Another Decision - woof woof

[Blonde Granny]

Here is the link to my current questions of getting a dog:


www.tinastinydarlings.com/home.html

C'mon, help me make my decision.

[plugginaway22]

I vote YES. Pets can bring us so much happiness, more so if you live alone. I'm not getting into the adopt/breeder debate I just love dogs.

[resolution]

I love having a pet, and those little dogs are super cute. I noticed the breeder is including $1200 shipping cost. Is there any possibility of finding a tiny dog locally so you can save on the shipping  cost and not put the puppy through an airline flight?

ETA (sorry, this is YM after all).

[steph08]

I would go for a breeder that is a member of the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, if that is your preferred breed.

[NoNamePerson]

I'm the skeptic but I would want to hold/play/touch/feel/interact and see in person and not buy online. But that's just me.  Are you able to go to the physical place to see the puppies. I bounced around the website and only saw a phone number and nothing showing where they are located but I may have overlooked it.

[Tennesseer]

Adopt a pet dog from a shelter.

[chiver78]

please don't shop. there are so many pups dumped at shelters and rescues all over. 

this is where LD came from, originally. they place a lot of small dogs like your link. I think my adoption fee for LD was $200. Houston Street Dogs

[Blonde Granny]

The breeder is local, so that price listed is not what I would pay.  I've already talked to one of our local dog trainers, since this little puppy will come to work with me at the VA.  So, manners are critical and excellent training is a must.

I don't believe one from a shelter would be my best option.

[busymom]

Yes, get a dog!     DH & I plan to get another one, but probably not for another year.  We're getting a smaller one this time, and I'm a big fan of yorkies, and yorkie mixes.  Please share a picture when you get your new fur baby! 

[Tennesseer]

May 20, 2019 7:25:43 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

The breeder is local, so that price listed is not what I would pay.  I've already talked to one of our local dog trainers, since this little puppy will come to work with me at the VA.  So, manners are critical and excellent training is a must.

I don't believe one from a shelter would be my best option.

Have you asked? Have you checked your local shelters?

[NoNamePerson]

May 20, 2019 7:25:43 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

The breeder is local, so that price listed is not what I would pay.  I've already talked to one of our local dog trainers, since this little puppy will come to work with me at the VA.  So, manners are critical and excellent training is a must.

I don't believe one from a shelter would be my best option.

If the breeder is local then disregard my post. I thought I saw something about OK bred. Must stop speed reading. 

[andi9899]

I say yes to all. I really like the two in the third row. And I don't really care for little dogs. Those two just kind of stick out to me.

[andi9899]

May 20, 2019 7:25:43 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

The breeder is local, so that price listed is not what I would pay.  I've already talked to one of our local dog trainers, since this little puppy will come to work with me at the VA.  So, manners are critical and excellent training is a must.

I don't believe one from a shelter would be my best option.

I must say that this comment rubs me the wrong way. Are you saying that shelter dogs can't be well behaved and are untrainable?

[swamp]

Yes, get the dog.  

[resolution]

May 20, 2019 8:49:59 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

May 20, 2019 7:25:43 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

The breeder is local, so that price listed is not what I would pay.  I've already talked to one of our local dog trainers, since this little puppy will come to work with me at the VA.  So, manners are critical and excellent training is a must.

I don't believe one from a shelter would be my best option.

I must say that this comment rubs me the wrong way. Are you saying that shelter dogs can't be well behaved and are untrainable?

If she is looking for specific characteristics, she is more likely to find them with a dog that has been bred for those specific characteristics. Certainly shelter dogs can be well behaved and well trained, but she may have some specific traits in mind that she is likely to get with her preferred breed.

[TheOtherMe]

Adopt, don't shop.  

[andi9899]

May 20, 2019 8:58:37 GMT -5 resolution said:

May 20, 2019 8:49:59 GMT -5 andi9899 said:

I must say that this comment rubs me the wrong way. Are you saying that shelter dogs can't be well behaved and are untrainable?

If she is looking for specific characteristics, she is more likely to find them with a dog that has been bred for those specific characteristics. Certainly shelter dogs can be well behaved and well trained, but she may have some specific traits in mind that she is likely to get with her preferred breed.

Hence why I asked because that's not what she said. She said the dog will go with her to work and needs to be well behaved and well trained and that she didn't think a shelter dog would be a good option. Do you see why I asked for clarification?

Funny, I went to Petfinder to window shop (there is no way I could take on another dog right now) after seeing this thread and filtered by what I would be looking for. I came across a bluetick and he's gorgeous! However the description warns that he's a hound in every sense of the word and I thought "Wow! He'd make a great hunting dog, but not for me as the howling would be a dealbreaker." This is a shelter dog that is obviously already miles ahead of what a puppy from anywhere would be if you were looking for a hunting dog, there wouldn't be much training needed. So shelter dogs can be great dogs depending on what you're looking for.

www.petfinder.com/dog/deputy-40861920/mo/parkville/friends-of-parkville-animal-shelter-mo111/

[Deleted]

No puppy of any breed is going to be well-behaved and trained.  That will be on the person raising them. 

I do think Blond Granny should get a dog though. 

[TheOtherMe]

Please research health issues on these breeds if that is what you want.  My sister's malti-poo has had ACL surgery on both rear legs.  The vet says that has to do with the cross breeding.  Those surgeries cost a lot of money and the dog could use another ACL surgery.  Because of her age, it's been decided no more ACL surgeries.  

Lexi is very well trained but she didn't come that way.  My sister and BIL trained her.

[Deleted]

Now you got me looking at dogs.  I love shelties and australian shepherds so looked if there were any in shelters nearby and found this cutie.

www.petfinder.com/dog/sophie-44655136/mn/oakdale/cocos-heart-dog-rescue-mn302/

And her puppy, which is absolutely adorable.

www.petfinder.com/dog/bindi-44655143/mn/oakdale/cocos-heart-dog-rescue-mn302/

But, they want $1000 and $1250 for them.  WTH?  That's a lot!

[andi9899]

This guy is beautiful! I love big dogs!



www.petfinder.com/dog/champ-44711527/mo/drexel/lucky-13-rescue-inc-mo689/

I need to stop. Last time I window shopped on Petfinder, I ended up with Macy. I love her to pieces, but she's a handful.

[chiver78]

he's stunning, andi! 

[steph08]

I think people should get dogs based on what they want and need.

Sometimes you can find that at a shelter. Sometimes you can find that through a reputable breeder.

I only judge when people don't do their research on either option and get from a backyard breeder or puppy mill when the signs are obvious.

[giramomma]

Do IT!

I love little dogs!

[justme]

Assuming the breeder is reputable, I don't have a total problem with getting a dog from them per-say. Is there associations that check out breeders and the conditions and such? So you don't go some place that has the nice happy photos but actually keeps the dogs in the shed in the back?


That said -- if you're wanting a dog to bring into the VA greatly research the type of dog. I haven't come across a lot of yorkies, but as a whole smaller dogs I've seen tend to be yappy and either hyperactive or afraid of their shadow.

The good thing about adopting from a shelter - especially not adopting a puppy - is you already know their temperament and personality. Breed traits are a great place to start, but by no means are they 100% certain that the dog will embody that. 

[andi9899]

The yappy part is why I don't like little dogs. That and some of them have little man syndrome. Big dogs are gentle giants and usually don't have to be as outspoken as they are usually not challenged by other dogs.

[Blonde Granny]

Wow, didn't mean to open a can of worms here. I was hoping for more comments about the pictures of the puppies as which one ya'll think is the cutest.

Yes, I do have specific requirements, 5# or under to begin with. Poodles are very smart, not to certain on the multi-bred. As I said, I have the trainer picked out, and will work as necessary to get the little one trained. The VA frequently has dogs in the hospital and clinics. Many have on a fake "service dog" vests and more than once I've had troubles with dogs wanting to attack other dogs....service animal my foot..... pulling on leashes, bothering other patients, are all traits i won't tolerate, which mean I need to do my job when working with the trainer.

I've never liked big dogs, they are scary to me, so I'd never have one. I also don't want to run the risk getting one from a shelter that is guaranteed to be a little 5# or less that ends up at 10-15#......

Happy little dogs can be a pain, as are dogs that bark and jump on people....again, that just won't work for me.

So, if we could get back to my original intent, of the ones pictured which one is the cutest?

[swamp]

I'm sorry, but a 5 pound dog isn't a dog.  It's a cog.  Or a dat.  

[Tiny]

May 20, 2019 7:25:43 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

The breeder is local, so that price listed is not what I would pay.  I've already talked to one of our local dog trainers, since this little puppy will come to work with me at the VA.  So, manners are critical and excellent training is a must.

I don't believe one from a shelter would be my best option.

That helps.  It means you can  rule out the mixed breed puppies (the yorkie poo)  on the web site you posted...    You'll have higher confidence of the temperment of the yorkies  (assuming both parents were yorkies) based on their parentage.     Supposedly when you start mixing breeds to create "designer dogs" - it adds in ALOT of guesswork as what the puppies will be like.   

I'm a cat person... but the family members (and friends) with dogs who's opinion I respect (and who have very well behaved/trained dogs) all say you should meet the parents of the puppies, spend some time with the puppies (see how they behave with each other and with people) before picking one out.   That's my over all advice no matter WHERE  you get your puppy.  

If you really like the designer dogs - the shelter might be a less expensive place to find one... but you'll have to do some leg work and spend some time "interviewing' the dogs - to make sure you find one that meets your criteria.   But, you'd have to do that even if you purchase from a breeder of designer dogs (It's pot luck) or a breeder of pedigree dogs (want to find the one that fits your requirements).  

[shanendoah]

The best way to keep dogs out of shelters is for people to get the right dog for them. If that means getting a dog from a reputable local breeder, then that's the way to go. It helps ensure the dog doesn't later end up in the shelter (or back in the shelter, and shelter returns are extra hard to adopt out). I think the fact that Blonde Granny is already talking to a local trainer means she's probably getting the right advice.

I also don't have issues with small dogs. I had a friend who worked in cancer research. She had a Cairn Terrier who she trained to be a therapy dog, who came to work with her all the time. Molly was amazing with the patients and having her around seriously made my friend's work life easier.

And especially if you have concerns about health for a breed, going to a local breeder can be great because you can ask to see the parents' health certificates, and generally get a certificate of current good health on the puppy from the current vet.

When getting a puppy, all puppies will need training to have the right behavior and manners to come into a hospital, but knowing the parents' temperaments can be very helpful.

So what I am saying, BG, is go for it. I might lean toward the poodles/poodle mixes. Poodles are incredibly intelligent dogs, and while not always easy to train (this is where working with the local trainer comes in), once they are trained, tend to be exemplary dogs.



We would be fostering with Old Dog Haven right now, if Larry weren't such a curmudgeon. But at 11 years old, my Terrier is just not willing to share his people (especially me) with anyone besides the Beagle anymore. I can dog sit for a week or two, but that's about it. There really can't be another dog in the house who will be "our" dog. So, I am "stuck" at my 2.