Think before you buy a puppy
The dos and don'ts of buying a dog Do get advice from your local vet before buying. Vets are more than happy to recommend breeders and would much prefer to help you at this stage than when you have a sick puppy. Don't ever buy from a pet shop. The vast majority are supplied by puppy farms. Don't buy a pedigree dog at a bargain price after seeing it advertised in a newspaper or online. It is not genuine. Accept that a dog is expensive to buy and to care for (at least £10,000 over its lifetime); if you can't afford it, don't buy it. Buy from Kennel Club Accredited Breeders or breed rescue organisations. Do consider classified ads if you are happy with a mixed breed dog, but agree you are buying it on condition that it passes a medical - and get this in writing. Take it to the vets within 48 hours. Or, even better, buy from an animal rescue centre. Do go to the breeder's premises to view the puppy, so you can see the conditions first-hand. Breeders may offer to meet you at a convenient halfway point - never accept. Don't ever buy a puppy if you can't see it interacting normally with its mother. Farmed dogs are taken away from their mothers early on, but a replacement dog may be placed in the room while you are viewing it. Do check the paperwork. All breeders should be able to provide you with medical records. Pedigree breeders should have Kennel Club registration papers, and certain breeds should have parents' hereditary disease screening certificates. Don't buy a dog on a whim, or as a gift. Research the breeds that will suit your lifestyle. Bear in mind that a dog needs one to two hours of exercise a day and can live for up to 15 years. |
|
|
| Lily was a gift but i picked her. (well she picked me out) I love love love her. Without her love i would have never gotten over the loss of my first dog indo. Dogs as gift can be just fine as long as its done right. |
| My oes was a gift too, but one I asked for for a year, picked out myself and researched extensively. I gave my husband the breeder's info after talking extensively with her about her dogs. I gave him the info and left it up to him. He is supposed to be my birthday and Christmas gift this year, he's the best gift I have ever received! |
| Sadly P, since most of the regulars here know all this, it's usually the folks that are coming here after getting the puppy who I think this is aimed at; at which point it's probably too late for that person. I honestly feel that there are many who see the puppy, buy it on impulse AND THEN come here to quickly learn what they should have researched prior to buying; usually because they're in some kind of trouble. We've all seen it. Thankfully though, we also seen a surge in new folks on here lately looking around, lurking and even asking some incredibly bright and insightful questions while doing their own research, prior to the purchase. Some of those questions are. Some that even I hadn't thought of prior to joining this board. I think that the best we can hope for is that word gets out that the OES.ORG board is here and we're willing to answer all questions. Vance |
| That 'gift' comment i made w supposed to be tounge in cheek... Internet doesnt convey tone sometimes, my husband isnt a dog person so letting me get 2 dogs was his 'gift' to me. Ultimately I left it up to him by doing the research and giving him the breeders info because he had to live with the dog too. Turns out he is totally in love with both dogs now. I took similar advice to,"think before you get a puppy" from a friend who had the two most balanced dogs I had ever met which she got from well researched breeders and who's receiver lots of attention and care. Our first OES when I was a young child came from questionable origins and had tons of issues. Our second OES had come from a reputable breeder and had the classic laid back friendly disposition. When I moved out on my own and had a big fenced yard (after years of owning cats) I did Sooo much research into getting a dog (including hours of reading on this forum) and contacted several breeders and made the best decision I could. I also involved my vet by asking for their advice of red flags etc (they gave similar advice to what is on this forum). In the mean time I ended up rescuing an adolescent dog from our local shelter, so by the time I actually got my long awaited 'perfect' puppy I had got some hands on experience  .Getting a puppy is too often a decision made with the best intentions.If you don't put the time and effort into finding the right dog, researching proper puppy care, training and the costs involved in vets bills, good quality food, and the time commitment for exercise, grooming and general dog chores you may be in for a shock (our yearly dog bill is higher than my husbands NHL season tickets; we often joke that the dogs are my hockey). We planned ahead and worked into into our household budget. Even so costly emergencies arise (like when Ru tore several pads off his feet and ripped his nails and needed urgent vet care). I found this forum the most valuable resource because it gave good information on a wide variety of topics (I watched the grooming tutorials several times before my dog even came) and a good mix of experiences and opinions. The posters on here seem to know what they are talking about and between research and talking endlessly with my mother (who has lots of experience with the breed) I have learned so much! I still have soo much to learn. |
| Can I just add that puppies are small and adorable but than before you know it you have a DOG. |
Well said pam.  Parwaz plenty of info on this forum to advise people how too before making an impulse buy  Education regardless of the breed of dogs is important and for years here, OES info has been freely at hand on this forum and also many here willing to comment, wether people take advice, comments or info into there hearts is up to them. Some have been turned others not so, some tragedies and others with there decisions/change of mind on how too, happy endings. Education, advice, comments can be posted, here, up to individuals as to which way they go. At least there is plenty of good advice here to advise on the breed and how too as well. You cant turn everyone but at least this forum helps with the pros and cons of attaining an OES pupper/ rescue/ rehomed one, so there is hopefully a happy ending for many years to come to those that take the search part of this forum, post on what there looking at or thinking about with the breed and are willing to take comments, research of posts, advice etc etc.  |
I have seen a lot of dogs bought "on the quick" end up in shelters and rescue. Maybe it was not thought out or the breeder did not do his/her homework. The dog had issues, did not meet the standard and breeder was no help or did not answer questions. If people come to me for a dog (rescue) I do advise them to talk to the foster and research the breed, If they want a well bred dog go to the club of america for that breed. Go to some dog shows and do your research Sometimes I get a call back saying OMG!! that breeder wants 1500 to 2500 for a dog!!. I tell them about my rescued sheepdog that came from a haphazard breeder and I have 15,000 in him  My yellow lab (savannah , she is at the bridge now) came from a great breeder. Ther was a waiting list and the pups were almost claimed in utero. The parents were field trial labs, I had to have references , vet check and have an interview. That was fine with me. Do research and take your time.....She only bred every two years...Watch for to frequent breedings well watch for everything. A dog breed specific forum like this can give advice too  Oh I would love to have one of lisas puppies I would fly to get her!! him!! not looking for a pup but she has wonderful puppers  |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|