Hello!

I need everyone's opinion or thought on this one.

Does anyone think that its best to adopt a pet at a Humane Society or is it best to just buy one from newspaper, pet store etc??

Humane Society/Shelter, they have plenty that need good homes and a large variety, from young to old and small to large, short hair, long hair, big teeth, little teeth, cute, ugly.:D

NEVER from a newspaper.
NEVER from a pet store.

Adopting from a shelter or buying from a reputable breeder are the only ways to go.

Dogs from pet stores are 90% of the time from Puppy mills, the other 10% backyard breeders.

No responsible breeder sells their puppies through a newspaper. If you buy from a very good breeder you will actually have to go on a waiting list to get a dog, there is no need for them to advertise.

Shelter dogs are the best if you are willing to adopt. You would not only be saving a life, but if you get an adult dog you will already know what it is going to look like as well as the temperament.

A lot of shelters will want to know quite a few details from you.
Your income, where the dog will be living/sleeping, do you know how to care for it etc..

Reputable breeders are the same and check these things.

If you buy a dog out of the newspaper or from a pet store they just go "Ok, here's your dog, give me the money, bye!"

Yeah I was thinking about getting a puppy from the Humane Society. I am so willing to adopt, plus I think its cheaper. I went online and got some info about it. I think that's what I am going to do then now. Thanks

Yep, definitely cheaper.
Shelter dogs are from $100-$400.

For a dog from a breeder you would be looking at around $2000.

Just a friendly reminder though, dog's are expensive ;)

If you want a "surprise" dog, find a puppy cross-bred. It's fun to watch them grow up and go through the different stages, you never know what they are going to end up like until they are no longer pups :)

Just don't buy a cross-bred ;)

Sorry, you will get a lot of that from me... I love my purebreds, but I also love anything adopted.

What is a cross-breeded dog? Do you mean for example, a lab and a pit mixed?

Is that what you mean when you say "surprise" dog?

Oh never mind. I get it LOL silly me. I had to re-read your post again

Adopting one is good, buying one is bad. That means it's from a backyard breeder.

I had a surprise dog, it started short haired all over and looked like a little lab w/basset markings and ended up being this.
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That's a really nice looking dog. Awww!!

I love that photo :)

And yep, cross-bred meaning one breed of dog bred to a different breed of dog (like a labxpitt) ;)

Yea I wouldn't mind having a cross bred dog. Can Yorkies be cross breeded with another dog? You know?

They have been, you never know what you are going to find at a shelter.:)

I'm very interested now you guys lol can't wait to get a little one

Yorkies can be bred with any other dog, even a great dane, but the mother would have the be the larger dog.

If two dogs are mated and the smaller dog is the female then it can often cause complications with the puppies being too large for the female to carry, resulting in problems birthing and even death.
If it is the other way around and the larger dog is carrying smaller puppies then there would be no problems.

Of coarse in that situation there would be a umm, 'height disadvantage' for the male ;)
That is where AI matings come in, which... is backyard breeding because it would be intentional.

The latest craze is "Designer Dogs"
It is driving me mad trying to talk people out of buying them.

They are cross-breds that people have made cute names for.
Such as a Yorkie x Poodle = Yorkipoo
Pug x Beagle = Puggle
etc.

Now where was I...

Yorkie mixes :D

Yes, there are many different types but basically if you are going to a shelter and buying a puppy it may look like a yorkie as a baby but grow up to look nothing like one, it's pot luck

If you don't mind providing what state you live in (In a private PM) I could try and track down some Yorkie rescues in your area.

If you don't then that is fine, just Google Your State + Yorkie Rescue.

Oh OK that makes sense lol. I'll just go in there and ask about it then. Wow you really know you stuff don't you :p

Adopting one is good, buying one is bad. That means it's from a backyard breeder.

I had a surprise dog, it started out short haired all over and looked like a little lab w/basset markings and ended up being this.
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This is the second time I have seen this picture and the expression on this beautiful dogs face is so thoughtful.I love this picture ,the light and the mood is just so tender.
There are so many captions I could think of to put here.
What a sweetheart!
Wish you were here seems so fitting!

Oh ok that makes sense lol. I'll just go in there and ask about it then. Wow you really know you stuff dont you :p

Haha, no just get asked a lot of questions and have a good memory :D

I love that photo

Yeah, I really need to upload some new ones, that ones been posted 3 times already!:rolleyes:

Haha, no just get asked a lot of questions and have a good memory :D

Yes ,you know your stuff and congrats on becoming an expert ! Three cheers for Shazz!

So I am not stealing this thread,I will add that adopting a *mutt* is also a good idea because very often a pure breed will carry the genetic coding for whatever particular problem that breed suffers from.
I know how you feel about German Shepherd's but my pure breed had a worse case of dysplasia because of his pure breeding as opposed to my German shepherd mix.
The good traits of the German Shepard were passed on to my mutt but the bad ones were not.

Thanks Arty :D I was very happy when Ben granted me my magical powers.

While it is true that mutts supposedly have the "hybrid vigor" it isn't always true.

The odds of a genetic disorder being passed on are reduced (such as things like PRA or dysplaysia) but there are a lot more physical problems.

If say you crossed a dacshund with a pug.
Dacshunds are well known for their back problems due to their elongated spine.
Pugs are known for their protruding eyes and can have a lot of eyes issues.
Mix the two together and you could not only end up with one of those problems, you could end up with both.

It's a catch 22, both have problems. Both pure breds and mutts.

The myth that cross-breds are healthier is purely a myth though.
They do both have problems but I tend to find reputable breeders who do genetic testing before mating the dogs to be more reliable. It is the backyard breeders who skimp on the testing that cause the trouble.

Not only that but a lot of the tests are relatively new, so people who owned a purebred with problems say 20 years ago, will have the mindset that they are unhealthy, when really, there were just no tests for it back then.

Anyyyyyway... Off my little soapbox.

Wasn't putting you down Arty, it was just that my mum and I had this conversation only a few weeks ago, so it has been playing on my mind for a while :D

Now I'm going to bed before I get myself ito trouble :)

I agree with Just Dahlia and shazamataz, adopt one from the Humane Society.
They usually have way more pets then pet stores.

Good Luck!:)

Joy

I agree with Just Dahlia and shazamataz, adopt one from the Humane Society.
They usually have way more pets then pet stores.

Good Luck!:)

Joy

It's not the amount of animals that matters, it's where they come from.

Pet stores are usually filled with poorly bred puppy mill dogs. Those dogs live in horrible conditions, most of the puppies will be sickly. No legitimate breeder sells their animals to a pet store, it simply isn't done.

The dogs in the papers are usually from backyard breeders, they're just as bad as puppymills, only on a smaller scale. These people have no idea what they are doing, only the females and her pups suffer.

Legitimate breeders breed to better the blood lines, they do genetic testing, they properly care for the dam and the pups, they have years of experience. Even when selling their pups for $2000 a pop (or pup ;)) they usually don't make a profit, most of the money goes into the proper care and breeding of these pups.

Having said all that, I love shelter dogs. Not only are you saving a life, you're supporting a great cause and you usually end up with a dog that's your match in every way.

The humane society here takes a lot of precautions to make sure you're not buying a dog on a whim. They also match the dog to your lifestyle as best they can.

You may not find the right dog for you the first time, but eventually you will.

Getting a dog is never something you should do on a whim, you have to put a lot of time and care into choosing a dog that you will be able to live with. Dogs can live 12 plus years, you need to be prepared to make that commitment. Vet checks when needed, shots once a year, more for the first year of a puppy. Neutering/spaying if it hasn't been done at the shelter. Food, collar, registration (yearly) you name it.

It's not cheap, so check out all the costs involved before bringing home your forever fur friend.

Of course we'll need pictures once you get him/her, that's not negotiable. ;)

Okay, I'll post pics of mine. Twist my rubber arm. ;)

Indy, my 14 year old lab mix. Friends dog had babies, don't normally condone getting a dog from an oops litter, but we fell in love.
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Jasper, my 8 year old border collie mix. Shelter dog, we got him at 4months of age, he was badly beaten, thin as a rail and didn't trust anyone. Now he's a big softie, cuddly, sucky baby.
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Chewy, my purebred beagle. We got Chewy from a reputable breeder that we found online. She still emails me once a month to see how Chewy is doing. She does it for the love of the breed. Beagles are great, because breeders have managed to keep the blood lines very clean, as a result they don't have many health defects passed down to them. Sadly, because of this, they are the dog of choice for animal testing. :(

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That's my dog family. I'd show my other animals but I'd need 3 posts. ;)

It's not the amount of animals that matters, it's where they come from.

Pet stores are usually filled with poorly bred puppy mill dogs. Those dogs live in horrible conditions, most of the puppies will be sickly. No legitimate breeder sells their animals to a pet store, it simply isn't done.

The dogs in the papers are usually from backyard breeders, they're just as bad as puppymills, only on a smaller scale. These people have no idea what they are doing, only the females and her pups suffer.

Legitimate breeders breed to better the blood lines, they do genetic testing, they properly care for the dam and the pups, they have years of experience. Even when selling their pups for $2000 a pop (or pup ;)) they usually don't make a profit, most of the money goes into the proper care and breeding of these pups.

Having said all that, I love shelter dogs. Not only are you saving a life, you're supporting a great cause and you usually end up with a dog that's your match in every way.

The humane society here takes a lot of precautions to make sure you're not buying a dog on a whim. They also match the dog to your lifestyle as best they can.

You may not find the right dog for you the first time, but eventually you will.

Getting a dog is never something you should do on a whim, you have to put a lot of time and care into choosing a dog that you will be able to live with. Dogs can live 12 plus years, you need to be prepared to make that commitment. Vet checks when needed, shots once a year, more for the first year of a puppy. Neutering/spaying if it hasn't been done at the shelter. Food, collar, registration (yearly) you name it.

It's not cheap, so check out all the costs involved before bringing home your forever fur friend.

Of course we'll need pictures once you get him/her, that's not negotiable. ;)

Okay, I'll post pics of mine. Twist my rubber arm. ;)

Indy, my 14 year old lab mix. Friends dog had babies, don't normally condone getting a dog from an oops litter, but we fell in love.
22936

Jasper, my 8 year old border collie mix. Shelter dog, we got him at 4months of age, he was badly beaten, thin as a rail and didn't trust anyone. Now he's a big softie, cuddly, sucky baby.
22937

Chewy, my purebred beagle. We got Chewy from a reputable breeder that we found online. She still emails me once a month to see how Chewy is doing. She does it for the love of the breed. Beagles are great, because breeders have managed to keep the blood lines very clean, as a result they don't have many health defects passed down to them. Sadly, because of this, they are the dog of choice for animal testing. :(

22938

That's my dog family. I'd show my other animals but I'd need 3 posts. ;)

Awww, your dogs are so cute.

Joy

Shazamataz I sent you a message

Altenwig your dogs a cute :D Didn't know you had so many animals. I would love to have a puppy, a kitten, and a hampster lol.

I am so ready for the commitment of having a dog. I call it practice before having a baby :p even though I have my niece and "almost born" nephew for practice lol. Just something I always wanted

The Humane Society doesn't have the type of dog that I want. I went online and looked but I think that if I were to actually go in there I may see another puppy that I like.

Could anyone tell me all the names of the small dogs that don't get big? I know that there are Yorkshire, Toy Poodles, Malteese, Chiwawa... I know I didn't spell that right lol

Thanks Rex! I'm sure I will

Shazamataz I sent you a message

Seen and replied :)
Thanks for the info, there are several rescues I found, check them out and let me know if you need any more.

There are a lot of small breeds, it really depends on what sort of dog you are after.
Some require a lot of grooming, others are very hyperactive..
Just take your lifestyle into account before you select one.

Higher maintenance (grooming)
Lhasa Apso
Shih Tzu
Yorkshire Terrier
Toy and Miniature Poodle
Peikingese


Medium maintenance
Australian Silky Terrier
German Spitz
Japanese Spitz
Papillon
Japanese Chin


Low maintenance
French Bulldog
Bulldog
Chihuahua
Dacshund
Miniature Pinscher
Boston Terrier
Jack Russell
Schipperke

These are very sweet little dogs and you don't see many around:

The Japanese Chin

Definitely from a Shelter or Humane Society. I've looked through posts form other members, went through the links about puppy mills they provided, and you can trust me, these puppy are not being looked after properly. The more people buy them, the more puppies they'll take there. Not buying puppies from them (the people practising that awful act) is the sole way to discourage the practice.

I would like to get one that likes to play of course cause I am a very playful person when it comes to pets. I don't mind grooming. Of course not 24/7. Just as much as I groom myself is good. He or she can be groomed when I get groomed lol

Lol
If you can give any dog a brush once a day that is great.
Especially for the longer coated breeds, the less often you brush them the more work it will be in the long run because they will matt.

My poodles just get theirs ears and tail brushed once every couple of days and a clip every 6-8 weeks.

Once a day before bed sounds good to me lol. I think I can handle that. I don't have kids at the moment so it should be all right.

That pic of the Chin that you posted... is that your dog?

No HotPotato. Shazzy's got 2 Poodles, and one or two great Danes, which are from her mother if I'm not mistaken :)

Thanks Arty :D I was very happy when Ben granted me my magical powers.

While it is true that mutts supposedly have the "hybrid vigor" it isn't always true.

The odds of a genetic disorder being passed on are reduced (such as things like PRA or dysplaysia) but there are a lot more physical problems.

If say you crossed a dacshund with a pug.
Dacshunds are well known for their back problems due to their elongated spine.
Pugs are known for their protruding eyes and can have a lot of eyes issues.
Mix the two together and you could not only end up with one of those problems, you could end up with both.

It's a catch 22, both have problems. Both pure breds and mutts.

The myth that cross-breds are healthier is purely a myth though.
They do both have problems but I tend to find reputable breeders who do genetic testing before mating the dogs to be more reliable. It is the backyard breeders who skimp on the testing that cause the trouble.

Not only that but a lot of the tests are relatively new, so people who owned a purebred with problems say 20 years ago, will have the mindset that they are unhealthy, when really, there were just no tests for it back then.

Anyyyyyway... Off my little soapbox.

Wasn't putting you down Arty, it was just that my mum and I had this conversation only a few weeks ago, so it has been playing on my mind for a while :D

I hear you hon.I trust your judgment.Years ago a vet told me this but I am sure it was before the area of genetics became more popular and now they can weed out the unwanted trait.Pretty soon we will be having Super Dogs! I stand corrected :)

Oh OK thanks unknown.. lol

Once a day before bed sounds good to me lol. I think I can handle that. I dont have kids at the moment so it should be alright.

That pic of the Chin that you posted.... is that your dog??

No, not mine, I wish he was, he's gorgeous ;)

No problem Arty, I'm not saying mutts are unhealthy, just that the people that breed them don't realise what physical problems they could be making.
Obviously with two breeds like say a labxshepherd there wouldn't be the physical problems, but both breeds can be prone to hip problems...

Makes my head spin :D

Well just say that all dogs cost money lol. I'm ready for the responsibility though. My sister in law has 2 dogs and I just love them!!

No, not mine, I wish he was, he's gorgeous ;)

No problem Arty, I'm not saying mutts are unhealthy, just that the people that breed them don't realise what physical problems they could be making.
Obviously with two breeds like say a labxshepherd there wouldn't be the physical problems, but both breeds can be prone to hip problems...

Makes my head spin :D

I saw this special one time where they were crossing two different types of pugs to get a real super pug I guess and the poor dogs could barely breathe.It was awful.They just destroyed these dogs they had created.You would think there would be more regulation.

Altenwig your dogs a cute :D Didnt know you had so many animals. I would love to have a puppy, a kitten, and a hampster lol.

I am so ready for the committment of having a dog. I call it practice before having a baby :p even though I have my niece and "almost born" nephew for practice lol. Just something I always wanted

The Humane Society doesnt have the type of dog that I want. I went online and looked but I think that if I were to actually go in there I may see another puppy that I like.

Could anyone tell me all the names of the small dogs that don't get big?? I know that there are Yorkshire, Toy Poodles, Malteese, Chiwawa..... I know I didnt spell that right lol

Don't forget to look at no kill shelters in your area. There are a lot in my neck of the woods, many actually have breed specific dogs. They don't usually have puppies, unless they took in a female that was pregnant when she arrived, but it's another option.

No kill shelters are usually run out of people's homes, many times the only charge to adopt one of their dogs is to pay for the upkeep costs (shots, food, fixing, etc) they are non profit organizations and do it just for the love of dogs that would otherwise be put to sleep.

Smaller dogs are great but be sure not to pick one just based on how they look. Some smaller dogs require a lot of training, walking, etc. it depends on the breed. Always make sure to pick a dog that matches your energy level and lifestyle, otherwise one of you won't be happy.

There is a "meet your match" questionnaire on the Edmonton Humane Society webpage. I tried to post the link but it wouldn't let me. :(

Here's the link to the Edmonton Humane Society webpage, just go to adoptions and find the questionnaire, it will tell you what kind of dog is best suited for your lifestyle.

Edmonton Humane Society | SPCA in Edmonton, Alberta | Adoptable Animals (http://www.edmontonhumanesociety.com/)

I saw this special one time where they were crossing two different types of pugs to get a real super pug I guess and the poor dogs could barely breathe.It was awful.They just destroyed these dogs they had created.You would think there would be more regulation.

Wow, that's just awful.
There are supposedly "standards" they are bred to but some people just take it too far.
A "short nose" doesn't mean "unable to breathe" :rolleyes:

Hello!

I need everyones opinion or thought on this one.

Does anyone think that its best to adopt a pet at a Humane Society or is it best to just buy one from newspaper, pet store etc????

When you buy a pet from a pet store you have made a purchase.
When you adopt a pet you have made a rescue. You have laterally saved that animals life.
I lost my beloved Toby after 16 years and it damm near put me down. He was more then just a little Maltese dog. He was my best friend and constant companion. Those of you who live alone know exactly what I'm talking about.
6 months later I saw Bandits picture in the paper. Bandit had been turned in bby 4 families and was about to be termed "unadaptable". This means that he was very close to being "put down".
He looked so alone and forlorn I just had to reach out to him. I was warned that he was a bitter and a runner and 2 nights later he lived up to his reputation and bite me, and drew blood, as I was removing a sand spur from his paw.
We had a few "lively discussions" about just who was going to be "The Alpha Dog" in my house. That was 5 years ago and now Bandit has morphed from a bitter and a runner into a big kisser and a snuggler. He's a happy and contented dog who's found hinself a "forever home". I believe that everyone that lives alone should have a pet to love and get that love returned. I also believe that there are no "bad dogs" just bad masters.
I'll leave you with this thought.
Adopting a pet won't change the world but it will certainly change the world for the pet that you adopt.
Thanks for listening to my story! Tom

Bandit is a cutie Speedball. :)

When you buy a pet from a pet store you have made a purchase.
When you adopt a pet you have made a rescue. You have laterally saved that animals life.
I lost my beloved Toby after 16 years and it damm near put me down. He was more then just a little Maltese dog. He was my best friend and constant companion. Those of you who live alone know exactly what I'm talking about.
6 months later I saw Bandits picture in the paper. Bandit had been turned in bby 4 families and was about to be termed "unadaptable". This means that he was very close to being "put down".
He looked so alone and forlorn I just had to reach out to him. I was warned that he was a bitter and a runner and 2 nights later he lived up to his reputation and bite me, and drew blood, as I was removing a sand spur from his paw.
We had a few "lively discussions" about just who was gonna be "The Alpha Dog" in my house. That was 5 years ago and now Bandit has morphed from a bitter and a runner into a big kisser and a snuggler. He's a happy and contented dog who's found hinself a "forever home". I believe that everyone that lives alone should have a pet to love and get that love returned. I also believe that there are no "bad dogs" just bad masters.
I'll leave you with this thought.
Adopting a pet won't change the world but it will certainly change the world for the pet that you adopt.
Thanks for listening to my story! Tom

What a touching story,and it is so very true there are no bad dogs just bad masters! Sounds you like you found your perfect match.

Bandit is a cutie!

Altenwig I got the website but I can't find the "meet you match" part. Where exactly do I have to go to find that?

Never mind, I found it lol. Silly me!

Go to "Animals" then "Adoptions" then "meet your match" there is a blue link that says "Print meet your match survey"

I tried to do it but I have no ink left in my printer. :( It also wouldn't let me copy the link.

Let me know how it goes. If it doesn't work for you I'll find one that does. :)

Well thank you very much. I found it, but I have another question for you... I live in PA... is this animal shelter your talking about in my area? I don't know where this place is located and I'm not sure if the animal shelter in my area does the "meet you match" thing but I will ask them anyway.

Well thank you very much. I found it, but I have another question for you... I live in PA... is this animal shelter your talking about in my area?? I dont know where this place is located and I'm not sure if the animal shelter in my area does the "meet you match" thing but I will ask them anyway.

It's in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, so no, it's not near you, but the questionnaire can still help. It will give you a color code so you can find out what types of dogs are best suited for you.

The Edmonton Humane society doesn't have a lot of dogs currently in their care (thank God) but it will still give you an idea.

Let me see if I can find a more open questionnaire, one that will be breed specific. ;)

Try this one. It's short, sweet but does ask some important questions.

Breed Selector, Dog Search, Puppy Survey, Puppy Test, Test to find the right dog, Breed Quiz (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm)

Ok thank you. I'm try it now and then I will let you know how it goes.

Ok thank you. I'm try it now and then I will let you know how it goes.

Sounds good. :)

Ok here's the deal lol :) I'm trying to narrow my search so could you tell me the difference between a hybrid dog and a purebrid dog?? :confused:

Ok heres the deal lol :) I'm trying to narrow my search so could you tell me the difference between a hybrid dog and a purebrid dog??? :confused:

From my understanding, a hybrid is a mix, or a designer dog, a purebred is well, a pure bred dog, no other breed mixed in.

I'd search for a hybrid because that's what you'll likely find in the shelters. :)

Ok I'm going to try it again and let you know what I find :D If you care at all :rolleyes:

Ok I got 76 results!

Ok I got 76 results!!

Did you take a look at them?

I think you can click on them, see a picture of the breed and then see some info on it.

You have a lot of matches to look at. :eek:

Yea I'm looking at them. Yeah its really a lot of matches. Makes the decision so hard because a lot of them are so cute :( There's got to be a way I can shorten it just a little bit more. SO far I'm loving the yorktese, yorkipoo, yorkinese and the york russell

What does it mean when they ask you if you want a dog that is good for allerhy sufferers?

What does it mean when they ask you if you want a dog that is good for allerhy sufferers?

I think you mean allergy sufferers. Some people are allergic to the dander in the dogs hair and therefore need a low shedding dog. There are dogs that are are hypoallergenic. Which means that they normally don't shed. A good small breed for an example is a Bichon Frise. When they ask this they are basically asking if you need a hyperallergenic(hope I spelled that right :) dog.

Oh OK. Well you guys I found which puppy I want to get... a YorkiPoo... what do you think?

Oh ok. Well you guys I found which puppy I want to get.... a YorkiPoo.... what do you think?

You would have to actually go see the puppy and learn it's personality.
Every dog is different.
If you do decide that you like this pup just go and organise a day where you can play with him and get to know him.
He may be too energetic, too timid or just perfect, the only way to know is to meet him!

Yeah I know. I thought the Yorkese was pretty cute too. But the shelter where I would go get the dog from doesn't have the kind of dog that I want :( If worse comes to worse, by the time I get ready to get a puppy from the shelter, if they don't have a Yorki then I will just look around at other puppies that they may have and go from there. I know I'll end up falling in love

That's the bad thing about looking before you are ready to buy.
You can find a dog and fall in love with it only to find it has already been adopted.

It is good to look as well though because it gives you an idea of the dogs that are available.

Just remember, there's plenty of lovable little fluff balls so don't get too disheartened if the one you were after gets adopted.

That's true don't leave your hopes to adop animal, believe in it and you find him surely

Well thank you you guys. You are right. I'm sure I will find something that I like

Hello again!

I've figured out for sure what dog I want now. Im down to 2. A Jack Russell and a Miniature Pinscher (Min Pin). I'm going by the cheapest one that I can find. That's how I'll decide which one I want. Anyway, which dog would you guys choose to be the better dog?? Looking for opinions and/or advice.

To help out a little, Im moving into a one bedroom apartment, no backyard (but I am willing to take lots of doggy walks and runs).

Thanks you guys!

Glad to hear it!:)

I'm sure now that you'll post pictures of you pet, will you? (I know either of Shazamataz or Altenweg will be asking that :p)

Lol yeah I will post up pics once I get one. I should be moving like I said in a couple weeks. But I'm going to start saving up for a dog after I get a washer and a dryer (which shouldn't take long.

I don't know how to post pics??

Click on 'Go Advanced'. Then, scroll a little to 'Attach Files'. Click on 'Manage Attachments'. Click on 'Browse' and then look for the picture which is saved on your computer. Don't forget to click on 'Upload'. Up t six pictures can be put in a post, including smilies.

Buying a pet from a pet store isn't all its cracked up to be. You're buying a puppy that is more than likely inbred. You're paying top dollar for an unpapered dog that has a 95% chance of having expensive and sometimes even fatal health issues. And you're promoting puppy mills by buying one of their puppies.

You can get lucky with looking in the newspaper. Serious breeders do advertise in the paper, but you will be paying good money for a good dog. I'm not big on buying mutts, but some people swear by them. I think too many strange behaviors that are inherent in both breeds come out. For example, labra-doodle and golden-doodle temperaments will appear at different times. Not to say they are bad dogs, but I guess its all in what your looking for.

I strongly believe in rescuing a dog. Anyone can go out and buy a puppy. And a lot of rescues do have puppies, but they also have adult dogs that are already house trained, crate trained and are very well social. It depends on how much time you are willing to spend with the dog (Puppies can't really be left home alone for any large amount of time till at least 6 months old). Also, almost every rescue person will help their adopters out in finding that perfect dog for them.

Hope this helps.

Oh yea... petfinder.com has a huge list of all the different rescues and different breed rescues in your area. It will definitely help you decide what's right for you if you even want to go down the rescue path. You can also talk to these rescues about the breeds you are interested in and see if you are indeed interested in that particular breed.

Here's the site.

Pet adoption: Want a dog or cat? Adopt a pet on Petfinder (http://www.petfinder.com)

And another thing... Jacks aren't suitable for apartments. The dog would drive you nuts. They have too much energy and trust me, a walk around the block isn't enough. Lets not forget when the weather is bad. What are you going to be doing about exercise then?

There are a lot more decisions on picking out a dog other than price. If you look for a cheap dog, then you're going to get what you pay for. Find a dog that is good for your situation, and not how much it is.

But like I stated, go the rescue way. They have a lot of choices.

. I think too many strange behaviors that are inherent in both breeds come out. For example, labra-doodle and golden-doodle temperaments will appear at different times. Not to say they are bad dogs, but I guess its all in what your looking for..



This is unfair to people who are interested in buying or adopting mixed breeds - I have never seen anything conclusive that cross breeds are more likely to exhibit bad temperaments than pure breeds. I am, of course, totally against breeding "designer" dogs because I simply don't see the point.

It has always been my understanding that AKC breeds tend to carry the temperaments of the breed because, of course, both parents are the same breed and, in theory, have similar temperaments.

Happy to be corrected - do you have a source?

(At one time I was very active in pet rescue and we preached "mutts" - for lack of a better word - because they didn't carry the aggressive genes that AKC dogs often carried on both sides.)

Mutts are just a mixture of different breeds. A lot of mutts are biters because they have too many temperaments in them. I'm not putting down people who would prefer a mutt to a purebred. Every person has their own taste in what they consider a good dog. I, like purebreds. I like to know exactally what I got and what I can expect from them. If you want to "preach mutts' then go for it. I won't.

Did I say I like designer breeds? no. They're just a gimic to get people to spend large amounts on money on papered mutts (I know of some people who get certificates stating their dog is a designer breed, its ridiculous, really).

I currently own a mutt, a pit/rot mix. She does display both temperaments. I trained a couple designer dogs and witnessed both temperaments come out. The owners of these dogs swear to this day that they have witnessed both temperaments. I had two puppies in a class. Both came from the same litter. There were probably several fathers to this litter and there was a huge difference between the two puppies, and I know for a fact that it wasn't nurture, it was nature. In my moms rescue, we are breed specific with GSPs. Every once in awhile we will get a mixed GSP breed and you can definitely see the other half.

There are my facts. I have witnessed them first hand. Want to challenge me some more? Then bring it :) If you want to push the mutt breed dog, then go for it. I, however, will stick to my blue blood.

I did not intend for this to become confrontational.

I wasn't challenging you.

I do know that a Dalmation/Dalmation has a very good chance of being born deaf; that is not the case with a Dalmation/other breed. I will assume it's the same with personality traits.

I investigate a LOT of dog bite cases. Very few are "mutts." The vast majority are AKC's.

I'll leave it to someone else to do the research if anyone cares that much.

I will agree with you that the purebred dog is being over bred. That is why you are getting so many bites. No one cares about the lines. Which is why my next pure bred papered dog will come from Europe where they have strict breeding regulations :). Americans have ruined the purebred dog. But... creating mutts just because you're going to wean out the bad parts of the purebred isn't the answer either. Mutts aren't exactally a more healthy dog either. Cancer affects all dogs and is caused by the crap food people put into their bodies. Mutts are also a good candidate for the "free to good home" newspaper add and end up in the testing facilities because people find no worth in for money. Every breed of dog has their downfall. Like I said before you jumped down my throat, it is all in what you are looking for. I never once talked bad about the mutt dog... I was just simply letting the person know what could happen and what to maybe expect from both purebreds, mixes and designer.

I will agree with you that the purebred dog is being over bred. That is why you are getting so many bites. No one cares about the lines. Which is why my next pure bred papered dog will come from Europe where they have strict breeding regulations :). Americans have ruined the purebred dog. But... creating mutts just because you're going to wean out the bad parts of the purebred isn't the answer either. Mutts arent exactally a more healthy dog either. Cancer affects all dogs and is caused by the crap food people put into their bodies. Mutts are also a good candidate for the "free to good home" newspaper add and end up in the testing facilities because people find no worth in for money. Every breed of dog has their downfall. Like I said before you jumped down my throat, it is all in what you are looking for. I never once talked bad about the mutt dog... I was just simply letting the person know what could happen and what to maybe expect from both purebreds, mixes and designer.


Cancer is caused by "crap" food? Again, I have never seen that.

I don't know what "mutts" being used for research has to do with the OP's question. I also don't know the worth of "mutts" in testing labs. The labs in my area use AKC dogs so they also have a genetic background. I know. I spent a lot of time circulating petitions concerning surrendered dogs ending up in labs.

As far as jumping down your throat - again, any time anyone disagrees with you, however politely, you consider it to be "jumping down your throat."

If you are going to stick around you really do have to change your attitude.

I will agree with you that the purebred dog is being over bred. That is why you are getting so many bites. No one cares about the lines. Which is why my next pure bred papered dog will come from Europe where they have strict breeding regulations :). Americans have ruined the purebred dog. But... creating mutts just because you're going to wean out the bad parts of the purebred isn't the answer either. Mutts arent exactally a more healthy dog either. Cancer affects all dogs and is caused by the crap food people put into their bodies. Mutts are also a good candidate for the "free to good home" newspaper add and end up in the testing facilities because people find no worth in for money. Every breed of dog has their downfall. Like I said before you jumped down my throat, it is all in what you are looking for. I never once talked bad about the mutt dog... I was just simply letting the person know what could happen and what to maybe expect from both purebreds, mixes and designer.

Hmm I think we need to back up a step...

All purebred dogs?

Really?

There are responsible breeders out there you just have to do your research to find a good one, which unfortunately, most people don't... they go " WOW it's AKC registered"
AKC registered means absolutely nothing, you have to actually understand the process of breeding dogs to know the difference between a good and bad breeder.

Look at the pedigrees, look at the parents pedigrees, grandparents and so on...
Look at the pedigrees of their OTHER dogs as well.

Then you get people assuming that LINE breeding means INBREEDING... and that it is evil and bad. Couldn't be farther from the truth, in a lot of cases line breeding is a good thing as long as an outside line is introduced at some point.

I do agree with you about your statement about mutts, people are breeding these "designer dogs" for all the wrong reasons.
The man who first started breeding Labradoodles did it because his Grandmother (?) was highly allergic to dogs and blind, he was trying to create the perfect guide dog for her.
It didn't work and he abandoned the project... people STILL breed these dogs even though the whole experiment didn't work.
Heck we even have a Labradoodle "farm" here... they have pumped out 800 dogs in the past 10 years and there isn't a damn thing that can be done about it (I've tried)

Pet stores here sell Jackadoo's and maltipoos and lord knows what else and charge in excess of $1600 for them.

If someone wants to adopt a mutt then good on them, you can get some great, loving mutts.
But when people want to buy or breed a mutt that's when my bad side comes out.

As for the food causing cancer... I'll leave that one alone.

Mutts are just a mixture of different breeds. A lot of mutts are biters because they have too many temperaments in them. I'm not putting down people who would prefer a mutt to a purebred. Every person has their own taste in what they consider a good dog. I, like purebreds. I like to know exactally what I got and what I can expect from them. If you want to "preach mutts' then go for it. I won't.

You couldn't be more wrong. In fact, your "purebreds" are likely to have a worse temperament because of all the inbreeding done with purebreds. There aren't many breeds that have been bred properly. Purebreds often have genetic defects, for some reason a lot of mixed breeds seem to skip those defects.


Did I say I like designer breeds? no. They're just a gimic to get people to spend large amounts on money on papered mutts (I know of some people who get certificates stating their dog is a designer breed, its ridiculous, really).

Designer breeds and purebreds, it's all about the paper trail. You're no different then a person that gets a designer breed. You're right, it is ridiculous. You can't judge a dog by it's breed any more then you can judge a human being that has mixed heritage.


I currently own a mutt, a pit/rot mix. She does display both temperaments. I trained a couple designer dogs and witnessed both temperaments come out. The owners of these dogs swear to this day that they have witnessed both temperaments. I had two puppies in a class. Both came from the same litter. There were probably several fathers to this litter and there was a huge difference between the two puppies, and I know for a fact that it wasn't nurture, it was nature. In my moms rescue, we are breed specific with GSPs. Every once in awhile we will get a mixed GSP breed and you can definitely see the other half.

There will be dogs with bad traits, just as human beings can also display unfavored traits. Having said that, I don't believe in nature versus nurture when it comes to dogs. Any breed, if treated right, raised right, trained right and loved can become a good dog.


There are my facts. I have witnessed them first hand. Want to challenge me some more? Then bring it :) If you want to push the mutt breed dog, then go for it. I, however, will stick to my blue blood.

Challenge? When did Judy challenge you? If you want a fight, then pick on me. Trust me, I have the facts to back up what I say, I'm not just basing my posts on what I've experienced.

I have 3 dogs, 2 mixes and one purebred. They all have their differences. Before these two "Mutts" I've always owned purebred. One bad thing after another. Not in behavior, but illnesses, thousands of dollars spent in vet bills. The two mixes haven't displayed any of that, even the lab cross with epilepsy, it was a relatively easy and cheap fix.

We now have a purebred Beagle, only because it's one of the purest breeds out there. Beagles have very few genetic defects, because the breeders have done their best to keep the line clean. It's sad, but because Beagles are so healthy overall, they are the number one choice for animal testing.

I've done my research, now I'd like to see yours, so "bring it".

We now have a purebred Beagle, only because it's one of the purest breeds out there. Beagles have very few genetic defects, because the breeders have done their best to keep the line clean. It's sad, but because Beagles are so healthy overall, they are the number one choice for animal testing.

I've done my research, now I'd like to see yours, so "bring it".

Sadly I wish poodles were the same... it's very hard to find one in this country without being timid.

My 2 were intended to be show dogs but are now family pets due to their temperaments.

There are people out there trying to improve the breed, there always will be but then you get the people who don't give a darn...

Look at Cavaliers, it is estimated that 25% of ALL cavs have a genetic disease, now I know someone very well who breeds cavs and he is appalled at the lack of testing most breeders do, and the fact that they are breeding their "healthy" dogs so young before they exhibit signs of the disease.

Shazzy, I had a purebred poodle. He was born to two very famous show dogs, top notch breeders. If they hadn't sold him to us as a pet, he would have been put to show. He was a beautiful dog.

Sadly he inherited every defect known to the breed, back problems being the number one. We almost lost him once, because his back seized, he would have been paralayzed. A few thousand dollars later and he was clear, but he was never the same.

The reason we went for a purebred beagle was the research we did, not only on the breed, but the breeder we adopted him from.

There aren't many breeders left that care about the breed of the dog. Too many people are breeding without any knowledge. Because of that we're getting more and more inferior dogs, dogs with all types of health defects, and the "breeders" only care about the money they're making.

It's sad.

Anyone can get two dogs together and have puppies, but it takes someone with knowledge, experience, to breed a healthy litter.

We've been through this so many times, with so many posters. I guess we get to do it again. Will it ever get through? I doubt it. It's sad, because only the dogs suffer, and they deserve so much more.

My brain goes on auto-pilot when talking about breeding lol
Between the countless threads on here and 23 years of listening to mom :p

Yep, I have purebreds drilled into my brain, I don't hate mutts at all, I know some gorgeous cross breds (the one next door to my parents is lovely, she's a border collie mix) but I would never go out and buy one, and (here come the boo's) I wouldn't adopt either.
I have just had purebreds too long, that and I have fun at dog shows ;)

Poodles are becoming a real problem breed, I didn't realise it was that bad in Canada/America as it was here.
I know the best poodles are Scandinavian, quite a few people have been importing from there trying to get rid of bad blood.

My mom used to breed Great Danes but got out of the breed due to too many health problems, they are beginning to get back on track now so she bought one from a good breeder *cross fingers* all goes well with him (I swear that dog thinks he actually IS scooby doo)

No problem at all with buying purebreds. If you buy from a legit breeder, which I know you do. :)

The problem I have is with misinformation. People honestly think that the poodle they buy from the pet store is a purebred of pure blood lines, just because it has papers. They don't realize that that pup is a ticking time bomb puppy mill dog. Love it, yes. How can you not love a dog? But, those same people take their papered puppymill dog home, find another papered puppymill dog and they breed, without any knowledge as to what they are doing. Now you have another litter of ticking time bombs, even worse then the parents. That's why breeds are dying, because of ignorance.

Now, get a mixed breed and you're likely adopting a dog that was an oops or bred by irresponsible pet owners that don't care about the welfare of the pups. They either want to experience the "miracle of life" (even though 100's of thousands of dogs die each year in shelters, or they believe the myth that each dog should have a litter or they're just greedy. Again, only the dogs lose. That's why I adopt from shelters, and the possibility of finding a purebred in a shelter is very slim.

There are breed specific shelters, but you're not getting the best of the blood line if you go that route. Still, those dogs need love, just like all dogs.

It's a very tangled web. A web that grows daily. A web that can be cut off if only people would listen, learn, be responsible.

I'm going to go all Bob Barker on everyone. Have your pets spayed or neutered. Really, the life you save is not only your beloved pets, but those of the babies that pet has, the babies those babies have, the babies that the babies of those babies have, et al. It's a vicious cycle. It must be stopped.

In the meantime, there are dogs that die because of human greed and ignorance. As long as that continues, I'll continue to support the mixed breeds that need a loving forever home, and love the purebreds that come from good, caring, honest, trustworthy, educated breeders. :)

I had a lady approach me to use my boy at stud a few months back...
Sure I could have made $1,000 on the stud fee, but I knew the b*tch she intended to put him to had patella problems, no way in hell way I promoting the breeding of a dog with problems.
I have since had my boy neutered.

Same with my girl, she has a few issues as well as temperament problems, she was spayed at 12 months old when her show career ended.

You know I love you Alty, you are my partner in crime when it comes to dogs ;)

Scooby Doo is a Great Dane? I never really thought about it. I need to get out more. ;)

Haha yes, supposedly, they don't come in that color though ;)
Every Dane I have lived with has been a placid, loving dog... then Kade comes along and he is a complete goofball lol

I love Scooby Doo:D

Sadly I wish poodles were the same... it's very hard to find one in this country without being timid.

My 2 were intended to be show dogs but are now family pets due to their temperaments.

There are people out there trying to improve the breed, there always will be but then you get the people who don't give a darn...

Look at Cavaliers, it is estimated that 25% of ALL cavs have a genetic disease, now I know someone very well who breeds cavs and he is appalled at the lack of testing most breeders do, and the fact that they are breeding their "healthy" dogs so young before they exhibit signs of the disease.



Its sad isn't it. People only breed their dogs for the profit and don't care about the breed or the pups. My brother is currently looking to purchase a daschund. And I told him that to make sure he gets one that's been vet tested, has its first couple of needles, has been dewormed and that its parents have been vet checked.

So... I was talking about a Jack Russell and a Miniature Pinscher you guys lol!! I was trying to get everyone's opinion about which one you think is good for apartment life?? I already know where I plan to get the dog from so that's not the problem here. I just want to make sure that I am making the right decision on these dogs.

I'm moving into a medium sized apartment with no backyard. Which one do you think is best for that?

I read that Jack Russells will do okay in apartmetns also Luv

How do I send pictures to my computer?

Hmm, if you are taking from your mobile, you need a cable linking your computer to your mobile (Which I don't have :()

If you have a digital camera, you either need a cable, or a card reader in the case where your camera records the pictures in a memory card.

If however, it's already on hardware (photography paper), you can try scanning.

So..... I was talking about a Jack Russell and a Miniature Pinscher you guys lol!!! I was trying to get everyones opinion about which one you think is good for apartment life????? I already know where I plan to get the dog from so thats not the problem here. I just want to make sure that I am making the right decision on these dogs.

I'm moving into a medium sized apartment with no backyard. Which one do you think is best for that??

I read that Jack Russells will do okay in apartmetns also Luv


I would say the min pin. I know a few people with Jack Russels and they are EXTREMELY ENERGETIC. They need lots of exercise.One jack russel I know also has a habit of eating valuable things, like a $50 bill. OOH that would hurt... He is very destructive.

I don't know much about min pins, but I would definitely say a Jack Russel is not the right dog for you, unless you are willing to put a lot of time in training and lots of exercise.

Good Luck

LOL OK. Yeah I just went to look up more info on both dogs and it does say that Jack Russell are energenic. I guess that's out then lol. Min Pin it is. I hear those dogs are great for apartment life and do fine without a yard. That's right up my alley! Good thing about those dogs are they a pretty healthy. And I'll have to buy a goddie coat for cold weather which will be cute.

There are many, many rescue groups operating to find homes for abandoned pets. If there is a particular breed you are interested in, do a search on the breed name and your state and you will likely find a wonderful companion who needs you as much as you need him/her. Best of luck!

Thanks Greyhound98 but I'm aiming more at the Min Pin now.If I keep changing my mind, I'll never find anything lol

You people are incredible. It seems anyone who is all into dogs owns nothing but mutts. I don't like mutts. Sorry. Have I told anyone who is shopping for a dog that a mutt is a bad dog? No. Its another life that has been saved. There are a lot of breeds out there that I don't like myself. I think that a lot of breeders and AKC "title cup winners" have completely wrecked these breeds. When I first got into the dog world, I owned a GSP (I still own her, she's 12 and is as beautiful as ever). We bought a female with European bloodlines, She was second generation American. Very well dispositioned animal. She had puppies and they are wonderful. We started rescue for GSPs because my mom absolutely loves this breed. I have witnessed first hand the wreckage that humans have caused this breed within the 12 years of running this rescue. They have developed a lot of common bad behaviors that are consistent with breedings. No one breeds a HUNTING dog anymore, they're breeding tiney little worthless pets that are afraid of everything and are becoming more aggressive in a lot of ways. I have met 4 GSPs that should have been deemed unadoptable, but we fortunately found homes for all dogs and the people were aware and ready to deal with their problems. AKC will register ANYTHING. It doesn't matter if there have been hip checks or genetic tests, they will register a litter for the money. People will buy dogs based on their looks alone. They do not research the breed, or educate themselves once they have a puppy. People will leave these dogs home alone for hours on end with no exercise or interactions and then wonder why their dog is so screwed up... AND THEN, they decide to breed it. I'm not really a fan of all the common dogs. I like rare dogs. I like dogs that not too many people would own. GSPs were that when I first got one. Now, they're extremely common. I own two APBTs myself. Its amazing how wonderful they are and how many people ask me questions about them. Its kind of fun to reeducate the crowd on these dogs. I know they are not rare, but when I'm ready for a new dog, it will be :) You people have jumped down my throat for anything that I have said. You have all corrected me because you think that I don't know anything or know what I'm doing. A lot of things I don't know... I'll admitt it. And I think the best way of learning, is by experiencing it. You all look down on me because I don't run to the vet every time a dog has a boo boo. If the problem is serious, and its life threatening, then yes, take it to the vet. Kennel cough, worms, scrapes... I'm sorry, but I'm not willing to spend that much money on something that simple. There is a book out that I have not yet read, but claims that a good majority of vets are only in the business to rip you off. I would tell you a story, but apparently witnessing something isn't worth much to any of you. I have a lot of good ideas, and I guess you could say that I'm a "new age" dog trainer. I run with the pack, I don't micromanage my dogs. I feed them better food then what I can get for myself, and my dogs are in optimum health. I get a lot of compliments on how well behaved my dogs are and I get thanked all the time for helping people make their lives easier with their dogs. Seriously, don't threaten me by saying I need to change my "attitude" if I want to stay on a blog site. I will continue to give out my home remedies to those who could benefit from them and don't want to spend $100 or more at the vet for something as simple as a de-wormer. I'm sorry if I don't think the way you all do. I do plan on becoming an animal behaviorist and am patiently awaiting schooling for it. Dogs are my passion. I get upset and pissy when I see people doing them wrong and pumping unnecessary chemicals into their bodies (annual shots). I hope you all a wonderful day and I hope that Hotpotatoe finds what they are looking for, which will more than likely be a puppy :)

Quote}they're breeding tiney little worthless pets that are afraid of everything and are becoming more aggressive in a lot of ways.{quote


I love my 'tiny little worthless pets' They give me a reason to come home and to get up in the morning. Basically they give me life.:):(

Edit: forgot to use the sarcasm font

Here's a rescue organization for Min Pins: Internet Miniature Pinscher Service, Inc. (IMPS) (http://www.minpinrescue.org/dogs1.html)
There are rescue groups for every breed (including mutts.) If you are going to buy from a breeder, please do a lot of research and ask for references so that you get a healthy, well-socialized bundle of joy!

quote}they're breeding tiney little worthless pets that are afraid of everything and are becoming more aggressive in a lot of ways.{quote


I love my 'tiny little worthless pets' They give me a reason to come home and to get up in the morning. basically they give me life.:):(

edit: forgot to use the sarcasm font

Yeah. I agree with Just Dahlia. I love my dog and he is a mixed breed. He is Siberian Husky/Lab mix. He's a great dog. He's highly intelligent and a great companion. He makes me feel secure when I'm home alone, especially at night. And yeah he's scared of some stuff, like gunshots and fireworks, but any dog can be fearfull. Purebred or not.

Oh and Luv-A-Bull. I don't take kindly to animal abuse or neglect. I love all dogs. And ALL DOGS deserve a good home whether they are purebred or mutts. I don't like... NO IN FACT I HATE IT when people call any animal especially a dog, a '' Tiny little worthless pet''.
That's inexcusable. You can not become a dog behaviorist with this type of attitude.

Just Dahlia and the others are absolutely right.

STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY, SUPPORT THE SPCA

Rex is right, GSP = German Shorthaired Pointer ;)

http://home.earthlink.net/~pjadams/katiebo1_test.jpg


but when I'm ready for a new dog, it will be You people have jumped down my throat for anything that I have said.

Hmm well I agreed with you, obviously you missed that, how about YOU read everything that is said before putting your 2 cents in ;)

Back to the OP...
I am in agreement with Rex on this one too, go the Min Pin, Jacks are very hyperactive for their size.
Just watch out for temperaments on a Min Pin they can be known to be aggressive... doesn't sound like a big problem with a small dog but it can be.

I just want to point something out.

This is not a blog site. This is a question and answer site. We don't do things the same as blog sites do.

Here you will meet people with many different backgrounds, experiences, education etc.

All posts are opinion. Everyone has a right to theirs, but be prepared to defend things you state as fact.

Luv-a-bull, I don't agree with you. That's all. If you can't handle disagreement you'll drive yourself crazy here.

I hope you stick around. Your opinion may differ from mine, but you still have something valid to add to our discussions, so add it, but keep in mind that your opinion is just as valid as mine.

I hope to see you around.