Is getting a puppy a good idea?

[k&a&c'smom]

theSurlyMermaid & tiggersmom2 - We have 2 Cavaliers, and I did have to "go to them!" They don't usually advertise, and the AKC and the CKCSC have to recommend a breeder to you. Then, you have to prove to the breeder that you will be a responsible owner. I did not receive a response from most of the breeders I contacted, either! I live in MO, but had to drive to Ohio and Nebraska to find my 2 lovies! Once there, they interviewed me, asked a lot of questions, would not allow me to register my boys until I proved they had been neutered (to keep the chance of irresponsible breeding to a minimum.) Pretty tough!

 

[zurgswife]

Go For it....I got one beagle "family" breeder with papers and one pup (5ms now) from a rescue MIx...both are wonderful....well the puppy would be especiallly wonderful if I could convince her that house training means out doors...

 

[missyc]

Originally posted by k&a&c'smom
theSurlyMermaid & tiggersmom2 - We have 2 Cavaliers, and I did have to "go to them!" They don't usually advertise, and the AKC and the CKCSC have to recommend a breeder to you. Then, you have to prove to the breeder that you will be a responsible owner. I did not receive a response from most of the breeders I contacted, either! I live in MO, but had to drive to Ohio and Nebraska to find my 2 lovies! Once there, they interviewed me, asked a lot of questions, would not allow me to register my boys until I proved they had been neutered (to keep the chance of irresponsible breeding to a minimum.) Pretty tough!

I'm sorry, but this just isn't the average dog owner!
Good for you, but not reasonable for most.
According to the breeders and "responsible" dog owners, it'd be harder to prove your worthiness to have a dog than a child!
Not a bad idea for parenting though!! LOL
Hmmmmmm.................

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

I have two labs from a friend's "oops" litter. We took a chance with them on a gut feeling that they would be good dogs, and they couldn't be any better. We didn't want them papered... we just wanted pets to love.

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by missyc
I'm sorry, but this just isn't the average dog owner!

But it should be. A pet is not a casual decision to make, or something to be discarded when it is no longer convienient. If you are determined to have a certain breed of dog, you owe it to yourself and the dog to seek out a reputable breeder. One who knows the bloodlines of the dogs, any prevalent health or behavioral problems with the breed, and who is dedicated to the breed and their dogs. If you just want 'a' dog, by all means adopt from a shelter or rescue.

And it does happen with children also- it's called foster parenting or adopting.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Originally posted by phillybeth
But it should be. A pet is not a casual decision to make, or something to be discarded when it is no longer convienient. If you are determined to have a certain breed of dog, you owe it to yourself and the dog to seek out a reputable breeder. One who knows the bloodlines of the dogs, any prevalent health or behavioral problems with the breed, and who is dedicated to the breed and their dogs. If you just want 'a' dog, by all means adopt from a shelter or rescue.

And it does happen with children also- it's called foster parenting or adopting.

I could not agree more. And for so many people it IS a casual decision and boom! the minute the novelty wears off, or the dog gets too big, or what have you....its off to the pound. And I had the misfortune of watching HBO's Shelter Dogs....which showed dogs being euthanized on camera and believe me, I am still so traumatized by it, I had to get rid of HBO on the off chance I would ever accidentally come across that show again.

People see me and my dogs on the street and immediately start in on how they want a tiny Yorkie too. NO THEY DO NOT. I must spend more time trying convince parents of small children they do NOT need a toy dog. The reality is they cry all night, they mess the house, they get sick, they can scare you to death with how small they really are, etc. etc. And they are expensive. My little Yorkie went into hypoglycemic shock her second night with us and was seconds from dying as we rushed her to the emergency room...COMPLETELY unaware of what was going on.

You know how I said I was speaking from experience with the reputable breeder thing? Because I didn't do it! My dogs were from a fancy pet store in NYC that charged an arm and a leg. I taught myself about natural food and medicine because my little ones were always sick. But not everyone does that! My DH and I dedicated ourselves to learning all we could after we discovered just how stupid we were.

eta: k&a&c'smom....boy, does your story ring a few bells! We decided we wanted a cavalier, and those breeders are like a secret society that it is impossible to break into. I felt so reassured though, even though we didn't end up getting the dog. I did make some breeder friends though!