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Carla Ancient Fishnet wrote: »Also whats the different between a pure bred and mix? Im seeing lots of mix breeds for example cavapoo , csvalier & poodle cross. Very cute! But is there any negatives to these kind of cross breeds?
The huge negative to these cross-breeds (known as designer breeds) is that ou have no guarantee what you are going to get. Now, keep in mind, this is only a negative if you are purchasing one - they do appear in rescues as well!
Take the Cavapoo you mentioned. First off. What size will the pup be? Well, anything between Cavalier and Poodle! What about temperament? Well, a quick Google of the two breeds that are crossed will show you what combinations you could end up with! What about grooming? Well Cavaliers have a long, silky coat and shed quite a bit, while poodles have a tight, curly single coat and tend to shed little to none at all. Combined together you could go either way but likely end up with a dog that needs very regular grooming attention.
Long story short, there is nothing "wrong" with having a crossbreed. The issue is that people will pay breeders for one with absolutely no guarantee of what type of dog they are going to get (despite what the breeder might promise you
). Pure bred dogs are held to a standard. Some do deviate, but there are certain things you can be fairly certain of, for example grooming needs, height and, if sourced from a reputable breeder, health and genetic issues (or lack thereof). 0 -
ShaShaBear wrote: »The huge negative to these cross-breeds (known as designer breeds) is that ou have no guarantee what you are going to get. Now, keep in mind, this is only a negative if you are purchasing one - they do appear in rescues as well!
Take the Cavapoo you mentioned. First off. What size will the pup be? Well, anything between Cavalier and Poodle! What about temperament? Well, a quick Google of the two breeds that are crossed will show you what combinations you could end up with! What about grooming? Well Cavaliers have a long, silky coat and shed quite a bit, while poodles have a tight, curly single coat and tend to shed little to none at all. Combined together you could go either way but likely end up with a dog that needs very regular grooming attention.
Long story short, there is nothing "wrong" with having a crossbreed. The issue is that people will pay breeders for one with absolutely no guarantee of what type of dog they are going to get (despite what the breeder might promise you ). Pure bred dogs are held to a standard. Some do deviate, but there are certain things you can be fairly certain of, for example grooming needs, height and, if sourced from a reputable breeder, health and genetic issues (or lack thereof).
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I see what you mean. I suppose if your willing to take on the characteristics of either breed then its not a problem. My heart is telling me to get a rescue though! Maybe best to go into somewhere like dogs trust and have a chat to them. And maybe start off with a foster0 -
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Carla Ancient Fishnet wrote: »Thanks for taking the time to reply. I see what you mean. I suppose if your willing to take on the characteristics of either breed then its not a problem. My heart is telling me to get a rescue though! Maybe best to go into somewhere like dogs trust and have a chat to them. And maybe start off with a foster
Rescuing is great, and hugely admirable. There is nothing wrong with sourcing a well-bred pup from a breeder either. I wouldn't be inclined to recommend paying for a designer crossbreed. Generally, you would not get the same quality of care like genetic health testing on parents, but they come with the same price tag. These types of pups end up in rescue fairly regularly because people who are novices to dog-keeping see the money to be made and decide to give it a go, and then suddenly find all of those neighbours and friends aren't so keen to pay for the pup once it's there in the flesh
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Carla Ancient Fishnet wrote: »Do you really think I could have a retriever? I never thought of a king Charles but I'll take a look. An older puppy who is already house trained would be great!
You need to find a reputable breeder if you want a retriever because they can have health and behavioural issues like resource guarding if they're from a crappy breeder - like my boy..
My girl on the other hand came from a great breeder and she was as chilled out as a puppy as she is now! Everyone thinks she's old because she's that relaxed! 'Is she very old?' 'No she's 10 months old'
I don't think mine are mad but I've put a lot of time training them and still do - they're certainly better trained than any of my friend's dogs(!) Maybe some boardsies who've met them can confirm lol! 0 -
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You need to find a reputable breeder if you want a retriever because they can have health and behavioural issues like resource guarding if they're from a crappy breeder - like my boy..
My girl on the other hand came from a great breeder and she was as chilled out as a puppy as she is now! Everyone thinks she's old because she's that relaxed! 'Is she very old?' 'No she's 10 months old'
I don't think mine are mad but I've put a lot of time training them and still do - they're certainly better trained than any of my friend's dogs(!) Maybe some boardsies who've met them can confirm lol!
You better hope I never meet them, lest one of your beauties become afflicted with an odd disease that turns them black and white and only answering to the name "Opie" :pac:0 -
You can find a pure bred in a rescue... Plenty get dumped too
Our Rottweiler is a pure bred... He was in the pound, got him at 4months..
Though you could be waiting a while for particular breeds - I hardly ever see cavs... and breeds like pugs get snapped up almost instantly. Greyhounds and collies are EVERYWHERE and for some reason I'm seeing a pile of sheps right now (though I might just notice them 'cos I love them).
So the OP might have a bit more choice if he's willing to take a cross-breed rather than wait for a particular pure bred pup in rescue? 0 -
You need to find a reputable breeder if you want a retriever because they can have health and behavioural issues like resource guarding if they're from a crappy breeder - like my boy..
My girl on the other hand came from a great breeder and she was as chilled out as a puppy as she is now! Everyone thinks she's old because she's that relaxed! 'Is she very old?' 'No she's 10 months old'
I don't think mine are mad but I've put a lot of time training them and still do - they're certainly better trained than any of my friend's dogs(!) Maybe some boardsies who've met them can confirm lol!
So is best place to find a reputable breeder the kennel club? And what makes a crappy breeder or a great breeder? Sorry if silly question all new to me!0 -
Though you could be waiting a while for particular breeds - I hardly ever see cavs... and breeds like pugs get snapped up almost instantly.
You might be surprised! The rescues that specialise in certain breeds get a huge amount of dogs surrendered to them "on the quiet" directly from the owners, with no big fanfares to get the dog out of the pound or similar emergency.
Because these specialist rescues usually have a waiting list of people, many dogs come in, get prepared, and get moved to their new homes without ever once appearing on any websites!
I know that this certainly applies to the Cavalier specialists 0 -
You might be surprised! The rescues that specialise in certain breeds get a huge amount of dogs surrendered to them "on the quiet" directly from the owners, with no big fanfares to get the dog out of the pound or similar emergency.
Because these specialist rescues usually have a waiting list of people, many dogs come in, get prepared, and get moved to their new homes without ever once appearing on any websites!
I know that this certainly applies to the Cavalier specialists
That's rather lovely DBB!!0 -
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You might be surprised! The rescues that specialise in certain breeds get a huge amount of dogs surrendered to them "on the quiet" directly from the owners, with no big fanfares to get the dog out of the pound or similar emergency.
Because these specialist rescues usually have a waiting list of people, many dogs come in, get prepared, and get moved to their new homes without ever once appearing on any websites!
I know that this certainly applies to the Cavalier specialists
The only Cavalier-specific one that I know of advertises very regularly that they don't rehome to houses with kids under 5 though, or is that something they put up to deter people?0 -
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ShaShaBear wrote: »When it comes to kids under 5, and especially under 3 - I'd always say to steer clear of a puppy. It's essentially another baby to toilet train, that will teeth and cause untold destruction in the house. A rescue at around the year mark who has been in foster with children would be best. You'll likely get a house trained, lead trained and socialised young dog with proven ability to cope with young kids and you still get the 12+ years of life from them
Sound advice there.
We have 2 children under 5 and after deciding to get a dog had been going up to Ashtown pound to walk their dogs for a few weeks. It gave us a chance to see which breed we would like to get.
Had settled on a Lurcher and had been booked to pick a certain one up, was 2 or 3 years old and so placid and laid back. On the day we were to collect him, we got a call to say the dog had been collected by his owner. We were gutted, but that day got a call from <snip> to say they had a Lurcher that had been thrown out on the M50. Poor thing, couldn't say no when we seen her.
She was only 3 or 4 months old, so required toilet training and had a habit of jumping up on the kids, also ran the cat out of what was her home.
Have her about 6 months now, did a course of obedience training which has sorted out the jumping up and is great on the lead and now sleeps in her crate. Amazing to watch the speed of her off the lead in the park chasing a ball and socialising with other dogs. Still terrorises the cat though, and chews absolutely EVERYTHING, nothing is safe, kids toys, shoes, skirting, doors. Also has the back garden destroyed from sprinting up and down it.
She is a great dog and part of the family now but it is pretty much like having another child with the amount of care and attention that is required.0 -
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Vaccinations are done first when you get your puppy, after that they have annual booster injections. They will also have to have an annual kennel cough injection if you are using kennels. You will need to worm (tablet) your dog every 6-8 weeks. You will need to use a flea treatment every 6-8 weeks also. If you get a dog that needs to be groomed/clipped, this needs to be factored in. Hopefully your dog wont need its nails clipped regularly. Hopefully your dog wont need its anal glands expressed regularly. All of these cost money (and time) and are not covered by insurance.
You will also need to have your puppy spayed/neutered (€100-150)
Vaccinations, depending on your area will vary - I havent had a puppy for a while, would imagine approx €100 for vaccination shots/vet check-up?
boosters expect to pay approx €50. Annually
Kennel cough approx €20? Annually
Worm tablet approx €4, (puppies need several wormers until theyre grown)
topical flea treatment approx €12. Every 6 weeks approx
On top of this the cost of decent food. Treats and various other items, means your doggie is costing serious cash - but sooooooo worth it 0 -
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Carla Ancient Fishnet wrote: »Visited the <snip> today. Some lovely dogs but all but 2 were not suitable for small children. Had a bit of a chat with staff. It was nice to see the kids with the dogs. One of the staff there had her own dog with her a shih tzu bichon cross, I fell in love! She was such a placid little thing too. I think I definitely am drawn more towards small dogs. And thinking a puppy or young dog would probably be best. Ive joined some rescue sites on facebook too so would love to see a little shih tzu or similar come up. Cant help but melt over the likes of maltese too! Though I doubt there would be many of those to rescue!
Actually, a rescue I volunteer with is JUST after asking about a foster home for a 5 month old Maltese-Bichon cross They'd be a bit far for you, but they come into rescue a lot more than you'd think! 0
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