What pets do you have? Feel free to post pics!

[goofynina]

I was amazed that when we bought our house and we went to go get insurance, they started naming off dogs that we COULDNT have like pits, rotts, etc...... 

[paddbear0000]

I was amazed that when we bought our house and we went to go get insurance, they started naming off dogs that we COULDNT have like pits, rotts, etc...... 

Some people are so clueless! One of my friends has always had rottis. They too are very sweet dogs. Wimps, more like it. Some people just shouldn't be allowed to own dogs! Oh yeah, one more thing to add to the post about things people don't know about you--I like dogs better than people!!

[angela515]

   I asked my dad if I could get a puppy.. he stood firm and remained with no. Crapola. Made me cry... I want one so bad, and I can't move out anytime soon... just sucks. I envy everyone with a pet, especially a dog... *sigh*

[Falkenbach]

I was amazed that when we bought our house and we went to go get insurance, they started naming off dogs that we COULDNT have like pits, rotts, etc...... 

Yes, this has apparently been happening in the US for some time. To my knowledge, it hasn't happened here yet. *crosses fingers*

Once upon a time, they recognised that having a "scary looking" dog was a deterrent to thieves and was therefore a POSITIVE from an insurance point of view! Nowadays, sadly, it's all about public liability.

On one of my internet forums (for bull terrier owners) one of the members was horrified when their insurance company contacted them - after some 20-odd years of being loyal customers - to say that their current year's home insurance policy was being cancelled (without refund, if I remember correctly) because they owned bull terriers!

[Wattle]

shoe chewing!

Hey Psim, Simon is adorable. But please get that AUSSIE boot away from his teeth!      

[oswald]

additional pics of my dogs

[goofynina]

Your dogs look so obedient Oswald, i bet you have some awesome memories with them huh?  Would love to hear some if you do 

[oswald]

thank you.  my boys are very well behaved, not killers at all. and yes they love small children.  the best memory i have of my dogs is when duffy was a pup he tried to go out in the street and his father zeke literally slapped him in the head so he would'nt step off the curb.  i didn't have to train the pup to do anything, his dad did it for me.  amazing to say the least.  i would'nt have any other kind of dog but a pitbull.

[goofynina]

Good for you, i know if Pits (or any dogs for that matter) are treated right they can be very loyal, and you have the proof my friend, 

[angela515]

I have some questions about buying a puppy... (My dad may be caving in).

I have looked online at our local Animal Shelter for adoption, the type of puppy I want,they do not have. So, I want to look into buying one. Where do I find breeders of the type of dog I want? As for adoption, is there other places to adopt besides what I just mentioned above that i may be missing?

Thanks.

[Falkenbach]

Oswald - LOVE the pics. Just adorable.

Angela - is it a specific breed that you want? If so, then talk to registered breeders but I don't know where to direct you, as you are in a different country to me - perhaps start with the American Kennel Club and they can point you in the right direction??.

But some advice I would like to give, and it's entirley up to you if you choose to accept it:-

1. Do NOT buy a pup from a pet shop.
2. Do NOT buy a pup from a puppy mill (usually recognisable by the fact that they are large scale operations breeding pups - often multiple breeds and cross-breeds ("designer breeds" as they like to call them) - purely for profit. Most pet shops are also supplied by puppy mills. Most puppy mill operators run inhumane operations, the dogs are just a money spinner, just breeding machines, and proper care and socialisation of the litters is simply not something they are in the least bit concerned about.
3. When looking at animal shelters, check what their policies are - e.g. do they temperament test the dogs before putting them up for adoption? If not, you could go home with a dog that has some serious behavioural problems and could be a real nightmare in the longrun.

Also, the ideal age to get a puppy is 8 weeks in my opinion, and you must begin the socialisation process straight away. The most important socialisation period is 8-12 weeks, so your puppy should meet as many people and other animals as possible during this time.

[angela515]

Thanks cyco, that helped ALOT.

The specific breed I want is Boston Terrier. I am looking on akc.com right now, so far I am have emailed some people, because I can't seem to find anything to close to my city, so i'll see where they can lead me too.

[Falkenbach]

Oh gosh, you'd already mentioned the boston terrier. Is my brain like a sieve lately, or what?! lol.

Hopefully the AKC website can direct you to dog shows happening in your area, that's always a good starting point. Just go along to some shows, stop by the terrier ring, find some bostons, and talk to the breeders.

[tamara]

So glad you have finally worked on your dad Angela ! 

Pets are the best !

Hope you find the woofa of your eye ! 

[Amanda From OZ]

Nice midgy, hey wait I thought midgy was a female 

haha yes midgy is a boy!! silly!! 

and yes he does all sorts of tricks.... his a very smart boy.

Karol midgy is a Mini Fox terrier.

Here is a bit of infor about the breed-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_Fox_Terrier

 

[paddbear0000]

Angela, I can attest to what cycobully said about not buying dogs from pet stores, and especially puppy mills. As a vet assistant, I saw more puppy mill puppies than I cared to. We had a bunch of these mills as clients. The puppies were in poor health, had poor skeletal structures (meaning BAD hips) and constantly had diseases. We did a few kennel calls, and the conditions are deplorable!

Keep in mind, dogs from a reputable breeder are expensive. You're looking at several hundred dollars for a Boston Terrier. If you plan on getting one, make sure it has been vet checked and is up to date on everything. Ask to see the records. All reputable breeders will have this info. Also, Go to the kennel. Do not buy a dog over the internet or sight unseen. Unless recommended by a registered kennel club, they generally are puppy mills. They sell them this way because they do not want you to see the conditions at the kennel. Here is an excellent info. sheet we would hand out to our clients who were thinking of buying a pure breed dog.

HOW TO RECOGNIZE A REPUTABLE DOG BREEDER
by Linda Hazen Lewin

So, you've decided the pet for you is a purebred dog...good for you!  Maybe.  The question is, how do you find a reputable breeder?  There are so many ads in the newspaper and so much conflicting information, and most of the books you read only mention the positive characteristics of the various breeds.  (Common sense tells you every breed can't be as perfect as it is described!)  How do you find someone who will be honest with you about their breed so you can make a truly informed choice?

The following are some of the typical characteristics of a reputable breeder:

1.  Reputable breeders only produce a litter with the goal of improving their breed and with the full intent of keeping a puppy from the litter with which to continue their efforts.  They do not breed to make money, to supply the pet market during a wave of breed popularity, to give the kids a sex education, or simply because they happen to have two dogs of the same breed on the premises. These last are all spurious reasons to add more dogs to the current population.  If the breeder has produced a litter for a silly reason, beware!

2.  Reputable breeders nearly always belong to a local or national breed club and they actively compete with their dogs.  Competitions include licensed dog shows, field trials, obedience trials, herding trials, tracking events, earth dog trials and sled dog racing (among others).  Reputable breeders know that AKC registration alone does not confer or imply quality or breeding value, any more than a DMV registration means you have a top quality car.  Competition with other well-bred dogs helps to gauge whether a given dog is worthy of being bred; whether it offers its breed virtues that are worth reproducing.  If the breeder does not belong to any dog organizations or compete with their dogs, beware!

3.  Reputable breeders are willing and eager to spend time with you, explaining, teaching and advising you about their breed.  They will make the disadvantages of owning their breed crystal clear, and it may be the first topic of conversation!  No breed is perfect for everyone, and the responsible breeder wants to be absolutely sure that you really want, and are prepared to care for, this kind of dog for the life of the dog, not just during the "cute puppy stage".  If the breeder does not go into breed peculiarities, beware!

4.  Reputable breeders will screen you carefully, to assure your suitability for owning their breed.  They will not sell a large, active dog to an apartment dweller or to someone without a fence, for example, nor a tiny toy dog to a home with small children.  It is cruel to place a dog in an unsuitable home, and unethical to strap people with an unsuitable dog.  A reputable breeder will refuse a sale, regardless of any personal financial strain or the amount of work involved, rather than place any dog in an unworkable situation.  If the breeder does not question you closely about your home, your family, and your expectations of the dog, beware!

5.  Reputable breeders sell only healthy stock, fully vetted, and guaranteed for some reasonable length of time after the sale.  Their dogs are tested for any genetic deficiencies which can be detected by the age at which the dog is sold.  Puppies should never be offered for sale any younger than 7 weeks of age, and preferably 8 weeks.  If they are, you may be sure they have not had all their shots.  Adult dogs offered for sale should be completely up to date on shots, recently wormed and heartworm-tested.  Records of all veterinary treatments and testing should be offered to you in writing.  If vaccinations are not complete and up to date, breed-appropriate testing for genetic defects hasn't been done (or the breeder says "Oh, that's not a problem in this breed" when you know it is), puppies are offered for sale at an extremely young age, or the breeder's dogs appear unwell, beware!

6.  Reputable breeders offer, or even require, that any dog they sell be returned to them if your situation changes so that you cannot keep the dog.  This applies whether the dog is 10 weeks old or 10 years old.  No responsible breeder wants their dogs to end life in the pound, on the streets, or shuffled from one unsuitable home to another because the dog's family can't keep it any longer.  Many breeders are also involved, on some level, in breed "rescue" work.  When notified, they spend their own time and money to collect the abandoned dog, have it vetted, trained and socialized if necessary, and find it a loving home.  While a breeder might not specifically mention involvement in rescue work, if he or she cranks out multiple litters a year, acts as a broker, or makes no mention of taking a dog back from you if your situation changes, chances are they are more concerned with taking your money than with taking responsibility for the puppies they have produced...beware!

7.  Reputable breeders stay in touch with you on a regular basis to see how you're getting on with your new dog.  They do not just sell you the dog and then disappear, leaving you to cope with problems on your own.  This is probably the greatest advantage to buying your dog from an experienced breeder.  You not only get a healthy, well-adjusted companion, you also get a lifetime of information, advice and assistance from an expert who cares deeply about your success with the animal he has sold to you.  If the breeder takes the stance that "all sales are final", beware!

Remember, it is up to you, the purchaser, to make your choice wisely and to do your homework.  Talk at length with as many breeders as possible, quiz each one on the above items and about their breed, and look at lots of dogs.  A reputable breeder will be impressed and reassured that you are concerned about what you are doing, rather than impulse-buying.  Find a breeder with whom you are comfortable, and whose dogs you like, and pick out your dream pet.  Result:  everybody wins!

 

 

 

[angela515]

Thanks for all the information! I'ts very helpful in my search. So far, I have emails out to a national kennel club, and 1 local person with questions to find where the heck a reliable breeder is here near me.

[kitkatz]

The vet removed Missy's stitches from her kneee surgery Friday morning. The site looked good.  He said to leave the cone on her head until Sunday night, however I came home Friday night and somehow Missy had taken the cone off of her head by herself.  She has been miserable with the cone, so I left it off.  She is still limping. The vet says it will be three months till it gets back to normal.

[paddbear0000]

The vet removed Missy's stitches from her kneee surgery Friday morning. The site looked good.  He said to leave the cone on her head until Sunday night, however I came home Friday night and somehow Missy had taken the cone off of her head by herself.  She has been miserable witht he cone, so I left it off.  She is still imping. The vet says it will be three months till it gets back to normal.

Awww. Poor thing. Don't they look miserable with those cones on? Is the cone held on with a strap or collar? If it is, you may need to tighten it a bit. If not, you need a smaller collar. You should only be able to get one finger under the base of the collar. My Mom's boyfriend's dog is wearing a collar right now because of a leg injury too. It's a Miniature Schnauzer and the poor thing couldn't eat with it on, so he took it off and the dog opened his wound again! So he put it back on and cut the edge of it down slightly so the poor thing could eat easier. He seems happier now, but still can't reach his leg.

[Falkenbach]

Do not buy a dog over the internet or sight unseen. Unless recommended by a registered kennel club, they generally are puppy mills. 

Later in the day yesterday, after I'd sent my original post I thought - GASP!! I forgot to add DO NOT BUY OVER THE INTERNET, especially from those godawful puppy auctions you seem to have on a regular basis over there. Grrrrrrrr.

Also wanted to add that buying from a reputable breeder isn't a GUARANTEE that the dog will not develop any health problems or genetic disorders BUT they do test their breeding stock to greatly minimise these risks, which is far far more than you could ever say for any puppy mill or back yard breeder.

Paddbear's point about pedigree dogs from reputable breeders being expensive is true, however sometimes I hear of the most incredible prices on dogs from pet shops and puppy mills anyway, and they are in poor condition, health etc from day one. And that's without even going into the lack of socialisation these pups have probably had, having often been removed from mothers and littermates before they can learn some of their most important early social lessons.

Oh gosh, I'm ranting again.

[angela515]

I changed my mind on the type of dog i want, and this is the one I am trying to buy. (I know the breeder she is my sister in law's mom).. so, just waiting for her to return my call to say she hasnt already sold it!! *crosses fingers*

Heres a pic of it: (it's a Pom-chi)

[paddbear0000]

Very cute! Although being that this so-called breed (sorry, people in the vet bus call them "fake dogs"  ) is not recognized by any registered dog club, I would definitely make sure he/she is in good health now and research the Pomeranian and Chihuahua breeds before buying.

[MyssAnne]

Kit, I'm glad your dog is feeling somewhat better, poor baby! THREE months to heal? WOW.  Angela, that is a CUTE puppeh!!!! I would agree, check out the backgrounds, you've gotten a lot of good advice!!!

Amanda...I thought Midge was a girl too...oops!!!!! 

[angela515]

I don't care what anyone calls them, a dog is a dog, and i'm sorry but my love is for all not just "pure bred". Although I agree, I would of liked to have had the Boston Terrier more so, but it's out of my hands as I couldn't find a breeder anywhere near me. As for making sure it's healthy and all that info, I have, I know the breeder personally and she has done this for over 15 years and does it for the best interest of the dogs themselves and this particular breed.

I have researched the breeds individually and together, and it's an excellent dog for my household. Small, easy to take care of, loving, great around kids, and so on and so on, same thing I was looking for with the Boston Terrier's, unfortunately, for now, I cannot find any breeders around here so that's not an option at this point in time. Dangit!

[Joe Paul]

I don't care what anyone calls them, a dog is a dog, and i'm sorry but my love is for all not just "pure bred". Although I agree, I would of liked to have had the Boston Terrier more so, but it's out of my hands as I couldn't find a breeder anywhere near me. As for making sure it's healthy and all that info, I have, I know the breeder personally and she has done this for over 15 years and does it for the best interest of the dogs themselves and this particular breed.

I have researched the breeds individually and together, and it's an excellent dog for my household. Small, easy to take care of, loving, great around kids, and so on and so on, same thing I was looking for with the Boston Terrier's, unfortunately, for now, I cannot find any breeders around here so that's ot an option at this point in time. Dangit!

Just a thought, if you love all dogs, why not check with your local shelter, im sure you can find something there you would love too.