Advice on purchasing a puppy

[52milk]

Hi Everyone

We as a family are thinking of buying a puppy.

Can anyone offer any advice on this.

I have not owned a dog since my single days a some 22 years ago.I have 4 children and although I have been asked many times if we can have a dog I have always said no.This being because with work and children I have not felt we could look after a dog as well.

My oldest daughter is now 21 and the youngest child 11 so we have discussed all the pros and cons of taking on a dog and everyone understands the commitment.

So my questions are ....

what kind of family friendly dog should I be looking at ,it must be a small breed.

Where is the best palce to buy from and where to avoid.

Which company to use for pet insurance/vet care.

Any thing else I should think about.

Thank you for any help you can offer.

[vamo48]

There has been a lot of good advice given and I don't think I can add to it, other than to say that your local library will have good books on all aspects of dog care and training,  but would like to wish you all the best, you sound as if you'll provide a good loving home for a dog.  I do know some Shih Tzus, and they are lovely animals.  Our present dog is a Westie who was given to us at 11 months; we have also had a retired racing greyhound (they don't require the long walks some people think) and a Lancashire Heeler we had from when he was a tiny pup.  They have all been fun, and I hope you find the Right Dog.

[myraandjim]

with regard to pedigree or cross bred, a pedigree should have had the relevant health tests on the parents, a cross bred is unlikely to have had them done. Also a reputable breeder (who will have tests done etc) will only breed pure, it will be the back yard breeders who cross breed for the "designer" dogs, and are probably (not always) breeding purely for the money not for the good of future generations. You will be paying a fair bit of money for your puppy so you may as well have the best available. As I previously said, I take rescues with health problems, some that I have had have had problems purely down to bad breeding and it is heartbreaking to see the results - with my giant breed it is hip or elbow dysplasia usually, a puppy born to be crippled when careful breeding and testing could eventually eliminate this. If you are going to a good breeder you will be almost interrogated, don't be offended by the questions, the breeder wants a good owner for her pups as much as you want a good pup. Make a list of questions that you want to ask and don't be afraid to ask them - the breeder won't mind. It really is worthwhile taking a bit of time to research, your new baby will be with you for a long time, you need to make sure you get the right one. I don't know much about the shiz tsu, except that a family near us have one and she is gorgeous. really good natured and game for anything, certainly not a pampered lap dog!

[soppysofty]

52milk

From what you say in your opening post may I suggest you take a long look at the Shar Pei breed.

Great with children, very well mannered, easy to keep and extremely affectionate.

Dogs Trust and other rescue centres normally have one or two in at any time and they do not cost much to maintain.

One of the few breeds that does not have any inbred problems.

We have had Shar Peis for the last 20 years and will not go anywhere else.

[saasher2012]

Everything that could be said has been said here ! The only thing I can add is that if you get an older rescue dog please make sure that it has no hang ups with children etc. the dog must be able to fit in with your lifestyle. Look around, see what is on offer at the rescue centre, take time, consider all aspects, nature ,breed , size, sex, food requirements, health care, grooming, walking, barking, it's seems a lot I know but well worth the effort for at least twelve years of love , fun, drama, & companionship . Good luck with you quest!.

[ilove2patch]

One thing I am very grateful for is how quiet my greyhound is. They seldom bark. I couldn't have coped with a noisy, yappy dog. It would have driven me crackers!

I gave just Googled Shar pei's. Not an attractive breed are they! lol 

[saasher2012]

My brother has an ex racing Greyhound only two years old , she is so sweet tempered & laid back & I can't praise highly enough the care & attention given by the ex racing Greyhound rehoming Soc. the backup doesn't stop when you get the dog they are there for you at all times if you need them!

[ilove2patch]

She looks gorgeous. I got mine from GRWE who do amazing work rescuing the dogs. A more gentle sweet natured dog would be hard to find. 

[saasher2012]

Yes indeed they are lovely dogs once they've settled they seem to be very gentle & friendly , & I swear she is a bit of a clown.lol.my brother has been around dogs all his life not so his wife& he thinks they couldn't have made a better choice for her& I agree!.
Millie, the Greyhound has fell on her feet my Sister in law dotes on her & that's how it should be!. What's your treasure called?

[ilove2patch]

She is called Damson & she will be eight in September. I had her when she was two. 

[saasher2012]

She's gorgeous , haven't they got the most exquisite faces?

[ilove2patch]

She also has rather weird ears! 

[saasher2012]

Shhhhhhh! Don't let her hear you , you'll give her a complex.lol.

[**towery**]

the girl across from us has  a jack russell , thats barks at everything, and not just one bark , he'll go on ages, they dont seem to be able to shut him up

[ed_blackadder_1]

They call that big dog syndrome around here.  A little dog trying to be a big dog,  we have hundreds of Jackies in the village and every one is the same.  (hundreds is a slight exageration)

[chickengrandma-2008]

I must say. Lottie Hardly ever barks.  If I let her out after dark she sometimes hears a chicken bumping into the wall of it's coop.  If it's a sudden bump she might bark into the darkness.

In fact I'm looking for a new puppy for the very reason that she doesn't bark enough.  When I'm alone at night I want something that will bark.  

[ed_blackadder_1]

We have one you can have, barks at anything and everything, the one good thing though is that she stops when you tell her too, unless it's a cat.

[chickengrandma-2008]

I want something a little bigger than Lottie, so she doesn't eat it!!  I don't think she'll eat a puppy and by the time it answers back it'll be bigger than her!  

[52milk]

Thank you everyone for your continued help.

I am going tomorrow to look at some rescue dogs and will take it from there.

They have some small dogs that are between 1 and 2 years old and even a couple of pups.

[lhasa.two]

You mentioned the possibility of getting a shih tzu.  They are lovely dogs but watch out for eyes and nose. They have a very short bridge break which can give them breathing problems. There's also the cost of grooming about every two months or so depending on the coat, unless you can give a degree of time every day to brushing. Bathing them isn't easy either, well more like the brushing out and drying!

I've always had Lhasa Apsos. They are similar to the shih tzu but come from Tibet, have a similar coat but longer, normal nose break so no breathing problems. They were used as sentinel dogs in the monastries and are good guard dogs but they aren't in the slightest bit yappy. Although affectionate they can have an aloofness about them which I quite like. They come in various colours and are known as the Lion dog. They don't malt either but will need grooming like the shih tzu. My last one lived until he was 15 and died suddenly without  having any illness over the years. I never wormed him except when I first got him and gave him garlic once a week in his food to ward off fleas.  One last point - just my personal view - I would be in favour of a **bleep** (have her spayed if she's not already) rather than a dog, the latter can have wandering and sometimes assertive moments!

Lots of good advice on here so lots for you to think about.  Good luck and I hope you find the right dog for you.

[ilove2patch]

All good rescues will have their dpogs speyed & neutered before rehoming. I hope you find your new companion soon.