Nina there is an excuse because a rescue may not be for everyone,especially those rescue dogs with little or no history.Families with young children often won't take on a dog with an unknown history.
Rescues also have blanket policies in place which make it difficult for some people to aquire a rescue dog.

The first post was mean't as guidance for those considering buying a puppy.

__________________


Rooney Rumpus DNA Tested L2/HC Clear

Ellies Babe Genetically L2/HC Clear

ruardeanstaffords

Yes I understand that completely, and I also mentioned how we brought from a breeder, so for once we have found some common ground

However, there are many dogs placed in rescue centres where the history is known, i.e. credit crunch, people handing pets over as a result of losing their job etc. Where people die and have no other family members, and of course as a result of divorce.

At Battersea they have implemented a strict behavioural assessment before placing dogs in homes and in these cases prospective adopters have dogs that have already been trained!

We still have every intention of rescuing a GSD, but have our names down for a dog who is cat friendly. Hence the long wait.

Nice to agree for once though

__________________
http://www.ninasnanniesforpets.co.uk
pet sitters

I agree who heartdly, we have just decided to get a new dog/puppy and after looking on the net for less than an hour yesterday the amount of people out there trying to make a quick buck is horrible, also people should watch out about the mutlitude of scams out there, after reply to several ads to see what would happen, i received several emails, all from 'breeders' stating that they wanted to give thier babies away for free, if only they could have my full address and name to arrange delivery!!! as if i would buy any kind of animal without first seeing it. however it is a sad fact that people fall for these scams (google puppy scam, you will be amazed). People should go to rescue homes as we will do, and rehome a dog that needs it, not one that has been bred to give the owners some money. The sad fact is that these puppies will probably end up there in anyway.

The sad thing is however, that by buying a puppy that you know to come from a puppy farm (wanting to remove them from the squalid situation), you are actually adding to their continuation and profit making.

However, faced with a malnourished puppy, that looks rather ill, how do you walk away. Its a no win situation for the puppies

__________________
http://www.ninasnanniesforpets.co.uk
pet sitters

Pretty nice threat ,thx

Just a few comments on ways to assess whether you are dealing with a caring breeder or not.

Ask for references on the breeder - people who have bought pups from an earlier litter or if it's the breeder's first litter (and everyone goes through that) ask for a vet's reference.

Ask for a copy of the Puppy Sales Contract - if the breeder has one, read it carefully and if there isn't one, ask why not?

Ask to see the sire's and dam's Health Certificates - if there are not any health checks, why buy there?

Ask under what circumstances the breeder will take back the puppy

Did the breeder ask you searching questions about your experience with dogs and family circumstances?

For the breed you are looking for, search all the ads on e-pupz and the other free sites and see how many litters are advertised from the same breeder if you do this for a few weeks before you are ready to buy your pup you will soon be able to pick out many of the puppy farmers.

A caring breeder is happy to talk about the breed, the pups, give references, take up references on you. An 'I'm in it for Money' will be showing you the door or hanging up on you pretty quickly.

Sgurr

Brilliant advice.

I'd also like to chip in aside from all the necessary health & breeder info, as a new puppy owner I can assure you that it is 100 times more hard work than you will ever think it is!!!

I wasn't under the impression that it was going to be easy but you do not realise how demanding they are, how much time they take up, and how much attention they need.

Put it this way, if you're reading this thinking of getting a new puppy, expect the first few weeks/months to be like having a human baby. Are you going to have the time to devote to him/her?? I had to put off all social arrangements let alone work (luckily i dont) and even having people over can be tiring as you are constantly having to watch your puppy in order to toilet train it and stop it chewing your whole house! I've read comments from the net of people taking a couple weeks off their full time jobs to "settle in" the puppy before going back to work all day leaving it alone. This just isn't good enough.

Be assured though, if you have made up your mind that you're ready for such a commitment, it is one of the most rewarding responsibilities you can imagine

Hi! my name is charlotte and i am new to the forum. i really find your advice valuable, but just wondered if anybody had some more specific thoughts on my situation..

i dont have, nor have ever had, any dogs, but my family (mum, dad, nan and brother of 23) and myself, 19, are currently researching getting a puppy. having sold their time-consuming business, which has prevented us from having a dog in the past, my parents are looking to 'slow down' in terms of their work load, and are looking to move out of our busy town to the west country. they really would like to get a dog (my mum was surrounded by them as a child) but are quite worried as to what a dog would mean for our 2 cats, bobby, aged 3 and freddy, 8 months. maybe i should be posting this in the cat forum, but i just wondered if anybody had any experience or advice regarding the introduction of a puppy to a household with cats? is there a specific breed that might be best...or worst?

really appreciate you taking the time to read this - id be grateful for any thoughts!

Hi,

It's not usually a problem having cats and a puppy. Cats Rule OK! Especially if there are three of them. I had three cats when I got my first puppy. He got a scratched nose once or twice when he was pushy but he was a quick learner. A good way to introduce them is have the puppy crated so s/he feels safe and let the cats get the smell of the 'intruder'. Keep them apart otherwise. Once the pup knows cats are around and they are ignoring him -as they will after a couple of days - then let the first proper introduction be at feeding time. Cats nearest the door and high up if possible (worksurface) and pup on the floor by you. The pup generally finds the food more attractive than the cats. Just take it slowly and eventually you may have a heap of three cats snoozing on a sleeping dog as we often did. My Springers have all been fine with my cats.

As to the breed, my personal opinion is that I would not choose a terrier breed or hunting breed to live with cats - other people will disagree, of course. But remember that how a dog behaves with the cats s/he lives with can be very different to the reaction to a strange cat in the garden.

If a Springer is on your list of possibles then look at my website for info
Sgurr - English Springer Spaniels - Welcome and then look at Scherzando (in Devon) on my links and there you will find the finest examples of working breeds that make superb country companions.

Sgurr

everyone needs to think long and hard before taking on a new puppy yes you will adore this little bundle of love but it is also hard work all puppys need a caring person someone to be there mother there teacher and everything there little hearts desires as a breeder of shih tzu,s i know sleepless night,s hards work and sad times. but i also know what love these little dogs will give you many people think that breeders are in for the money nothing could be further from the truth from a shihtzu lover ( and breeder) margaret lyon london