Pics of my puppy to be

BoxMeIn21 · 06-29-2007, 11:10 AM

Why not wait and save the money? Why is it so important you get the dog right now?

...I have a sinking feeling you will just go back to finding a backyard breeder.

tirluc · 06-29-2007, 05:29 PM

breeder wrote....

Quote:

I am enclosing a photo of the father of both litters, as well as a typical pet photo I just got yesterday.

i am assuming by the above that the 1st photo you posted is the sire to BOTH litters and the 2nd photo is a pet quality Shih Tzu that she had (possibly) bred and the owner sent her a pic of it.....

but, i'm glad to see that you did more searching.....even if you have to wait a little while, it would be much better to get a pup from some one like her than the first "breeder"......

Durbkat · 06-29-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoxMeIn21

Why not wait and save the money? Why is it so important you get the dog right now?

...I have a sinking feeling you will just go back to finding a backyard breeder.

Because first of all $750 is an outrageous price and it would take me to this time next year to get that kind of money.

BoxMeIn21 · 06-29-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durbkat

Because first of all $750 is an outrageous price and it would take me to this time next year to get that kind of money.

Maybe it's worth the wait...or maybe you haven't learned anything at all.

Durbkat · 06-29-2007, 06:42 PM

Well there are people that scan the genetics of the dogs and charge cheaper, they sell for like $350 and me and my parents can afford that.

Dieselsmama · 06-29-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durbkat

Because first of all $750 is an outrageous price and it would take me to this time next year to get that kind of money.

This is very sad, I've been following this thread and was so excited to hear you found a breeder that sounded responsible. And $600 that she lowered the price to is CHEAP for a well bred dog. If you have your heart set on getting a puppy and won't invest the time and effort to find a rescued shih-Tzu which would fit into your budget, you should do the responsible thing and wait the year if that's what it takes to save the money to deal with this breeder.Going out and buying a $350 puppy is only supporting yet another BYB.

BoxMeIn21 · 06-29-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durbkat

Well there are people that scan the genetics of the dogs and charge cheaper, they sell for like $350 and me and my parents can afford that.

I highly doubt it.

Durbkat · 06-29-2007, 09:24 PM

Why do you doubt that boxmein?

Jaylie · 06-29-2007, 09:34 PM

NO! Haven't you learned anything? Save the money and buy from this breeder, or better yet...Find a rescue! Rescues cost around one hundred dollars, sometimes as low as fifty. And this breeder has done WONDERS for you, lowering the price that low. Any lower, and she would be LOSING money. She probably doesn't care if she makes money, but she doesn't want to lose it either.

Durbkat · 06-29-2007, 09:42 PM

Well I'll find a breeder that scans for genetic disease's, I will ask to see proof. Does anyone have a picture of what the proper form looks like so I know it isn't a fake?

Jaylie · 06-30-2007, 01:57 AM

May I ask why you won't rescue?? Did you look at the links that GreyhoundGirl posted? Those are very cool links, full of dogs and sometimes puppies that need homes. How would you like to be raised in a cage with a mom who's teats are almost sucked dry, then go to a crappy home where you're abused, then end up in another cage, with people turning their noses up at you because you're a "pound dog?"

Durbkat · 06-30-2007, 09:53 AM

I never said I didn't want to rescue but the links that greyhoundgirl posted are out of state and our car is old and our mechanic said that it wouldn't be a good idea to go on very long trips. Also the dogs at our pound are either dogs that have behavior problems or they are to large for an apartment.

mattmania843 · 06-30-2007, 09:54 AM

Edit: Honestly, you cant afford 600 dollars for a dog? You know how high the vet bills are in the puppy years right? There going to total more than that. If you cant afford 600 dollars to get the dog I wonder what kind of vet your going to get. I think you shouldn't get a dog because its obvious your not ready for one at this point.

Edit x2: you will also have to FEED THE DOG (If you didn't know that,and that costs money as well, the dog will need toys, a bed, and a lot of things.

GreyhoundGirl · 06-30-2007, 10:07 AM

The links I posted were just some examples. Do a google search for your area. I assure you there will be small dogs available in your area that don't have any behavior problems.

Lorina · 06-30-2007, 10:12 AM

I saw quite a few rescues on Petfinder in your state that had Shih Tzus. Some were puppies or young adults.

Bluegrass Shih Tzu Rescue Inc.

SBRKY Small Breed Rescue of Kentucky

I'm not sure where in KY you're located, closer to OH or TN, so...

Purebred Rescue Organization of Ohio, Inc.

Shih Tzu and Furbaby Rescue

Ohio Fuzzy Pawz Shih Tzu Rescue

Small Breed Rescue of East TN

TOY BREED AND ASIAN DOG RESCUE. Precious Paws Peke & Tzu Rescue

Have you contacted any of the rescues? Many don't have every dog listed. A lot of dogs never get listed because they get adopted beforehand by people who've contacted the rescue, got preapproved to adopt, and were on a waiting list for the right dog for them.

When I applied to the Pekingese rescue where I got Beavis, I originally applied for a 4 year old silver female. She wasn't good with cats, so that wasn't going to work out for me. But I stayed in touch with the rescue, filled out an application, had it approved, had the necessary vet reference and home visit checks done, and when the right dog became available, he was mine.

Many of the dogs are not located at the exact location the rescue is headquartered. They typically live in foster homes, and the volunteers are typically willing to meet you halfway or arrange transport for the dogs.

But honestly, if you live with your parents and they're unwilling or unable to help you with the dog's expenses, it's best to wait. A Shih Tzu can easily live 15-18 years, or more. Do you know where you'll be when you're 20, 25 or 30? What's going to happen to the dog when you're off to college? What about when you try to get your first appartment and every place that allows pets costs twice as much and requires a huge security deposit?

It's great that you love dogs, but think really hard about whether or not you're in the right place in your life to have one. You can always volunteer with a rescue or shelter to get your "fix" of being around dogs. Offer to walk them, feed them, groom them, clean up after them. You'll be doing a great service for those dogs, and would be the first to know when a pooch that you'd love became available.

Durbkat · 06-30-2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattmania843

Edit: Honestly, you cant afford 600 dollars for a dog? You know how high the vet bills are in the puppy years right? There going to total more than that. If you cant afford 600 dollars to get the dog I wonder what kind of vet your going to get. I think you shouldn't get a dog because its obvious your not ready for one at this point.

Edit x2: you will also have to FEED THE DOG (If you didn't know that,and that costs money as well, the dog will need toys, a bed, and a lot of things.

I'm taking my dog to a vet clinic and most places set up payment plans and I'm going to be working more days starting next week so that means more money.

Also a regular size bag of dog food is only about $8 and toys don't cost that much and his crate will be his bed and I already got the crate.

Jaylie · 06-30-2007, 11:27 AM

But what if the puppy ends up swallowing a sock? For a Shih Tzu especially, that can be alot of damage, and therefore would cost a ton for surgery. And as Lorina said, Shih Tzu's live a long time, and how do you know where you'll be in five years? Ten? Even if you find someplace where you can keep a dog, what will you do while you're at college? Since I'm a kid also, I do the puppy raising, since I want a dog but can't have on for 13+ years. You don't want a big dog, and I've never heard of puppy raising a small dog, but you can get a job pet-sitting small dogs, or volunteering at a shelter or vet, and then you would be getting that dog-fix without actually having the financial responsibility. I pet sit, and I have a Schnauzer that comes here about once a month, sometimes two days, sometimes twelve days, and I LOVE the little guy. He's great with puppies, (He reminds me of the "grandfatherly" type...Playing with them gently, and being VERY patient with them.) and then I have a Maltese/Toy Poodle mix, (His owner introduced him as a "malti-poo.") and he's also a sweetheart. He comes more often then the Schnauzer...Sometimes spending two weeks out of a month here. I got these two dogs by simply placing a simple ad in the paper! I suggest maybe trying this before you get a dog.

Lorina · 06-30-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

I'm going to be working more days starting next week so that means more money.

Which also means less time to spend with your dog. Then when school starts back up again, you'll have even less time, since you'll still need to be working to support the dog.

It's a lot of work, even more with a puppy, which is why it's important to have the full support of everyone in the household.

ToysHaveMyHeart · 06-30-2007, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattmania843

Edit: Honestly, you cant afford 600 dollars for a dog? You know how high the vet bills are in the puppy years right?

Muttmania is right, at the vet clinic I worked at, the puppies definately carried the highest bills overall, then were the seniors and lastly the
adolescents (usually the unneutered roaming types)-The order would probably vary with location, but I think it is safe to assume that the the pups would still be one of the top two. Puppies are more suseptable to illness, intestinal blockages/damage, injury, and then there are routine costs like vaccinations, spay/neuter, flea and tick prevention, and heartworm prevention. I don't know about everyone else's are, but the base examination fee is $35-$45 (keep in mind that this is just to SEE a vet), any type of treatment, and medicine is extra. And while vets offer payment plans, there are quite a few that charge interest and put a cap on the tab that you are allowed to rack up-so you might want to ask the vets in your area if that is the case.
Keep in mind also that a pup is a blank slate. You have to teach it how to behave. In the younger months, up through the first year (or longer depending on the amount of training) you have to watch your pup like a hawk as they get into things. It's much like having to watch a toddler that can run, jump up, and leap. They also have the potential to be extremely destructive. I think you had mentioned earlier that you would not be willnig to work with an older dog that has behavioral issues, a pup is (in most cases) so much more work than that!
Now I could type a lot more than this but I am trying to remain civil

. Don't take offense to any of my comments, I am only trying to help. Unfortunately, I have seen far too many pups that had to suffer, die, or were euthanized because their owners did not know what they were getting into. My opinion is with the other people on this board, you are probably not ready for a puppy just yet. You may want to get a savings account for your pup and set aside a portion of each paycheck to help save up some funds.

Lorina · 06-30-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

My opinion is with the other people on this board, you are probably not ready for a puppy just yet. You may want to get a savings account for your pup and set aside a portion of each paycheck to help save up some funds.

Exactly.

I'm an adult, living on my own for 10+ years, own my own home, happily married, decent job and all that stuff, and I waited and saved up for a dog. I find it to be a huge red flag that you don't even have a breeder, rescue or dog picked out, and you're determined (as per your sig line) that you're getting a dog in 9 days.

I waited about two years from when I first decided "I want a dog" to actually getting mine. It's a huge responsibility, and I wanted to do it right. I probably put more effort into preparing for and looking for the right dog for me than I did my husband.

Heck, the way I look at it, a dog's a bigger responsibility than marriage. The dog is 100% dependent on you. My husband will survive if I don't cook him dinner. He can take care of his own bathroom needs. The dog? Not so much.