Puppy from "breeder" or "facebook"?

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Networkn
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#2831018 12-Dec-2021 21:48

djtOtago:

Don't get a dog just because the kids think they want one. Only get one if you want one. They require almost as much work and commitment as looking after your children does.

I only regret I have 1 +1 to give.

Despite wanting a German Shepherd my whole life and feeling like I planned it all out, was committed, they require SO much attention and exercise, and when kids came along, and work got busy, the guilt at not getting to him each day ate me up. It's a testament to his excellent breeding he didn't go totally nuts and eat everything in our house when he couldn't give him enough attention. Also, dogs live a reasonable amount of time, and the kids when they leave home, probably won't take the dog with them, so you will have him until he passes on.

mdav056

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#2831025 12-Dec-2021 22:01

networkn:

We bought our German Shepherd from a very reputable guy in Christchurch (We flew from AKL to Christchurch and met him, the Sire and the bitch). It wasn't cheap, but he was everything we could have hoped for and more. He lived 13 years. The guy knew pretty much everything about that line of bred dog. We called him a few times and he knew what was up within a minute and was right every time. In my experience, buying a dog is the cheapest part of owning one, especially one that eats 700-1000grams of food a day :)

If I ever bought another dog, it would be through a breeder with an excellent reputation. Puppy mills make me feel slightly ill.

If you haven't owned a dog, then can I just give you the most important tip to happy ownership... socialise socialise socialise your dog as soon as he has had his or her shots. That means exposing them to all sorts of other dogs, people of all colour (no I am not kidding) and creed, take him to the local school and let the kids pet him/her. You cannot over socialise a dog. Expose them to everything you can. It's SO important to having a well balanced happy and social pet. Teach your kids the dog is not a human. Dogs don't think like humans. Humans you comfort when they are unhappy/scared, but dogs, you reinforce the behaviour when you do that. Point in case. When we bought Thunder home from Christchurch there was a week of severe storms with Thunder and Lightning, he wasn't happy. What I did was just sit in the same room as him, read a book and totally ignored the thunder and lightning. He watched me and my reaction, and learned there was nothing to be scared of. My wife used to go running with him during storms etc and he never missed a beat. Also, if your dog growls, don't tell him off. He is warning you he doesn't feel safe. If you growl at him for warning you, he won't warn you. Last thing, get online and read about the benefits of crating your dog. Do it from the first day. It's an excellent thing. Gives them somewhere safe to go, it's a place they are happy to be in when guests who don't like dogs come around. When my sister told me about it I was sceptical and very reluctant. She all but insisted, and it was something I'd do every dog I got from now on.

Good luck. Dogs are a lot of hard work, but they are also exceptionally rewarding pets if you start the way you intend to continue. The investment at the start in terms of time and attention, is what sets all that up. A bit like kids.

Yes, mostly agree, but you can, it seems, over socialise. Our dog will talk to every person (adult and child and even baby!) in the park, but is not good at dealing with other dogs -- just doesn't want to play. Labradoodle from a very reputable breeder. People a few doors down got a rescue dog, and it is a bloody handful, and I think rescue dogs are rather potluck.

But one thing to watch out for is spaying too early. Our wonderful dog embarrasses us by half lifting her leg on trees and suchlike...because she was spayed much too early, I think.

gml

networkn

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#2831026 12-Dec-2021 22:03

mdav056:

Yes, mostly agree, but you can, it seems, over socialise. Our dog will talk to every person (adult and child and even baby!) in the park, but is not good at dealing with other dogs -- just doesn't want to play. Labradoodle from a very reputable breeder. People a few doors down got a rescue dog, and it is a bloody handful, and I think rescue dogs are rather potluck.

But one thing to watch out for is spaying too early. Our wonderful dog embarrasses us by half lifting her leg on trees and suchlike...because she was spayed much too early, I think.

That's strange on both counts. I guess it depends on what is considered too much. We had a boy, we neutered him when we were told to, and he peed like a girl dog his whole life. I don't think I ever saw him cock his leg, but he would pee to mark posts etc..

freitasm

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#2831029 12-Dec-2021 22:07

networkn:

That's strange on both counts. I guess it depends on what is considered too much. We had a boy, we neutered him when we were told to, and he peed like a girl dog his whole life. I don't think I ever saw him cock his leg, but he would pee to mark posts etc..

We have two girls. I will post a story in the [Annoy] thread.

freitasm

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#2831032 12-Dec-2021 22:10

Here now.

colinuu

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#2831035 12-Dec-2021 22:14

networkn:

<snip>

In my experience, buying a dog is the cheapest part of owning one, especially one that eats 700-1000grams of food a day :)

<snip>

+1001....

This quoted post contains really good advice.

Also I agree with another comment about pet insurance. Our dog cost us $1.5k in hospital charges when he was a little over 1 yr old after getting sick due to hyperlipidemia. We were lucky that the vet he was taken to knew about this condition - not all are familiar with it. And again, later on, another $5k after getting his nose into a pack of slug bait. (It's dreadful deadly stuff for dogs, despite what the package information says.) You pay up, because he is part of the family almost as much as your kids.

Having a dog can be extremely rewarding, but do it for the right reasons.

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#2831040 12-Dec-2021 22:20

freitasm:

I hope by now you understand why buying from Facebook and Trade Me is a terrible, horrible idea.

definitely, thanks

thanks for everyone's tips and advice

keep them coming

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Batman

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#2831121 13-Dec-2021 07:33

wife really wants to know, how to find out if someone is a truly certified breeder?

freitasm

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#2831129 13-Dec-2021 07:52

@Batman:

wife really wants to know, how to find out if someone is a truly certified breeder?

Dogs New Zealand - NZ Registered Pedigree Breeders (dogsnz.org.nz)

Batman

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#2831130 13-Dec-2021 07:53

Thanks.

If dog is cross breed I don't suppose there is a register for that?

networkn

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#2831132 13-Dec-2021 07:55

Batman: Thanks.

If dog is cross breed I don't suppose there is a register for that?

I don't believe so. For our breed there was a couple of clubs, so we contacted them and asked for advice and a recommendation.

chevrolux

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#2831146 13-Dec-2021 08:16

Your breeder will also be able to issue you with papers certifying the breed and their NZKC registration. Some will require spaying or neutering before papers are supplied.

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#2831147 13-Dec-2021 08:17

Thanks

MikeAqua

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#2831153 13-Dec-2021 08:25

networkn:

mdav056:

Yes, mostl agree, but you can, it seems, over socialise. Our dog will talk to every person (adult and child and even baby!) in the park, but is not good at dealing with other dogs -- just doesn't want to play. Labradoodle from a very reputable breeder. People a few doors down got a rescue dog, and it is a bloody handful, and I think rescue dogs are rather potluck.

But one thing to watch out for is spaying too early. Our wonderful dog embarrasses us by half lifting her leg on trees and suchlike...because she was spayed much too early, I think.

That's strange on both counts. I guess it depends on what is considered too much. We had a boy, we neutered him when we were told to, and he peed like a girl dog his whole life. I don't think I ever saw him cock his leg, but he would pee to mark posts etc..

Sounds like that dog thinks it's human!

Rescue dogs aren't always the best choice for an inexperienced or unskilled dog owner. Some of them have suffered neglect or abuse and require careful/nuanced handling, training etc. That said the SPCA put a lot of effort into matching dogs and owners.

Mike

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#2831158 13-Dec-2021 08:29

I wouldn't recommend getting a dog if you are out all day and the house is empty. Dogs require human contact. It's their reason for living. Also 2 dogs is better than one, we always have 2 bitches.

And big dog + small house = big mistake.

And house proud owner + dog = mistake.

If you ever have problems with your dog(s) behavior it's not their fault, it's yours.

This is from someone who has had 9 Dobermans and a Beagle over the last 35 years.

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