Is it true that with dogs, you GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR? Or atleast with Malamute and Shihtzy dogs.?

Question

I am either going to buy an Alaskan Malamute or a Shih-Tzu for me as a pet and possible breeding dog. I am getting either of those because I know the price of both and I have found a pet shop and breeder of both to give prices and a pup to buy from. The Alaskan is $900 at the pet shop and $750 from a breeder while the Shih-Tzu is $1400 from a pet shop and $1100 from a breeder. Do I really get what I pay for? Saying that I should not buy from a breeder? I went to the American Kennel Club to look for both breeders and just went to my local pet shop to find both breeds. Either ways, any tips on finding a good breeder/pet shop, healthy pup and how to care for a dog? This will be my first ever dog that I have owned on my own. I once had a Collie mix but he died when I was 10 so I don’t remember caring for him much. WILL I GET WHAT I PAY FOR IN MY NEW DOG? Ps. I might actually buy both breeds but I don’t know yet. I might buy the Shih-tzu first then buy the Malamute later.

~ TO GO WITH THE PET SHOP OR BREEDER? One more question – are Alaskan dogs better than the Shihtzu or vise versa?

Answer 1

NO you don't. A good dog is going to cost more but most breeders charge much for the the $10 (ten) dollars the dog is worth.

You have chosen these breeds now get involved with their individual clubs. Go to events with these breeds and meet people involved. Find a mentor in your area to help you with everything. Breeeding isn't all its cracked up to be. It is time consuming and everydime you make on the pet you already put into the care of the parents.

Answer 2

In this instance, no. Pet stores are not good places to buy dogs. They pay much less for a dog than you do. At the pet store I worked for, they would buy a $200 dog from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, then provide it with vaccinations until it was bought (generally only one or two sets, because they are taken home within a month). However, when you buy the dog, you are paying around $1000. So, this means that with the $200 for the dog, about $60 for vaccinations, and $20 for food, they have still more than tripled what they paid for the puppy. Between pet stores and reputable breeders, you get what THEY paid for (ie, go with the reputable breeder everytime).

As to whether to get a Shih Tzu or a Malamute, I really can't say. I would not recommend getting both, because Malamutes have a very strong prey drive, and may not get along with the Shih Tzu very well.

Answer 3

I have a three year old male malamute. I researched the breed for over a year before getting him and all the studying, talking with other mal owners etc. couldn't have prepared me for this breed of dog. I love him to bits but believe me he is a full time job. I have worked nights in the past (currently work from home) in order to give him the exercise that he requires. Every minute of the day is a training regime .. they are pushy, dominant, assertive dogs that require a very firm understanding of pack mentality. As much as they are incredably beautiful, majestic creatures thay are NOT just a pet pooch. It seems kind of crazy to me that you are considering a mal or shih-tzu .. these dogs couldn't be more different. I would be inclined to advise you to swerve towards the shih-tzu.

As for where to get any kind of dog, you should ALWAYS look for a reputable breeder. You should meet both the parents and feel confident that the breeder is doing it for the love of the breed not for money. To get my dog I had to write a two page letter stating why I thought I was a suitable potential owner. I also signed a contract to say that if I couldn't look after him any more, he would be returned to the breeder. Pet shops sell dogs from puppy mills. It is not an ethical decision to support this kind of industry. As well as the fact that the pups are often sick when you buy them and can have serious genetic defects (that you can't see when you're blinded by there puppy cuteness!!)

The best way to find a good breeder is to go to the breed specific kennel club website and see who they recommend. As well as giving you advice on the breed itself which is imperitive.

Good luck with your search .. and happy puppy ownership

Answer 4

The dogs in pet shops are from puppymills and are unhealthy and defective, not of breeding quality. Contact the National Parent Club for the breed you've decided on for a referall to a responsible breeder.
AKC Registration is not a guarantee of quality.

Here are some suggested questions one can use to determine if a breeder is truly responsible:

1. Is she an AKC registered breeder of good standing and an active member of her breed Parent Club?

2. Are there AKC Champions listed on the pedigree, showing that the breeder spends her time & money to prove the quality of her breeding stock through competition?

3. Are all the animals kept in clean, comfortable, healthy, loving circumstances?

4. Did the breeder conduct extensive interviews with you and every member of your family?

5. Have the sire & dam received all available health clearances, (eg. OFA Hip & Eye, Thyroid testing, THESE VARY FOR EACH BREED)

6. Is she willing to honestly discuss any possible genetic defects that may exist in her line?

7. Does she have a Sales Contract?

8. Does the contract contain a clause stipulating that you spay or neuter the puppy before it reaches a certain
age?

9. Does the contract contain a clause stating that if at any time in the puppy's life, you can no longer care for it, it must be returned to the breeder? (This ensures that no animal bred by this breeder will ever end up in a shelter).

10. Will the breeder maintain contact with you for the life of the puppy to answer questions and help in general?

Answer 5

You've gotten some great answers about where to get your next dog.

I just wanted to address the difference between Alaskan Malamutes and Shih Tzus. As someone else said, they are entirely different dogs, for entirely different people, with entirely different lifestyles.

I can tell you that Malamutes require consistent exercise and a fenced-in yard. They shed profusely twice a year (clumps of fur coming off them kind of shedding). They can be destructive when bored and unexercised. They absolutely need a dominant person who will give them consistent obedience training, otherwise they will walk all over you. They can be dog-aggressive.

Shih Tzus are small house dogs. Their destructive capabilities and exercise needs are considerably less than the Malamute. They are people pleasers. A fenced-in yard (while always a good idea) is not absolutely required if the dog is in the house and gets consistent walks. They are more portable than a Malamute, eat less, take up less space. They are easier to handle, overall, as any Toy breed would be versus a Working breed.

Please research both breeds fully before choosing -- if you buy from a good breeder, they will take back the dog anytime if you feel you can no longer keep it, but the goal is (of course!) to have the dog for its entire life...12-17 years, depending on which breed you choose. So choose wisely!

Answer 6

Never go to a pet shop. There are no guarantees on the pup and you never get to meet the breeders or see any other the other pups in that litter or see for your self what kind of environment the pups were raised in.
Go to a very well researched breeder and really ask a ton of questions and get to know the breeder first before you decide on the breed you really want. You must be a smart consumer and do your homework first.
Then go and choose your pup. As with anything knowledge is power so the more knowledge you have going into the selection the better the outcome will be for you.
Good luck with your decision.

Answer 7

Tell me if tomatoes cost more at the grocery store than the local farm stand are the grocery store toatoes better?
What you pay for at the pet store is the store rent, 3 middlemen and the truck to haul 400 pups across the country (and oh yeah the germs that hitched along with such a concentration of pups). What you pay for at a good breeder is the health test to try and increase the odds of a healthy pup, the competing of the parents against the rest of the breed to assure that they are above average animals, and the time and effort to bring pups up right. That testing cost less than gas should be no surprise these days....
NOW understand AKC does not screen the breeders on their list - there ARE puppy mills on it. ASK what health tests the breeders have done (check on breed club websites for that should be done) ,ASK what titles the parents have (or are working on). IF the breeder does not ask YOU what you want to do with the dog, what kind of housing you plan on and enough other questions that you think you are adopting a baby move on to another breeder - particularly if you have the faintest desire to ever breed.....

Answer 8

Look into the breeder's background. Are they AKC & USDA aproved. Have they had any violation's? Find out the food that they use, vaccination policy, Dew claws, pedigree's. It is true that you get what you pay for. It is common for a Qualified breeder to sell their dog's for a high price. They are confident that their pup's are excellent. Normally these are the people that give the animal the best possible care. Do not be suprised if they will not let you 'walk around' the animals. They must be protected from outside elements. Alot of people don't realize how much damage a person can do to these facilities. The people that you need to watch out for are the ones that sell a 'high' quality dog for $200 or less. Those are the mill's that everyone dispises. You can't raise a high maintenence dog past 8 weeks for less than 200 out of your own pocket.

Answer 9

Pretty much always yes although you can get some great dogs from shelters or rescues for very little.

Never by from a pet store unless it's one of the little "mom and Pop" stores. They are almost impossible to find.

If you want a pup it's best to go to a breeder. There are not many pups in shelters. Most are at least a year old. (People tire of them as soon as they are not puppies) If you can find a place in your home for a slightly older dog though go to a shelter, Petfinder or a rescue for the breed you are looking for.

I found my dogs through asking others which Chihuahua's in my area where they came from. Most said a great breeder that at the time was just about 5 minutes from me. I got all 4 from him.

I asked loads of questions before deciding on him and what impressed me even more not only did he answer my questions he asked even more in return. He also checked with my vet to see how I cared for my other animals. That really impressed me.

It's better to wait a little longer to find a ggood breeder than to run to the store, pay a fortune and end up with a sickly pup that came from a puppy mill.

Good luck finding your dog/dogs.

Answer 10

NO, you don't always get what you pay for. Back yard breeders and pet shops and puppy mills often charge just as much and sometimes More then a reputable breeder. Spend your money wisely, Price is not an indication of quality just like AKC registered is NOT an indication of quality. Look for some all breed clubs or breed specific clubs in your area and contact reputable breeders who show their dogs and health test. This is the only way to know you did nt get ripped off. Take your time and do breed research. Learn what to look for in a breeder and you will be happier in the end.