Buying a puppy online???

[robinb]

If you really need low shedding you should research specific breeds and look at real breeders (referee by your local breed groups) and breed rescue. Also, pure bred breeders should not be chargng $3,000 as a previous poster said. We did a ton of research last year and the average was more like $1,500.

It might make a difference where you live. When I bought my poodle 5 years ago $1500 was on the lower end and $3000 on the higher end. I paid just about right in the middle, but my dog's mother and father both had extensive genetics tests done for common inherited problems in poodles.

 

[Hardy]

If you are really set on a puppy, and a non-shedding one, you may not have any luck with rescue.....I am a huge believer in rescue over breeder, and 2 of my 4 animals are rescue pets....but when you want something specific for your family, you need to find a good breeder that you are able to drive to. Do NOT buy an animal from an online website, meaning you spend hundreds of dollars sight unseen for a puppy.

I found both of my non-rescue animals online. My siamese that we got for our daughter I found an online ad, contacted the breeder and we met her, the kittens, and the parents twice before picking her up, her shots and worming were up-to-date.

My great dane, was kind of a clearance breeder puppy. Just by chance found an older ad for puppies and contacted her to find out about a new litter in the future, found out that she had two older puppies left over that she was just going to keep/give to family (mom had 14 pups!). So we drove 3 hours to go meet her, our intended puppy and the breeding parents. We ended up taking her home that day (5 months old) and bonus, she was already housebroken! as well as vaccines (except rabies) and de-worming.

So my long story short, you can find your intended dog online, just don't do it in the way you are thinking. Find a breeder who loves their animals and cares more about finding them a good home than making a buck.

Red flags: parents are not on site (or refuse to show), breeder doesn't ask about your home, cannot provide proof dog has had age appropriate de-worming and vaccines, puppy should be 8 weeks MINIMUM before puppy is allowed to go home with you.

 

[rubato]

Wow. What a hot topic!

I disagree with a lot of the people on here about online dogs. Not every breeder is a puppy mill. However, if I couldn't go in person at some point and check it out, I wouldn't buy the puppy.

My brother had to have a black English Mastiff. The only breeder he could find was in Tennessee (he lives in Colorado). He had the breeder send him pics of all the puppies they had (6), and my brother picked out his puppy. He then flew to Tennessee to make sure before he agreed to the purchase. Then, at 8 weeks old, he drove there to pick the puppy up.
I think this was crazy, but he's happy.

I found my Welsh Terrier (non-shedding) online, but the breeder was a 4 hour drive. I drove there to make sure that the breeder was okay and that the puppies looked good and healthy. We love our Welshie and couldn't be happier.

As far as shelter dogs go, I understand why everyone wants to support them, but, if you have specific needs in a dog, it's best to get a breed that fits your family. Great if you can find that dog in a shelter. I like the idea of a breed-specific rescue group. There were no Welsh Terriers available when we were looking, but we would have happily gone that route.

And, I agree that you should really do your research on breed types. Every single breed has some negatives. When we started researching, we had the silliest list of things that we needed out of a dog: non-shedding, non-barking, small but not too small, not white (had a white dog in the past, hated how dirty he looked), kid friendly, etc...... What we ended up getting fit all those characteristics, but I pay the price with grooming. Non-shedding dogs usually, but not always, need more grooming. If they don't naturally shed their hair, you get to cut it! In the case of my wire haired terrier, I have to hand strip his hair, but I get the benefit of a dog that doesn't shed, doesn't smell, and dries in about 10 minutes flat.

Good luck in your search. Do what's right for you and your family.

 

[quagmire0]

Our first dog came through the F-I-L of a friend who knew a breeder down in Alabama - site unseen. Our second dog came on a whim from a classified add in a local paper. Both dogs have been pretty healthy and happy. I agree with many that you should be able to go and visit the dog and see where it was born/raised before buying.

Honestly, I've heard more horror stories about pet stores than breeders these days.

 

[polyforme]

We adopted our black lab mix girl from petfinder.com. She was in a foster home down south with forever home rescue. They shipped her to their facility in Medfield, Ma and when I went to pick her up it was love at first sight. Two years later our Boo is really such a special girl and I will never regret getting her site unseen from the many unwanted animals from down south. We still keep in touch with her foster mom who is an amazing lady to foster so many dogs. We send her pictures of Boo and keep her updated on all of Boo's antics-one of them being that she is 83lbs and thinks she is a lap dog!! Forever home rescue just build a brand new shelter in Medfield. I think if you find a dog you like on the web just research where they are coming from- what shelter or rescue organization. Most of them are very legit and work hard to place these unwanted animals.
Reputable breeders do post on the web- in fact one of the best known breeders in Ma has a beautiful website but I do agree that they will want to meet you and wouldn't ship their puppies out!!
good luck!!!

 

[tinkerbell555]

I too was looking for a puppy that does not shed much . I have 3 children and one of them has a lot of allergies. I searched online, rescue groups and our local newspapers. Several years ago we rescued a jack russell mix, she was great with the kids but she didn't like men. We also were told she was housebroken and we never could quite get that accomplished even though she was grown. She also had issues about being left alone. All in all the kids enjoyed her, but this time we wanted a puppy. We finally after months of searching found a classified ad in online newspaper an hour away. These people bred their miniature schnauzer . They kept them inside . We are so happy we researched a lot. She has lots of energy to keep up with the kids, also low shedding. She is also pretty calm at work with me all day.She is also healthy.You will find the one for your family. Just keep looking.

 

[Donnainnj]

My sister Fosters for a NJ rescue http://wagoninn.rescuegroups.org/ They tend to get a lot of less allergic breeds. Right now they seem to have mostly older dogs available, but they are getting more all the time, so if you keep watching you can get what you want.
Donna

 

[marie1203]

Also, pure bred breeders should not be chargng $3,000 as a previous poster said. We did a ton of research last year and the average was more like $1,500.

A good breeder does genetic testing in a dog before breeding. Genetic testing run very expensive and that is why the price will increase so much. To say there there are good breeders is one thing genetic testing like it should be done is another.

 

[mommy2sixpumpkins]

I would be careful of purchasing online as you cannot see their temperament and have to strictly go by what the person wants you to hear. It may be accurate, maybe not. My BFF purchased three Shelties online and two of them were great personalities but they both lived too short of a life and had tons of problems. The third she still has. I do not trust that dog. She is skittish, nips, possessive of her food bowl and has bladder issues. This one according to the lady was the best personality and the most loving dog ever. You can't hardly get close to her. Proceed with caution is all I am saying.

I know that I am going against the grain here but I would also be careful of rescues and SPCA's. We have had two really bad experiences with two different breeds of dogs. We also adopted a third one from the SPCA and he ended up costing us mega money and eventually had to be put down, we only had him less than two years. Heart breaking but we tried. I personally would try it again if I didn't have little children. A lot of the dogs have been abused or neglected and they need extra love and attention and with small children, I am not willing to take that chance again.

 

[Pakey]

Just as another dog other than a poodle for severe allergies look into a chinese crested. we have one and he is the best little dog. Living in Florida they tend to be high maintenance but he is the best dog. And yes before you ask he is that little hairless dog. But he is considered a hairy hairless, he has a little more hair than a complete hairless. He is great for allergies as he has hair not fur.

My Presley is a wonderful little lap dog, bed warmer and he loves to run and play. Just another breed to look into. You can google chinese crested rescue and come up with all kinds of great chinese crested that need homes. we lucked up with ours, he was a rescue dog but he was very young. The family that had him got stationed in Germany and could not keep him. Just my 2 cents.

kelli

I have 2 Chinese cresteds due to my severe allergies and these are the best dogs. I have a very hairless and a hairy hairless and I'd recommend finding a very hairless. She is so low maintenance. She was a rescue (her owned passed) and she is great.

My little guy came from a "reputable" breeder in a home where the dogs are loved. Yeah, except that the dog has medical issues because genetic testing was not done. I will NEVER EVER EVER buy another dog. It doesn't matter that I have spent thousands on medical treatments (because I love the little guy and he's worth it) but it does matter that these backyard breeders and puppy mills are making money this way.

From now on, I will always own Cresteds but there are plenty out there to rescue.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I was interested in adopting but most shelters have pit bulls, labs, or mixed big dogs. I need a small non shedding dog.

We've had Zac for a few weeks now ~ he was a shelter dog and is a darling cocker spaniel ?mostly? you can never be sure with a shelter dog ~ but he does not shed ~ take your time, you might have to stop by a few times *dogs are constantly coming in. We paid $90 for him and $55 of that was good towards getting him neutered ~ we found a clinic that didn't charge us a penny over $55 to fix him ~ he also got a full set of shots from the shelter before he came home with us.

 

[robinb]

I have 2 Chinese cresteds due to my severe allergies and these are the best dogs. I have a very hairless and a hairy hairless and I'd recommend finding a very hairless. She is so low maintenance. She was a rescue (her owned passed) and she is great.

My little guy came from a "reputable" breeder in a home where the dogs are loved. Yeah, except that the dog has medical issues because genetic testing was not done. I will NEVER EVER EVER buy another dog. It doesn't matter that I have spent thousands on medical treatments (because I love the little guy and he's worth it) but it does matter that these backyard breeders and puppy mills are making money this way.

From now on, I will always own Cresteds but there are plenty out there to rescue.

Those dogs are so ugly they are CUTE!

I guess I am not quite following why you won't purchase from a breeder again. Wouldn't the lesson be to insist on genetic testing instead of adopting a rescue that was probably bred by a puppy mill or backyard breeder?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I got my cockapoo from a shelter and my sheltie from a rescue org. My cockapoo was my first dog and my friend who raised wirehaired fox terriers helped me pick her out. She was a gem for nearly 15 years.

My sheltie is my dog. She likes my husband and son, but I am her person. She waits at the door for me during the day and lies on the floor next to me at night.

If you are unsure about shelters and rescues, take someone who knows about dogs with you to help you find out what you need to know.

 

[MEM]

To the OP: I also recommend a rescued dog - while many dogs in shelters are pit-bulls, the type of dog you want will likely be in a foster home with a loving family, waiting for a forever home. My first dog (as an adult) was a dachshund that I bought from a breeder - after 17 wonderful years with her, I could not imagine having anything but another dachshund. I tried contacting breeders but they all wanted some sort of "co-ownership" arrangement. I began to despair when a friend at work told me about her neighbor who fosters dogs brought in from the U.S. Virgin Islands. There were 2 dogs available, sisters, of indeterminate parentage - they looked like Chihuahuas on steroids. By the time I was able to meet the dogs, one was spoken for. The other one bonded immediately with my children, especially my son who is on the autism spectrum. She had some medical issues like a form of mange and an infected spaying incision - easily treated. Fast forward four years and she is an absolute dream companion. I try not to think of what a waste it would have been had she been euthanized because she's a "mutt".

 

[Philleigh]

OP, please look at rescue groups/shelters first (for all of the reasons by PPs about puppy mills etc.) I don't know where you are, but here in Las Vegas, for example, we have a poodle rescue group. Right now they have a minature 2 year old available. It doesn't necessarily mean there is something wrong with the dog; owners get sick or die, people realize they can't handle the responsibility, and with the economy, a lot of people have had to give up their pets We even have a group in town called Foreclosed Upon Pets, Inc. ("FUPI") and they have a number of small dogs. Rescue group dogs have been fostered so the group can tell you about their personalities. I have a friend who adopted her small malteses from our local SPCA. Rather than trying to buy online, check out Petfinder.com or Google rescue groups for the type of dog(s) you want. Good luck!

 

[luvmy3]

Hopefully pet stores that sell puppies stop selling them because is not profitable anymore. There is always someone that doesn't have enough information to get them.

That really doesn't answer the question. Whenever somoene asks about a dog, people always tell them to stay away from pet stores or in this case online, they encourage people to instead adopt. As much as you (general you) would like to see pet stores and online sites stop selling puppies, the fact remains that right now there are pet stores full of dogs, and people backyard breeding and selling online. What I want to know is what happens to all those dogs sitting in those pet stores or online that nobody buys?

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

That really doesn't answer the question. Whenever somoene asks about a dog, people always tell them to stay away from pet stores or in this case online, they encourage people to instead adopt. As much as you (general you) would like to see pet stores and online sites stop selling puppies, the fact remains that right now there are pet stores full of dogs, and people backyard breeding and selling online. What I want to know is what happens to all those dogs sitting in those pet stores or online that nobody buys?

Often they end up in shelters or rescues. Or the petstore lowers the price until it sells them at a loss.

Sometimes bad things happen to them. There's no denying that. However, if you "save" a dog at the petstore, you're likely causing it's mother to continue to live a horrible life, and more siblings to be born into horrible situations. The sad reality is that sometimes you have to prioritize those animals over the one in front of you.

 

[tinkarooni]

ALL puppies you buy online, or in a pet store, are from puppymills, or backyard breeders. PLEASE do not support animal cruelty. Either find a rescue, or find a reputable breeder (will never sell to a store, or ship). The breeder's #1 reason for breeding is to improve the breed, not to make money selling puppies. The breeder will not breed dogs that have any medical problems, and will make sure you neuter your puppy, and agree to return the dog if, for whatever reason, you need to surrender it.

Go on petfinder.com - you can find any breed.

I just wanted to comment that I don't think "all" online breeders are cruel to animals. I think that was a bit of a stretch, we found our rare breed dog online and traveled three states away to pick her up. Yes, I don't know if she was what you call a "backyard breeder" but she owned a farm and bred this particular breed of puppy from her two dogs. She was a lovely women with a rare product to sell and used the internet to advertise the puppies.

 

[kacaju]

I could not imagine having anything but another dachshund. I tried contacting breeders but they all wanted some sort of "co-ownership" arrangement.

Did you ever really question why the breeder wanted a co ownership with you?? Many, many times it is simply because the breeder cares enough about her puppies that it is one way of them knowing their puppies will be returned to them if for some reason you can no longer keep it.
Yes, there are always horror stories about co ownership (just like there are horror stories about everything)
But don't be so quick to run from a co ownership.

 

[CinRell]

That really doesn't answer the question. Whenever somoene asks about a dog, people always tell them to stay away from pet stores or in this case online, they encourage people to instead adopt. As much as you (general you) would like to see pet stores and online sites stop selling puppies, the fact remains that right now there are pet stores full of dogs, and people backyard breeding and selling online. What I want to know is what happens to all those dogs sitting in those pet stores or online that nobody buys?

Rescue groups will take them... or shelters... or they'll be killed. It happens now anyway.... if dogs can't be sold and are clearanced down enough, if the breeder WILL take them back they kill them or just breed them to continue the cycle. I've worked with puppy mill rescues for years. If you chose to go to a breeder and they ship, don't interview YOU, don't make YOU sign a contract saying you MUST return the dog to them if you ever have to get rid of it... run. Fast. Most responsible breeders do not need to be online to advertise because they have homes for the pups before they're even born.

about 30%.. and usually more.. dogs in shelters are pure. Where do you live/ I assure you you can find a rescue to help you find your forever friend!