I need a new dog. (1 Viewer)

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

So I need a new dog. Would like a white/yellow lab again, but not 100 decided. The problem is this.... I know I'm not supposed to go to a breeder so I have been to the local shelter about 5 times over the past 2 months. 90% of the dogs are pits. I'm in the pits are good dogs camp, but I'm just not looking for a muscle bound clumsy dog with a tail from hell. (Ive had them in the past). All the other dogs have something else wrong or don't fit our family. Either the dog hates kids, or is great with kids, but hates other dogs or some other random reason they aren't a good fit. If there is a good dog, they are all signed up and gone unless you camp out at the shelter.

Am a scoundrel for not adopting? If I do go to a breeder, how do I know they aren't puppy mills? Do I have to pay $2,000+ for a lab who wont be crippled by 5?

 

[John Bender]

So I need a new dog. Would like a white/yellow lab again, but not 100 decided. The problem is this.... I know I'm not supposed to go to a breeder so I have been to the local shelter about 5 times over the past 2 months. 90% of the dogs are pits. I'm in the pits are good dogs camp, but I'm just not looking for a muscle bound clumsy dog with a tail from hell. (Ive had them in the past). All the other dogs have something else wrong or don't fit our family. Either the dog hates kids, or is great with kids, but hates other dogs or some other random reason they aren't a good fit. If there is a good dog, they are all signed up and gone unless you camp out at the shelter. Am a scoundrel for not adopting? If I do go to a breeder, how do I know they aren't puppy mills? Do I have to pay $2,000+ for a lab who wont be crippled by 5?

Where do you live?

 

[Dr. Awesome]

What type of energy level are you looking for in a dog? And what size would you prefer?

If you really must have a lab and can't find one at a shelter (I'm skeptical you can't but maybe you live in a small town) then go ahead and buy one. I'd always rather have a mutt - they're often healthier than pure breeds.

Boxers are another breed often at shelters and they can look scary but they're amazing family dogs.

 

[eoMMan]

You should build your own.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

So I need a new dog. Would like a white/yellow lab again, but not 100 decided. The problem is this.... I know I'm not supposed to go to a breeder so I have been to the local shelter about 5 times over the past 2 months. 90% of the dogs are pits. I'm in the pits are good dogs camp, but I'm just not looking for a muscle bound clumsy dog with a tail from hell. (Ive had them in the past). All the other dogs have something else wrong or don't fit our family. Either the dog hates kids, or is great with kids, but hates other dogs or some other random reason they aren't a good fit. If there is a good dog, they are all signed up and gone unless you camp out at the shelter. Am a scoundrel for not adopting? If I do go to a breeder, how do I know they aren't puppy mills? Do I have to pay $2,000+ for a lab who wont be crippled by 5?

Where do you live?

Silver Spring, Maryland

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

What type of energy level are you looking for in a dog? And what size would you prefer?

So I need a new dog. Would like a white/yellow lab again,

 

[The Hank]

So I need a new dog. Would like a white/yellow lab again, but not 100 decided. The problem is this.... I know I'm not supposed to go to a breeder so I have been to the local shelter about 5 times over the past 2 months. 90% of the dogs are pits. I'm in the pits are good dogs camp, but I'm just not looking for a muscle bound clumsy dog with a tail from hell. (Ive had them in the past). All the other dogs have something else wrong or don't fit our family. Either the dog hates kids, or is great with kids, but hates other dogs or some other random reason they aren't a good fit. If there is a good dog, they are all signed up and gone unless you camp out at the shelter. Am a scoundrel for not adopting? If I do go to a breeder, how do I know they aren't puppy mills? Do I have to pay $2,000+ for a lab who wont be crippled by 5?

Where do you live?

Silver Spring, Maryland

Got our Chocolate from someone in the community who recently had a litter of 11 AKC Chocolate Labs. $200 later, got our pup Rooney and he's been awesome so far! 1 yr old.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

What type of energy level are you looking for in a dog? And what size would you prefer?

So I need a new dog. Would like a white/yellow lab again,

If you want a lab because you like labs then go ahead and buy one. Nothing wrong with having favorite breeds. If you want a lab because it's a friendly family oriented dog then there are many more breeds to choose from. That's all.

 

[Beckster]

http://www.lab-rescue.org/

 

[Otis]

Have you considered paying a human being to be your roommate instead? The conversation is better and it's easier to explain to them that they shouldn't crap on your floor.

 

[NutterButter]

Just go to petfinder.com. You need to go through rescue groups. A lot of their dogs are fostered so they're not caged up all day with no one to give them any love and the foster families will have a lot of insight into the dog. Even the one's that stay at a rescue's own shelter get a lot more attention from the volunteers. And yes, no breeders and if you have any sense of decency, no pet stores/puppy mills.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

What type of energy level are you looking for in a dog? And what size would you prefer?

So I need a new dog. Would like a white/yellow lab again,

If you want a lab because you like labs then go ahead and buy one. Nothing wrong with having favorite breeds. If you want a lab because it's a friendly family oriented dog then there are many more breeds to choose from. That's all.

OK. Pretty sure we're on the same page, GB.

 

[3C's]

Good suggestions. Look for a breed specific rescue and also check petfinder. Pits do last longer and other breeds are scooped up quick. Maybe the local shelter has a website you could monitor.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I'm also in the midst of trying to get a dog from a shelter. The problem I am having is that I don't want a lab and that is pretty much all the shelters here have. Trying to find one that is at least half border collie.

 

[pollardsvision]

How wide of a shelter/humane society search are you doing?

Labs are the most popular dog in the country and I see them everywhere in shelters around here. It's hard to imagine you can't find a lab mix that suits you in the surrounding counties and cities.

You aren't a scoundrel for buying one. It's just hard to imagine not being able to find a lab mix in a populated area.

 

[Glass Joe]

Pet Finder

 

[Doug B]

I know I'm not supposed to go to a breeder ... If I do go to a breeder, how do I know they aren't puppy mills?

I must've missed the memo that any and all dog breeders are to be avoided. Where's that come from?

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Mobbin got my boy for 600 from a family that breeds every other year and he has been great. He was fully papered but I got his nuts chopped off so it didn't matter to me. Honestly he's my 3rd kid and I doubt I ever get anything but a yellow lab again.

 

[Village Idiot]

I know I'm not supposed to go to a breeder ... If I do go to a breeder, how do I know they aren't puppy mills?

I must've missed the memo that any and all dog breeders are to be avoided. Where's that come from?

That memo doesn't exist.We got our St. Bernard from a reputable breeder and we also have had a total of 7 resuces from a combination of a local vet and the humane society.If anyone is going to buy from a breeder I highly recommend a trip to the breeder to meet the mother and father (or at least 1 of the parent dogs), and see the conditions the dogs are living in.We did that before buying the Saint, he was a wonderful dog that was raised in a really good environment and, we got to see both of the parents.

 

[azgroover]

Have you checked flyers on local utility poles for the latest specials?

 

[LargeMouthBass]

I'm pretty certain, most of the dogs in your local pet stores are from puppy mills.

I'm all for going to the shelter or rescuing a dog but if you really want a certain breed, you should be able to do some research and find out where they actually came from.

 

[Glass Joe]

I avoid dog breeders if only because it seems selfish to want a specific kind of dog when there are so many unwanted dogs in the shelter.

 

[Charlie Frown]

I hear Bichons are nice.

 

[Da Guru]

I avoid dog breeders if only because it seems selfish to want a specific kind of dog when there are so many unwanted dogs in the shelter.

I agree, but if you are going to care for an animal for 12-14 years I want the breed that I enjoy the most. Somebody has to take care of those animals too.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Find a rescue group near you through PetFinder and contact them directly. They may not have all of their dogs listed, and/or you could get pre-approved by them and they'll put you on a list and let you know when they have a dog that suits you. Some will do that type of thing, some won't.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

The petfinder suggestion was awesome, thanks guys.

 

[cubd8]

I'd recommend a puggle, mine is more pug than beagle, but he is very friendly, loves to play ball, etc, howl's like a beagle, has a major passion for food (and playing ball), sleeps under the covers, seems to have learned quite a bit of words that I use....he's now a good friend.

 

[Chadstroma]

Just go to petfinder.com. You need to go through rescue groups. A lot of their dogs are fostered so they're not caged up all day with no one to give them any love and the foster families will have a lot of insight into the dog. Even the one's that stay at a rescue's own shelter get a lot more attention from the volunteers. And yes, no breeders and if you have any sense of decency, no pet stores/puppy mills.

Used petfinder to get my Goldendoodle. He was 1 at the time we got him. Everyone loves him. He is a great dog that although was never house broken- basically learned right away with no accidents and trained him out of chewing things he is not suppose to pretty quick. I have had strangers on the street ask to take pictures of him several times. If I was single, I would have had tons of dates from just having him. I was patient and willing to travel a bit to find him. We drove out to Ohio to pick him up from a shelter out there. Absolutely would use petfinder again. Absolutely never buy a pet at a store and only use breeders that you have done a ton of research on and have checked out completely, if you are willing to pony up the premium to buy them. Getting a dog at a rescue/shelter is all around the best route to go.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

You buy from a breeder or you get from a shelter/rescue. What you don't do is buy one out of the paper or from a pet store.

There are plenty of good breeders and you'll know it's not a puppy mill by going there. The best ones have only one or two studs, and 4-7 #####es. They will also have an established history, a paper trail and they'll ask you a lot of questions because they want their dogs going to good homes. IMO if you go this route you will have to pay north of $500 for a dog. You should not be buying a good papered/bred dog for much less than that, anything in the $200 range is someone trying to make a profit or selling flawed animals.

There are exceptions to that before people want to jump down my throat, but for me this is the general rule. I paid $500 for my one dog 12 years ago and it's the best $500 I've ever spent. My other dog is a rescue and I will rotate the way I acquire dogs from now on going to a breeder, then to a rescue. If I wanted a lab, I'd probably rescue one because they are a common breed. I think breeding farms are for less popular breeds or for breeds with inherent genetic problems. I know labs have hip issues so that might be one reason to get from a breeder, but a rescue might be better suited and might make a better pet. Now if you wanted it for hunting, breeder.

 

[HellToupee]

We have a 1.5 yo Jack Russell and love him dearly but I wholeheartedly don't recommend them unless you want an energizer bunny. Good dog but he's a rascal .

 

[John Bender]

We have a 1.5 yo Jack Russell and love him dearly but I wholeheartedly don't recommend them unless you want an energizer bunny. Good dog but he's a rascal .

Have a 4 year old myself - good advice. Takes a lot to keep up with her

 

[Macdaddy_2004]

My next rescue is going to be a mut - honestly all that matters is the dog's personality.

 

[TheWalkmen]

Bichon Frise. They're perfect dogs.

 

[NutterButter]

Just go to petfinder.com. You need to go through rescue groups. A lot of their dogs are fostered so they're not caged up all day with no one to give them any love and the foster families will have a lot of insight into the dog. Even the one's that stay at a rescue's own shelter get a lot more attention from the volunteers. And yes, no breeders and if you have any sense of decency, no pet stores/puppy mills.

Used petfinder to get my Goldendoodle. He was 1 at the time we got him. Everyone loves him. He is a great dog that although was never house broken- basically learned right away with no accidents and trained him out of chewing things he is not suppose to pretty quick. I have had strangers on the street ask to take pictures of him several times. If I was single, I would have had tons of dates from just having him. I was patient and willing to travel a bit to find him. We drove out to Ohio to pick him up from a shelter out there. Absolutely would use petfinder again. Absolutely never buy a pet at a store and only use breeders that you have done a ton of research on and have checked out completely, if you are willing to pony up the premium to buy them. Getting a dog at a rescue/shelter is all around the best route to go.

It might take additional time and patience, but in the end, you earn some nice karma points by going the rescue route instead of a breeder. I have nothing bad to say about breeders. I just push the rescue route b/c there's literally a few million dogs put to sleep each year and even on the low end, that's a hell of a lot of great dogs that never got a chance. Being a dog lover, that to me is just a travesty.

 

[PeterSam]

Go and look for AKC affiliated breeders. They tend to breed for temperament and also are invested in the breed and aren't for-profit. They'll want to get reimbursed for vet bills and cost of care for the ##### and the litter, but that's going to only be in the moderate range. They'll also want to keep the litter for the proper number of weeks until they're properly weaned and ready to be separated from their mother and littermates.

Research this and then find one who fits this criteria.

Still, a shelter is better and as others have said there are breed-specific shelters/rescues out there, and their own knowledge and investment in the breed will help them screen a good dog that will fit into your household (e.g. doesn't like cats; good with kids; high vs. low energy, etc.).

 

[bueno]

I'd recommend a puggle, mine is more pug than beagle, but he is very friendly, loves to play ball, etc, howl's like a beagle, has a major passion for food (and playing ball), sleeps under the covers, seems to have learned quite a bit of words that I use....he's now a good friend.

I never get this. Somebody has a mutt so they create a name for him like it's a new breed for something. Puggle, Labradoddle, Terripoo, WTF? A mongrel by any other name can be sold for more money or something?

 

[Chadstroma]

Just go to petfinder.com. You need to go through rescue groups. A lot of their dogs are fostered so they're not caged up all day with no one to give them any love and the foster families will have a lot of insight into the dog. Even the one's that stay at a rescue's own shelter get a lot more attention from the volunteers. And yes, no breeders and if you have any sense of decency, no pet stores/puppy mills.

Used petfinder to get my Goldendoodle. He was 1 at the time we got him. Everyone loves him. He is a great dog that although was never house broken- basically learned right away with no accidents and trained him out of chewing things he is not suppose to pretty quick. I have had strangers on the street ask to take pictures of him several times. If I was single, I would have had tons of dates from just having him.

I was patient and willing to travel a bit to find him. We drove out to Ohio to pick him up from a shelter out there. Absolutely would use petfinder again. Absolutely never buy a pet at a store and only use breeders that you have done a ton of research on and have checked out completely, if you are willing to pony up the premium to buy them. Getting a dog at a rescue/shelter is all around the best route to go.

It might take additional time and patience, but in the end, you earn some nice karma points by going the rescue route instead of a breeder. I have nothing bad to say about breeders. I just push the rescue route b/c there's literally a few million dogs put to sleep each year and even on the low end, that's a hell of a lot of great dogs that never got a chance. Being a dog lover, that to me is just a travesty.

I think for the vast majority of people who just want a dog then looking through the shelters and rescues is a must. There are some benefits to going to a breeder but those benefits are not applicable for most dog owners- the only exception to this being if you want a specific breed that tends to have genetic problems then going to a breeder who has dogs with family histories of not having those problems can save you vet $. There are a lot of pitfalls in going to a breeder that is not top of the line and doing that means you are going to spend a big chunk of change (on top of all the stuff you have to get for a new dog which will normally range another $300-1,000). For me, I assume my guy is a 1st gen Goldendoodle as he does have a small amount of shedding and the 2nd gen Goldendoodles are suppose to almost or completely eliminate shedding. Getting him from a shelter, I had no chance of knowing that. But going the rescue route/shelter route you are literally saving a dogs life. If not your dog then another dog's life whom your adoption opens room for. As you can see through petfinder, you can find any breed. Some more so than others (there are untold number of pitbull mixes) but if it works for anyone who wants a dog to someone who wants a specific breed. Plus the adoption fee you usually spend goes to continue operations for the rescue/shelter.

Also, you can look through craigslist as there are quite a few people trying to find good homes for their dogs for different reasons.

For me, there is no reason to go to a breeder. It just all around makes better sense to find a dog at a rescue or shelter- and my Grizzly is living proof of how it can work out. I would not trade him in for of the top bred dogs out there.

 

[bueno]

Why should you avoid a pet store dog anyway? If for some reason, I see a pet store dog and I like it, why shouldn't I buy it?

 

[Chadstroma]

I'd recommend a puggle, mine is more pug than beagle, but he is very friendly, loves to play ball, etc, howl's like a beagle, has a major passion for food (and playing ball), sleeps under the covers, seems to have learned quite a bit of words that I use....he's now a good friend.

I never get this. Somebody has a mutt so they create a name for him like it's a new breed for something. Puggle, Labradoddle, Terripoo, WTF? A mongrel by any other name can be sold for more money or something?

At some point every breed was a mongrel. It took people to breed them for different reasons and define what the characteristics of the 'pure' breed was to make a breed. It is the same thing that we have been doing ever since the first wolves were adopted into the human pack but it is taking already defined breeds and combining them. Why not combine the names if you are combining the breeds?

 

[fullback]

get a german

 

[bueno]

I'd recommend a puggle, mine is more pug than beagle, but he is very friendly, loves to play ball, etc, howl's like a beagle, has a major passion for food (and playing ball), sleeps under the covers, seems to have learned quite a bit of words that I use....he's now a good friend.

I never get this. Somebody has a mutt so they create a name for him like it's a new breed for something. Puggle, Labradoddle, Terripoo, WTF? A mongrel by any other name can be sold for more money or something?

At some point every breed was a mongrel. It took people to breed them for different reasons and define what the characteristics of the 'pure' breed was to make a breed. It is the same thing that we have been doing ever since the first wolves were adopted into the human pack but it is taking already defined breeds and combining them. Why not combine the names if you are combining the breeds?

I believe they do it so it sounds more snobby and they can sell the mutt for more money.

 

[Chadstroma]

I'd recommend a puggle, mine is more pug than beagle, but he is very friendly, loves to play ball, etc, howl's like a beagle, has a major passion for food (and playing ball), sleeps under the covers, seems to have learned quite a bit of words that I use....he's now a good friend.

I never get this. Somebody has a mutt so they create a name for him like it's a new breed for something. Puggle, Labradoddle, Terripoo, WTF? A mongrel by any other name can be sold for more money or something?

At some point every breed was a mongrel. It took people to breed them for different reasons and define what the characteristics of the 'pure' breed was to make a breed. It is the same thing that we have been doing ever since the first wolves were adopted into the human pack but it is taking already defined breeds and combining them. Why not combine the names if you are combining the breeds?

I believe they do it so it sounds more snobby and they can sell the mutt for more money.

I got my Goldendoodle at a shelter and paid a small adoption fee that would have been paid for any other dog. I had a Golden Retriever when I was young and never liked the dog that much (it was my fathers dog) but I love this dog. Can't tell you how much of that is adding the Standard Poodle in with the Golden but I like the product. Plus, even though he does shed a bit it is much less than what a Golden Retriever would shed. In the end, it is just another kind (aka breed) of dog- just a little newer and bred from two existing well established breeds.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

get a german

Looking at Belgian Malinois.

 

[Sconch]

I'd recommend a puggle, mine is more pug than beagle, but he is very friendly, loves to play ball, etc, howl's like a beagle, has a major passion for food (and playing ball), sleeps under the covers, seems to have learned quite a bit of words that I use....he's now a good friend.

I never get this. Somebody has a mutt so they create a name for him like it's a new breed for something. Puggle, Labradoddle, Terripoo, WTF? A mongrel by any other name can be sold for more money or something?

My Chiweenie and Chiminipinscherwolverine would disagree.

 

[Chadstroma]

get a german

Looking at Belgian Malinois.

Enjoy working with them at work that much huh?

 

[bueno]

I'd recommend a puggle, mine is more pug than beagle, but he is very friendly, loves to play ball, etc, howl's like a beagle, has a major passion for food (and playing ball), sleeps under the covers, seems to have learned quite a bit of words that I use....he's now a good friend.

I never get this. Somebody has a mutt so they create a name for him like it's a new breed for something. Puggle, Labradoddle, Terripoo, WTF? A mongrel by any other name can be sold for more money or something?

At some point every breed was a mongrel. It took people to breed them for different reasons and define what the characteristics of the 'pure' breed was to make a breed. It is the same thing that we have been doing ever since the first wolves were adopted into the human pack but it is taking already defined breeds and combining them. Why not combine the names if you are combining the breeds?

I believe they do it so it sounds more snobby and they can sell the mutt for more money.

I got my Goldendoodle at a shelter and paid a small adoption fee that would have been paid for any other dog. I had a Golden Retriever when I was young and never liked the dog that much (it was my fathers dog) but I love this dog. Can't tell you how much of that is adding the Standard Poodle in with the Golden but I like the product. Plus, even though he does shed a bit it is much less than what a Golden Retriever would shed. In the end, it is just another kind (aka breed) of dog- just a little newer and bred from two existing well established breeds.

The pet store closest to me sells mutts like labradoddles for three times the "mutt" price. That's why I think it's a scam. I got my two black labs from a shelter for an adoption fee. Would buy in a pet store if the dog really grabbed me though. The English black lab female has a slight birth defect, the male is a blue heeler cross. It's funny having a dog that looks like a black lab that is afraid of water....

 

[prosopis]

I got mine on craigs list. It is a mutt but I am pretty sure it has lots of yellow lab in it. I paid the girl $20.00 she had taken in a pregnant dog and got stuck with a lot of puppies. She just wanted to recoup some of what she spent on food. I think it is hit and miss but it is worth checking.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

get a german

Looking at Belgian Malinois.

Enjoy working with them at work that much huh?

I love those dogs.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

English Bulldog, thank me later.

 

[NutterButter]

Why should you avoid a pet store dog anyway? If for some reason, I see a pet store dog and I like it, why shouldn't I buy it?

I guess its possible that you don't know this and that you're not just fishing, but pet stores get supplied by puppy mills. Just google puppy mills and look at the pics. I've seen it first hand out in PA. I'll never get the site and smell out of my mind.