Can I get a dog

irishgirl19

Hi all,
I live in a 1 bed flat and was thinking of getting a miniture jack russell. I would want it to sleep indoors and we only have a small yard. I live close to a large park and would obviously be walking it regularly.
My question is, is it cruel to keep a dog with no garden even though its a very small one. I can assure you that he will get lots of affection. The current owner says the puppys parents arw house dogs, but some will differ and say there is no such thing.
My friend had a yorkie and she was always inside
All opinions welcome as I want to make an infomed decesion.

I am pie

You certainly can as long as you are able to give them the exercise and attention they needs Are you out at work all day ? If you have a younger puppy someone definitely needs to be there to let him or her out every few hours while they learn the toilet routine. If they are alone to long they will get bored and make their own fun...i.e. chew everything and pull stuff apart! A bored dog is a handful !

I live in an apartment with a small dog, no issue at all as she is walked in the morning, in the afternoon (is outside for a few hours with a dogwalker) and then 2 very short walk before dinner and last thing at night.

Its a big commitment and as long as you realise that and make allowances in your daily schedule you can certainly do it.

irishgirl19

Thanks I am pie.
I am working FT but my bf is in college so off for the summer

boomerang

It's not cruel at all!

My brother and his gf lived in a terraced townhouse, no front or back garden but it was right by the entrance to their local park. It was the perfect spot to keep a dog, and because Gizmo had to go out on the street or into the park just to whizz, he is the most socialised dog ever!

Now they live in a tiny terraced cottage in Dublin. It's a walk to the local park but they still manage and Giz has a great life.

I'd say go for it - just bear in mind how many times you're going to have to take the dog out to pee or poop - it's a lot of extra work when you don't have a garden.

irishgirl19

Thanks boomerang. I have a tiny yard it would just about suffice for the dog doing his business.too small for any exercise id say,ill just be walking him

syklops

Apartment living is not cruel. In fact its the norm on the continent. However, when your BF is going to college and then getting afterwards when he gets a job the dog will be at home all day on his own. That will be cruel.

Id love a dog but for the foreseeable future I'll be working fulltime as will my partner, so we are not getting one.

kylith

You will probably have to make arrangements with a dog walker for when your bf goes back to college unless one of you is able to come back at lunchtime to let the dog out for a wee but other than that I don't see why not. You might think of adopting an older dog as they'd be ok to be left alone for a few hours at a time.

Rommie

Just so you are aware OP, there is no such thing as a 'miniature' jack russell, 'miniature' is a word breeders tag on to make the runt of the litter sound better. Stay away from anyone selling 'miniature' jack russells as they get them smaller by breeding runts to each other, which of course has a huge impact on their health.

irishgirl19

Rommie wrote: »

Just so you are aware OP, there is no such thing as a 'miniature' jack russell, 'miniature' is a word breeders tag on to make the runt of the litter sound better. Stay away from anyone selling 'miniature' jack russells as they get them smaller by breeding runts to each other, which of course has a huge impact on their health.

Thanks for the advice rommie. Breeder wants 100 for puppy and it hasn't got any needles. Is this the norm? Some people saying its very expensive for a jack(that I don't even think is pure bred...not that that matters)

andreac

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice rommie. Breeder wants 100 for puppy and it hasn't got any needles. Is this the norm? Some people saying its very expensive for a jack(that I don't even think is pure bred...not that that matters)

Why has it no injections? How old is the pup?
Sounds dodgy to me and I wouldn't buy this pup.

sungear

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Hi all,
I live in a 1 bed flat and was thinking of getting a miniture jack russell. I would want it to sleep indoors and we only have a small yard. I live close to a large park and would obviously be walking it regularly.
My question is, is it cruel to keep a dog with no garden even though its a very small one. I can assure you that he will get lots of affection. The current owner says the puppys parents arw house dogs, but some will differ and say there is no such thing.
My friend had a yorkie and she was always inside
All opinions welcome as I want to make an infomed decesion.

Do you own this 1 bed flat? if not, does the owner agree?
I would say that would be a big consideration.

Rommie

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice rommie. Breeder wants 100 for puppy and it hasn't got any needles. Is this the norm? Some people saying its very expensive for a jack(that I don't even think is pure bred...not that that matters)

Not a chance would I get this pup! The puppy should have its first vaccinations before it goes anywhere. To be honest, in this day and age I wouldn't dream of buying a jack russell, just check out the amount in pounds and rescues and quite a lot of them are puppies. Anyone breeding jack russells far as I can see at the moment is doing it for money and no other reason

irishgirl19

Rommie wrote: »

Not a chance would I get this pup! The puppy should have its first vaccinations before it goes anywhere. To be honest, in this day and age I wouldn't dream of buying a jack russell, just check out the amount in pounds and rescues and quite a lot of them are puppies. Anyone breeding jack russells far as I can see at the moment is doing it for money and no other reason

I dont know why, shes 8 weeks I think. I was wondering the same myself

andreac

Walk away, actually run away very fast from this so called breeder!!

irishgirl19

andreac wrote: »

Walk away, actually run away very fast from this so called breeder!!

Why do you say that
Sorry new to all this

belongtojazz

Jack Russell's seem to be one of the most common dogs in rescue centres and in some ways I can understand why. People think a small dog means less exercise but that is NOT the case!!
I have 3 ranging in age from 13ish to 7 months ish ( all rescues so no exact age)

My 3 get at least an hour walk off lead every day. I do agility with the middle one and am doing clicker training with the puppy and they can keep going and going and going!

A lack of garden is no big deal my gang only use my occasionally for sun bathing but if the sun is indoors that's fine too.

I would walk away from this pup... No jabs and the " teacup" label does not indicate a caring breeder. Does the pup have a full tail?

Kukey

I also have a Jack Russell (my first one) and I never realised how hyper and demanding these little terriers are !!
My dog gets about 40 mins on the lead then an hour running around after a ball and through the park.After all this she would still go out again for another hour,no bother to her.
There have been an odd day I couldn't get out with her & she literally bounces around the house,gets her bed and flips that around as well:eek:
On a day I cant get out I will throw the ball around the garden for them,but you wouldn't have that option with a yard.
They are a very high energy dog but in saying that I love this breed.They are a very entertaining,clever,funny little dog and I am very tempted when I see so many in the Pounds & Rescues to rescue another one:D
I think maybe a little Yorkshire Terrier may suit your circumstances better.;)

andreac

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Why do you say that
Sorry new to all this

Because for a start the breeder hasn't vaccinated the pup which isn't in anyway responsible and the proper way to take of the litter. If he can't even do the most basic requirement of vaccinating then god knows what other corners he's cut.

ShaShaBear

Firstly, irrespective of the "miniature" crap, if the puppy was purebred, I assure you they would be charging more than 100 quid. Try three to four times that amount. Secondly, if you go to a rescue centre and pay the adoption fee (roughly around the same price or less) you will likely get a Jack Russell puppy equally as cute (if not cuter) who has been vaccinated, microchipped, licenced and will likely come with a neutering/spaying voucher to ensure no more unwanted puppies end up in the world. Irrespective of the moral and ethical advantages to adopting and unwanted puppy in comparison to buying one, look at the amount of bang for your buck you are getting. A shelter puppy will have everything you will be required to do for the pup you are considering buying.

On another side note, check your local newspaper - plenty of people advertise accidental cross-bred litters for free to a good home. You are probably saving this puppy from having to enter "the system".

Outside of a shelter (where the fee covers the dogs boarding, vet costs and food), the only reason you should EVER be paying for a dog or puppy is if it is a pedigree or working dog with a good lineage of healthy and well-mannered sires and dams and an owner who is proud of the breed and simply wishes to maintain the standard of excellence.
Someone who is charging 100 bucks a pup with a made-up breed is not one of the above breeders.

honerbright

I think when it comes to Jacks there's some confusion between the shorter legged fellows (the 'miniature' Jacks) and the taller, longer legged ones (The Parson Russell, I could be wrong?).
I have a small Jack (about 12" tall at her shoulder), when I took her in to first get her shots, the vet exclaimed 'Oh a mini jack!' and everyone that stops to talk to her on the street always asks if she's a miniature so I don't know if it's so much as a selling point or people genuinely think that the smaller ones are miniature.

Kukey

I have the long legged slim build Jack Russell with a small thin face,yet she is not a Parson as they are a stockier build and a broader face.I think there are loads of different types of JRT out there,all different sizes in body and legs.I meet a little JRT when I'm out walking,and he is the cutest little dog but he has the normal size body of a JRT on tiny stumpy little legs! The poor fella takes ages to walk around the park & he can't even play properly with the other dogs.His owner bought him as a miniature JRT but in reality he looks like the runt of the litter.

Kukey

Sorry op for going off topic but I think we will have to have a separate Show me your Jack Russell thread,I would love to see everyone's different types of dogs.:)

irishgirl19

Yeah I rang the animal centre last night and they said they have small pups ready to go in a few weeks.
I remember years ago when my childhood dog had a litter and even the neighbours did(all mongrels) the pups were always given free to a good home. I thought you only pay for pedigrees

honerbright

irishgirl19 wrote: »

I thought you only pay for pedigrees

When I was growing we had an accidental litter of collie/lab mixes. My mum sold them rather than giving them away because she figured that if people had to pay money they weren't just getting a dog on a spur of the moment decision ('Oh hey, free puppies! Puppies are cute... why not!') and they were actually wanted as pets and not for other reasons. She didn't charge huge a amount, as far as I remember, just enough that people who were serious about adopting a pup wouldn't mind paying.

ShaShaBear

honerbright wrote: »

When I was growing we had an accidental litter of collie/lab mixes. My mum sold them rather than giving them away because she figured that if people had to pay money they weren't just getting a dog on a spur of the moment decision ('Oh hey, free puppies! Puppies are cute... why not!') and they were actually wanted as pets and not for other reasons. She didn't charge huge a amount, as far as I remember, just enough that people who were serious about adopting a pup wouldn't mind paying.

Well yes, that is a good way to go about it, I was more suggesting the "free" option since it's the OP who wants a puppy we are dealing with, rather than the person trying to get pups a good home
I actually got my collie boy in the same fashion!

irishgirl19

Someone else has got in touch offering chihauhua x JR terrier for 80 and jas its first needles

andreac

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Someone else has got in touch offering chihauhua x JR terrier for 80 and jas its first needles

What do you mean got in touch? Why are they contacting you?

ShaShaBear

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Someone else has got in touch offering chihauhua x JR terrier for 80 and jas its first needles

I still would be skeptical about this - why are they charging €80? Do they have a vet card to prove the puppy has had their jabs?

irishgirl19

ShaShaBear wrote: »

I still would be skeptical about this - why are they charging €80? Do they have a vet card to prove the puppy has had their jabs?

Should I ask for this. Should they be wormed too before I get her or how does that work? Thanks

ShaShaBear

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Should I ask for this. Should they be wormed too before I get her or how does that work? Thanks

You should. Any pup that has received treatment from the vet will have been given a card with stickers on it to prove such. However, if someone has just mailed you off boards telling you they are selling mongrel puppies, I would beware. They should have been wormed a few times already, so if the owner hasn't mentioned this to you, they likely have not done it. If you are not objectionable to a shelter puppy, I think you are best going this route - it is the only plausible way for you to get a healthy puppy who has proof of being seen by a vet. Where are you based?

Cocolola

Hey OP. The sticky at the top of the forum on puppy farms has some good general advice that can be applied to your situation too. Definitely worth a read.

And fair play to you for doing research and asking opinions first, that's what makes a good dog owner

irishgirl19

ShaShaBear wrote: »

You should. Any pup that has received treatment from the vet will have been given a card with stickers on it to prove such. However, if someone has just mailed you off boards telling you they are selling mongrel puppies, I would beware. They should have been wormed a few times already, so if the owner hasn't mentioned this to you, they likely have not done it. If you are not objectionable to a shelter puppy, I think you are best going this route - it is the only plausible
way for you to get a healthy puppy who has proof of being seen by a vet. Where are you based?

Hi shasha
Im in dublin 7. This other puppy owner is now saying there is no card as her husbands friend got the injections done hmmm..
My friends mam sais the vet will refuse to do the 2nd ones without proof that the first ones were done.
The puppy will be 8 weeks in 2 days

ShaShaBear

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Hi shasha
Im in dublin 7. This other puppy owner is now saying there is no card as her husbands friend got the injections done hmmm..
My friends mam sais the vet will refuse to do the 2nd ones without proof that the first ones were done.
The puppy will be 8 weeks in 2 days

A good vet likely will. Regardless of whether or not the vet will give your puppy a second set of injections, this owner is trying to pawn off a puppy on you. If they cared about their puppies, they would get them vaccinated personally, not send their husband's friend to a vet to get it done. They're having you on.

There are simply RAKES of shelters close by you that you could get a vaccinated puppy from, please follow your instincts in this case - it's obvious they are simply trying to sell you a puppy!

kylith

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Hi shasha
Im in dublin 7. This other puppy owner is now saying there is no card as her husbands friend got the injections done hmmm..
My friends mam sais the vet will refuse to do the 2nd ones without proof that the first ones were done.
The puppy will be 8 weeks in 2 days

If they have no card then it's dodgy. You'd have to start the innoculations over as there's no proof they had them.

Seriously; go to a rescue and tell them you would like to adopt a puppy. For less money than going to a breeder, who may be unethical, you will get a pup that is fit, healthy, wormed, vaccinated, and it will come with a voucher toward the cost of neutering. There is really no reason not to do this except if you know that they would turn you down, in which case you should re-evaluate whether or not your situation is suitable for a dog.

irishgirl19

kylith wrote: »

If they have no card then it's dodgy. You'd have to start the innoculations over as there's no proof they had them.

Seriously; go to a rescue and tell them you would like to adopt a puppy. For less money than going to a breeder, who may be unethical, you will get a pup that is fit, healthy, wormed, vaccinated, and it will come with a voucher toward the cost of neutering. There is really no reason not to do this except if you know that they would turn you down, in which case you should re-evaluate whether or not your situation is suitable for a dog.

I would like to adopt but i am having a hard time trying to find a sanctuary with puppies available. I wouls prefer a puppy to train her myself and I would know her history. I dont drive so anywhere outside of Dublin is awkward

ShaShaBear

irishgirl19 wrote: »

I would like to adopt but i am having a hard time trying to find a sanctuary with puppies available. I wouls prefer a puppy to train her myself and I would know her history. I dont drive so anywhere outside of Dublin is awkward

Getting a puppy at 8 weeks+ means that there is still going to be 8 weeks of unaccountable history there. You can only take someone's word for it. However, if you buy from a reputable and ethical breeder, or adopt from a shelter, you can at least be sure of the medical history. Buying a cross breed puppy from a stranger, you can never be sure of the medical or emotional history. I should also point out that many shelters have transport volunteers. So if you met the criteria, a lot of people would be willing to travel to get a puppy a home.

irishgirl19

Yeah im thinking of going to Ashtown pound tomorrow i think theyre open on saturdays for a while. Tried to get through to see have they any puppys but think they are closed

ShaShaBear

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Yeah im thinking of going to Ashtown pound tomorrow i think theyre open on saturdays for a while. Tried to get through to see have they any puppys but think they are closed

From what I can see on their Facebook page, they have a few puppies there, and nearly all of them JRTs :P

irishgirl19

ShaShaBear wrote: »

From what I can see on their Facebook page, they have a few puppies there, and nearly all of them JRTs :P

Yeah I just seen a picture of a lovely puppy I hope he or she is still there.probably got snapped up though id say

ShaShaBear

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Yeah I just seen a picture of a lovely puppy I hope he or she is still there.probably got snapped up though id say

Is it an absolutely tiny little angel and the picture was uploaded about 22 hours ago? :P

If it is, I demand pictures if you get lucky

irishgirl19

ShaShaBear wrote: »

Is it an absolutely tiny little angel and the picture was uploaded about 22 hours ago? :P

If it is, I demand pictures if you get lucky

Yeah thats him alright!But there is already loads of comments with people asking for him already !

ShaShaBear

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Yeah thats him alright!But there is already loads of comments with people asking for him already !

First come first served :P

Kukey

As far as I know Ashton don't rehome pups to the public,they are sent off to Rescues to be rehomed from there,so home checks etc can be done.Adult dogs
will be rehomed (except RB) and they now charge about €150? as dogs are now chipped,spayed/ neutered,vaxed and get a dog licence.
They used to charge about €65 for a dog and you just got a licence with that.

thomur

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Yeah thats him alright!But there is already loads of comments with people asking for him already !

Hi Irishgirl, dont worry about the people asking for him on the Facebook page. You will have to go to the pound, take him for a small walk around the yard and then express your interest. You then wait around a week and if he hasnt been claimed youre in. I got a lovely yorkie/bigger dog mongrel there in Feb and have to say the staff there really love their dogs. Be prepared to pay over 100 as you will have to get dog licence/microchipping/spaying etc if they are not already done.
I also live in Dublin 7 in a terrace with a small back yard but the Phoenix park/bogies/ Royal canal etc are all 10 min away.

irishgirl19

Hi everyone. I ended up getting the jack cross chihuahua in the end on friday night because when I cancelled the sale with the owner she said she would drop the price to accomadate for the needles.
Anyways she drove down to me and I met her nearby. It was quiet breezy so when she handed the puppy who was tiny I gave it a quick look at wrapped it up under my jacket.

Low and behold. My bitch puppy is a MALE puppy. It has a little willy. I am so confused now because I thought he was a girl for 2 days lol but I already love him at this stage.
But the person who sold the dog diliberately misled me...everything was she and her...even when I was walking away she said now make sure you look after her.

I'm dissapointed but I still love lil marley(just aswell I didn't give it a different name) i'm not gonna bother getting onto the breeder because I still want to keep the dog and they're probably thinking the feckin eejit is only copping on now and laughing. I'm going to have to get a blue lead now.
Anyways I just thought id share and give you's a laugh. Thanks everyone for all your advice ( I should've listened but I was too excited to get a dog quick)

ShaShaBear

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Hi everyone. I ended up getting the jack cross chihuahua in the end on friday night because when I cancelled the sale with the owner she said she would drop the price to accomadate for the needles.
Anyways she drove down to me and I met her nearby. It was quiet breezy so when she handed the puppy who was tiny I gave it a quick look at wrapped it up under my jacket.

Low and behold. My bitch puppy is a MALE puppy. It has a little willy. I am so confused now because I thought he was a girl for 2 days lol but I already love him at this stage.
But the person who sold the dog diliberately misled me...everything was she and her...even when I was walking away she said now make sure you look after her.

I'm dissapointed but I still love lil marley(just aswell I didn't give it a different name) i'm not gonna bother getting onto the breeder because I still want to keep the dog and they're probably thinking the feckin eejit is only copping on now and laughing. I'm going to have to get a blue lead now.
Anyways I just thought id share and give you's a laugh. Thanks everyone for all your advice ( I should've listened but I was too excited to get a dog quick)

The fact that she drove to meet you is an awful enough sign as it is. Any reputable breeder would actually want you to meet the parents, pure-bred or otherwise. The lie about the sex and "dropping" the price is also a sign that this person is in fact a back-yard breeder. Hopefully you don't also find out in the next few weeks that the puppy suffers from hereditary conditions that they have decided not to disclose with you.

And hopefully we don't hear of someone else looking to buy one of these mongrel puppies off the same person when her bitch goes into heat again.

Cocolola

Oh I wish you hadn't done that OP. It sounds all kinds of wrong. Did you read through the "before you buy a puppy" sticky at all?

Anyway, all you can do now is look after it. He will need to be taken to the vet asap to start his vaccinations (by rights he shouldn't be out already without them) get wormed, microchipped and have a general health check up.

Did the "breeder" give you some of the food he's currently eating or tell you what he's eating?

irishgirl19

Well I was supposed to go up to the house and see the parents but my lift fell through so I just took her at her word when we arranged to meet...bad idea. In hindsight I remember suggesting the following morning and she was like oh ill be away.
The dog seems healthy enough he is waddling around and playing. I think it could have fleas though as he was scratching a bit and keeps nibbling his paws but I cant find anything when I go through his coat.
I'm bringing him to the blue cross on Wednesday to get his needles and get him looked over.
I really hope he is ok and healthy and not inbred or anything because ill be devestated if anything happens to him. He thinks i'm his mammy lol

irishgirl19

Cocolola wrote: »

Oh I wish you hadn't done that OP. It sounds all kinds of wrong. Did you read through the "before you buy a puppy" sticky at all?

Anyway, all you can do now is look after it. He will need to be taken to the vet asap to start his vaccinations (by rights he shouldn't be out already without them) get wormed, microchipped and have a general health check up.

Did the "breeder" give you some of the food he's currently eating or tell you what he's eating?

Hi cocacola.
No I didn't read it i'm sorry now though.
She said the dog was on aldi pouches.
I bought dry food on the recommedation of my friend..she said her vet said its much better, but the pup wouldn't go near it. He start licking it and I thought it might be too hard but even with warm milk over it he was turning his nose up and only took 2 mouthfuls so I got the pedigree puppy sachets with the intention to wean him off gradually and introduce a bit more dry food into it each time hes fed.

zef

OP, I am annoyed that this woman lied to you (re: sex of dog)and manipulated you.
If it were me i'd bring the pup back, you didn't get much choice, seems the pup was foisted onto you.
Personally I wouldn't even believe it's the breed she said it was.

mentalist101

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Hi cocacola.
No I didn't read it i'm sorry now though.
She said the dog was on aldi pouches.
I bought dry food on the recommedation of my friend..she said her vet said its much better, but the pup wouldn't go near it. He start licking it and I thought it might be too hard but even with warm milk over it he was turning his nose up and only took 2 mouthfuls so I got the pedigree puppy sachets with the intention to wean him off gradually and introduce a bit more dry food into it each time hes fed.

OP are you able to get some more of the Aldi pouches? Then you can slowly mix and introduce the other brand of food for your dog to make it easier for him.