Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The doghouse

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

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:
Thread gallery
7
BillyWilliamTheThird · 23/12/2021 14:53

“I don’t think it is nonsense as its surely more likely to have issues brought about from poor care on top of the pot luck challenges of having any dog.“

and that right there is how we all know you haven’t done your research. Loads of us have given you solid examples of our rescue dogs that are fully functioning adult animals with zero problems. Saying all rescue dogs have been poorly cared for is like saying all second hand clothes have holes in so you’d never consider buying from eBay or accepting hand me downs!

I hope your new puppy will be great and you’ll probably have a lovely time with it. You seem to have made up your mind.

However please don’t say things that are blatant untruths when you’ve got a thread full of people with much more experience than you. Other people thinking about getting a dog will read this thread and you’re not helping them make an informed decision when you say that rescue dogs are more likely to be hard work.

Moonlaserbearwolf · 23/12/2021 15:05

@Untang13d

EmmaGrundyForPM We were interested in Miniature Schnauzers but discovered they bark a lot.

No returning to research, it’s still ongoing.

You can never be sure with a cross breed OP. We know a couple of cockerpoos - one is crazy (definitely more spaniel than poodle) and the other barks more than any other dog I know. In contrast, there are a few miniature schnauzers I pass on my daily dog walks and they an absolute delight and don't bark much.

We have a miniature poodle and people always ask me if he's a cockerpoo. I would recommend looking at pure breed poodles as well, especially if you're struggling to find a cockerpoo litter. We found ours through a friend of a friend. I would ask around your friends and local Facebook etc in the first instance. Have you asked your friends with cockerpoos - might be worth getting in touch with their breeder in case they are having another litter. Our pup came from a bitch's second litter. I personally wouldn't go beyond a 3rd litter - that suggests puppy farm.

Moonlaserbearwolf · 23/12/2021 15:07

@XelaM

By the way, miniature poodles are often recommended as the perfect dog on here and having had one from puppyhood until he died at 16, I have to disagree. He was SUCH hard work! Insane amounts of energy, could not be left alone, and definitely not a dog that could be taken anywhere, plus needed brushing and grooming which he hated. I wouldn't recommend
Oh no, what a shame. Our miniature poodle is so easy. I guess it depends on the litter.
Fleetheart · 23/12/2021 15:41

I tried very hard indeed to get a rescue dog, and especially in the current climate i thought that there would be plenty. but actually a huge percentage of them did have issues and needed to be the only pet in the home. so it may not be true that all rescues have issues; it’s fair to say a number do. i also didn’t want a dog with issues as i have two neurodiverse children and two cats, so needed a calm dog. It’s not an unreasonable thing to look for. Anyone who has tried to adopt a rescue recently will have a similar tale I am sure.

MarleneDietrichsSmile · 23/12/2021 16:42

Yes I did not qualify for a rescue either

The reason being I live with 3 men

I thought my kids being older teens would be a positive, also we already have a rescue who can vouch for us Wink

But no. It was “only dog” policy and/or “no men”

We ended up getting a pup

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 23/12/2021 17:22

@cherrypie66 😍 gorgeous! Mine is (apparently) a whippet x saluki x greyhound, so think entitled and thick Grin

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 23/12/2021 17:24

@BillyWilliamTheThird

“I don’t think it is nonsense as its surely more likely to have issues brought about from poor care on top of the pot luck challenges of having any dog.“

and that right there is how we all know you haven’t done your research. Loads of us have given you solid examples of our rescue dogs that are fully functioning adult animals with zero problems. Saying all rescue dogs have been poorly cared for is like saying all second hand clothes have holes in so you’d never consider buying from eBay or accepting hand me downs!

I hope your new puppy will be great and you’ll probably have a lovely time with it. You seem to have made up your mind.

However please don’t say things that are blatant untruths when you’ve got a thread full of people with much more experience than you. Other people thinking about getting a dog will read this thread and you’re not helping them make an informed decision when you say that rescue dogs are more likely to be hard work.

Billy said it far better than I did.
pigsDOfly · 23/12/2021 17:30

@BillyWilliamTheThird

“I don’t think it is nonsense as its surely more likely to have issues brought about from poor care on top of the pot luck challenges of having any dog.“

and that right there is how we all know you haven’t done your research. Loads of us have given you solid examples of our rescue dogs that are fully functioning adult animals with zero problems. Saying all rescue dogs have been poorly cared for is like saying all second hand clothes have holes in so you’d never consider buying from eBay or accepting hand me downs!

I hope your new puppy will be great and you’ll probably have a lovely time with it. You seem to have made up your mind.

However please don’t say things that are blatant untruths when you’ve got a thread full of people with much more experience than you. Other people thinking about getting a dog will read this thread and you’re not helping them make an informed decision when you say that rescue dogs are more likely to be hard work.

Absolutely spot on.
Honeyroar · 23/12/2021 17:52

And to be slightly blunt - the rescue dogs with issues generally come from homes that thought they knew it all and wouldn’t see sense. I’ve had several rescue dogs with huge issues when they arrived and they all turned into super dogs within a few weeks of being properly fed, exercised and looked after. I really couldn’t be bothered with the puppy stage, even if they are really cute.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 23/12/2021 17:58

@Honeyroar

And to be slightly blunt - the rescue dogs with issues generally come from homes that thought they knew it all and wouldn’t see sense. I’ve had several rescue dogs with huge issues when they arrived and they all turned into super dogs within a few weeks of being properly fed, exercised and looked after. I really couldn’t be bothered with the puppy stage, even if they are really cute.
And of course may have come from a puppy farm originally. Dumped by people who weren't expecting their cute little puppy to be anxious, or fear aggressive, or to have expensive health problems.
MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 23/12/2021 17:59

@MarleneDietrichsSmile

Yes I did not qualify for a rescue either

The reason being I live with 3 men

I thought my kids being older teens would be a positive, also we already have a rescue who can vouch for us Wink

But no. It was “only dog” policy and/or “no men”

We ended up getting a pup

Ok, so it wasn’t just that you live with 3 men. It’s that you also have another dog!

And of course- living with men or having another dog doesn’t exclude you from rescuing. Just certain dogs that are in rescue. There are lots that can live with men and dogs. To say otherwise is nonsense.

Evvyjb · 23/12/2021 18:00

Get. A. Poodle.

And listen to @lonecatwithkitten. Speaks sense.

PollyRoulllson · 23/12/2021 18:04

Ancedotal evidence does not help the OP or prove anything.

I work in dog behaviour and most of my cases at the moment are rescue dogs, some horrendous traumatised rescue dogs to rescue dogs in the UK that have found it hard to settle into new homes.

Some have had to be rehomed from their second home due to issues.

I dont get to see the happy rehomings so my ancedotal view will be incorrect.

Personally I have my own rescue dogs that had mega issues but due to my experience are great dogs but I love the work involved to get them to this point.

Last year I had more cockerpoos on my books than basset hounds - should I be recommending Basset hounds no of course not there are just less of them around. Should I be saying that all shitzu resource guard of course not but the ones I see do Smile

The OP is just asking questions, they are beginning their research,unfortunately they decided to start here. I hope this does not put them off!

Some posters are making mega assumptions about the OP. Posters seem to think that they can change the OP mind by their posts I hope noone will change their mind due to an internet thread but maybe the advice given would give clearer avenues to do more research.

It would be great if people who have recently got a new dog could give constructive advice rather than judgement.

There is nothing wrong in not knowing something and asking for help.

As a first dog owner getting a puppy is not a bad idea. There is a lot of very accessible help and support for puppy owners less so for rescue dogs. There will be a lot of puppy classes to choose from but less for the older rescue dog. There are some but less of them. Meeting in a puppy class can be very supportive for a new puppy owner.

So my advice for OP would be to:-

Contact a local dog trainer and get their input. Talk to them about you lifestyle and see what breed or the action they would suggest you take.

Speak to people you see with dogs and ask them about their experiences and the breeder they used. Unlike MN most dog owners will happily talk about their dogs in a positive way for hours on end.

Contact local council for list of registered breeders

Read up on puppy farms and signs to watch out for Kennel Club and PDSA, RSPCA all have info on this online

OP has already looked at PDSA info also look at Dog Trust info and their training videos to prepare.

Join facebook pages on breeds you are interested on and get talking and asking questions

Read Kim Brophy Meet your New Dog

In the New Year speak to Vet Receptionist and ask them for any info on local breeders

Get the Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy book to look at the training required for a puppy.

Keep an open mind

Enjoy the research Smile

cjpark · 23/12/2021 18:39

Personally, I wouldn't get a cockerpoo OP. As a crossbreed, they are an uncertainty! They are also a puppy farmer's dream as they cant be KC registered and 'trendy' so sell in large quantities with very little health checks for high profit.
I'd be looking at a KC registered, health tested dog raised in a family home that you can meet both sets of parents. Maybe a cocker spaniel, Tibetan terrier, wheaten terrier or lab

GaladrielHiggins · 23/12/2021 18:57

@Untang13d

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.
Unfortunately, @Untang13d, puppy farmers are wise to this and have a “mother” available to be seen with the puppies but isn’t necessarily their mother and there’s no guarantee that the mother isn’t forced to have a litter every year like a little machine.
dustofneptune · 23/12/2021 20:56

OP - firstly, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's health challenges. It sounds like you've really been through it. I hope things are looking up now

Untang13d · 24/12/2021 06:31

dustofneptune

That is hugely helpful thank you.Smile

OP posts:
Untang13d · 24/12/2021 06:35

Thankyou PollyRoulllson too that is really helpful.

OP posts:
cloudtree · 24/12/2021 07:33

Cheshire seems to be a bit of a hot spot for puppy farms. We met with a rough collie breeder there and backed away very quickly.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 24/12/2021 07:42

OP we had a book called "Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy" which helped us in the first few weeks.

When we bought our cockapoo our breeder told us never to believe a breeder who claimed that cockapoos are 100% hypoallergenic or non shedding, because that's not always the case. She also told us to steer clear of any breeder who charged extra for certain colours, especially as poodles coats can change colour over time.

Bouncer500 · 24/12/2021 09:06

I got a puppy just over a year ago. I didn't find him hard work. You obviously have to spend time with them walking them, training them, playing with them but if someone doesn't want to spend time with a puppy they are unlikely to get one surely. I enjoyed my puppy and the dog he is now. I disagree with mn that anybody who isn't a regular on the doghouse board will find themselves unable to look after a puppy. You have to look after the puppy but that isn't as hard as some are making out. Walk your dog, train him, give him attention and play games with him and he will be a happy little thing that will give back so much. As long as you have the time and are willing to give that time to your puppy you should be able to have a dog.

Iceandmist · 24/12/2021 09:15

Being more frank than I generally am, it’s worth bearing in mind that the Doghouse topic is one which is avoided by many dog owning Mumsnetters. There’s a reason for that.

Even if the OP wanted a rescue dog, there’s no way she’d get one. But she doesn’t want one.

MN love greyhounds. So do I, but they are completely unsuited to my life. I like to take long walks with off lead dogs. Greyhounds er towards short walks on a leash (with a muzzle) - it always surprises me when they are presented on here as the perfect family pet. Oh, and lots are huge, too. I wouldn’t be able to get a greyhound, children and buggy in my car.

Have a good Christmas, OP.

dustofneptune · 24/12/2021 09:19

@Untang13d No problem! I hope you find the pup that's right for you! Merry Christmas! :)

PermanentlyDizzy · 24/12/2021 11:35

@Untang13d sorry to hear of your daughter’s health issues. With regard to planning and finding the right dog for your family, I would combine the advice from PollyRoulllson and dustofneptune. Massive post coming, because I am hopeless at being succinct! Blush

I also have a dc with health issues that have been extremely challenging (to the extent they have been unable to attend education for 5 years and at one point we were never out of A&E and had a care plan for rapid admission). I just wanted to offer an alternative view to people who think you can’t be in that situation and have a well cared for dog, as it can be hard for people to wrap their heads around if they’ve never been there.

If you’re anything like most parents of chronically ill dcs you will be exceptionally organised and will be really careful about fully researching and planning any changes to your family life - hence posting for advice. Several people in the support group for my dc’s condition have found getting a dog has really benefitted the whole family, particularly the mental health of the person that is ill and of the main carer, who gets a break and vital headspace while walking the dog. Our dogs have always been the glue that holds our family together, particularly during tough times and the amount of joy, love and laughter they bring into our home really is priceless and worth all the careful planning it has taken to have them as part of our family.

My situation is slightly different, as I have had dogs for over 30 years, so probably have more experience and find the puppy stage less daunting than some. I have had mostly rescue dogs, but we are planning on getting puppy, probably next year. For me this is easier to plan for and has enabled us to look into specific breed traits that suit our family circumstances. Many of my rescues, including pups I have had from a young age, have had issues caused by their poor start in life. I have had one purebred/pedigree in the past and it was lovely to have a pup I could raise from scratch, so-to-speak. She turned out to be an amazing dog and fitted our family perfectly and it was definitely the right choice for us at that point in our life. (I have since had more rescues.) This time we have chosen a breed that is very family orientated, doesn’t need excessive amounts of exercise, but will enjoy long walks, etc, when we can do them and is mostly a companion breed, rather than one that needs constant training and stimulation to keep them ‘busy’. It’s a breed that loves snuggling up with their people and from that perspective, I’m hoping they will be good company for my poorly dc, who is often bedridden. I would definitely say have a look at smaller, companion breeds, rather than anything from working lines or that needs a lot of mental/physical stimulation, as not only are they more likely to be content with more realistic amounts of exercise and training, they tend to be easier to arrange other people to care for in emergencies.

I would think about your lifestyle and how you would manage a pup. In our house there are five of us, all very used to caring for dogs, so there is always someone available for toilet trips/walks/dogsitting etc. We are used to being up through the night on nursing duties, so night time toilet trips don’t phase us at all. (We currently have a very elderly, poorly dog, so one of us always sleeps on the sofa and he regularly needs to go out in the night anyway.) On the odd occasion when no-one is around to cover us for an emergency A&E trip, we have back up people who live 10 minutes away and are willing to come round and sit with the dog/s for as long as we need. If we are looking at an overnight, we have a dogsitter who will stay in our home and if she is unavailable my PIL’s will come over and take the dogs to their house. We used to have a fantastic boarding kennels we had used for over 25 years and they would always take my dogs at short notice if there was an emergency, even going as far as to keep my two with their own dogs and take care of them that way when we had an emergency followed by hospital stay. Unfortunately the owner became ill and had to close down. My dogs have always been really sociable and we made sure that they adored all the people who might have to take care of them in an emergency, which makes things so much easier. Contingencies, back-up and back-ups for your back-ups are really important for peace of mind and consistency of care for your dog - but again, as the carer of a sick dc you are probably used to organising and juggling back-up care, especially if you have other dc.

Not sure if this applies to you, but it’s also worth thinking about safety, in terms of medication and medical equipment. You need to get everyone used to being really strict about medication, with storage being well away from a pup’s reach. We have a medication cupboard on the wall and daily medication is kept in locked dosette boxes well out of reach. Same goes for any equipment that has electric cables, such as bed-lifters etc, cable management and puppy proofing is something you will need to think about and plan for. Similar to if you had a mobile toddler in the house, only one with sharp teeth that likes to chew electric flex! If you can possibly fit one in, a totally secure puppy-proofed area or playpen is ideal for when you do have to take your eyes off them for a couple of minutes.

Be aware that finding the right dog may take some time. I started planning very early for our pup and have been in touch with the breeder for 18 months now. We won’t be getting our pup until we no longer have our old boy, as it wouldn’t be fair on him, but the breeder is aware of that situation and fully supportive. They don’t breed often, so we are also aware that we will probably have to wait, even once we are ready, but are happy to do so, because getting the right pup from the right breeder is so important.

Anyway, I have rambled on, as usual. I just wanted to offer a different perspective as someone who has a chronically ill dc and yet still manages to care for the needs of their dog/s as well. The puppy stage will be challenging, but in what way and how much depends very much on the groundwork, breed choice, breeder. It’s not always a complete nightmare and more people oriented companion breeds are generally a bit easier than some of the more energetic/brainy working types. So if you do your research, plan carefully and don’t rush into anything, it is perfectly doable and hopefully will bring as much joy to your family as our dogs do to ours.

Resilience · 24/12/2021 11:47

I've had rescue dogs and puppies. Loved them all.

If you're determined to buy a puppy OP personally I'd stick with a specific breed rather than a cross. Some breeders who breed cross breeds really know their stuff and carefully choose dam and stud to maximise positive temperament traits and minimise possible health issues (like dodgy hips) but many more don't and just randomly choose their breeding pair one from each breed. An excellent breeder of a pedigree dog is much more likely to present you with a healthy dog with an easily trainable temperament.

You can find those on the Kennel Club registered breeder's list (not failsafe but a good start). The site also has tips on what to look for to identify good/bad breeders.