desparate for a dog!

dollparts

I have been thinking about this for at least a year and I have decided I would really like to give a home to a west highland terrier.

I have been looking around and have been shocked as I didn't realise how expensive they can be to buy.

It's my birthday in a few weeks and I have asked friends and family to help out with the first years cost ie food, equipment etc. My parents have looked into pet insurance and will pay for this as a birthday present.

So that just leaves the cost of the dog! I don't have a great deal to spend, my bf is going to contribute on top of what I will get for my birthday.

I have thought about adoption but I don't want them to think I am adopting just for a free dog-it seems many are suspicious of this nowadays.

I am so desparate for a little westie to love, It will be great for me as it will get me out walking everyday and keep me company therefore being great both physically and good for the mind.

Does anyone know of somewhere I can find a westie please?

If anyone could help I would be really grateful.

foreign_correspondent

if you are struggling with the cost of a pup (and good breeders are not cheap - and cheap breeders are not good either!!) please consider the running costs - westies need regular grooming or clipping, on top of normal costs, and often suffer from skin disporders which are sometimes helped by hypo allergenic food, which is expensive!!

The RSPCA estimates that the average dog costs its owner £5,664 over a 12-year life. Add on annual vet fees, insurance, bedding and the odd choccy treat and that sum rises to a few quid shy of £10,000, or £833 a year. About the price of a small family hatchback.

And these costs are the minimum. Micro-chipping and neutering cost extra. As do pet passports, nail-clipping, vitamin supplements, leads and collars, not to mention the odd visit to the dentist, damage to furniture, training, flea and bad-breath treatments - and all that time-intensive exercise.

Elaine Pendlebury, senior veterinary surgeon at British charity the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), warns that high ownership costs for the most common pets start from day one. 'A young kitten or puppy will need a range of vaccinations to cover things like hepatitis, flu and parvovirus, which can be fatal. This first session would cost an owner, depending on where they lived, up to £80, and these injections may need to be repeated annually.'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2004/may/02/familyfinance.observercashsection

You also need to think about the cost of boarding if you travel, dog walkers if you work, puppy training classes, etc.. and dog insurance tends to get more expensive as the dog gets older, and things like dental treatment are not normally covered, but can run into hundreds.. it will also need a spey of neuter in the frst year, which will not be covered by insurance, but will be between £75- £150 or more, depending on if its a dog or a b1tch and where you eive!

You also need to have the cash available to pay vet's bills up front and then claim back from the insurers as many vets will not claim direct.

dollparts wrote: »

I have thought about adoption but I don't want them to think I am adopting just for a free dog-it seems many are suspicious of this nowadays.

Rescues do not give out free dogs - they generally charge about £100-£150 or so, but the dogs are generally vaccinated, de-flead and microchipped.

Also, do your research - why do you want a westie specifically? They are a true terrier, who often like to dig and hunt, and can be quite wilful and stubborn - they also do not tend to be the most tolerant dog around kids.

dollparts

I know exactly what you mean and have been through all this with my parents and my partner. They are fully supportive and know it will be great for me to have a dog. (have had a rough few years, been ill etc etc)

My parents have said they are happy to foot the bills for all medical costs and I am going to raise the cost of buying the dog from gifts of money from my family.

As said before my partner has committed to being there food and equipment wise.

I know for a fact I will not need a kennel if I go away as she will be looked after by a friend at my house and I work from home so will be there for the dog all day.

dollparts

and I have wanted a westie since being a child. I lived closeby to a family who had three of them and spent lots of time around them.

foreign_correspondent

why not have a look at the little dog rescue (you have to register to read the forum, but is is very useful) www.littledogrescue.co.uk

or http://www.westierescuescheme.org.uk/

or http://www.westierehoming.me.uk/

or a couple on dogsblog http://www.dogsblog.com/category/west-highland-white-terrier/

dollparts

and when I say a 'free' dog I do not mean I expect them to be free myself-just that it's the opinion of rescue homes that this is what potential owners think if that makes sense?

dollparts

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

why not have a look at the little dog rescue (you have to register to read the forum, but is is very useful) www.littledogrescue.co.uk

or http://www.westierescuescheme.org.uk/

or http://www.westierehoming.me.uk/

Thanks, I will have a look. I think I have already come across one of the sites

Fire_Fox

dollparts wrote: »

I know exactly what you mean and have been through all this with my parents and my partner. They are fully supportive and know it will be great for me to have a dog. (have had a rough few years, been ill etc etc)

My parents have said they are happy to foot the bills for all medical costs and I am going to raise the cost of buying the dog from gifts of money from my family.

As said before my partner has committed to being there food and equipment wise.

I know for a fact I will not need a kennel if I go away as she will be looked after by a friend at my house and I work from home so will be there for the dog all day.

Your parents will foot the bill for medical costs up to a maximum of how many thousands each year? All breeds are at greater risk of medical problems due to the inbreeding required for keep the breed true, you are more likely to have medical problems with a puppy farm dog as they tend to be very inbred. A rescue dog could easily be from a puppy farm.

Will you always work from home? What happens if you need to take a job outside the home? What about when you want a family, many westies are not great with children?

Westies are my absolute favourite dog, I had one when I was younger too. She got epilepsy and cost a small fortune, eventually put to sleep as the condition couldn't be controlled. Why don't you save up for six months until you have a nest egg to look after your new friend?

moomin5

dollparts wrote: »

and when I say a 'free' dog I do not mean I expect them to be free myself-just that it's the opinion of rescue homes that this is what potential owners think if that makes sense?

I'm not sure i understand what you mean Most rescues ask for a donation fee to help cover some of the costs and don't normally have the view that potential owners are only there for a cheap dog, unless they get a bit huffy about paying the donation of course (which some do).

I don't think purchase cost should come into it most people either want a puppy and will save to buy what they want or are happy to give a home to a rescue dog.

foreign_correspondent

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Your parents will foot the bill for medical costs up to a maximum of how many thousands each year? All breeds are at greater risk of medical problems due to the inbreeding required for keep the breed true, you are more likely to have medical problems with a puppy farm dog as they tend to be very inbred. A rescue dog could easily be from a puppy farm.

I agree - as the 'pedigree dogs exposed' documentary showed a while ago, even very expensive KC registered and accredited breeders have been known to breed for form over health, and can produce dogs with ongoing serious health issues - you need to be prepared for this eventuality no matter where the dog comes from.

Also, you say you have been ill - dont want to pry, but will you be up to taking a pup out every 30 minutes for toilet training, getting up in the night to take it out, cleaning up poo and wee from your carpets, and dealing with chewing etc.... as well as ongoing daily exercise needs?

UKTigerlily

Just to say Chaya my Dog has cost around £750 in 9 months on Vet's alone, just spent about £200 on things she needs, she's an expensive 'hobby'! Her vaccinations are due in November & we'll be lucky to get there without more Vet visits! Aunt's Pup broke a leg, cost so far, £3k, will your parents fund £3k+?