Going to look at puppies

lee111s

Person_one wrote: »

To be fair, a lot of people who want a puppy have no idea of how frequently puppies and pedigree dogs come into rescues and are happy to be informed. If you wanted to, you could probably even find a springer pup in rescue without having to wait too long.

If I were getting a puppy though, I'd want to be told I'd be going on a waiting list and I'd want to be getting the third degree from the breeder rather than feeling like they'd give the pups to anyone with the money.

Yep I get that and thanks for your input. I'm a responsible professional person and we've had dogs and puppies in my family. I'm now going to be living on my own and want one for myself.

I'm only getting a dog because I'll be working from home and can be there when the dog needs me, wouldn't dream of leaving a dog home alone all day, certainly not for the first year or so until it's more matured and comfortable.

I fully expect to be asked plenty questions tomorrow when I go, similarly I have plenty questions for them (thanks to links people have provided). If it doesn't feel right or I think there is anything going on behind the scenes then I'll be happy to walk away. Won't be taking any cash with me, if I do decide to want one I'll go back the next day having thought things through

Treevo

Person_one wrote: »

Now that's just as misleading and ignorant as the post about 'judging' a dog by its parents.

The vast majority of dogs in rescue are there because flawed, lazy, ignorant humans got fed up of them and didn't feel the need to fulfil their responsibilities.

They can be more challenging than a pup, but a house trained socialised and calm older dog can also be a lot easier. All those 'undesirable' dogs were brand new puppies once.

When was the last time you visited a dog rescue? Nearly every single one of them are full to the brim of staffies which are (rightly or wrongly) undesirable dogs.

Please note that I didn't attribute cause so really the ignorant and misleading comment was yours.

Person_one

Treevo wrote: »

When was the last time you visited a dog rescue? Nearly every single one of them are full to the brim of staffies which are (rightly or wrongly) undesirable dogs.

When I went to collect my rescue dogs, who aren't staffies.

gettingready

lee111s wrote: »

I fully expect to be asked plenty questions tomorrow when I go, similarly I have plenty questions for them (thanks to links people have provided). If it doesn't feel right or I think there is anything going on behind the scenes then I'll be happy to walk away. Won't be taking any cash with me, if I do decide to want one I'll go back the next day having thought things through

Very good plan - it is just too easy to feel sorry for a puppy and wanted to take it away and leaving the cash behind.

Just remember - if they do not as YOU any questions.. they do not care when puppies go and.. you know what to do

Caroline_a

lee111s wrote: »

P.s Caroline, I'm a guy

Apologies, it's been a long old day . Hope you find your ideal pup, wouldn't be without my two!

Fosterdog

Treevo wrote: »

When was the last time you visited a dog rescue? Nearly every single one of them are full to the brim of staffies which are (rightly or wrongly) undesirable dogs.

Please note that I didn't attribute cause so really the ignorant and misleading comment was yours.

Actually I visit multiple rescues regularly as a volunteer and while some can be full off "undesirable" staffies most have a wide range of dogs.

Just last weekend I was at one that had 2 staffies, 2 staffie crosses and 25 other dogs, 13 cross breeds (including the staff crosses) and the rest pure breed. Some of the breeds were what most would consider desirable and one just happened to be a 7 month old springer spaniel pup.

OP I'm not going to lecture on why rescues are better, some are better than others the same as breeders but I do want to overcome the misconceptions that people have.

Out of all my foster dogs over the years only one was an undesirable breed and only 3 crossbreeds the rest were known breeds and some even surrendered with pedigrees and papers. The youngest dog I fostered was only 18 weeks old so really barely older than from a breeder and she was also a pedigree surrendered with papers.

Paradigm

Fosterdog wrote: »

Actually I visit multiple rescues regularly as a volunteer and while some can be full off "undesirable" staffies most have a wide range of dogs.

Just last weekend I was at one that had 2 staffies, 2 staffie crosses and 25 other dogs, 13 cross breeds (including the staff crosses) and the rest pure breed. Some of the breeds were what most would consider desirable and one just happened to be a 7 month old springer spaniel pup.

OP I'm not going to lecture on why rescues are better, some are better than others the same as breeders but I do want to overcome the misconceptions that people have.

Out of all my foster dogs over the years only one was an undesirable breed and only 3 crossbreeds the rest were known breeds and some even surrendered with pedigrees and papers. The youngest dog I fostered was only 18 weeks old so really barely older than from a breeder and she was also a pedigree surrendered with papers.

All of that is fine if that's what you want... I don't & I suspect the OP doesn't either.

If you treat & love a dog properly why does it matter where it comes from?

Person_one

Paradigm wrote: »

If you treat & love a dog properly why does it matter where it comes from?

It matters tremendously if it comes from a breeder, irresponsible ones do enormous harm.

gettingready

Kinski wrote: »

Personally I would never buy a pup from the internet or a pet shop, have a look at puppy love and read some of the horror stories from some of the people who have just done what your thinking about doing http://www.puppylovecampaigns.org/yourstories.shtml

OMG what terrible lot of stories...:(

RachRubyD

Back to the OP question since there seems alot of aruging about rescuing vs buying a puppy. I myself am thinking of adding an lovely doggy addition to my family. I am hoping to go down the rescue route myself but would prefer to rescue a younger dog as my own dog is only 4. Rescuing isn't for everyone some places make it very hard for you to rescue. Or you have to be careful with rescue centres as well i've heard alot of people say that they been told their dog is say 5 and actually it was 7 years old. I'd follow the advise given about buying a puppy if I was rescuing like having your own vet check the dog out.

I am a little worried that rescue centres may not been totally honest about health conditions and I am wanting to adopt a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as I just adore this breed, they are beautiful and sweet and I need a kind natured and small dog for my own cav and my cat. However they tend to have alot of health issues.

My own dog is one of those examples of bad breeders. My mum and myself had never owned a dog and didn't know much about buying a puppy. We just saw an advert in paper and went for it. I will never regret it because I wouldn't have my wonderful ruby but I wish i'd of knew better and went to a proper breeder. This breeder (well they weren't professional breeders) had a dog that got pregnant and never bred before. My aunt bought a boy from same litter and he died a few weeks later of a rare diease. It probs wasn't nothing to do with breeding but the breeders handled it really bad. Accused my auntie of murdering the dog (why would she do that) and turned rather nasty. My dog had a heart murmur since a pup, only small and still not needing to be treated but still and she is also epiletic. For all we know the mother or father most defo had a heart murmur and even could be epis themselves and we weren't informed.

Go to a proper breeder do your homework. If your breed (springer spaniel) has health issues then the parents would mostly like be health screened for them. It will be expensive than what you see advised but in the end you get a healthy dog and lots of support from professional breeders. I know I will be going down this route next time if I end up getting a puppy.

However if you can please rescue there is lots of puppies and young dogs that need loving homes. I am always seeing springers that need resucing. I am thinking of getting a springer myself in future as they beautiful dogs. I find the welsh rescues seem to have more spaniels due to puppy farms there. Many tears and Four Paws are great rescue centres that tend to have alot of different breeds.

This is a good website and tells you if parents been health screened

http://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeds/english-springer-spaniel/breeders