly having puppies for sale in a few weeks. You need to do more research.

pastypirate · 22/12/2021 21:24

My cocker spaniel was a thousand times more stressful than a baby and I e brought up 2 babies alone. The first year was a bloody nightmare and he wasn't my first dog and my actual first dog was a rescue. She was a breeze.

My puppy is nearly 7 now and he's delightful.

However I understand reasons why a rescue isn't what you want. The way I see it with pets in my house is that I fund and feed them so I'll choose what I really want.

cloudtree · 22/12/2021 21:26

Think really carefully. My ddog is now 2 and still pees in the night (he can hold it until about 5am so has to be let out at that time)

They’re really hard work. The first few months in particular involve lots of sleepless nights

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 22/12/2021 21:27

If you can’t cope with a rescue you shouldn’t be buying a puppy.

This.

We've always had rescues because we know we CAN'T cope with a puppy. It's not like in Lady and the Tramp, you know.

Floralnomad · 22/12/2021 21:27

It amazes me when people say that they don’t want a rescue because they don’t want a dog with a history or problems as frankly you could have as many problems with a puppy . In all honesty , and I’m trying not to be really negative , if you don’t feel you can / don’t want to deal with issues then You’d be better off not getting a dog at all as there are no guarantees .

Original poster
Untang13d · 22/12/2021 21:27

We know it’s hard work and are prepared for it. Not wanting a dog with history is not bad attitude it’s being realistic. So any advice re navigating buying what we’re looking for would be welcome.

OP posts:
Original poster
Untang13d · 22/12/2021 21:29

With the greatest respect we’ve got lots of experience with sleepless nights.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 22/12/2021 21:30

You’re not prepared if you don’t even know what a puppy farm is. Hmm

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 22/12/2021 21:30

Everyone I know who has got a puppy have all said it was harder than having a newborn-to-toddler aged child.

Maybe giving an older, calmer dog a comforting home for the next few years will be easier all round?

Original poster
Untang13d · 22/12/2021 21:32

Surely if you visit prior to buying and see the mother you can get some idea. We’re also putting feelers out for recommendations, following advice on RSPCA site etc.

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Justleaveitblankthen · 22/12/2021 21:32

@Untang13d

Don’t want a dog with history as we have enough to cope with.

You should not be getting a puppy under these circumstances. Hmm
Get a couple of goldfish in a lovely big tank if it has to be a living creature.
Dogs aren't sticking plasters.

Original poster
Untang13d · 22/12/2021 21:33

And we’re still researching hence the thread so not leaping out to buy one tomorrow.

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Tiramesu · 22/12/2021 21:34

I'm a first time dog owner. I have a chilled, calm older rescue and I am so grateful. I knew having a puppy would be damaging for the dog and for my own confidence as I knew I wouldn't have the experience and confidence to socialise and mould them into the perfect dog. In some ways a puppy is a blank slate and you are responsible for their entire life. You could have one dog run up to you and be OTT and BAM, a lifetime of a reactive dog that you have to walk at 5am in the morning round quiet streets. And of course the dog has its own qualities to begin with. Do the dog a service and get one where you risk creating lifelong damage through the easy mistakes of a first time owner.

Tylertammum · 22/12/2021 21:34

Please look up RSPCA or equivalent guide to buying a puppy. I completely agree with all the above posts re rescues, we’ve always had them but it sounds like you’ve made up your mind. Just please be careful re puppy farms, they are heartbreaking (I have experience).
Dogs kept in a cage their whole life to produce puppies. Sadly most puppies for sale originate from one either in the UK or abroad.

Tylertammum · 22/12/2021 21:36

www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy

pastypirate · 22/12/2021 21:39

@JesusInTheCabbageVan

If you can’t cope with a rescue you shouldn’t be buying a puppy.

This.

We've always had rescues because we know we CAN'T cope with a puppy. It's not like in Lady and the Tramp, you know.

Really agree with this - I could take on an adult dog this evening quite happily. Taking on a puppy would have me running for this hills!
Indoctro · 22/12/2021 21:39

I wouldn't buy a mongrel as a puppy as you will be mega overcharged and most likely be buying from someone who hasn't really got a clue. Just breeding for cash.

I would go to a registered KC breeder

Also would you consider a retired greyhound.? No history as such and very easy dogs to own , chilled and calm and don't need loads of walks.

They make lovely pets.

Itsnearlyxmas · 22/12/2021 21:39

Our dog is also rescue, got him at 10 months old, so much easier than previous dog who we got at 8 weeks! I do also feel (may be wrong & soppy) that rescues are more grateful to be taken in to their forever home.

driftcompatible · 22/12/2021 21:41

@Untang13d

I think we’ll cope. Countless people start dog ownership with having puppies for the first time. We’ve done and are going lots of research. Trust me having a puppy will be nothing to what we’ve had to cope with the past year. I’ve also had 3 babies under the age of 15 months. We’re not walking into it lightly.
You've done your research but don't know about puppy farms and how to go about finding a reputable breeder?

You haven't done enough research. Having three babies close in age is redundant. I have two children so therefore I can buy myself a zebra. Zebras can't be harder than two toddlers.

I've done my research. But what is a zoo?

poshme · 22/12/2021 21:42

Let them out at 5am?!!!

Our puppy wanted to go out at 1am, 2am 3am 4am and 5am and then she'd started her day.
For months.