Would I be mad to apply for this rescue puppy?

[TheEveningReport]

Sorry, me again. I am constantly thinking about and researching getting a dog/puppy, so there may be a few threads! My preference is to buy a (reputably breed) purebred puppy to avoid designer dogs and as I want to know the full medical and family history (as far as possible). Also, as I have children, I want to limit potential harmful behaviours.

BUT, a local rescue have saved a pug/cavalier cross puppy from a puppy farm. CKC was a breed I loved but had decided not to go with due to the associated health difficulties. Pugs I like but have never wanted for similar reasons.

However, this pup is a rescue I wouldn’t be encouraging the trade of ‘designer dogs’, or breeding of these dogs so the pull is strong.

With the medical issues though, and unknown provenance, would I be mad to apply?

I think as long as you go in knowing that there are very probably all sorts of medical issues due to this breeding then at least you won't be taken by surprise.

I'm a bit like you, I love CKC spaniels but would never buy one because of the breeding, and the same with pugs - I like their snuffly little faces and they look like great characters, but I'd be sorry for any animal that had been bred so they can't breathe properly.

Having said that, as you say - this poor little chap exists, and if you can love him and do your best for him then it's probably better than being left in rescue kennels.

I had pedigree dogs before and mongrels, my last pedigree lasted for so long I couldn’t believe the amount of dogs sold nowadays as purebred when they have been bred so irresponsibly by irresponsible people they do not even look like the breed.

I have a friend who was made to drive to three interviews with a “breeder” before being chosen to be given a pup. The bloody pup doesn’t even look like an Airedale Terrier and is full of health issues.

I went for a rescue because the most important thing to me is not looks but temperament and most breeders these days ask you to decide on a puppy when they have not even opened their eyes, so no chance to check on that. I got a mongrel from the RSPCA, I think you would class it as a designer mix but she was not chosen for that. She has been with me for 13 years and still whizzing around as if she was 2 years old, no health problems so far.

I wouldn't. You could be letting yourself and the dog in for years of discomfort and veterinary bills. These two breeds are known to have severe health problems. Crossing them doesn't eliminate the issues.

Yes. Breeding two ‘defective’ breeds doesn’t make the puppy healthier. Tbh given the cross if hedge my bets and say that puppy is in for a lifetime of pain and misery as no breeder person would ever have considered that cross. You can be sure the parents were probably the most unhealthy examples of the breed going.

I agree with this. But would also add make sure you can afford the insurance (which is likely to be high because of his breed combo) and that you have money to cover anything not covered by the insurance. I think you also have to go in to it knowing that the wee chap may (likely?) develop health issues and you may lose him earlier than you'd like. And you need to be prepared to make that decision on health or welfare grounds for him regardless of his age.

But that said I also take the approach that he's here and needs a good home. (I wouldn't say this about getting him from the 'breeder' / puppy farm as like you say you'd be fueling demand, but he's in a rescue). So as long as you can give him a happy one and go into it with your eyes wide open, then go for it.

I don't think you'd be mad to apply but I do think you're going to have a massive bank balance not to pay for treatment for the pup but to pay for insurance for the pup. It will be high. Also, if you take the pup on, be prepared to have it for a shorter time. Might be very short. I'd want an honest assessment as whether its life is worth living and it might be a no. But it might be a yes and if you adopt it, you'd be giving it a chance but at a high cost (in many ways) to you, and with a high element of risk, so as pp said, if you do do it, have your eyes wide open.