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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

First pup

51 replies

BooseysMom · 14/12/2022 04:20

Hi, we are going to see a pup from a farm with mum & dad (pup's) at the weekend. He's a chihuahua. DS is mad with excitement! Please can anyone advise on initial costs of vacc's, neutering, etc. Should we get insurance? He will have his initial vacc and a puppy pack. We're new to this. The last time I had a dog was when I was 10 and it was a very different world. The cost of the new pup is over £800 and in the 70s a collie pup from a farm down the road was £20!

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Original poster
BooseysMom · 16/12/2022 11:41

MintyGreenDreams · 16/12/2022 11:34

@BooseysMom I probably wouldn't in that case.Youll just fall in love with it

Ok. Thanks. I'm just so unsure and worried. Every time I try to talk to DH about it he makes stupid dog noises!! This is what I have to put up with! It will be me doing everything too.

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Suzi888 · 16/12/2022 11:46

Dogs are expensive, you definitely need insurance. Unless you claim benefit and fall in the PDSA free or reduced cost treatment postcode areas. Was it a chihuahua ? They are meant to be one of the cheapest dogs I think -I could have this wrong!

What about fostering? The vet fees are covered then.

Original poster
BooseysMom · 16/12/2022 11:49

Yep he's a chihuahua. I think he's cheaper cos he hasn't been microchipped maybe.

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Original poster
BooseysMom · 16/12/2022 11:50

What about fostering? The vet fees are covered then.

That's an interesting idea. Thanks 😊

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Whitney168 · 16/12/2022 14:17

BooseysMom · 16/12/2022 11:49

Yep he's a chihuahua. I think he's cheaper cos he hasn't been microchipped maybe.

Not being microchipped is, plain and simple, against the law. This is not a reputable breeder.

If you want to go ahead with a puppy, please do not put money in the pockets of dodgy people who don't care about dogs.

CMOTDibbler · 16/12/2022 14:24

It is a legal requirement to microchip puppies by 8 weeks of age. Not a recommendation, a requirement.
If your DH is tied to his PC for 3 hours at a time, he can't look after a puppy

Original poster
BooseysMom · 16/12/2022 15:55

Whitney168 · 16/12/2022 14:17

Not being microchipped is, plain and simple, against the law. This is not a reputable breeder.

If you want to go ahead with a puppy, please do not put money in the pockets of dodgy people who don't care about dogs.

Show quote history

Well I'm not sure if they aren't reputable. They have sold the other pups. It could be that they just have omitted to mention the micro-chipping but it did say 'no' to that question on the site

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Prepared · 16/12/2022 17:39

Be aware if they are microchipped there is a fee to change the owner details. I wouldn’t go anywhere near a pup that isn’t microchipped so check that first.

Are they definitely at least 8 weeks? Do you know how to age a pup? As per Lucy’s law they must be at least 8 wks old

Prepared · 16/12/2022 17:40

And some breeders choose not to chip chihuahuas since they’re so small but that doesn’t make it legal. I chipped a litter of 900g pups and it feels cruel but that’s the law unfortunately.

Please don’t see them if they’re not chipped as there’ll be other things they’ve decided not to do too

thelobsterquadrille · 16/12/2022 17:44

BooseysMom · 16/12/2022 15:55

Well I'm not sure if they aren't reputable. They have sold the other pups. It could be that they just have omitted to mention the micro-chipping but it did say 'no' to that question on the site

Show quote history

If the puppies aren't chipped, they are breaking the law.

Why would a reputable breeder break the law?

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 16/12/2022 17:58

For insurances, pet plan (flea worm treatment) and food I spend around £40 a month on my dog which I don't think is too bad.

3 hours online is manageable if you are planning on crate training.

You may not have to neuter if it's a male dog, it's generally not recommended until they're a few years old anyway.

The book Easy Peasy puppy squeezy is a good read for first time puppy owners.

Shambolical1 · 16/12/2022 23:57

Surprised no one else has said this yet: Christmas is not necessarily the best or easiest time of year to settle in a puppy.

BiteyShark · 17/12/2022 07:00

Vet costs should be minimal in the first few years apart from routine checks and boosters.

Mine had a very severe bout of vomiting and diarrhoea and needed admitting for many days with tests and treatment. The cost was around £2000.

Accidents can happen. Mine severely hurt his back when he mis judged a jump outside and showed neurological symptom's. We were looking at over £5k for a spinal back operation (fortunately it wasn't a disc injury so we didn't need it in the end).

The thing with vets bills is you can be lucky and never pay any or like me and several others I know end up with eye watering ones.

Frenchfancy · 17/12/2022 07:13

This smacks of a puppy farm. What farm would be breeding chihuahua's ready just in time for Christmas? I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

Original poster
BooseysMom · 17/12/2022 14:14

Frenchfancy · 17/12/2022 07:13

This smacks of a puppy farm. What farm would be breeding chihuahua's ready just in time for Christmas? I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

Well I walked away in the end. Admittedly it was hard but much much easier for having not actually seeing the pup. And DS doesn't even seem bothered now! And the pp who said Xmas is not a good time to settle in a new pup makes a very good point.

So thanks to everyone for your advice ..have a lovely Christmas.

PS. We are looking at a rabbit for DS in the New Year..much easier and cheaper!

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AwkwardPaws27 · 17/12/2022 20:35

@BooseysMom rabbits need to be in pairs - I'd really recommend looking at the RWAF website for more info.
rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/ownership/new-to-rabbits/

They can live 10+ years, need to be neutered and have annual vaccinations, and need far more space than just a hutch. I have a pair & they aren't very cheap or easy pets

Original poster
BooseysMom · 18/12/2022 20:55

AwkwardPaws27 oh OK, thank you for the advice. There really doesn't seem to be any good pet for DS that we can afford except for his hamsters!

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thelobsterquadrille · 18/12/2022 20:57

What about a cat? They're generally pretty low-maintenance and don't cost much day-to-day, and as long as you keep up to date with jabs and get them insured, you shouldn't get any nasty vet bills either.

AwkwardPaws27 · 19/12/2022 09:26

Rats could be good? No vaccinations needed, lifespan of 2-4 years, & make very fun interactive pets as they are intelligent and social.

Guinea pigs are another option - live around 6 years, no vaccinations, must be kept in pairs or groups as very sociable. Can be kept in same sex pairs without needing to neuter. I find them easier to care for if kept indoors especially in very hot or cold weather, & they get more interaction that way too.

For any pet you'll need an emergency fund / back up option to pay for vet care if they get ill - which could be hundreds for any species. Ultimately you as the adult will be responsible for them so I'd always advise getting a pet you like as kids often lose interest.

Original poster
BooseysMom · 20/12/2022 21:15

Thanks. I'm not a cat person tbh. I hate the fact they kill baby birds and mice. The neighbour's cats constantly do this and also leave little gifts in our garden which is nice. I have a water pistol which I keep loaded by the back door. So cats aren't my favourite pet!

I have considered rats. Guinea pigs maybe but the house is too small really. Same for chinchillas. My favourite pet would be chinchillas. Think in conclusion we will just stick with hamsters!

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tabulahrasa · 20/12/2022 21:21

Rats are really good pets btw, my DD’s rats have better recall than my dog 😐😂 and she’s taught them a few tricks, one is chill enough to go out to the shop and stuff on her shoulder.

We keep calling them mini dogs, they’re really underrated IMO.

Goawayangryman · 20/12/2022 22:28

House rabbits are easy pets but not cheap. They cost a lot in vet bills if they do get sick. They are also very temperamental. You have to watch to make sure they eat and drink regularly. 24hrs without food and they can die.

Guineas are brilliant pets.

Dogs are great too but buying the wrong one can result in so much heartache and cost.

Mine is bigger, and so far, healthy but easily costs £250 a month in insurance, food, routine vet, chews, walking when I can't, and holiday cover. And she has only medium price food...I think little dogs are cheaper all round.

But agre with everyone else. This vendor sounds like a puppy mill. So many red flags. Well done for the hard pass on that one.

Stellaris22 · 21/12/2022 14:13

Seconding rats, we've had a few and they make wonderful pets.

Original poster
BooseysMom · 24/12/2022 11:06

tabulahrasa · 20/12/2022 21:21

Rats are really good pets btw, my DD’s rats have better recall than my dog 😐😂 and she’s taught them a few tricks, one is chill enough to go out to the shop and stuff on her shoulder.

We keep calling them mini dogs, they’re really underrated IMO.

Just catching up with this thread. Amazing to read about your rats! I'm really tempted to get a pair but everyone says no way, don't do it! Rats totally don't deserve the press they get. eg. They didn't spread the Plague like everyone believes. It was spread by humans!
There was a pair of rats in Pets at Home and one was silver grey and the other was black and white. If I had the space I would get them but all rhe space we had is taken up by 2 hamster cages!

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Original poster
BooseysMom · 24/12/2022 11:15

Last msg was meant for tabulahrasa

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