When breeders fail, and shelters fail, where are you s'posed to go???

Question

I've talked to breeders of dogs as well as burds, bengals, and rats. The only breeder that was friendly was the rat breeder. Okay, there was one dog breeder I actually shared a laugh with, but that was mostly because she'd picked up the phone before it started ringing and dialed her sister's number when I called. It's hard not to laugh at that. All the others completely dismissed me and may have given false prices they knew I couldn't pay just to shut me up. Still can't justify paying $1500 for a dog, any dog.

Shelters around here have nothing but pits and larger, and I want a small fluffy dog. One shelter had a pug, another a chinese crested, neither fit the bill or even close. I've been to half a dozen so far with no luck. Rescues have fallen through, too. Found a dog, she was a little older than what I want, but either way, my 3yo sister killed my hopes on that one.

Because pet stores are bad, and even the classifides bear no fruit, what next?

petfinder.com falls in with the classifides. Actually, that's where I found my rescue hopefull. There are few listings for small dogs in Florida, even fewer that fall into the froofroo category. Very few are true "puppies" and even less are of any long-haired variety. I've tried, quite a few times and come up with nothing.

It's really starting to tick me off.

I'm sick and bloody tired about hearing about show dogs. I don't care. I don't plan to put my dog in the ring, all I care is that I get a healthy dog that fits MY standards. You think I give a flying f*ck about what the AKC thinks a dog should look like?

I've said it before, I am no nazi of the dog world. Don't care about physical "perfection." If having been "in dogs" for whatever amount of years makes you god, I am an aethiest and you might as well not exist, because your opinion means less than sh*t to me.

What's so bad about being chronicaly depressed? It sucks, but it can be dealt with. Makes so much sense to deny those with a mental illnes like that the things they want most. Kill their hopes, that makes sense. It's so easy to say that crap anonomously, you don't get to see how people react. I'm sick in the head, let's give me more reason to hurt myself. Great idea, peeps.

This was an honest question. Breeder=too much money for me. Shelter=nothing close to what I'm looking for. Petfinder=yes, there are some, but if you were to look at where they are located most of the results are as far away as freaking texas.

I've been looking for a long time, on and off for years. Granted most of the search has been in the last few weeks, that doesn't mean I haven't been at it long enough to get ticked. I'm not an "I want it NOW" type person. I'm really not. If I know it's out there, if I know it IS aceivable, I can wait for it. Problem is, 7 months from now all it's gonna take is my dad catching me in the wrong mood. I'll be 18 and out on the street*eh, nothing all that new to me* Even when I get my own place, forking out even a couple hundred will be out of the question. If I have the dog, dogfood comes before me food, but throwing $1000+ out to get the dog will mean failure on rent. Hell, if not even my mom understands what makes me think you will?

Answer 1

Stick with rescues. Get in touch with a good, local all-breed rescue. Get to know the people who run it. Tell them exactly what you are looking for and they will often keep their eyes open for you. Also, tell people what you want- they may know someone who has the perfect dog for you, but if they don't know you are looking, they may not mention it.

Unfortunately- for a purebred, high quality dog (that isn't bred in a puppymill or by ignorant breeders), you will pay $1500 or more, if you buy from a breeder.

Good luck finding the right dog for you- you'll know when you meet him/her if it's right.

Answer 2

You know for someone who says they don't care what others think you sure act like it. If you want the pet store puppy and do not want to spend what breeders are asking buy it but quit complaining as I said in the last post you will be the one that has to live with and learn from your decision. You may get lucky and never have a problem with the dog. My experiences years ago taught me that the low price you pay at the beginning is not the bargain it appears to be because once I had to pay for all the health problems I could have bought at least three good quality pet dogs.

What's so bad about being chronicaly depressed? It sucks, but it can be dealt with. Makes so much sense to deny those with a mental illnes like that the things they want most. Kill their hopes, that makes sense. It's so easy to say that crap anonomously, you don't get to see how people react. I'm sick in the head, let's give me more reason to hurt myself. Great idea, peeps.
This statement is so uncalled for because the answers you are getting has to do with your attitude not your illness.

You do not sound as if you are in a position to even get a dog right now. Wouldn't it be better to wait until you are stable in your life before getting a dog? If you end up out of your parents house at 18 life is not going to be that easy when you are faced with having to support yourself. What happens if you can not find a place that accepts dogs? What if you are faced with getting an apartment you can afford or keeping a dog of course you are going to have to pick the apartment. Then you are going to be getting rid of the dog you want so badly. What happens if the dog gets sick or something happens how will you afford vet care and how will you feel if you can not provide it? Since you have been waiting for so long I think it would be best for you to wait on getting a dog until you can be sure of your situation. Why not volunteer in a shelter so that you can be around dogs. I realize it is not the same thing but it could help fill the void as for not having a car all I can say is if you really want it there is a way.
I hope you will heed the advice you have been given (whether or not you liked the delivery)and stop being so negative you should really listen to what people are trying to tell you instead of getting so hostile no one is out to get you they are just telling you like it is. You should really wait on getting your dog, you have plenty of time so get yourself and your life straight first before adding other complications.

Answer 3

So, if you can't find a dog that fits your needs, don't get one. I just don't get what's so unclear about that. You don't *need* a papillion.

I've given you breed rescue links. I've given you codes of ethics. I've given you reason after reason not to buy a puppy mill dog. But, your desire outweighs everything, even common sense.

As far as AKC standard and showing dogs, this has nothing to do with your dog. It has to do with good breeding. I just dno't get why when you've been told this over and over you still aren't understanding. I linked to a bunch of different sites for you, have you bothered to read even one? I'm guessing no because otherwise you wouldn't be back in here with this "I don't want a show dog" crap.

If our opinions mean $hit to you, then turn off the computer. If educated opinions aren't worthy of your listening, then go ahead and listen to children and people who don't work with rescues. Listen to people who don't see puppy mill dog after puppy mill dog broken and suffering because of bad genetics, bad care, bad breeding, bad owners, bad breeders. Honey, we aren't offering you opinions, we are offering you facts. Whether you choose not to believe them doesn't make them false - it makes you (***yahoo rules prohibits me from telling you what it makes you***).

Edit: Wait a minute, Wait a minute. You can't afford the $1000 because you are a teenager? What if the dog has a patella injury (this is common in toy breeds, *especially* poorly bred small breeds) - these can cost thousands of dollars to fix! What if she breaks a leg (also common in toy breeds)? My toy dog's leg break was around $1000 to fix, was two weeks of me not leaving the house so that I could care for her, and was another month of not being able to leave for more than an hour or two. How will you afford the vet care and take time off work? What if she gets into the trash and eats something toxic? Can you afford to bring her to an emergency vet to get her stomach pumped, have her vitals monitored, have IV fluid, and all the other things that happen with chocolate toxicity or hemmoragic diahrrea (been there, done that when the neighbors poisoned her, it's not fun). I missed several family events because of that one - on top of the $100 vet bill (luckily they fit her in during the day and she didn't need emergent care) and special food I had to go buy for her.

I feel for you if you are fighting depression. That's not the reason you shouldn't have a dog, in my book anyway. The financial situation is a serious detriment to your case. If you can't afford a well bred dog (this has nothing to do with AKC standards or dog showing - a well bred dog is usually more healthy), then you can't really afford *any* dog. You can't hope that nothing goes wrong with your pet, you have to plan for the worse. You'd be even more depressed if you couldn't afford proper vet care and you had to give her up to PCA rescue to find her a new home. Or worse, if she died because you couldn't afford the care.

Volunteer with a good breeder or a rescue group (not a kill shelter) until you get yourself on your feet. Start putting aside money into a 'puppy fund' Even if it's $10 a week, that will add up over the course of 5 years - that's $2600 + interest (HSBC online is over 5% right now). That's more than enough to buy a well bred dog and to have an emergency savings.

Mandy, I really do wish you nothing but the best through this trying time. But please, be smart.

Answer 4

Don't worry about how the breeders treated you. They probably just seemed a little unfriendly simply because reputable breeders are very serious and want to find the babies good homes. I wouldn't pay that much for a dog either, but that is the going rate for many breeds. Keep checking with the shelters. Including the pound and SPCA. People turn in animals to these organizations on a daily basis, so eventually, you may find the perfect pet. Rescues are very tough to adopt from. The previous poster suggested petfinder.org and I agree 100%. That is a great site. Also check out your city's SPCA and pound websites, they often post pictures so you can browse without going all the way out there. Don't worry, be patient. It may take some time, but you will find a pet that suits you.

Answer 5

Reading your most recent response, it sounds like the answer might be that you may not be able to get a dog with your current/future circumstances.

It's not that ppl don't understand you Essentially, for the money and choices you have vs. what you want, it's highly unlikely. Good luck to you, though!

Depending on the breed, $1500 may be the going rate. If that is out of your range, just stay away from those breeds.

I would say either work with petfinder and some patience since you have specific things you want, or check with the breeder referrals through the AKC.

You may want to try attending some dog shows to get to know a variety of breeders that way.

Just because getting exactly what you want might take some time & effort doesn't mean it is "falling through."

Maybe you should email the AKC and ask them for some ideas.

Something mixed with a poodle sounds like it might fit your bill (that would be through a rescue).

Even if you don't care about AKC standards, it is one of the best ways to get a dog because of all the testing and care (and even house training) that goes into those dogs.

I don't have a dog from the AKC breeder referral, but my next one will be for sure. I visited a breeder that I was referred to through the AKC and the difference between their dogs and a pet store dog was amazing!

Pet store or breeder, beware of anything promised that isn't on a contract (you won't get it if it's just a verbal promise). And even though a pet store will tell you the dog is coming from a USDA-regulated breeder, they don't tell you--and probably don't even know, what the current inspection report for that breeder looks like and if they have any violations.

Answer 6

I do want to say- I would never pay $1500 for a dog- that is what I paid for my last horse! The most expensive dog we bought was a female Siberian Husky with great show bloodlines- for $750.

One suggestion is for you to put out a WANTED classified ad- someone might see it and want to get rid of their small dog because of whatever reason. It is worth a try.

Keep scanning the classified. Most people aren't selling small dogs cheap because even the mutts can be sold for more than the original registered dogs. Look at those puggles or teddy bears- they are mutts with a made up registry so they can sell for $1500.
Good luck on finding a small dog, but you probably will not find anything cheap.

Answer 7

I just went to Petfinder and searched for dogs, age: baby, size: small, location: FL, and regional search. Even after ignoring the dogs that are obviously mislabeled as "small", there were TONS of hits for puppies that are going to grow into small, fluffy dogs from rescues all over the state.

Answer 8

www.petfinder.com

One Petfinders site, you can specify what breed, gender and age you are looking for, then find shelters and rescues in your area that have something to match what you are looking for. Most shelters and rescues have pictures and information on the dogs they have listed. If you are looking for a small, fluffy dog, you may want to start with breeds such as Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Poodle, Spaniel mixes

Answer 9

More whining. When will it END!!! You have gotten SOOOOOOO much great advice and YOU dismissed it ALL!! NO ONE can tell you what you want to hear!!!!!
You want a CHEAP dog. You have NO transportation, live at home, are depressed, you seem to be a cutter, you won't learn on your own, and yet you blame breeders for charging what they want for a pup. YES!!! Puppies CAN be $1500!!!! they don't need to give you an inflated price to get rid of you!!!! I ditch prospective buyers like you ALL THE TIME!!!! It is EASY!!! I just say NO! NO way on earth I would place one of my pups with them!!! Simple!!
You are NOT ready for a dog at this time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANYONE with HALF a brain would not let you have a dog. You are stating OVER AND OVER that your life is unstable. That is not good for kids or pets. If your life is that unstable, do not let it mess up another creatures life too. What if you get a dog and $600 medical bills for it crop up????? What about rent then???
Maybe your mom has a clue. I guess we all do to.

Answer 10

What are you whining about? Can't find what you want - NOW! Well life isn't like that! It took me two years and $950 for the perfect little Boston Terrier pup. IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT! She is the joy of my life. Keep looking where the previous posters have said to look. It won't be right away, but then again it could be tomorrow you find your devoted pal. The wait will be worth it, I promise.