2006-07-17 17:38:49 · 26 answers · asked by sammie nicole 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Some kids want toy dogs to dress up like a doll or to show off the way they see famous people doing on TV. You should really have a better reason than your daughter wanting an ornament to show off before you get a dog. A young girl may get bored with the dog and then YOU'LL be the one taking care of it.
They can be expensive to buy and take care of. A quality pup can cost $1000 or more. Even "free" dogs cost money to take care of. If the dog isn't properly trained, it can chew up your house and your stuff. If it's not housebroken, it can ruin your floors and your furniture. How "free" is a dog that does $1000 in damage to your house? Many "free" dogs turn out to be sick - how "free" is a dog that costs you $800 at the vet because he has Parvo or distemper or heartworm? Puppy shots are another $200, then $100 a year for boosters. Annual Heartworm test and preventative medication $100. Professional trainer $600. Going on vacation? Boarding kennel $40/day. Spaying? $250.
Dogs are terrific companions but they require training and discipline and exercise. A dog the size of a Chihuahua has to go out every four to six hours - the smaller the dog, the more often they have to go out. Toy Dogs often live 14 -17 years - what happens if she goes away to college?
Toy Dogs can be great, but they can also be yappy, nippy, dominant little horrors that never get housebroken. If the dog bites one of your daughter's friends, you could be sued. You need to let them walk on all fours and train them just like any other dog. You could get her a rabbit or a guinea pig - they're friendly, easy to keep, live in a cage, and don't have to be walked or trained.
If you still want a dog, find a good, responsible breeder by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. You can also find info about the breed clubs on the akc site - they probably have a rescue group where you can get an older dog for less money. The best breeders will be members of their breed club, promoting healthy dogs with great temperaments. They should ask you a bunch of questions to make sure their puppy will be getting a good home. If all a "breeder" seems to care about is whether your check will clear, you can be sure he won't care a week later when the pup is dying from distemper or parvo and you want your money back.
Whatever you do, DON'T go to a pet shop, a flea market or buy one sight-unseen off the Internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. The breeding animals are often kept in deplorable conditions - spending their entire lives in small wire-bottomed cages. They probably haven't been vaccinated against contagious diseases or tested for any health or temperament problems or genetic diseases - that costs money and cuts into their profits. A female is often bred every time she comes into heat. When her poor little body can't take it any more, she is often clubbed in the head and tossed into a dumpster or an open ditch. Most puppy mills ship their pups to pet stores at wholesale prices and many pups die before they even get there.
These so-called "breeders" have now figured out that they can use the internet to ship a dog directly to the customer and thus make more money by cutting out the middleman. If you buy a dog from out of state, good luck getting your money back if there's something wrong with the pup. These people count on you becoming instantly attached to the poor little guy and being willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at the vet to treat whatever is wrong with him.
2006-07-17 17:43:56 · answer #1 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go to your local shelter. They will charge you a small fee, but most of what you pay will be for neutering and shots - things you'd need to have done anyway. And if you find a good shelter, they'll help you pick out a puppy that would be a good companion for your daughter.
Another choice, if you really want a purebred dog, is to search for the name of the breed you want, and "rescue society". Of course, most of their animals won't be puppies. But whichever option you choose, you will not only be getting a good companion for your daughter for very little money, you will be saving a dog's life!
There *are* reputable breeders, but the cheaper breeders are usually just in it for the money. Their dogs may develop health problems, and they just want to sell you a dog; they don't really care if the situation works out. After all, if it doesn't, they still have their money and you need to take the dog to a shelter...
Pet stores are worse; many of their puppies come from "puppy mills". Buying such a puppy is supporting the people who raise them in such terrible conditions; it is also unwise. Many pet shop animals are seriously ill at the time they are sold.
2006-07-18 00:45:14 · answer #2 · answered by Riothamus Of Research ;<) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
please go to your local SPCA or Humane Society. those dogs are in desperate need of good homes.
they are spayed/neutered, had all their shots, and the staff should know the personality of the dogs so they can help you pick the best match for your family. they have puppies and adult dogs.
remember that YOU are the adult so you will most likely be taking care of the dog. do you have time to potty train a puppy? or would you rather have an adult dog that is already potty trained, been through the puppy stage, and is mature and settled.
talk this over with your local SPCA or Humane Society worker.
and don't forget to keep up with your dogs shots and heart worm prevention, so your little girl has a happy and healthy dog always!
Dog_trainer
where on EARTH do you live??? I've NEVER paid that much for shots, spaying or neutering and even puppy classes are cheap through a rescue organization! good lord! a rabies shot for any of my 4 dogs cost me $8.00, Parvo booster is $12.00! a spaying is &40.00 for a small breed and $80.00 for a large breed. heartworm medication for my largest dog (who is 80 #) is only $37.00 for a 6 month supply. and the flea medication is the same. i spend more money on FOOD than i do on shots and prevention medication! WOW, PLEASE tell me where your at..so I'll never move there! your getting ripped off!
2006-07-18 00:45:47 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should try your local humane society or animal shelter. The cost is only like ten dollars, unless they need to be fixed. It is better to fix a pet anyways, unless you plan on breeding them. It cuts down on pet over population and keeps them healthy. Plus, if you rescue a puppy, you are not only saving it from the cage, but from death. The humane society and animal shelters only keep puppies for like a day or two. You can actually call a reserve a certian kind of puppy and they will call you when they get one in. That is what I would do if I wanted a certain kind of breed. Try to get a lab mix. They are wonderfully tempered and love kids. Plus, they are easy to find!
2006-07-18 00:50:03 · answer #4 · answered by Ash 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to a shelter. You get lots of "extras" for one low price. Plus the attendants get to know the animals and can get you and your daughter the perfect pet. You will be saving a life too.
Consider an adult. They are less hassel than training a puppy, and more steady with little kids. Sometimes you can find one that is already obedience trained as well.
Shelter dogs seem more "grateful" because they know just how bad life can get, it really makes them better pets.
"Free" puppies aren't. You still have to pay for shots, worm meds, and spay or neuter. All very expensive. Shelters offer more value for your money.
2006-07-18 00:40:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try your local shelters, PLEASE!!! There are hundreds upon hundreds of doggies out there begging foe a loving caring home!!! Dont go to a pet store they support puppy mills which are AWEFULL!!! Like i sadi try you local shelters the people ther should be able to have an educated guess as to what kind of mix your puppy is(or they do have pure breeds sometimes too, I got my pug at my local shelter)that way you can be sure to get something in your size range...be sure your house & family are ready to handle the time & responsibility it takes to care for a new puppy!! They take A LOT of both!!! GOOD LUCK!
2006-07-18 00:43:07 · answer #6 · answered by *♥* ♥* FaeGoddess*♥*♥* 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look in the papers ! Or people are always trying to get rid of puppies! my step mom just got rid of 21 puppies!
you can go to pet smart or a animal shelter!
2006-07-18 00:46:32 · answer #7 · answered by storm 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Puppies are not cheap or toys and they are ALOT of work! Your best bet is a good animal shelter that screens DOGS and PEOPLE! Ask if they perform temperment tests! Consider an adult dog...(that way you already know the temperment ...etc!)
2006-07-18 06:05:36 · answer #8 · answered by petmum 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats sweet. well you should check the pound because there is always different kinds of dogs there. and most of the dogs where i live are like 30 or 60 or 80 dollars. go on vacation to a big city, like what i did. there where free puppies EVERYWHERE. have fun finding somewhere ^_^
2006-07-18 00:43:35 · answer #9 · answered by lizzie_gurl213 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried looking at the humane society or ask any vet.
How old is your child?Very young children need to be watched closely with puppies as they tend to love to hard if you know what I mean. Children squeeze or pull ears and tails and puppies then bite in defense.
2006-07-18 00:41:46 · answer #10 · answered by Kitty? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋