OT~Animal lovers~ I need to ask about prices on two pups

[elmonshea]

I know this is off topic but I have my trust in you and wanted to ask your opinion.
We are getting my daughter (and myself) a new puppy.
We are looking at a Pocket Shihtzu and a Teacup Poodle. They are $650.
Which of these is a better deal and better with kids?
TIA


Update :
After posting this and reading all of your opinions, we have decided to be happy with our 2 bigger dogs coming inside part time. These were both from shelters and they are great dogs.
There is an adoption event this weekend with 2 shelters and we will go see what they have and I am sure we will fall in love with 1 of them.
Thank you for All of your thoughts and input on the topic!

 

[jennifer293]

Having had both breeds of dog I would say the Shih tzu would be better as far as kids go. Poodles (or ours always did) seemed to get attached to one adult in the house and if anyone came aorund that adult including the children they would snap. I am not saying all poodles do that, but ours always did and we had 3 different ones when I was a kid. I am not sure about the price because I have never paid for a dog. I always get mine through rescues. I have no clue what my parents paid for any of our dogs but that was 20 years ago so I am sure prices have inflated a bit..

 

[ceecee]

Well, we have two Labs, full bred and not close to $650.00 we got them at the Lab rescue one was 2 yr, the other 10 mos., already house trained and no chew issues....priceless! (of course as a yearly expense they cost $1000s). Are you set on a puppy or an older dog? Shelters and Rescue groups have a lot of great dogs at a fraction of the cost. Our friends mini something (new designer mutt) fell off the couch and broke it's leg! You didn't say how old your daughter is but make sure she and her friends are gentle around a tiny thing like that.
That being said my friend had a poodle that bit everyone (including family members) except her mom. Our neighbors poodle bit my lab on the leg, needless to say she doesn't like him anymore! I don't know if that's typical with poodles but those are the only ones I've known well. This dog also doesn't bark, it yaps. My DD tells it to get a bark! A guy down the street has a standard poodle who is really a great dog, I guess I prefer the larger ones.

 

[kacaju]

pocket Shih Tzu and Teacup Poodles are not true *breeds* so to speak. They are, yes a purebred dog, but they are much smaller then the standard for that breed. How do they get small... mostly I believe from people picking out the tiniest dog they find, breeding that to another tiny dog and hoping for tiny puppies. Keep doing that and you will end up with tiny under height standard dogs.
How old are your kids? Tiny dogs that are bred just to be tiny often have heath problems. Also they are more fragile. You need to be sure your children will not be so rough and tumble with a little dog.
As far as price, some may say that is alot. We bought a show dog (my daughter shows him) for more then that. I don't have a problem with the price itself.

 

[elmonshea]

We have 2 outside dogs. 1 is a Lab and we got him for free through shelter but had (have) $$$ vet billsto keep him happy and healthy.
Our 2nd we just got last week. He is a Beagle mix with I think catahoula (he has the spots and blue eye). We got him from the shelter as well.
But we are wanting a Small puppy for inside.
Shelters are the best way to go but all I can find around here is Chihuhua's and Thier little legs are so fragile that I do not want to get it.

 

[npmommie]

My suggestion as always is the shelter or a rescue group.
I won't get on my soapbox about breeding

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Something to consider with smaller breeds (teacup sized, etc.) The are extremely prone to sickness and can't be overexcited for very long or they can also get sick. Please check with a vet before you decide on either breed. It might save you heartache and money!

 

[StillPinballFamily]

Not sure if either is a really great deal. We got an adorable rescue mutt pup via Petfinder a year ago ($325) for an 8-week old cocker/retriever/border collie/? mix. This included the neutering! A neighbor got a bred dog at the same time, paid a lot (a LOT!) more, then had to pay $400 for the neutering. It seems like basically we got a free dog. Our 1st year expenses for him (and including him) were just about $1000.

Good luck with your research and decision.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I kind of thought most of those teeny tiny dogs were not so great around kids.

 

[tinan]

Well you had mentioned in your 2nd post that all you are finding small in your area is the Chihuahuas and how you are afraid at how fragile their legs are. The tiny breeds that you are looking at are more fragile than the Chihuahuas and definitely more prone to being cold, more sickly, can be snippy and generally are much more difficult to housebreak.

Personally, I would suggest to keep looking at other small breeds. If you like the Shih Tzu, why wouldn't you consider a regular sized one? If you like really small dogs, the Yorkies are nice little dogs. The cost is really dependent on where you are buying the dog from and your area. The reputable breeders are generally around the same price range with good quality dogs. Pet stores are always overpriced puppy mill dogs and anymore are selling what they call the "designer" dogs which gear towards the pocket dogs, Labradoodles, Shi-poos, Yokiepoos, etc. which ultimately are very overpriced "mutts".

Best of luck to you!

 

[audrabolster]

My suggestion as always is the shelter or a rescue group.
I won't get on my soapbox about breeding

Very true.

Also, teacup dogs in general are not so child friendly. They are generally more skiddish and more fragile. Also since teacups are not an actual breed. The breeders are basically breeding runts together. They are more prone to illness, and genetic defects.

Basically, you will be paying out more in vet bills than with a non-teacup.

And yes, I speak from experience. I will now only adopt from shelters.

 

[4Seasons]

My suggestion as always is the shelter or a rescue group.
I won't get on my soapbox about breeding

Not getting on a soapbox either or trying to start a debate, but there are SO many loving dogs in shelters, etc. that need a good home and family.
We rescued one about 3 years ago (Min Pin), and while he definately has his quirks (from his past life with previous owner), I wouldn't trade him for the world.
He's very good with my children, very protective.

 

[kandeebunny]

Either way you go your going to have INSANE vet bills.

I am a chihuahua mommy and let me tell you she gets sick ALL the time, its a small breed thing, much more fragile.

 

[disneygirl1971]

CeeCee could you please tell a little about the lab rescue that you used? I am involved in basset hound rescue and own a 4 yr. old bh but I know nothing about the lab rescues. We lost our beautiful, sweet black lab Molly a couple of months ago to cancer at the young age of 4. Needless to say, we are shocked and I'm still grief stricken. I told myself I was never going the puppy route again when we brought our girls home (boy was that an exhausting 2 yrs.) We raised all our pups from 9 weeks and it is so much work. But our basset hound is lonely and frankly so is her Mom Molly was such a huge part of our lives (and I due mean huge at 110lbs!) that our house is just empty. I would like to know anything that you willing to share (you can PM me) about lab rescue. TIA and sorry this is somewhat off topic. For the OP I really don't have any advice about the tiny breeds. Honestly, they wouldn't survive one day in our house We have to have the rough and tumble breeds around here. My niece has two of those mini breeds and it's all you can do to keep from stepping on them all day, not to mention both of them are very high strung. I've never seen them mellow out. But then again much of my ife has been spent with basset hounds Make sure you use a reputable breeder (which will cost more) and good luck, I'm sure you'll love whichever you choose.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Well I can tell you from experience that the dogs that are very small like that are very prone to sickness.My Dmom and my DAunt both have little dogs poodle and the other is a taco bell dog lol dont know how to spell it. But both have to be seen at least every other month at the vets for heart problems very bad heart problems at that. They are on all kinds of meds the costs are insane.

We have a mix he is a big big dog and the dog never ever gets sick.He goes to the vet for his shots and normal things and thats it and we have had him for 9 years.

 

[BarbR-Atlanta]

Sort of on my soapbox....

Everyone make sure that you watch Oprah on Friday. Lisa Ling goes undercover to show the seemy side of dog breeding. She goes to puppy mills, that will make you sick, and sick at heart.

Please try to consider a shelter adoption. You won't regret it. Shelters get purebreds al the time. We have a purebred Long-Haired Dachshund (crazy!), that was dumped into a shelter, from a puppy mill, because he was not considered good breeding stock! This little guy was SO messed up, it took months to get him normal. He didn't even know what grass felt like! He had never had sensory stimulation, and would bark for up to 10 hours a day. He was petrified of everything. He's a great dog, now (a year later). We also have two other shelter rescues (Black Lab, and Golden Retriever/something). They are the best dogs.
We also have three rescue cats, all black (the hardest to place), and two rescue Parakeets!
Yes, I live in a zoo (LOL)!

 

[ceecee]

We have 2 outside dogs. 1 is a Lab and we got him for free through shelter but had (have) $$$ vet billsto keep him happy and healthy.
Our 2nd we just got last week. He is a Beagle mix with I think catahoula (he has the spots and blue eye). We got him from the shelter as well.
But we are wanting a Small puppy for inside.
Shelters are the best way to go but all I can find around here is Chihuhua's and Thier little legs are so fragile that I do not want to get it.

Outside Dogs: by the Michigan Humane Society
Many potential adopters ask "Is this an 'outside' dog?" Our answer is, "Not anymore." We attempt to place dogs with people who understand the need of a dog to be a part of the family. Obviously, dogs can be forced to live outside, alone and away from their families. But to force this kind of life on a dog is one of the worst things you can do to him. Such a life goes against a dog's two most basic instincts: the pack and the den. If you have any doubts about these ideas, think of all the whining, barking, clawing dogs you have seen tied up alone outside. Dogs trying desperately to get their human families' attention, and then just giving up to become hyperactive, listless, fearful, or vicious when the stress of enforced solitude becomes too much to cope with.
The rationale given by people who permanently keep their dogs outside is that they will spend time with the pet outside. Even the most well-meaning pet owner does not spend significant time outside, particularly when it is raining or cold. Consequently, under the best of circumstances for the outside dog, a bowl of food and water hastily shoved before him, a quick pat given, and his owner, his WORLD is gone, leaving the animal to spend another 22 to 23 hours alone.
A dog brings you the gifts of steadfast devotion, abiding love, and joyful companionship. Unless you can responsibly accept a dog's offer of these great gifts, please do not get a dog. If you already have a dog, perhaps this article will help you to see things from his point of view, and possibly motivate you to change your relationship with him. A sad, lonely, bewildered dog, kept outisde, wondering why he cannot be with his family, brings only sadness and unhappiness to the world.
Yes, I have my flame suit on!!!

 

[phragmipedium]

ceecee - No flames from me. But then, I feel the same way about cats too - not due to their instincts but to protect them from dangers/diseases outside. It's a personal decision, and that's what I've decided is best for my pets.

OP, have you tried craigslist in your area to see if anyone is giving up a smaller dog? I'd keep trying shelters too and read newspaper ads for people who might be moving. It seems like a shame to pay for a specially bred dog when there are so many who are looking for loving homes that might be a perfect fit.

Or...try bringing the big guys in from outside to keep you company. My 104 black lab mix thinks he's a lap dog and he's so happy and fun. He (and his little sister, Daisy the lab) + our two cats are well worth the Dyson a few times a week.

 

[elmonshea]

Update on first post

 

[phragmipedium]

That's an awesome update! Best of luck and enjoy your pups.