Buying a Puppy - £500?

[Sarahlou89]

Certinatly look around as 500 is a lot of money to part with.
We got our german sherpherd for 280 and she is kc registered with full papers and she was vaccinated

 

[lifeizsweet]

I think the main attraction to this puppy is that it's there, right now. She wants a poodle type because of the hypo-allergenic trait, but also because of the curly fur because she's a hairdresser. Lol. She was offered a springer pup but I warned her they'd be a lot of work & wouldn't do well being left while she was out working.

I've been looking at a few pups online & found some pure-bred pups being sold for between £500-£750 in our area & as mentioned above, you get a lot with them for that price! Fully insured, vaccinated, wormed, flea'd and relevant paperwork!

If she's going to be out working she needs to think about getting a dog walker/puppy daycare to look after the dog if she can't get home to see it every so often. It's not fair on ANY dog, not just high engery dogs to be left on their own for long periods of time.

I have a working labrador and on the days when he's not able to go out working with my OH i have to ensure he is walked 3 times a day and i'm lucky in that i work 5 mins from home and can get back to walk him in my lunch break. It's a huge commitment and every desicion we make has to be based around the dog too.

 

[Qua Sae]

She was planning on leaving him in her car while she cut hair (she's a mobile hairdresser), until I pointed out to her that it's illegal to do that now. I've given up warning people that their dogs could die in cars - EVEN with a window open or a bowl of water - because most people just don't respond to it. Now I tell them it's illegal to leave their dog in a car, unattended & it seems to get a better response.

My Grandparents used to take their dog on holiday with them, to a dog-friendly hotel but they refused to leave the dog alone in the hotel room (in case of damage) so they'd leave him in their car while they went out for meals etc! This was about 10 years ago, a lot of things have changed & their dog has since passed away.. I told them they wouldn't be allowed to do that any more as it's illegal & they just wouldn't believe me! These are the same Grandparents of mine who don't believe in insuring your dog.

Lucky for her, I've just set up a pet sitting/dog walking business (or am trying to) so if she does get the puppy, I can look after him while she's at work. I just hope she takes me up on it because it's not fair to leave him alone in a car.

 

[lifeizsweet]

Leaving him in the car is probably worse that leaving him at home!! Hopefully she will take up your offer of watching him!

 

[fillymum]

A lot of sound advise in this thread and as the owner of 7 dogs, each one having story I feel just a bit qualified to comment.
We put on a fun dog show here last year to raise some funds for an animal charity. The overall champion out of 12 classes was a delightful Labradoodle . His owners were delightful too.
The price paid for designer dogs is ridiculous especially when dogs home are crying out for owners to take on abandoned dog or dogs whose families , through no fault of there own are seeking new, loving owners BUT and it is a big but each individual has a choice and if a designer dog is what they want you will not persuade them otherwise. One can only hope that the dog has the best home possible regardless of price or breed.

 

[The Punisher]

Perhaps your friend could do with looking at the list on this website:

Dogs Good For Allergy Suffers, Hypo-allergenic dogs

 

[Shrimpy]

My springer copes very well with being left alone- my husband and I now both work 5 days a week so he's alone from 7.15 - 5.15, although initially that wasn't the case. He just sleeps when we're not there and most of the evening when we are, hes a lazy sod! He is walked for a good 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day though, so maybe he's cream crackered!

 

[lifeizsweet]

My springer copes very well with being left alone- my husband and I now both work 5 days a week so he's alone from 7.15 - 5.15, although initially that wasn't the case. He just sleeps when we're not there and most of the evening when we are, hes a lazy sod! He is walked for a good 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day though, so maybe he's cream crackered!

Each to their own but i don't know many people who would agree with leaving a dog along for such a long amount of time each day.

 

[Mrs.S.]

Each to their own but i don't know many people who would agree with leaving a dog along for such a long amount of time each day.

I'm inclined to agree here. Although not wanting to offend or 'bash' others so to speak.

Does he get walked/fed in that time? What if he runs out if water? Where's the affection? How do you know his sleeping isn't depression?

Honestly not trying to cause upset but 10 hours alone is a bit concerning.

Sent from Laura's iPhone using MiniMins

 

[lifeizsweet]

I'm inclined to agree here. Although not wanting to offend or 'bash' others so to speak.

Does he get walked/fed in that time? What if he runs out if water? Where's the affection? How do you know his sleeping isn't depression?

Honestly not trying to cause upset but 10 hours alone is a bit concerning.

Sent from Laura's iPhone using MiniMins

I think people forget dogs are very sociable animals - they're not designed to spend that amount of time on their own each and every day.

What about toilet breaks in that time?

 

[fillymum]

My springer copes very well with being left alone- my husband and I now both work 5 days a week so he's alone from 7.15 - 5.15, although initially that wasn't the case. He just sleeps when we're not there and most of the evening when we are, hes a lazy sod! He is walked for a good 1 1/2 to 2 hours a day though, so maybe he's cream crackered!

Mine too are left for 8 hours at a time at the weekend which is when I work.

I do not think that dogs have any real conception of the passing of time. They understand meal time, walkies times etc but not the passage of time.
Personally I believe ( I do not expect anyone else to believe it ) that if it is what your dog is used to and that is their *normal* life and they are well loved, well looked after and cared for it is fine to leave them whilst you are working.
On Saturday and Sunday mornings our 2 big dogs know exactly what is happening and whilst we are doing horses, cats etc., they just put themselves to bed in their bedroom. If you met them you would say they are anything but depressed they are happy, playful and affectionate. The 5 little ones can come and go as they please, we are lucky we have such a lot of secure land.
If your friend can cope with a dog and is prepared to make some adjustments to make sure it has a good, healthy life so be it.

 

[Qua Sae]

Our dog has been left alone for about 8 hours before & he's fine.. Just sleeps mostly. Now I'm starting up a pet care business, I'm at home a lot & he just sleeps most of the time in between plays, feeds & walks. He's one lazy dog! Lol.

I do worry about her leaving the dog in her car or even at home while she's at work while he's still a puppy though. Toilet training can be hard enough.. Imagine being crated for 8 hours & nowhere to wee. I don't really like the idea of crating dogs in the first place, it just seems unnatural But it's not fair to leave them there for 8 hours just so they don't mess on your carpet or in your car. I've no idea how she's going to get around that.. Or if she's even thought about it!

 

[fillymum]

Our dog has been left alone for about 8 hours before & he's fine.. Just sleeps mostly. Now I'm starting up a pet care business, I'm at home a lot & he just sleeps most of the time in between plays, feeds & walks. He's one lazy dog! Lol.

I do worry about her leaving the dog in her car or even at home while she's at work while he's still a puppy though. Toilet training can be hard enough.. Imagine being crated for 8 hours & nowhere to wee. I don't really like the idea of crating dogs in the first place, it just seems unnatural But it's not fair to leave them there for 8 hours just so they don't mess on your carpet or in your car. I've no idea how she's going to get around that.. Or if she's even thought about it!

You are so right. I would never, ever leave a dog crated. To me that is cruel.

I have to say she doesn't sound a good candidate to have a dog.

Can you not have a gentle word with her about the commitment needed to raise a young pup .?

 

[Shrimpy]

He is perfectly fine. He is an affectionate and happy wee doggie who is very well socialised. It is his normal life and he's used to it. The fact that I've had two weeks off (due to being a teacher) has weirded him out a little and spends normal working hours -even though I'm here, snoozing. Walkies is at 6pm and he won't go before, LOL. Dogs are very routine oriented and he likes his! He has plenty of access to water, and doesn't usually drink even 1/2 of it and has never had any accidents, just like at night when I am asleep. So thank you for your concern Selwonk & Lifeizsweet, but he is perfectly well cared for and loved.

 

[Qua Sae]

fillymum.. The RSPCA recommend that people crate their dogs now. I was so shocked to find out! I can see why they support it, if it stops dogs being destructive then people are less likely to give them up. They just look so sad in their crates. We tried having an 8 month old puppy a while ago, he'd been crate trained since he was born & had no idea how to behave outside of it. He'd tear up the carpet & overnight he would mess everywhere if he wasn't in his crate! Unfortunately we had to take him back to the breeder because our dog couldn't adjust to having a puppy about. Luckily it was just a trial & they were more than happy to take him back.

Shrimpy.. Sox is the same, he pretty much ignores me while I'm at home all day. As long as he has his normal routine of feeds & walks then he's perfectly happy. He doesn't drink much water either, mostly straight after a walk or a play. It's hard for him to run out.

Do you take him out before you leave for work or anything? Sox goes crazy if he doesn't get let outside immediately after waking up & then fed straight after that. He's well aware of the time too & makes sure I know if I'm even a minute late taking him out. Lol.

 

[Shrimpy]

Yeah, he gets a quick walk (up and down the street to help "loosen") and then breakfast and wee time while I get ready to leave. Husband lets him out again when he leaves sorta 30mins after me. Then when we get home, WALKIES! Darwin is only aware of time in the idea of about an hour after I get home he goes walkies. If I get home late or early then an hour later is walkies time regardless of the "real" time.

I tried to crate train Darwin, cause it was suggested. He hated it and refused to play ball, so we gave up! He has the run of downstairs when we're gone and is a wee angel.

 

[fillymum]

Some friends of ours in the U.K. adopted a 2 year old Golden Retriever who was crated 10 hours a day.

She is a joy to them, they adore her.

Her life style now could not be further away from the way it was then. She walks on the beach, socialises with other dogs BUT she has had to have a hip replacement operation as her movement was so restricted when she was crated and not walked as she should have been. What a lucky girl to have ended up with such caring people.

 

[Lumps]

Current trend is crosses...a friend used to sell pure cocker spaniels (could barely get £500 for them)...cocker poo's however had people all over the country paying £1000!!! LOL

I like the picture above...very cute HOWEVER the border/poodle I saw at agility at the weekend was not like that...very stocky and out of proportion.

Any thing your friend may want to consider is that is a mix of the 2 most intellegent dogs, if she is not dog savvy it "may" be a bit much for her. My two collies would run rings round most

My sister has a collie / german shepherd cross and he is the most dippy, dopey dog I have ever met. A bit thick, but lovely natured!!!

 

[Noddynoobs]

my parents have 3 dogs, 2 mini dachshunds and an alsation type mixed breed, and they are all crated (separately) at night and dont suffer any ill effects. they go out for a wee and then go and sit by the door to the hall way and hop in to thier crates and off to sleep they go. the little boy dachshund is very naughty and will destoy anything he gets his paws on otherwise. my parents are both retired and the dogs have the run of the house and a very large garden all day.

 

[lifeizsweet]

Crate training is not cruel. I don't crate train, but can see why people like it. You aren't supposed to leave them in a crate for prolonged periods of time. Grates are supposed to be their 'den' their safe place.

Re: dogs having no concept of time - i know they don't know time like we do, but they are still not designed to spend large amounts of time isolated and on their own, even if they are used to it i don't think it's fair on the animal.

when my dog is at work with me all he does is sleep under my desk but he's much happier and content after a day with me than if go home at lunch to see him and leave him for 2 4 hour gaps in the day.