Advice on buying a puppy?

[IceBlue]

ATOT seems to be a worldly group, so I'm posting this here hoping for some advice on dogs.

My wife has wanted to get a puppy since I met her, but we're finally in a place in life where we can actually own and care for one. (Not renting, backyard, discretionary income, etc.) I want to surprise her for Valentine's day, so I need to start looking now.

While growing up, I had an awesome Cocker Spaniel that truly was my best friend. We both agreed that this is the right breed for us.

Now the problem is I have no idea where to go to find the perfect puppy(No heatware/resellerratings for dogs, unfortunately). I don't want to pick one out of a pet store or a newspaper ad and have to put it to sleep in 2 years due to improper breeding, hereditary health issues, etc.

Who would I contact to find resposible breeders in my area? We're looking for a pet, not an AKC Best of Show winner.

Do any of you have any ideas to help me get started here?

Also, what do look for when you are picking one pup out of a litter?

Thanks,
-Ice

 

[Azraele]

Unfortunately, from what I understand, cocker's are a breed with more than their fair share of health problems. You might want to consider a cocker mix to help alleviate some of that.

Check the yellow pages or online for breeders in your area.

When you do get to the part where you pick out a pup, use common sense and your gut. Check the ears and eyes for cleanliness. How does the coat look? Is the puppy active or listless? Does it have a personality that suits you?

You might also want to consider a rescue dog, one from a shelter. There are so many wonderful animals without a home, perhaps you could help one out.


This site might be helpful.

 

[Arschloch]

I'm also in the process of finding a puppy.

I'd suggest starting at Petfinder. You can type in your zip code, the breed you're looking for, etc., and it'll list some nearby shelters that have what you're looking for. I use Petfinder more than any other resource.

I'd also suggest going to Google and searching for your local shelter agency, SPCA, or dog pound. Although they aren't really "breeders," as you said you were looking for, you still might find something very close to a full breed cocker spaniel.

Also, I've found out that it's better to spend some time with the dog FIRST before you take him/her home! I found a dog that looked wonderful at Petfinder, but then when I went to bring him home, it turned out that he was too high energy for the apartment he'd be living in.

I hope something here is helpful.

 

[Linflas]

I would second the idea of going to a shelter. Not only do you stand a good chance of finding a wonderful puppy but you will be giving it a chance for a good life as well as opposed to euthenasia.

 

[glen]

I'm not sure why you would want a cocker.
Start here:
http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/

 

[KamakaziRcr]

<< I would second the idea of going to a shelter. Not only do you stand a good chance of finding a wonderful puppy but you will be giving it a chance for a good life as well as opposed to euthenasia. >>



I third that. My wife and I got our 2 dogs from the shelter and animal protection agency, both non-profit. My dog is now a 6 year old black lab/chow mix. My wife's dog is now a year old border collie mix. I might suggest if both of you are working full time, maybe get a puppy that's a few months old. A puppy needs a lot of time to care for. Both dogs were 8 months old when we adopted them. My lab was already housebroken, and the other was easy to train. Of course, you still can find a puppy at a shelter. If you're still hesitant on the idea, please just go visit at least one shelter before you make your final decision.

 

[ShallowHal]

Here's a place to adopt.

IMO there is no better family dog than a Lab. They don't piss when you pet them.

 

[Bignate603]

I got a little yorkshire terrier from a breeder. His family had alot of show dogs in it but he was bigger then a show dog (this breed they want small) and thus better for being a household dog. The reason why we looked at yorkshire terriers is because they don't shed at all. I'm allergic to dogs but since the little guy doesn't shed it doesn't bug me.

 

[Pepsei]

get a cat instead....


but if you insist on getting a puppy... hmmmm... get it from a shelter.....

 

[Regine]

Petfinder is great - we've found a couple of our pets from the local shelter on there.


Go for a shelter dog. Mutts are often hardier than pure-bred dogs, and picking up a dog from a shelter just gives the dog a chance for a life. Besides - if you pick up a puppy from there and they're not sure what kind of puppy it is, it'll be a nice surprise to see what it grows up into.

Oh, and I'd say even if you wanna surprise your wife - show her the dogs on a website first or take her to the shelter so she can pick it herself and get a perfect dog for her.

 

[hevnsnt]

I have a chocolate lab.. He is the best.

He knows the difference between all of his toys by name.. I say get your ball, he gets his ball, bone, frisbee, etc.. kicks ass.

I have also taught him to kill, it is the funniest thing.

 

[BDawg]

Advice #1: Get a cooler dog than a cocker spaniel. Something like a collie, australian shepherd, corgi, or border collie. They're all way smarter than the generic lab/golden retreiver...and they're really agile.

Or, get a protection dog like a doberman or a german shepherd.

If you can't tell, I favor the herding breeds and I hate toy dogs.

 

[Spoooon]

I would go with adopting from the shelter. Over 50% of the dogs some shelters get are pure breeds (or so close you can't tell the difference). So, if it really matters getting a pure bred dog, check the shelters first.

edit: I remember reading this in a dog book about selecting a puppy. Don't pick the most active pup or the least active. Pick one somewhere in the middle.

 

[Phil21]

Either adopt or go with a pet store that offers a genetic guarantee, and a few months of complimentary pet health insurance. There should be more than a few in your area. I worked at a "pet" store, that sold dogs.. Only I didn't work in that department. I do know that all the dogs were certified, etc. and came with the genetic defect guarantee. Because of that, they went through a whole ton of dogs (usually turnover from having ~20 puppies to 20 totally new puppies was under 2 weeks)

-Phil

 

[IceBlue]

Thanks for all of the suggestions...

Warming up to the idea of looking at a shelter.

Thanks again-
Ice

 

[KamakaziRcr]

<< Advice #1: Get a cooler dog than a cocker spaniel. Something like a collie, australian shepherd, corgi, or border collie. They're all way smarter than the generic lab/golden retreiver...and they're really agile.

Or, get a protection dog like a doberman or a german shepherd.

If you can't tell, I favor the herding breeds and I hate toy dogs. >>



With me having both a lab and border collie mix, I can tell you my border collie sometimes seems way too smart for her own good (and that's not a good thing). Border collies and herding breeds really active dogs. Either have a big back yard or give her something challenging to play with or they'll tear up a your things as a way for their enjoyment. But they are very playful dogs (sometimes too playful) and fast as h3ll (must be part of the herding trait).

My lab on the other hand is a very loyal, docile dog. She'll protects the house if anyone "senses" strangers coming towards the house at night, when she's inside. She's extrodinarily friendly to people she "senses" that are my friends or people I know. Even though my wife's border collie is only a year old, my lab was much easier to train at that age. Not saying that the border collie can't be trained easily because she does learn commands very well, but she has that rebellous attitude sometimes. Again, going back to that sometimes too smart point I made earlier.

Both are great dogs though. I treat them as if they were my kids (none yet). Can't wait till the weather gets warmer so we can take them out to the lake again to run around in.

 

[ShallowHal]

While I don't doubt their intelligence, (I'm taking your word for it) there is NOTHING cool about a Corgi.

 

[creedog]

adopt for gods sake,

did you know that the cocker is number 1 or 2 on the most frequent to bite list,


is this going to be a true family dog and get lots of attention and interaction, btw? I hope you are not going to keep it chained to a tree or something. I hate that, why even get a dog then.

 

[t0mmyb0y]

Get her a Bichon Frise.

My mom bought herself one and she absolutely loves that little pup Hopefully you can adopt one...

 

[BDawg]

<< While I don't doubt their intelligence, (I'm taking your word for it) there is NOTHING cool about a Corgi. >>



You know, I thought the same thing until I met some corgis. IMHO, they're pretty cool for little dogs. They're so short because they're bred to herd cattle. If the cow tries to kick one, it always misses over their head.



<< With me having both a lab and border collie mix, I can tell you my border collie sometimes seems way too smart for her own good (and that's not a good thing). Border collies and herding breeds really active dogs. Either have a big back yard or give her something challenging to play with or they'll tear up a your things as a way for their enjoyment. But they are very playful dogs (sometimes too playful) and fast as h3ll (must be part of the herding trait). >>



Border Collies are definately challenges for owners. They demand a lot of attention and activity. They are definately the smartest and most physically agile dog there is.

I have a Smooth Collie Dog named Trevor. I know what you mean about too smart for his own good. Sometimes that dog just amazes me...when he's not pissing me off like when he got into a trashcan full of snotty tissues yesterday...

I'm not sure what his attraction to snotty tissues is, but he seems to love him.

Personally, I wanted a dog that wasn't that common. I don't know what it is, but I don't like the overly common dogs as much.

Here's a nice little puppy hint for IceBlue. Make sure that when your wife is having her period, you keep the trashcan she puts her used items in away from dogs. They love that kind of thing...there's not a grosser sight in the world though than seeing your dog eating one...

 

[HappyFace]

Get a cute little kitten

 

[ShallowHal]

I stand corrected. After I rustle me up some cattle, I'm getting a Corgi

Actually any dog can be cool if the owner brings it up that way. My experience with hunting dogs will definitely bias me towards those breeds. But I've seen labs who were totally out of control becuase of neglect. The only time I've seen Corgi's is when they show the Queen on TV tooling around her garden with the little yappers running around behind her.
"To each his own"

 

[MichaelD]

Get the one that has:

4 legs
2 ears
2 eyes
1 mouth
1 nose

Other than that, it's all good.

Buy from a reputable breeder or pet store that will give you a health guarantee. Pick the puppy (or one of them) that seems to be the happiest and most energetic.

 

[AndrewR]

Yet another vote for adopting a dog from the local shelter. We brought ours home last June, and she's a wonderful dog, if a tad on the chewy side lately. She's a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix and far too smart for our good, but we can't imagine life without her these days. Right now she's chewing on a toy at the base of my chair, happy as can be.

 

[jhu]

don't get the one with the type-r sticker on its back because type-r dogs were a limited production and chances are you won't find it!