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 Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:08 pm
Ok so it's not official just yet, but I'm rethinking this whole puppy business and well I'm kinda thinking pup might come home sooner rather then later...
Ok so background I've been planning on getting a new pup for quit sometime now. Last year was when I was really thinking about it the only thing that was keeping me back was Bo. Now call me crazy, but I think I can handle it. He's gotten a lot better TBH and he responded a whole lot better then I imagined when we brought home the APBT mix I found a while back.Of course there was some general growling and nastiness the first day, but I never had time to do proper intros in neutral territory and everything, but the following day he was fine just a bit overly interested. He's come a long way from where he was originally and so long as everything is done properly this could work out.
But anyways I had told the breeder way back earlier this year when I tore my ACL that I don't think then was a good idea, but now being I've been released, I actually have time to spend on a pup (since I'm homeschooled now), things with Bo are going tons better, and it is my ideal time to get a pup that maybe I could go through with it?
I mean the litter isn't due until December and even so they're not due to be going home until February so even if I were to hand over my deposit now and then later find out that now truly isn't the right time for various reasons I could wait and she keeps my deposit for whenever I'm ready
This isn't something I want to just dive into and I'm giving it a lot of thought, but I really am leaning towards getting a pup.
But even so I have the money for the deposit, but not so much for the actual pup as I kinda spent what I had originally saved up on dog food and agility classes and all because I figured I wouldn't be getting a pup anytime soon. But no worries tomorrow I send in a few job applications and hopefully I'll hear back from someone soon about getting a job. Plus there is a chance I could convince my parents that this will be my one and only christmas/17th birthday present this year since their so close together(my birthday is dec 2nd) and the fact that I could possibly pay for half might help convince them.
we'll see, but again it's a decision I don't want to take lightly and if it's the right time it's the right time, if not then oh well
But I found out who the sire of the litter is and I'm really excited to watch them grow and see how they turn out(even if I don't get one)
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:41 am
Well had you planned on getting a pup would you not have spent that money on agility and food? I think it's best to spend the money you have on the pets you have now. And THEN when you are doing what you want with them and giving them the best care you can, if you have money leftover, THAT would be the time to get another dog. Otherwise it wouldn't be too fair to Abby. I would wait until at least you have a job to look into getting a pup. That's just my opinion. Because I know how much dogs can cost. The initial price isn't much when you consider he will need to visit the vet several times in the first year. He will need booster shots, good puppy food, training classes ideally for proper socialization. Puppies are extremely expensive. And there's the unexpected vet costs. A few pups have been surrendered at my clinic they seem to be more at risk of breaking bones than a calm, somewhat wiser adult and people just don't have the money to pay for the surgery.
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Gabrielle_AnimalLuver Crew
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:43 am
http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?N=21&Nf=coords|GCGT+32.986117904903,-83.5351+-1&Ns=coords(32.986117904903,-83.5351)||shelter_name||animal_type||pet_breed_1||pet_breed_2||identifier&Ntk=animal_type|pet_breed|record_type|status&Ntt=Dog|Australian+Shepherd|pet|A&distance=0&lat=32.986117904903&location=georgia&lon=-83.5351&startsearch=Go
smile
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:57 pm
Gabrielle_AnimalLuver Well had you planned on getting a pup would you not have spent that money on agility and food? I think it's best to spend the money you have on the pets you have now. And THEN when you are doing what you want with them and giving them the best care you can, if you have money leftover, THAT would be the time to get another dog. Otherwise it wouldn't be too fair to Abby. I would wait until at least you have a job to look into getting a pup. That's just my opinion. Because I know how much dogs can cost. The initial price isn't much when you consider he will need to visit the vet several times in the first year. He will need booster shots, good puppy food, training classes ideally for proper socialization. Puppies are extremely expensive. And there's the unexpected vet costs. A few pups have been surrendered at my clinic they seem to be more at risk of breaking bones than a calm, somewhat wiser adult and people just don't have the money to pay for the surgery. I agree which is why I have been thinking over it so much. right now I have money that I've set aside for Abby's agility classes and dog food which right now is costing me about $27 a month for TOTW for both Bo and Abby(pup will also be on it since it's a life stages brand) which will stay right where it is, but I also have the extra 200 that I had originally planned to give the breeder for a deposit earlier this year when I had originally been set on getting a pup. And believe me I know the bill these wack-o's can rack up. So far Bo's cost us quite a bit with all the mishaps he's had and we have the money set aside for the vet care. We're prepared for the initial puppy shots etc and my parents will(possibly depending on if I can pay for them or not) pay for those, but as pup ages into yearly's I'll probably look into titers and get those instead/follow the limited vaccine thing and only vaccinate when the pup is low on the antibodies etc Plus either way we were planning on another addition just not an aussie. My dad's been wanting another boxer so Bo could have a brother. So we've got the resources and are able to afford another dog... I brought up the subject earlier then I expected with my parents and their thinking it over. I've filled out some apps for jobs and need to send them in so hopefully I'll hear back soon. Now if they agree I will only be paying the deposit and possibly half the actual cost(or just the deposit). So the money that would've originally gone for the full price I would save for emergencies plus if I get the job I want I'll have my money from that as well as the babysitting I do to pay for stuff and put some aside into the emergency fund as well. Of course this is all in theory granted everything works out like I'm thinking. But again it's not a decision I'm taking lightly. If it's the right time it's the right time if not oh well, but either way I will be giving the breeder my deposit soon so if it does work out well hey I've got myself a pup, but if not she'll keep it for when I am in the position to get a puppy
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 7:49 am
So... you're not even going to consider adopting a puppy from Petfinder and still go to a breeder?
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Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 5:57 pm
Ailinea So... you're not even going to consider adopting a puppy from Petfinder and still go to a breeder? Who said I never considered a rescue? I certainly did not. Anybody who knows me knows that I'm all for rescuing/adopting. A rescue was my first choice, but as I was looking for something particular and the fact that showing in confirmation was/is a great possibility of happening a rescue wouldn't work for what I want. My current dog is a rescue and I love her and because of her I thought of adopting again, but due to a lot of circumstances the most prevalent being that shelters out here won't adopt out to you if you have an intact animal in the house crossed that option off as my dad's boxer is intact. That plus I want to know the background of my pup. The possible temperament/drive etc so that I know there is a great chance the pup will be able to do what I want. I want to know that there is a great chance my pup will grow up to be a healthy puppy and not suffer from any genetic defects thanks to health testing breeders preform. Personally I think if you want just a companion dog who can yeah do some companion sports(agility, rally, etc) go for a rescue, but if you want a dog for serious working purposes(schutzhund, hunting, herding etc) and need some specific traits etc go to a breeder.
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Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2011 11:43 am
Sorry, just realized how bitchy I sounded there lol sweatdrop
I understand where you're coming from, I'm just a huge advocate for always adoption, never breeding or buying unless absolutely necessary. I do know that Aussies are effing crazy though! At the kennel the two most amped-up dogs we get are Aussies and border collies. So cute though, I'd bet they would be really awesome at agility training. :3
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 3:20 pm
Quote: I do know that Aussies are effing crazy though! Yup and that's why I love them. I have a thing for high energy breeds because it's what fits me.
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Gabrielle_AnimalLuver Crew
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 3:29 pm
SOME rescue dogs makes amazing agility/frisbee dogs. And sometimes they even HAVE papers and you could do confirmation. It is however, a game of chance. Because a GOOD breeder will never allow their dog to end up in a shelter. They always take them back no matter the age if there's a problem. And when you are really serious about working your dog, you don't want to be taking a gamble.
Cowboy has great drive, great temperament, but genetically he's a bit of a disaster. He ran in "Special" class agility so he jumped 16" instead of 21" and now he's retiring from agility at only 6yrs old. I didn't know when I got him how involved we'd get with these sports, and it's really devastating. Meanwhile, the founders of the canadian disc dog association run their 18yr old border collies and they are in fantastic shape. Because they breed Border Collies. As much as I love rescuing, my cats will likely be rescued mature cats, I may even have a rescue companion dog. But my next dog is Aussie or Toller and I already know who I want to get her from.
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 3:37 pm
I agree, rescue dogs could make a great agility dog, but it's all chance. I don't see me and Sparky doing agility like I wanted. We have a bit of fun at home but nothing serious. One day I plan on adopting a herding breed (I really want a cattle dog or kelpie), and doing agility with them. However unlike animelover and gabrielle, I'm not as serious and into agility and will just be looking to have a bit of fun. If I decide I really like it, I may decide to get a puppy from a reputable breeder, but no point in buying a dog rather then adopting if I am not even sure that I will get into the sport.
So have you thought anymore on whether your getting the pup sooner, or later?
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:54 pm
Quote: So have you thought anymore on whether your getting the pup sooner, or later? I was actually just about to update on this. just so happened my parents stole the computer from me (having a broken laptop is not fun)... Basically it turns out no Aussie for me sad My parents don't want another big dog and the fur threw them off... But I am allowed a smaller(less furry) breed so I've been thinking and searching and narrowed it down to 3 breeds. It all depends though... My parents may let me get a pup that I can show in confo or the more likely chance is that I will be getting a Brittany(from working lines) and it will be doing what it was originally bred to do(as well as agility etc). My dad keeps bringing up the latter so it will most likely be the working line pup if I'm getting his hinting right that is. Hopefully we'll be going quail hunting soon enough possibly with one of the breeders I'm looking at. Pup most likely won't be coming home this year, but spring/summer of 2012. I've got a job offer so granted this works out wheels will be put in motion for a Brittany pup. I also got offered a pup out of a possible 2012 litter from a avid field trialler so I've got my options as far as a Britt pup goes. Quote: And when you are really serious about working your dog, you don't want to be taking a gamble. So true. Abby's doing great with agility and really enjoying it, but I'm kinda fearing for her hips. It might just be me being paranoid, but I plan to get them checked out hopefully soon.
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