Dog Shopping

[danae 0]

I would just say a shelter too...don't even think about those places much, 'cause I can't stand the thought of it!! Anyway, yeah. that is WAYYYY high, even for a purebred. My neighbor is selling purebred golden retriever pups right now and they were 375-425...still high, but half of what YOU were quoted...and purebred! sheesh! M.

Like Calgal said, Paris Hilton has one now- hence the price! Now the breed is all designer and cool and stuff- dont ask me!

Oh, and while we are showing our pooch pics........

[*Robert* 2]

That price is DEFENITELY too much!!! Stay away from pet stores, since they typically get their dogs from puppy farms/mills, which if you saw how they breed, raise, and take care of the dogs, would turn your stomach.

My brother is a breeder and has champions in both Bouviers and Pomeranians (I know, heck of a combination!!!). His advice concerning finding a good dog is to look in the classified ads and find some breeders in your local area and go see them. See how they raise their dogs and treat them, along with how to take care of them. They will not be as expensive, and you will get a happier and healthier animal. A good breeder will have no problem with showing you around. If they won't, it means they have something to hide!

If you don't want to go for a pure bred, and just want a companion, then do like others have said and go by the Humane Society. Though many of those animals have been abused and mistreated, if given a good home and love, they could in fact be your new best friend!

Good luck!

Edited June 9, 2006 by roi_aggie

[sarah and hicham 3]

That price is DEFENITELY too much!!! Stay away from pet stores, since they typically get their dogs from puppy farms/mills, which if you saw how they breed, raise, and take care of the dogs, would turn your stomach.

My brother is a breeder and has champions in both Bouviers and Pomeranians (I know, heck of a combination!!!). His advice concerning finding a good dog is to look in the classified ads and find some breeders in your local area and go see them. See how they raise their dogs and treat them, along with how to take care of them. They will not be as expensive, and you will get a happier and healthier animal. A good breeder will have no problem with showing you around. If they won't, it means they have something to hide!

If you don't want to go for a pure bred, and just want a companion, then do like others have said and go by the Humane Society. Though many of those animals have been abused and mistreated, if given a good home and love, they could in fact be your new best friend!

Good luck!

agreed. 100%.

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

As posted earlier try petfinder.org. If you heart is set on a certain breed, many of the breed specific rescue organizations are listed on there as well. Some of these organizations will transport the dog to you if it is in a different state.

I deal with all breeds of dogs everyday, my personal/professional opinion is that I would take a mut over a purebred any day of the week. Our facility helps out a local shelter when they have dogs in transit with no room to put them, by kenneling some of them until they find a home. I must say most, though they have been neglected or abused quickly turn around when they are shown affection and lots of attention, all they want is a person to love them. I would also recommend trying no kill shelters first, often times the dogs are in their systems longer than your mainstream rescue organizations, so they have a better idea of the dogs behavior on a day to day basis. Many of the no kills are called by places like your local dog pound etc, because they have what they call an awesome dog that they just can't put down. The group we deal with often waves the adoption fee, or only ask for a donation if it means giving the animal a good home, something to look into.

I have only dealt with one puggle, and this particular pooch has strong traits from both breeds. Mind you I work in a kennel environment so sometimes you get the worst of the behaviors. So this little guy liked to wee and poo all over the place (beagle), and he cowered in the corner and ran anytime you tried to feed clean or water inside his run (pug). Despite being a puppy he wanted no interaction whatsoever. With each visit, as he grows, he simply looks like a mutt.

If you are looking for a large breed a Golden Retriever, is one I highly recommend. GRAND is a wonderful organization, and I think they have listings on petfinder.org. Labradors due to bad breeding in America is one of the least I would recommend, unless you know its bloodline is directly from another country specifically the UK. Collies, Mastiffs, Great Danes, Aussies and Standard Poodles all have wonderful dispositions as well. Every breed has good things about them, so long as there was a good breeder and they are raised properly, I have come across many fabulous Rotts, Pits and Shepherds.

Happy pet hunting!

Bethanie

[Flames9_RN 358]

Most pet stores = puppy mills!! Soo sad!!

Take your time and find a dog that fits your lifestyle, not the breed you find the cutest!!

Find a good breeder and ask a lot of questions. Or visit a shelter. Nothing wrong with a mixed breed.

Animals are not cheap, food, vet bills, etc. Paid $%00 for my Sheltie and $600 for a Siberian cat! Best of luck

[jelti 0]

I think you have to be a special kind of deranged person to get pugs but in the end they're nice dogs haha.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

wow....... 50 donation and ill get a doggie from the humane society lol

yup. all our dogs came from there.

[JenT 0]

3 years ago, while driving from MI to NY for Thanksgiving, my girls and I were listening to a book on tape that we had rented from the library. I thought it was going to be a series of animal stories but instead found out that it was about the history of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah.

By the time we returned home, the girls were SO excited about the story, they immediately sought out the web site for the sanctuary http://www.bestfriends.org/ and found that one could travel there to spend time volunteering. We hadn't made plans for spring break yet, so we decided that we were going to spend our vacation volunteering there.

Long story short, it was one of the most memorable trips of our lives. And despite my proclamation that we would NOT be returning home with any pets, we fell in love with a beagle mix and a shepherd mix (another long story). We technically didn't violate my proclamation... we didn't return home with them... we had them flown from UT to MI (which was not as difficult or as expensive as one might think... they do that sort of thing all the time) a few weeks after our return.

This sanctuary is located within some of the most beasutiful country of UT. The people who work there are incredibly giving and supportive... they are still interested in how our dogs are, 2+ years later.... Their adoption specialists are outstanding and thorough in finding 'just the right match'... I would highly recommend them to anyone who is seeking to adopt a pet.

Jen

[hockeygal 0]

I would NEVER buy an animal from the pet store unless it was a rescue/adoption situation.

Just wanted to interject to say that where I live, most of the good pet shops sell breeder pups. It is hard to find a shop that doesn't do that here anymore - at least the ones I know of are very clear about it.

www.petfinder.org and put in your zip code and city - it will list a lot of the adoptable pooches from the Humane society and rescue organizations.

[anya-D 8]

I havnt read it all but I have some good infor about the dog from the shelther

I'm a volunteer at the shelter to walking the dogs in there (so sad... seeing them so happy while get to go walking out side is priceless!!!)

The dogs that are available are normally temperament test and mostly have all shots and also be spayed and nuetured.. and they will give you all the info about the dog as much as they know (and their background).. like house train, house broken, have any behavior that's the reason they're surrendered to the shelter... You can find a pure breed there too.

For me i love mix breed coz they seems to have less genetic health problem. I have a boxer mix and she's the great great dog... My husband rescue her or she would get kill the next day (she had no fur and was badly hurts) now she's the happiest dog and very pretty

So if you are thinking about having a dog, please try the shelter fist, you will find a loveing dog and you would also save their life!! I met sooo many beautiful dogs with the most tolorent temper, happy dogs there.. and they all got the loving family.. that's the happy day for me when i know the dog i walked have some one adopted them.

please give them a chance to have a happy life with a wonderful family

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

3 years ago, while driving from MI to NY for Thanksgiving, my girls and I were listening to a book on tape that we had rented from the library. I thought it was going to be a series of animal stories but instead found out that it was about the history of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah.

By the time we returned home, the girls were SO excited about the story, they immediately sought out the web site for the sanctuary http://www.bestfriends.org/ and found that one could travel there to spend time volunteering. We hadn't made plans for spring break yet, so we decided that we were going to spend our vacation volunteering there.

Long story short, it was one of the most memorable trips of our lives. And despite my proclamation that we would NOT be returning home with any pets, we fell in love with a beagle mix and a shepherd mix (another long story). We technically didn't violate my proclamation... we didn't return home with them... we had them flown from UT to MI (which was not as difficult or as expensive as one might think... they do that sort of thing all the time) a few weeks after our return.

This sanctuary is located within some of the most beasutiful country of UT. The people who work there are incredibly giving and supportive... they are still interested in how our dogs are, 2+ years later.... Their adoption specialists are outstanding and thorough in finding 'just the right match'... I would highly recommend them to anyone who is seeking to adopt a pet.

Jen

That sounds great. If I lived closer and could drive I'd volunteer there a lot. But SLC is 6 hours away. But I do agree about how beautiful it is.

[rclouse 0]

Stay away from pet stores, since they typically get their dogs from puppy farms/mills, which if you saw how they breed, raise, and take care of the dogs, would turn your stomach.

I agree, DON'T buy that doggy in the window. If you must get a pure-bred, find a reputable breeder and check them out before getting a puppy.

My chihuahua, Timmy, came from a pet store and he's got hydrocephaly. Fortunately (after nearly $1000) I found an excellent vet who correctly diagnosed him and put him on medication which controls his condition. I'd have saved a lot of grief if I'd researched and found a good breeder, but my ex wanted me to be "spontaneous". :-P

[JenT 0]

That sounds great. If I lived closer and could drive I'd volunteer there a lot. But SLC is 6 hours away. But I do agree about how beautiful it is.

It's a magical place... consider a long weekend!

Jen

[Nessa 23]

http://www.puggle.org/forsale.asp

omg they're soooo cute now i want one

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

It's a magical place... consider a long weekend!

Jen

I'm not quite sure that it'd be my fiance's cup of tea. But it's definately a place we'll considering visiting when we have our own place and are looking for a dog.