desparate for a dog!

mrcol1000

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?

Its very easy to get a dog from classifelds a shop or a lot of breeders. But it can be very diffcult to get a dog from a rescue for a reason. The dog isn't free as you will be expected to pay a donation or adoption fee. My dog cost £110 from the RSPCA but then I got a dog which was chipped and had all its jabs up to date and had a full medical examination and was professionally grommed before she was handed over. So I think that is good value.

I really think you need to make sure you get the right dog from the right place. I would really consider a rescue and getting a slightly older dog about 9months to a year old. You can then get a dog which suits your needs rather than a puppy which will be a lot of hard work. It will also be cheaper as it will probably already be chipped and have its jabs done.

Rosie75

My dog had an accident resulting in £1500 of vet bills in his first year. Although we had insurance for him, I'm pretty sure that they will whack on an exclusion when it next comes up for renewal and say that they won't cover him for any kind of gastro-intestinal issue in the future (he had to have his stomach and bowel cut open as a result of this incident). The point is that insurance doesn't cover everything, and unless you go for the premium insurance schemes (such as Petplan, which costs at least double in premiums what others cost) they will not cover for dog for a specific illness or problem beyond a certain time period or cost. Also, in my experience, pet insurance premiums seem to increase much more on an annual basis that other kinds of insurance. Mine seems to increase between 50-85% each year, and it becomes impossible to switch provider once your dog is a certain age (usually around 7). It would be worth checking with your parents whether they are happy to be paying a potentially 80% increase year-on-year in insurance premiums.

dollparts

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

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?

I have been ill over the past year (and no, I don't think it's unfair to ask) but I am fully recovered and back to good health. I will certainly be up to giving a dog what it needs including the things you have mentioned.

Please don't think I have decided I would like a dog on a whim. In my OP I did mention that I have given it a great deal of thought.

dollparts

mrcol1000 wrote: »

Its very easy to get a dog from classifelds a shop or a lot of breeders. But it can be very diffcult to get a dog from a rescue for a reason. The dog isn't free as you will be expected to pay a donation or adoption fee. My dog cost £110 from the RSPCA but then I got a dog which was chipped and had all its jabs up to date and had a full medical examination and was professionally grommed before she was handed over. So I think that is good value.

I really think you need to make sure you get the right dog from the right place. I would really consider a rescue and getting a slightly older dog about 9months to a year old. You can then get a dog which suits your needs rather than a puppy which will be a lot of hard work. It will also be cheaper as it will probably already be chipped and have its jabs done.

I'm not sure I made myself clear back there.
For clarity, the point I was making was that some of the rescue sights I have visited suggested that people are now looking to re-home a dog versus buying from a breeder to save on the costs-and that this was becoming a more significant problem.

It would not be a case of me getting a dog from anywhere I could-It has to be the right dog whether it comes from a rescue centre (which I would prefer because I would be giving a home to a dog in need) or other means.

dollparts

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. My parents have agreed to foot all costs-they are experienced dog owners and fully understand this could be a costly pledge but know it's a worthwhile one. They have done this for my siblings, they are all dog owners and the support from my parents has become somewhat of a family tradition. My grandparents did it for for my parents and so on.

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? I have worked from home for the past 4 years and will continue to do so.

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?

I will only consider taking in a dog if all the conditions are right. That includes being in a position to love it, be responsible for it and take care of it unconditionally. So naturally if that means waiting then so be it. It is not something I will rush into for any reason.

mrcol1000

dollparts wrote: »

I'm not sure I made myself clear back there.
For clarity, the point I was making was that some of the rescue sights I have visited suggested that people are now looking to re-home a dog versus buying from a breeder to save on the costs-and that this was becoming a more significant problem.

.

I would be interested to know which rescues taken this view and I would strongly advise you to avoid them at all means. The whole point of a rescue centre is to take in unwanted dogs and find new homes. Its up to the rescue to ensure the dog is going to a new home and it really doesn't matter why they have come to a rescue or a breeder they should appericate the opportunity for the dog to have a good home. Surely saving money on a dog is an opporunity for rescues to use as a lever to get people to get their dog from rescue rather than a breeder and encouraging yet more dogs to be bred when there so many homeless ones.

fantasia322

dollparts wrote: »

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.

Adopting isnt free you have to pay an adoption fee, and they breed rescue vet you thouroughly to make sure you would be a suitable owner and give a loving, caring home. It isnt just a case of walking in and picking a dog.
Anyone can buy a pedigree pup, it takes someone special to re-home a rescue dog, all the breeds have their own rescue. Will post the link for you in 5

fantasia322

mrcol1000 wrote: »

I would be interested to know which rescues taken this view and I would strongly advise you to avoid them at all means. The whole point of a rescue centre is to take in unwanted dogs and find new homes. Its up to the rescue to ensure the dog is going to a new home and it really doesn't matter why they have come to a rescue or a breeder they should appericate the opportunity for the dog to have a good home. Surely saving money on a dog is an opporunity for rescues to use as a lever to get people to get their dog from rescue rather than a breeder and encouraging yet more dogs to be bred when there so many homeless ones.

This is a quote from the home page of one of the westie rescue sites that were named in another previous post
so its easy to see where the idea came from
quote
It is becoming apparent that a few people who apply to adopt one of the many dogs that come into our care do so for the wrong reasons. Fortunately in the minority, they are motivated by a desire for a cheap, or even free dog, begrudging the donation that we would like as a token of their commitment, and of the value they place on their adopted dog.
We wish to make it clear that your donation is not based on the expenses incurred with your particular dog, but goes toward the cost of rehoming every one of the dogs that come to us. Our expenses are high, and we at Westie ReHoming work hard, with long, unsociable hours, and we give our services free of charge, often at a personal cost to ourselves both financially and emotionally.
None of us begrudges the effort we put in for the welfare of the dogs, but we must stress that whilst we make every effort to find you the dog you would like, our first priority is always focussed on the needs of the dog and we would prefer to think that you would share our attitude.
If you genuinely feel that you have something to offer a rehomed dog, with any ‘baggage’ that it may bring with it please carry on reading our website. If, however, knowing the cost of a Westie from a reputable breeder you see a rehomed dog as a cheap or free option, this site is not for you.

dollparts

fantasia322 wrote: »

This is a quote from the home page of one of the westie rescue sites that were named in another previous post
so its easy to see where the idea came from
quote
It is becoming apparent that a few people who apply to adopt one of the many dogs that come into our care do so for the wrong reasons. Fortunately in the minority, they are motivated by a desire for a cheap, or even free dog, begrudging the donation that we would like as a token of their commitment, and of the value they place on their adopted dog.
We wish to make it clear that your donation is not based on the expenses incurred with your particular dog, but goes toward the cost of rehoming every one of the dogs that come to us. Our expenses are high, and we at Westie ReHoming work hard, with long, unsociable hours, and we give our services free of charge, often at a personal cost to ourselves both financially and emotionally.
None of us begrudges the effort we put in for the welfare of the dogs, but we must stress that whilst we make every effort to find you the dog you would like, our first priority is always focussed on the needs of the dog and we would prefer to think that you would share our attitude.
If you genuinely feel that you have something to offer a rehomed dog, with any ‘baggage’ that it may bring with it please carry on reading our website. If, however, knowing the cost of a Westie from a reputable breeder you see a rehomed dog as a cheap or free option, this site is not for you.

Thanks for pointing this out. This was precisely the example I was referring to. Would be interesting to hear what others think of the comments made in the passage.

mrcol1000

fantasia322 wrote: »

This is a quote from the home page of one of the westie rescue sites that were named in another previous post
so its easy to see where the idea came from
quote
It is becoming apparent that a few people who apply to adopt one of the many dogs that come into our care do so for the wrong reasons. Fortunately in the minority, they are motivated by a desire for a cheap, or even free dog, begrudging the donation that we would like as a token of their commitment, and of the value they place on their adopted dog.
We wish to make it clear that your donation is not based on the expenses incurred with your particular dog, but goes toward the cost of rehoming every one of the dogs that come to us. Our expenses are high, and we at Westie ReHoming work hard, with long, unsociable hours, and we give our services free of charge, often at a personal cost to ourselves both financially and emotionally.
None of us begrudges the effort we put in for the welfare of the dogs, but we must stress that whilst we make every effort to find you the dog you would like, our first priority is always focussed on the needs of the dog and we would prefer to think that you would share our attitude.
If you genuinely feel that you have something to offer a rehomed dog, with any ‘baggage’ that it may bring with it please carry on reading our website. If, however, knowing the cost of a Westie from a reputable breeder you see a rehomed dog as a cheap or free option, this site is not for you.

I can see what they are trying to say but there must be a better way of saying it. Personally if I read that I would go elsewhere. But they are right. There should be barriers to adopting inculding financial ones to ensure that people who adopt dogs make sure they are doing whats best for them and they have the financial resources to give the dog long term care.