Choosing a dog

GwylimT

amibovvered wrote: »

Good luck with that one!

Lots of breeds don't shed.

toffee'n'tom

Mojisola wrote: »

They can't be so desperate that they can't wait until they have their own places to live.

Get them to volunteer for the Cinnamon Trust or the local dogs' rehoming centre so that they can have plenty of contact with dogs, learn what breeds appeal to them and so you won't get landed with all the responsibility for the next 10-15 years while they move on with their lives.

It will ultimately be my daughter's dog. She will pay for it and (whenever they do leave given current house prices to salary ratio) then she will take the dog with her.

tacpot12

I'd recommend a cross-breed or mongrel. They are generally much healthier than a pedigree dog. and they are much cheaper to buy.

ripplyuk

I'd recommend going to your local Dogs's Trust or Blue Cross centre, or another rehoming centre. The staff there will help match you with the dog most most suitable for your family and lifestyle.

krlyr

tacpot12 wrote: »

I'd recommend a cross-breed or mongrel. They are generally much healthier than a pedigree dog. and they are much cheaper to buy.

Maybe in the past when hybrid vigour was around, but many of the crossbreeds now will be just as likely to have health issues as purebreds, due to the "oodle/apoo" fashion.

The reason mongrels would generally appear healthier is because they were created by wandering dogs and strays, leading to a very wide gene pool, effectively 'diluting' health issues. By narrowing the gene pool with purposeful breeding, the likelihood of the puppies inheriting two recessive genes carrying a health issue are increased.

Many of the crossbreeds available to buy or adopt these days are, for example, a purebred Poodle crossed with a purebred Cocker Spaniel. Both carrying that narrower gene pool with potential problematic genes, and therefore no hybrid vigour.

In fact, the trend has led to puppyfarms and 'backyard' breeders churning out pups for profit, failing to do any of the appropriate health tests or research, and therefore the genetic conditions like luxating patella, progressive retinal atrophy, hip/elbow dysplasia etc. are becoming more common place.

I'm sure there are some responsible breeders of cross-breeds, but I would actually recommend being even more cautious of these than, say, a breeder of purebred Poodles. The designer crossbreeds seem to sell for more than the purebred of each breed, so are more attractive to breed for those in it for the money.

Worth a read of these articles if going down the puppy/breeder route. Don't let the price be the deciding factor - a well-bred puppy from health tested parents may cost a little more, but £1500 for example spread over a lifespan of 15 years is only £100 a year - and you'll probably save the difference in vet bills by going to a reputable breeder anyway!

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-puppy/finding-the-right-breeder/

http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/good_breeder


There is, of course, the rescue route too, even if you want a puppy. Many Tears in Wales often have a high number of small breed puppies as they will take in litters or pregnant !!!!!es from puppy farms (rife in Wales), so breeds like Bichons will often crop up.

bellaboo86

Another vote for a trip to the dog's home. So may gorgeous dogs need homes.

Ilona

The best breed are rescue dogs. IMO people who breed dogs for money should be closed down. Sorry, you don't want to hear that, but it's how I feel. The rescues are full of unwanted dogs.
Ilona

sheramber

If it will be your daughter's dog she should be researching what type of dog she should get, not you.

gettingready

You know what? When my daughter was 15/16 - she was "desperate" for a dog.

Also, she wanted a staff.

Now, knowing that if anything happened it will be ME looking after the dog I said fine we can get a dog but if we do it will be a German Shepherd/Belgian Shepherd type of that. And this is what we got.

Fast forward 10 years - Zara is here with me at my feet like a hairy rug. Daughter moved several times, often into places when landlord did not allow dogs so I made the right choice.

So - do YOU really WANT a dog?

Do not count on daughter taking dog with her when she moves out - problems finding a rental property that accepts dogs, double deposits for the ones that do etc etc.

So - if YOU want a dog and can afford it (forget daughter's income - people change/lose jobs etc), look into insurance (good insurance not crao one), look at vet fees, food, potential dog walker (When I got Zara i could walk her lunch time myself, fast forward few jobs and I was paying 500 per month for dog day care as Zara suffers from separation anxiety and just a dog walker mid day was not an option add 197 per MONTH what her insurance is now, food etc and you get some idea).

So again - do YOU want a dog, can YOU afford a dog? If yes then what breed do YOU want? Research, make sure you never get a dog from free ads like preloved or gumtree. Either get a rescue dog or a puppy from reputable breeders - those do not advertise their puppies, those have waiting lists for their puppies and will grill you as if you were adopting a human child, they will not just sell their babies to anyone.

All the best

krlyr

Ilona wrote: »

The best breed are rescue dogs. IMO people who breed dogs for money should be closed down. Sorry, you don't want to hear that, but it's how I feel. The rescues are full of unwanted dogs.
Ilona

But if we want a future filled with healthy dogs with good temperaments, they've got to come from somewhere. IMO we need to educate people to either rescue or support good, reputable breeders who do the appropriate health tests.

Human's desire to own dogs isn't going to stop, but puppy farms and backyard breeders work off supply and demand - if demand dries up because people have wisened up and do not buy from them, then they will go into another line of 'work'.

Then, as the shift goes from spur of the moment purchases from a back of a van, to waiting lists and breeders who will quiz and educate potential owners (and take back dogs should problems arise), we should in theory see a decline in dumped dogs and dogs in rescue homes.