Should I purchase a purebred german shepherd puppy from a breeder or rescue a borzoi mix from the pound? The mutt is approx. 3 yrs old, friendly & loving but will need training, he jumps up sometimes and pulls on a leash. He was also a stray so I have no idea if he is housetrained, I am assuming not. He appears very healthy, just needs to be neutered before he can come home. However, I have read that sighthounds may chase and kill cats, and I do have one cat at home. I asked the shelter whether they know if he is friendly with cats and they said they cannot test for that. I would have to adopt him, take him home, & then return him if it didn't work out. I also have another male dog he would need to get along with, and again they don't do dog-dog temperament testing so I don't know. He appears very friendly. Or, I can purchase a german shepherd puppy from a breeder and start from scratch. What should I do? The mutt would be cheaper at about $150 vs probably $1000 for a GSD.
2006-09-17 12:54:00 · 2 answers · asked by dottidal 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
This is a pic of the dog they said is part borzoi: http://pic9.picturetrail.com/VOL280/1533547/9630843/188184277.jpg
Do you think they are even correct in that assumption?
2006-09-17 12:58:42 · update #1
2nd pic: http://pic9.picturetrail.com/VOL280/1533547/9630843/188188125.jpg
2006-09-17 13:08:08 · update #2
yes i see the borzoi, or possibly saluki. however, it's irrelevant. they're both sight hounds. each dog is different as far as cats go, so it's just the individual dog. who knows? the best thing you can do to test the cat thing is to walk muttly in front of the cat cages and see what happens. that's generally a pretty good indicator. also, what other kind of dog do you have? curious, because it doesn't make any sense that you are concerned about your other dog getting along with this mutt, with no concerns about a puppy. i'm not trying to be rude, just wondering if this crossed your mind. if the dog you already have has been properly socialized, he won't have a problem. the only way to test this mutt is to have an on leash meeting at the pound. if all's well, great!!!! take him home.
also, consider this: yeah, you can get shepherds for less than a grand, but what are you getting? not to mention, puppies will find homes, and unfortunately most of them will end up like this mutt. statistics are what they are. 2 out of every 10 puppies sold in this country will stay with the original owners. a whole two. great stats, eh? also, there is the consideration that more than likely this dog will be put down. large dogs that are grown are VERY hard to find homes for because everybody wants puppies. i'd give this ol' boy a try, and if it doesn't work, at least you'll have that satisfaction. not to mention, there will be WAY too many litters of shepherds out there, so you won't have a shortage of finding a puppy. you may be the only chance this poor old dog has. i say give him a try. he may be the best dog you've ever had.
2006-09-17 13:32:09 · answer #1 · answered by desidoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be very surprised if that "borzoi" mix has any amount of borzoi in him. If this dog is 3 years old, I think you can assume that he hasn't been a stray his whole life and was house trained at one point. I don't think you need to worry too much about him and your cat - I had a house full of afghans with 1 or 2 cats and the cats were never chased (except by puppies).
This mix and a shepherd pup are so very different. Did you plan on showing the shepherd, or entering him in obedience competition? If you want a purebred for a reason, then by all means get him, but if not, then get this mix from the shelter. You said he seems very friendly, he's an adult so any training he needs will be much easier than with a young puppy.
2006-09-17 15:31:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Borzoi Mix
2016-11-13 05:05:29 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is this your first dog?
A quality GSD will cost you a $1000, at least. But yes, the sighthound could have a tendency to chase cats, but I raise hunting dogs and have two inside cats with no problem, I just always watch them and wouldn't let them alone together, not because I necessarily think they would hurt each other, but because, prevention is worth a pound of cure.
What is your lifestyle like? Are you highly active? Both dogs are going to need lots of activity.
Finally, do you plan on having a pet, or a competition dog? That would definitely effect your decision.
ETA: That dog looks like it has some sort of hound in it, but I don't really see Borzoi. A standing picture / side view would be better.
And yes, you could get a GSD for less, but it would of bad quality, and you definitely don't want that.
2006-09-17 13:01:14 · answer #4 · answered by novel_kennels 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I looked at the picture at your link, and unfortunatly I saw no sign of him looking like a Borzoi. But anytime you can rescue an animal, it is a wonderful thing. There is many rescue clubs out there you can adopt a pure bred from, that they have rescued from the pounds or unwated owners. Also you should be able to purchase a pet quality German Shepard for less then $1000.
It all depends on what you are wanting the dog for. As a companion only or are you going to want to have a show dog or obedience dog or schutzhund dog[gsd]. When you figure that out, that should help you with your decision. And yes sighthounds have a tendency to chase small furry creatures. That is what they are raised to do.
2006-09-17 13:11:20 · answer #5 · answered by Lesta B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well the graphics on my puter are in poor shape but from what I can see the shelter dog is a victom of the trend to call any thing with a noticable waist & rose ears a sighhound cross - I doubt that he has any borzoi in him at all. SO the Borzoi cat chasing thing is not a woory (no that other dogs dont ever chase cats)
2006-09-17 13:09:08 · answer #6 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can find a GSD puppy for cheaper. Also not all sighthounds will chase cats. You can adopt a retired racing greyhound (for under $500 maybe around $200) and they are trained not to chase small pets. There are millions of them who need homes. They are house trained and everything. Very quiet. Do not bark or move very much at all.
EDIT
theyre about the size of a borzoi if not smaller
2006-09-17 12:57:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Always rescue first.There are so many orphaned animals waiting for a loving home.Somebody will always go out and buy the purebred.Ask the vet or rescue person what is the best way to introduce him to your "family".I would be careful of the cat situation just because you ll have two dogs now and they sometimes tend to gang up on a smaller animal. We just adopted a 9 yr old black springer and she is a love.Gets along with everyone.She thanks us everyday with her wagging tale...Good Luck!
2006-09-17 13:11:31 · answer #8 · answered by *ELiZaH* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
borzoi mix! It would be grateful for you to take it in! Also if you don't adopt it it will be put to sleep eventually!
2006-09-17 12:59:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a bull bog..
2006-09-17 12:56:15 · answer #10 · answered by Chase 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋