Discussion
Hi,
We are considering a dog, from a puppy and was looking for a little advice about where to buy from. We live in a very rural location, have no other pets or children and walk everyday so it feels like we have a good environment. We both had dogs as family pets when we were children but that was a long time ago.
In my minds eye I am seeing a border collie or similar, possibly a Jack Russell.
I don't want to buy from a poor place or somewhere which is "cruel" but am a novice
I have seen a lot on Pets4homes, is this reputable? Or any advice where to look or what to look for? I have looked at things like dogs trust for rehoming but the dogs all seem to have challenges, which for the first time owner is a little off putting.
Thanks in advance,
We are considering a dog, from a puppy and was looking for a little advice about where to buy from. We live in a very rural location, have no other pets or children and walk everyday so it feels like we have a good environment. We both had dogs as family pets when we were children but that was a long time ago.
In my minds eye I am seeing a border collie or similar, possibly a Jack Russell.
I don't want to buy from a poor place or somewhere which is "cruel" but am a novice
I have seen a lot on Pets4homes, is this reputable? Or any advice where to look or what to look for? I have looked at things like dogs trust for rehoming but the dogs all seem to have challenges, which for the first time owner is a little off putting.
Thanks in advance,
When I got our first Flatcoat I contacted the Flatcoat Retriever Club of Scotland to ask for contacts of reputable breeders. They gave me quite the grilling before handing out any names, I took that as good thing!
Possibly something similar for the breeds you’re looking at. Or maybe the Kennel Club?
Possibly something similar for the breeds you’re looking at. Or maybe the Kennel Club?
Good on you for asking.
It might be worth trying smaller independent rescues, although due to the demand for dogs at the moment, their usual supply is 'compromised'.
To be honest, border collies can be a bit challenging (I say that as someone whose family had a number of collie crosses and whose other half has owned them). I would think that quite a few border collie breeders are breeding from working stock, and a working border collie is something else. Others breed collies for specific activities such as flyball or agility. I'm not sure how many 'pet collie breeders' there are.
Not trying to put you off, I just think you need to know what you might be taking on. Do you both work? How much time will you be able to dedicate to training and exercising a dog?
OT - seriously nice looking car in your profile. My family have owned various Cortinas, including MkII. They now just have the MkIs, three of which are Lotus Cortinas. The other is a twin-cam also, built for historic rallying and then also used for hillclimbs.
It might be worth trying smaller independent rescues, although due to the demand for dogs at the moment, their usual supply is 'compromised'.
To be honest, border collies can be a bit challenging (I say that as someone whose family had a number of collie crosses and whose other half has owned them). I would think that quite a few border collie breeders are breeding from working stock, and a working border collie is something else. Others breed collies for specific activities such as flyball or agility. I'm not sure how many 'pet collie breeders' there are.
Not trying to put you off, I just think you need to know what you might be taking on. Do you both work? How much time will you be able to dedicate to training and exercising a dog?
OT - seriously nice looking car in your profile. My family have owned various Cortinas, including MkII. They now just have the MkIs, three of which are Lotus Cortinas. The other is a twin-cam also, built for historic rallying and then also used for hillclimbs.
Thanks for the thoughts. I retired early at the end of last year so have plenty of time.
I had read about collies as pets and think you may well be right in so far as they may not be right for us.
And thanks for the comments on the car, I am hoping to get out and about in it this year if COVID lets me.
I had read about collies as pets and think you may well be right in so far as they may not be right for us.
And thanks for the comments on the car, I am hoping to get out and about in it this year if COVID lets me.
Don't worry, there are plenty of other breeds (or cross-breeds) to choose from which will love to go for long walks!
It's just a difficult time at the moment because lots of people are looking for dogs and some unscrupulous people are taking advantage of this by charging silly prices.
It might be worth saying where you are based, because people might know of local rescues or reputable breeders in your area.
Good luck
It's just a difficult time at the moment because lots of people are looking for dogs and some unscrupulous people are taking advantage of this by charging silly prices.
It might be worth saying where you are based, because people might know of local rescues or reputable breeders in your area.
Good luck
A border terrier would be perfect and yes I am biased!
They’re small(ish) , ours is 10kg. He has the kindest temperament of any dog I’ve ever met. He will laze around all day with us in the sofa or run 10km or climb a mountain.
He gets stripped about twice a year (£40 a go) and touch wood suffers from few health problems.
He does know his own mind and can be stubborn but that’s part of the attraction for me. He’s a proper little character.
They’re the perfect dog. I’m my opinion. Only problem is lockdown has driven prices silly. We paid £700 for copper, three years ago. They’re 4x that now.
They’re small(ish) , ours is 10kg. He has the kindest temperament of any dog I’ve ever met. He will laze around all day with us in the sofa or run 10km or climb a mountain.
He gets stripped about twice a year (£40 a go) and touch wood suffers from few health problems.
He does know his own mind and can be stubborn but that’s part of the attraction for me. He’s a proper little character.
They’re the perfect dog. I’m my opinion. Only problem is lockdown has driven prices silly. We paid £700 for copper, three years ago. They’re 4x that now.
Have you considered a Beagle? They love outdoors and rural. They are not easy if you pick up from puppy age, but I think one of the most friendliest dogs. You just need to spend some good time with them, and with right treats and patience, they can learn loads of commands. If I was living rural, I would consider a pair or springer spaniel & Beagle, they love being with other dogs.
We picked ours from a a KC breeder, or consider beaglewelfare for rescues?. If you consider Beagle, feel free to message me I have loads friends with beagles too for further tips and tricks, never easy!
We picked ours from a a KC breeder, or consider beaglewelfare for rescues?. If you consider Beagle, feel free to message me I have loads friends with beagles too for further tips and tricks, never easy!
In terms of pets4homes and whether it's reputable: it's a marketplace and therefore only as good as the people who use it.
I purchased both my dogs through there, the 1st was from a well known breeder and has a 5 generation pedigree etc the 2nd was from a family who bred from their pet dog. Both good transactions but along the way I spoke to a few I didn't like including 1 importing the dog from another country who wanted to meet at the docks and 1 who was breeding them in his shed and they didn't look to be in the best condition.
In summary pets4homes is good but all it does is link you to a seller, you need to so your own checks.
We've got 2 cocker spaniels, small but not too small, easy to train and good with the family.
I purchased both my dogs through there, the 1st was from a well known breeder and has a 5 generation pedigree etc the 2nd was from a family who bred from their pet dog. Both good transactions but along the way I spoke to a few I didn't like including 1 importing the dog from another country who wanted to meet at the docks and 1 who was breeding them in his shed and they didn't look to be in the best condition.
In summary pets4homes is good but all it does is link you to a seller, you need to so your own checks.
We've got 2 cocker spaniels, small but not too small, easy to train and good with the family.
Collies can be hard work for a first dog if you are out of practice - We currently have 2 and have had a total of 5.
Labs are a bit easy to get along with for a first dog, as long as you work at it (same can be said for Collies, its just a lot more work). The love the outdoors and walking etc.
All depends on what size dog you want.
Labs are a bit easy to get along with for a first dog, as long as you work at it (same can be said for Collies, its just a lot more work). The love the outdoors and walking etc.
All depends on what size dog you want.
Roboticarm said:
In terms of pets4homes and whether it's reputable: it's a marketplace and therefore only as good as the people who use it.
I purchased both my dogs through there, the 1st was from a well known breeder and has a 5 generation pedigree etc the 2nd was from a family who bred from their pet dog. Both good transactions but along the way I spoke to a few I didn't like including 1 importing the dog from another country who wanted to meet at the docks and 1 who was breeding them in his shed and they didn't look to be in the best condition.
In summary pets4homes is good but all it does is link you to a seller, you need to so your own checks.
We've got 2 cocker spaniels, small but not too small, easy to train and good with the family.
Pets4homes is ok to use, we bought our Cockapoo from there. Like anything you can quickly find out the ones who are doing it to make a quick buck or ones who are registered breeders. If they are a registered breeder they will have the appropriate paperwork and be registered to the council which you can check. I purchased both my dogs through there, the 1st was from a well known breeder and has a 5 generation pedigree etc the 2nd was from a family who bred from their pet dog. Both good transactions but along the way I spoke to a few I didn't like including 1 importing the dog from another country who wanted to meet at the docks and 1 who was breeding them in his shed and they didn't look to be in the best condition.
In summary pets4homes is good but all it does is link you to a seller, you need to so your own checks.
We've got 2 cocker spaniels, small but not too small, easy to train and good with the family.
Do loads of research, but given your location and loving walks I would go for a Spaniel of some sort.
Also as someone said look a charities on FB. They will do all the same home checks, and normally you only pay a small fee to cover costs. We paid £300 for our springer puppy in 2019, and that was just the costs to the charity. There is HUGE demand so you will be waiting a while to get one though. Given that you dont have any children at home will be a big plus for charities and you could get yourself a cracking dog.
Am I right to suggest Kennel Club?
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/find-an-as...
When we were picking ours up, we searched through here, and as far as I'm aware this is quite important for breeders.
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/search/find-an-as...
When we were picking ours up, we searched through here, and as far as I'm aware this is quite important for breeders.
Roboticarm said:
We've got 2 cocker spaniels, small but not too small, easy to train and good with the family.
Another vote here. We have a 2.5 year old working Cocker and he is the most amazing dog. Intelligent, caring, slightly mental. He's currently sat watching me workCooper is about 15kgs. Awesome off lead but can be a bit of a swine when on it (but that's probably down to us and poor training)
As for where you are looking - research thoroughly and don't be offended if the breeder vets you as that's what they should be doing. Good breeders will tend to have waiting lists so be prepared to be added to one and have to wait
Animal said:
Rather than Pets4Homes I'd suggest you sign up to ChampDogs. I think only registered breeders can advertise their litters and you can contact breeders/read about different breeds too.
When I 've used Pets4Homes to advertise the photo was used not once but twice by another advertiser to add a veneer of quality to some badly bred pups, so do beware . Champdogs is better but be ask lots of questions.. Speaking to the secretary of the breed clubs for the breed you are interested in will often yield useful contacts, or people to avoid .
Unless you had Jacks before I would recommend going to ' www.terrierrescue.co.uk ' and then ' knowing terriers' ( under the banner heading ) for a bit of info on many terrier breeds, and visit 'our live forum' ( link above the banner heading) to see some of the problems they have to solve with dogs that were in the wrong hands.
We found our breeder through Champ Dogs, although they were / are Kennel Club registered too.
I had a very long chat with the breed specific rescue group too, to know what we were getting into, and the typical problems as to why people give up the breed.
The breeder spent a lot of time with us to make sure the breed was right for us.
Totally worth it, great hound!
I had a very long chat with the breed specific rescue group too, to know what we were getting into, and the typical problems as to why people give up the breed.
The breeder spent a lot of time with us to make sure the breed was right for us.
Totally worth it, great hound!
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