I Need A Puppy!!

[snoshredder]

Greetings!! I have been looking for a puppy for over six months now, but not sure on a couple of things.
First, a breed. I was thinking of getting a smaller dog, looking at any sort of terrier or a bulldog. The area I will be living in is Washington, so is there any type of dog that would not be allright to live in that environment?
Second, how should I go about obtaining the dog? Should I buy from a breeder or a pet store or the neighbors or a shelter? How much am I going to spend to get a new friend?
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I prepare my life for a little friend! I need a dog who will keep me entertained, will listen at least a little, but is able to chill out as well. Thanks again!

[golden-lover]

DO NOT buy from a pet shote or a puppy mill. 90% of puppys at pet stores are going to cost you thousands in medical problems later.

You should by from s serious breeder. One might ask around, or see if their are any one here who are willing to ship the puppy if not within driving distance.

If you're not planning to show in conformation, your best bet is a rescue. Most come with vaccination and are spayed. They've also been temperment tested. They're anywhere from $40.00-$350.00 depending on age and organization. This in itself saves you about two thousand dollars.

[Doberman's]

Welcome to DogForum.org. :)

Firstly please do not buy from a petstore, they tend to promote puppy mills. I would definately start looking for a good breeder. One way you can do this is to look up the breed you are interested in with the AKC ( American Kennel Club ) on their website. From there they can direct you to reputable breeders. For a pure bred pup you are looking at spending in the range of 500-1200 dollars.

Another thing you can do it look for a rescue. Petfinder.com is a great place to start. Adopting a pet usually costs about 150.00 for adoption fees and you are giving a homeless dog a home. :)

[Toller]

I suggest doing more research. If you are even considering buying from a pet store you haven't done enough.

How much time can you spend exercising?
How much time can you spend grooming?
How much time can you spend training?

Then, after asking yourself these questions find breeds that match your lifestyle and and choose one that will be right for you.

[Borzoi mad]

Hi and welcome to the forum from me and my gang. You have been given a lot of advice so far so I shall not add to it as you will just get confused if you get too much all at once. I wish you the best of luck in finding the right puppy for you.

[skunkstripe]

Hi and welcone :wave2:
First, don't be discouraged by what you have heard so far. We were all new to dogs once.
Just for fun, check out some of the online breed selectors:
http://selectsmart.com/beta_dog/
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm
http://www.petnet.com.au/selectapet/dogselectapet.html
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselectorindex.do

And even though rescues may be an option, you should be aware that since you are a newbie, there is a good chance they won't adopt to you. Also the fees are more like $400 for rescues.

Definitely take a look at shelters. They do sometimes have puppies.

Good luck!

[Mahooli]

The best link seems to be the last one. That is the only link I've come across that when I say I want a small dog doesn't give me a border collie or a golden retrieved in my top 3 lol!
Becky

[Doberman's]

And even though rescues may be an option, you should be aware that since you are a newbie, there is a good chance they won't adopt to you. Also the fees are more like $400 for rescues.

Definitely take a look at shelters. They do sometimes have puppies.

Good luck!

I have never seen rescue fees that high. You can buy a pure bred pup for that. I think it depends on the rescue you are dealing with. In Canada from what I have seen 100-250 depending on where and what they are trying to recover IE: Vet bills.

[Amber23]

Only dogs I have seen in rescues for $400 or more are dogs with special needs. Definitely check out www.petfinder.com (http://www.petfinder.com). I would not buy from a breeder, I would adopt. That is my personal opinion though.

Schnoshredder - Do you live alone or have kids? Do you rent or own? There are more questions you need to think about. Plus, a dog isn't there to entertain you, you are there to entertain the dog. :)

[skunkstripe]

Maybe it is where I live. There are no rescues less than $250 and I have seen over $500. Not that the amount may not be justified, but I was trying to provide more info. Heck shelter dogs if they are purebreds go for $250-$300 around here.

[Doberman's]

Maybe it is where I live. There are no rescues less than $250 and I have seen over $500. Not that the amount may not be justified, but I was trying to provide more info. Heck shelter dogs if they are purebreds go for $250-$300 around here.

Oh my goodness, you mean mutts are cheaper ? That doesn't seem right sounds like they are in it to make money. :(

At the Humane Society here there is one fee for all dogs, pure-bred or not.

[Amber23]

That is insane.

There is usually one fee here too unless the dog needs a special procedure or something.

[brunosmom]

Our Humane Society is the same way...pure bred dogs are $200 and up sometimes I've seen up to $400 depending on breed....mixed dogs over the age of 2 are $75..unless it is a desirable looking mix.....at first I was mad and thought they were doing to just get money....but if you think about it....the undesirable can live longer from the money made off the "pure breds" ...(a pure bred will be adopted fast while sadly a mixed will wait most times the longest.....)

[Doberman's]

I don't know, I disgaree with charging different but that is my opinion. I am glad they do not do that here.

[skunkstripe]

I think they are doing it to discourage the breed-specific rescues from going in and getting a purebred dog of their breed for next-to-nothing and then turning around and charging the $400 after the dog has been vetted by the shelter at low cost. It was not like this five years ago.

[brunosmom]

MIne only started this 3 years ago...right after I got my boxer....he was a pure bred and they had a special going on and I used a coupon too....lol I only paid $55....but right after I adopted him the price increase went into effect...i would of had to pay $300 for the same dog....but there are so many lab and pit mixes in our shelter now....I think the Humane Society can justify the increase in price....as we are in a big city and people dont even bat an eye at the price....and still continue adopting the desirable ones first..

[Firstluvarty]

Please do not buy one from a pet store or puppy mill. I'm of the mentality that there are so many dogs that need homes in shelters, but breeders never seem to have a problem selling their dogs!
Save a life!!!! I adopted my BC cross from teh SPCA and it was the best thing I could have ever done.. He knows i saved him and is a very grateful dog!!! The money you are paying to a shelter goes towards their medical bills, spaying and neutering so please don't let that stop you, your money is going to help save more animals!!! I believe he cost me 300 Canadian, but he was neutered, and had all of his first shots......

[cassandra_andy_anderson]

...Not all pups in a store ome from Puppymills. Don't flip out just yet. Alot the ones I've been too actually sell them on behalf of people in the area who've had an accidental Litter. There is a man up here in my mothers town that advertises for accidental litters which he sells in his store, with vet coupons for discounts on fixing because he has a deal with a local vet. He does the same with Cats.
Sometimes pet shops are a good way to go, but ask around. Do you know anyone thats purchased from the shop (Try a few people to get a good sample size). Take a hard look at the shop conditions. Are a litter of pups crammed into a plastic pod awaiting sale, or do they have individual kennels or an open area concept? The best thing to do is visit the shop and talk the most disgruntled looking employee you can find and THEN the owner. Then you get a good idea about it. To be honest, Ive had more trouble with later vet bills arising from the Humane Society than from back yard breeders (Cats, not pups anyway). Just as long as you feel comfortable with who you buy from, you should be ok. Just get a really good, reliable feel, for the provider. And remember, PREVENTATIVE health care goes a long way.
But adoption can be a really wonderful thing. If the costs seem unappealing then start looking for private adoptions. Craigs List and local papers are sometimes a really good spot to look and you have a chance to talk one on one with someone who has OWNED the pup or adult. Really good ones to look for at the ones that are offering all the supplies to go with it, for no cost and can provide you with at least a vet reference (The one they have been seeing so that you can inquire about the dog) any owner who has realized they either are not capable of caring for their pet anymore or made a mistake in obtaining it in the first place AND cares about the pet, will go out of their way to make you feel comfortable adopting the Pet if they feel you will give it a good. If they don't want to know as much about you as you do about them and the Dog...be careful. Take your time, there's no rush.

And Good luck! Enjoy your new friend when you find him/her!

[Chuy's dad]

This is also a good site for giving you some breed ideas.

http://www.k9country.com/perl/dogBreed.pl

[vagreys]

Greetings!! I have been looking for a puppy for over six months now, but not sure on a couple of things.
First, a breed. I was thinking of getting a smaller dog, looking at any sort of terrier or a bulldog. The area I will be living in is Washington, so is there any type of dog that would not be allright to live in that environment?
Second, how should I go about obtaining the dog? Should I buy from a breeder or a pet store or the neighbors or a shelter? How much am I going to spend to get a new friend?
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I prepare my life for a little friend! I need a dog who will keep me entertained, will listen at least a little, but is able to chill out as well. Thanks again!
Hello, snoshredder. If you want a dog that will listen and chill out, then you don't need a puppy, and you probably don't actually want a typical terrier, and bulldogs aren't small. Bulldogs are big dogs in a compact body. If you want something on the small-to-medium side, let me suggest that you consider an English Springer Spanial or a Welsh Springer Spaniel, if you are looking for a purebred dog. They have energy, and like to play and go for walks, but they also have their quiet time and like to chill out.

When you ask if there are any breeds that you wouldn't want to have in Washington, it depends on where in Washington you are talking about, I suppose (east or west of the Cascades?). It also depends on whether the dog will be an inside dog or an outside dog.

There are a lot of unwanted dogs in the world. If you are looking for a particular breed, then go to a reputable breeder or breed rescue. If you are not set on a particular breed, then please start with the shelters and rescues.

How much you spend depends on what you find and where you get it. The cost of adoption is only part of the expense, and could range anywhere from $25 up to several hundred. Depending on the age of the dog, you may have vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery to consider. Vet visits. Licenses. Food, bedding and supplies. Typical first year costs with a puppy can run as much as $1000, when you take everything into account.

A key phrase you used was "new friend". Your dog will expect to be your companion, not your entertainment. If you want entertainment, upgrade your TV, or sound system, or buy a game box. If you want a companion who will be there for you, listen to you, share good times with you, depend on you, and look to you for friendship, then you would be hard-pressed to find a better friend.

[KCat]

I have never seen rescue fees that high. You can buy a pure bred pup for that. I think it depends on the rescue you are dealing with. In Canada from what I have seen 100-250 depending on where and what they are trying to recover IE: Vet bills.

nor I. Ming's was below $200. I'm in Texas.

Rescues from *breeders* are probably that high since a lot of breeders also rescue individuals that are within that breed.

[snoshredder]

Thanks so much for all the info. i have checked out petfinder.com and other sites and am leaning toward a bulldog. I live with another girl and we both want a puppy. Currently we live in a condo, however we are soon moving into a house. What type of dog would be good for inside as well as outside for hiking?

[brunosmom]

Hi snosh...what kind of bulldog are you thinking about?....Forget about an English bulldog for outside and hiking.....that breed just isn't built for it....maybe an American bulldog...but are you planning on just hiking with the dog or leaving it outside in the yard?