Going to look at a puppy tomorrow- what should I look out for/questions to ask

Mupette

Philippa36 wrote: »

We tried that and found a gorgeous 3 year old dachshund that was offered to us as the owners were emigrating and couldn't take her with them due to costs and not getting the rabies shots in time. I arranged to ring the couple but by the time we spoke she'd re-homed it with a neighbour. I carried on my search. She then got back to me saying it had fallen through and did I still want her. I agreed and we arranged again to discuss collection - she then texted and said they'd changed their minds and were taking her with them regardless of costs.

I appreciate that I would never want to rehome my gorgeous puppy and would do everything in my power to keep her with me. However I got so upset at being messed around and the only other dogs I was offered seemed to be ex breeding dogs and although I was sympathetic, they weren't the kind of dog we were looking for.

I would love to rehome many of the dogs I see advertised on Dogs Trust, Dogsblog, etc but I don't have the time or space. I knew what I was looking for and in the end a puppy was the best option.

Go with your gut instinct, that'll tell you if you've found a good one.

But a puppy takes up more time, what with all the training. what is so different.

_Andy_

So you could either line the pockets of a breeder who's using a dog for their own financial gain, or rehome a rescue dog, but you don't have the 'time or space'. Brilliant

krlyr

_Andy_ wrote: »

So you could either line the pockets of a breeder who's using a dog for their own financial gain,

Or, perhaps, a responsible breeder who is breeding for good health, temperament and the future of the breed. Many reputable breeders don't run at a profit. There's no way to know what kind of breeder the poster got a puppy from without asking.

Philippa36

Mupette wrote: »

But a puppy takes up more time, what with all the training. what is so different.

I have a puppy and couldn't afford another dog.

Philippa36

_Andy_ wrote: »

So you could either line the pockets of a breeder who's using a dog for their own financial gain, or rehome a rescue dog, but you don't have the 'time or space'. Brilliant

Excuse me? I don't have the time or space for a large breed dog that would need a lot of time and exercising. I didnt line the pockets of a 'breeder'. The pups were the result of an accidental coupling and the owners already had 3 adult dogs and were getting rid of the pups.

I didn't realise this board was so unpleasant. I'll stick to reading the well written advice and leave you to snipe at someone else.

thorsoak

_Andy_ wrote: »

So you could either line the pockets of a breeder who's using a dog for their own financial gain, or rehome a rescue dog, but you don't have the 'time or space'. Brilliant

a rescue dog is not for everybody: whilst a reputable breeder, who researches the lines s/he uses, and who breeds for good temperament will carefully vet potential owners, to ensure that a puppy will only go to a home to which it is suited, no Rescue can be certain about the traits behind the rescues it looks after - although some will do their best to ensure that a rescue dog only goes to a home where it is suited, others are just happy that a dog does have a home - which is why, sadly, so many rescue dogs are returned, time after time

And of course, there are the "Rescues" which are in fact businesses, and the owners of these places only contribute to the breeding of yet more puppies by paying for the dogs from Ireland and the like

krlyr

http://www.dogstardaily.com/free-downloads
Page 37 of the "Before you get your puppy" covers where to get a puppy from but the rest of the book is a great read apparently - and the 'after you get your puppy' is probably worth reading too