Polydactyl pup

[FabFitFifties]

Would I be foolish to buy a polydactyl pup? No other details given, only unsold pup from litter. Still being sold at going rate. No clear picture of paws in advert. Has anyone had problems with a pup like this?

It's just a genetic change to the gene for number of digits. Nothing else.

An online ad? An unsold puppy from a dodgy breeder?

It's literally just an extra toe. Should have no issues at all.

Polydactyls don’t tend to have any other associated issues. Sometimes the extra toes aren’t ‘proper’ toes just flappy skin with a claw on, and depending on location can get caught on things or the claws can grow round into the pad, so very occasionally if causing an issue they would be removed (a very minor surgery).

Most just look like they have adorable thumbs though.

Thankyou everyone. Yes it's the last of 8 pups, online advert, can be seen with both parents. This definately isn't my preferred method of getting a dog, but I'm getting desperate. Our rescue dog died 3 years ago, nearly 17 year old, and I've been searching 6 rescue centre sites daily since. It has been impossible - despite being experienced dog owners, with large secure garden, someone in all day, and our last dog accompanying us on all holidays. My son has just started secondary school, which I thought would make things easier, but when you click on further details, many say children over 16! There has been plenty lurchers who we have matched the criteria for, but we like to let a dog off in safe places. I do worry that there's a poor bitch being exploited by online advertisers, which is why I haven't succumbed earlier.

Are you discounting lurchers? I have a large lurcher. He's a collie/deerhound. It took a fair bit of recall training but I am able to safely let him off the lead now on walks as long as there are no sheep or deer around. He's not interested in small children so gives them a wide berth generally. He's a very loving well behaved dog and I've never had problems with chewing or toileting. He's pretty lazy unless he's on a walk

I don’t know where you are but would you look further afield? GRWE or forever hounds? Both parents in ad suggests dodgy BYB.

Not finding a rescue dog sounds very unlucky :( as far as my experience went a high fence and someone being around were crucial, and you tick both of those boxes. I know the dogs trust had quite a few dogs of different breeds that could be housed with secondary school children when I last looked (I have primary school children which reduced the number, but not to zero). Not sure where you are but if in the uk there must be a suitable rescue dog somewhere. Best of luck if you want to keep looking

Yes I had discounted a lurcher. I'm used to energetic, love to play, collies. I'd struggle not being able to play fetch etc. on a walk. Maybe that's selfish though, with all these poor lurchers needing homes. I'll have a rethink and discussion with DP and DS.

There are collie lurchers around like mine. He loves to play fetch. He also attempts to herd the family if we are out on a walk. I would definitely recommend one. It's good to know what cross they are, which you don't usually know with rescues. His mum is a collie that is a dog in our extended family and we also know the dad. He is almost 6 but still loves fun and chasing around

Adopt don't shop. Breeders are scum

I walk with four lurchers all have good recall and two happily play with a ball. I also walk with a friend with a breed of dog known for being human orientated and which normally loves to retrieve the other day the owner spent 40 minutes trying to get the bloody thing back whilst it danced around and nothing on this earth would persuade it to come to her even trying to get it to play/retrieve its favourite toy!!

Lurchers vary quite a lot btw... depending on what cross they are and the individual dog.

But I’m not quite sure why the next choice if you can’t find a rescue is online ads with more than likely dodgy breeders?

I do worry that there's a poor bitch being exploited by online advertisers

Not all breeders are ‘scum’ as a pp has said. have a look and see if they have a dog breeding license.

A breeding license by the council is about as much use as someone having a driving licence and knowing how good a drive they are.
Id want to know, how old the bitch is, how many litters she’s had, how many litters she will have. Where do they live, is she in good Nick - ie she shouldn’t stink, it’s a sigh they aren’t living in the home and are dragged in for viewings, they should be happy and confident in the house around the telly/kettle etc, again shows they actually live there.
What Heath tests do they do, and actually ask to see the results… rather than just be told them.
Do they offer a lifetime guarantee of being able to return the pup should your circumstance change.

I am with you OP with regard to lurchers and greyhounds.

I am aware it is a sweeping statement but the general training to have good recall from either is not how I want to spend the majority of my time with my dog. I want to train other skills.

I have always had collies, wcs and labs, a lurcher is not the dog that would fit into my lifestyle - whatever the mix.

There are a lot of collie rescues that will rehome to experienced collie owners and they assess the situation individually - not sure where you are roughly located?

Polydactyl pup would not worry me but buying off an ad would require me to do a lot of research.

I've got a Polydactyl cat. He has massive thumbs that enable him to do things like pull open cupboards. Aside from a peculiar run because of his massive trotters, he is perfectly fine in every way. I realise this is not a dog but I can't imagine it would be much different. I get so many comments about him!

Thanks again everyone, you have put me off online ads again. I'll continue my search for a rescue - I'm in the north east. It was so easy last time we adopted, but we didn't have a child then. That's been the difference. It's very frustrating to click on a dog that says can live with secondary kids, then see 16 plus. I've literally been on line every day for nearly 3 years. I don't feel we can look further afield than we already are, as it's a lot to ask of a rescue to have a long drive in a strange car to get home. I won't give up.

I'd be contacting different rescues, calling asking if they have any dogs in that would be suitable for living with a dog savvy child under 16. I see plenty on Facebook - lots of shepherd type dogs especially. Have a look at some breed specific rescues too! That may help you find the perfect dog. Sadly rescues are full to the brim at the moment with many no-kill rescues having to put dogs to sleep. Definitely adopt if you can! ❤️

Have a look at Black Retriever X - they usually want puppies to go to a home with another dog but they also have a lot of nice young labs and retriever crosses.

Your heart is tugging you and I get that, but with young children my own personal choice would be to start with a puppy. I've worked in welfare and you often don't know what you are getting with a rescue. Champdogs is the best website for breeders who health test - vital with the cost of vet bills/insurance these days. As far as I'm concerned Pets4Homes and Gumtree etc should be banned.

I don't know if I'm allowed to mention specific rescues, but we got our pup from High hopes dog rescue. Many dogs are from abroad but not all are. They do place with children, some at certain ages eg over 8. Our youngest is 4 and they declined our application for one dog because of this and suggested another. They have set up a couple of group chats which they remain a part of, one for just us and another with other owners of our pups litter which is lovely and they are fantastic at answering questions etc. They've been great.