We've been looking but with Covid Restrictions, not too many people were selling, very few Ads and not the dog size or price I was looking for, and if there were, they sold almost right away? Now that some restrictions have been lifted, there are quite a few Ads but prices are way out of my range. There are many Wanted Dog Ads, many people aren't willing to pay the high price of what some breeders (or not breeders) are asking, so they put in the price they are willing to pay? I am so discouraged. When am I going to find a dog?
Still don't have a dog?
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Without knowing where you live, or what the criteria you're looking for are, it's hard to give helpful advice. What's available from breeders and in rescue/shelters varies a lot by region. Can you be more specific about what you want, where you are, and how far you're willing to travel to get a dog?
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I do not know what you are looking for but well bred German Shepherd puppies (parents passing x rays and health tests and titled in working sport to at least a "1") run from $1800 and up.. Most run around $2000-$2500. I cannot imagine a well bred dog with all those things in place costing less regardless of the breed. Rare breeds can be much more. Just tossing that out there.
Sometimes you can find a retired breeding or show dog for less. When my IPO dog was retired (barely age 5, so not old) I screened homes and found her a wonderful person. I did not charge anything for her and she was very highly trained! I get regular updates too (dog goes on cruises, goes to the beach, rides in a Camaro and goes on outings to wineries and to big parks where her owner runs.. dog has a better life than I do!). The deal is if anything happens and they cannot keep her she comes back to me.
Sometimes you can find a retired breeding or show dog for less. When my IPO dog was retired (barely age 5, so not old) I screened homes and found her a wonderful person. I did not charge anything for her and she was very highly trained! I get regular updates too (dog goes on cruises, goes to the beach, rides in a Camaro and goes on outings to wineries and to big parks where her owner runs.. dog has a better life than I do!). The deal is if anything happens and they cannot keep her she comes back to me.
I don't want anything more than 25 lbs tops, so that leaves it to small, to small medium dogs. I am in Canada, Mb, and distance is a problem as I would prefer to find something close to home where we can pick the dog up or have it delivered?.
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That's a pretty wide-open field when it comes to potential dogs.
I did searches for small and medium dogs in Manitoba and got quite a few results, including this little guy: Adopt Louie on Petfinder
Of course, Manitoba is big, so that doesn't really narrow it down.
Personally, since you're not up for paying good breeder prices, I'd figure out a few good shelters/rescues that are within driving distance of your place, and if they don't currently have a dog suitable for you, get pre-approved for adoption and ask them to contact you if a dog that meets your criteria comes in.
Thank you, I seen that AD, Louie is cute, but I don't think he is the right fit? I have grand kids coming into this house, and I want it safe for them as well. Also I have no idea where that location is? I've been keeping a close eye on the available pets and nothing much is coming up for what I am looking for? There have been Ads up, and by the next morning, it says they have all been reserved or sold. I should mention, price is a factor, too, I've been in touch with a few but there were problems, where the dogs were too big, or it was a distance problem to get the dog or other.? Then we had so many restrictions, even the Ads dwindled down to next to nothing. There are very few to next to no small dogs in the shelters. Yes Breeders are showing plenty of Ads of theirs, but I cannot afford Breeders Prices? I don't want an aging pet, as I have just recently been through taking care of our elderly dog, that was a worry, lots of work and then a loss. I'm not ready to go through that again so soon after..
I'm hoping there will be more options in the shelters once parents go back to work and kids go back to school and don't want their pets anymore, so I will keep an eye. I don't know what we will end up with? Will keep looking. Thank you for your thoughtful help
I'm hoping there will be more options in the shelters once parents go back to work and kids go back to school and don't want their pets anymore, so I will keep an eye. I don't know what we will end up with? Will keep looking. Thank you for your thoughtful help
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I know exactly how you feel. My dog passed away last February and I miss her so very much. I have been looking for a new baby and have all the exact same problems as you. The shelters are mostly empty (which is great for the dogs!) and all the small dogs (I'm looking for one around ten pounds) that they get are immediately gone! The most I can spend on a puppy is $1200 and there just aren't any available for that amount. I know all we can do is keep trying and be patient but it is sooo very hard. I wish you lots of luck finding your new baby!
Thank you, it helps for me to read that I'm not the only one with this problem? First there is a non refundable holding fee if you get to the Ad on time? Why non refundable? Holding fees are unnecessary if they would just sell their puppies when ready to go and not way before?. Not to mention that most of the dogs are an hour or two drive to pick up out of the city? Not everyone owns a vehicle to travel distances. The best and most reasonable prices is from a local Pet shelters, they are accessible, affordable, often with neutering or spaying included,, unlike some other Ads posted? Unfortunately, many of the dogs there, are large breed or elderly and not everyone can accommodate them, due to lack of space or children, and other reasons.
I think once this Covid threat lessens and people are back to jobs, and schools, there will be many more pets in the shelters or posted for re homing in the Ads! Best of luck to you also in finding your forever fur baby.
I think once this Covid threat lessens and people are back to jobs, and schools, there will be many more pets in the shelters or posted for re homing in the Ads! Best of luck to you also in finding your forever fur baby.
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I would not trust any ads on Facebook, Craigslist, etc. from people who are selling "cheap" puppies. If you want to spend less up front, go with a reputable adoption center or rescue organization.
If you are having trouble finding the right SIZE dog at your local rescue, try a "breed-specific" rescue. Find a few breeds that are the right size and personality for you (Havanese, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Pug, Maltese, Bichon Frise) and then find that breed's "parent club" website (Google search: breed name + Club of Canada). Most parent clubs have a rescue page on their website. For example, the Pug Club of Canada has a rescue page here: Rescue – Pug Club of Canada. You can also contact the club itself and express your interest in adopting that breed (or breed mix). Hope that helps.
If you are having trouble finding the right SIZE dog at your local rescue, try a "breed-specific" rescue. Find a few breeds that are the right size and personality for you (Havanese, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Shih Tzu, Pug, Maltese, Bichon Frise) and then find that breed's "parent club" website (Google search: breed name + Club of Canada). Most parent clubs have a rescue page on their website. For example, the Pug Club of Canada has a rescue page here: Rescue – Pug Club of Canada. You can also contact the club itself and express your interest in adopting that breed (or breed mix). Hope that helps.
Oh, I can't believe this, I've been keeping an eye out for small to medium dogs on Forums and Shelters and just about everywhere, and almost every Ad posted is for WANTED puppies/dogs. They are all bought out, and the odd one that isn't, are all reserved or already sold or asking to put down a deposit for their next litter, which I'm uncomfortable doing? There are lots of people in the same boat as us looking for their forever friend. Seems so hopeless now.
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I mean, I would definitely check references and makes sure the person was reputable and reliable before giving them any money, and I'd need a clear contract, but it's routine for high quality litters to be sold out well before they're born. Reputable breeders like to know all the pups they produce will definitely have good homes.
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Yep. Good breeders usually have a waiting list of people who want a puppy long before a breeding even takes place, frequently with preference given to previous puppy buyers or show/performance homes. Sometimes a pup in a litter already on the ground will become available because of things like more pet quality pups than show prospect pups, or someone on the list only wants a specific color of a specific gender, or someone on the list no longer wants a puppy for whatever reason. But ads saying something along the lines of "we have a litter ready to go home, come pick what you want" are more indicative of a not so good breeder.
I find it hard to trust anyone. A couple here, did all the right things, met the people selling the puppy,, paid a deposit ahead of time to hold the puppy,, even met and picked their puppy from the litter,, and waited for when puppy was ready to be rehomed, but when it came time to pick up the dog on the date that was given,, the couple went to the address they had previously been at,, and it was vacated. Of course they put in a Police report but their deposit was gone and so was their puppy? .
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You're afraid if you put a deposit on a dog the sellers are going to move house to parts unknown to scam you out of the puppies? That sounds like way too much work. You can choose a breeder that's long known and established in the local community and has a history of being reliable. Reach out to a local dog sports group, or kennel club, or training facility, or whatever, and ask them to point you in the right direction. Sure, you might get unlucky and choose a breeder who then happens to get abducted by aliens or something, but the odds are against it.
As to looking for these dogs in ads and online postings, small cute young healthy nice dogs are not going to sit long in rescue or shelters. That's why you contact rescues, schmooze a little, and get pre-approved and get on a waiting list. Many of the little fluffballs they get in are probably never even being posted in advertisements, just going straight to new homes. Same thing with good breeders - generally speaking, your good dog breeder is seldom going to have to advertise a litter on the ground. They'll already have people interested in their future pups before the pups are born. Sure, every once in a while there are legit exceptions, but your chances are much better if you're proactive rather than reactive.
When we got Murphy I did respond to an ad. I arranged to see the breeder who assured me this was a one time litter (daddy was only 10 months old and due for being fixedbut had done the dirty deed while no one was watching)
Once I had her address Im not ashamed to say I trawled the internet and checked her and her address out.I made sure there were no other ads linked to her or her home , no county court rulings, no complaints and no animal business regestered ..
When I went to see the pups I got there early having already checked out the local area to see if there were any 'puppies for sale' ads in local stores etc..
However I need not have worried the breeder was obviously crazy about her dogs and both mum and dad were there to meet us she had all their paperwork at the ready including dads latest entry from the vet... he had been fixed. It was an honest doggy household with an oops litter from two very much loved pets. I was the one who offered a deposit and the breeder was surprised but grateful. I realise raising pups is not cheap and I didnt want to leave her out of pocket for what was essentially my dog.
George was an adoption, again I responded to an ad looking for a new home. By this time Murphy had his own social media page and I just repllied and said , we are looking for a dog who would like to be a pal to Murphy share soft cosy beds, nice bowls of food , go for long walks in the country and have two humans doting on his every wish.
If you think your dog would be happy in this house please check out Murphy's FB page and give me a call. ( a bit of a dating ad really)
Within 30 minutes his owner called me and said Murphys life looked like doggy heaven . She asked me to come and meet George which was a two hour drive so we did. She told me she would only let George go if there was a click with us and I said that was fine I would just come for coffee and the rest was up to her.
We met, we chatted, I loved George straight away and then all of a sudden his owner started packing his things .
She said she knew he was going to be happy with us and so she had no worries.
At that point I got my wallet out and asked her about the adoption fee but she said in exchange for the life we were offering him.. No charge.
Sometimes it does pay to be pro-active and push what you have to offer rather than just go armed with a list of what you want. I dont mean that in a monetary way I would gladly have paid money for George but other people were not invited to even see him because we were able to paint a picture of a good life which is what his owner needed.
Once I had her address Im not ashamed to say I trawled the internet and checked her and her address out.I made sure there were no other ads linked to her or her home , no county court rulings, no complaints and no animal business regestered ..
When I went to see the pups I got there early having already checked out the local area to see if there were any 'puppies for sale' ads in local stores etc..
However I need not have worried the breeder was obviously crazy about her dogs and both mum and dad were there to meet us she had all their paperwork at the ready including dads latest entry from the vet... he had been fixed. It was an honest doggy household with an oops litter from two very much loved pets. I was the one who offered a deposit and the breeder was surprised but grateful. I realise raising pups is not cheap and I didnt want to leave her out of pocket for what was essentially my dog.
George was an adoption, again I responded to an ad looking for a new home. By this time Murphy had his own social media page and I just repllied and said , we are looking for a dog who would like to be a pal to Murphy share soft cosy beds, nice bowls of food , go for long walks in the country and have two humans doting on his every wish.
If you think your dog would be happy in this house please check out Murphy's FB page and give me a call. ( a bit of a dating ad really)
Within 30 minutes his owner called me and said Murphys life looked like doggy heaven . She asked me to come and meet George which was a two hour drive so we did. She told me she would only let George go if there was a click with us and I said that was fine I would just come for coffee and the rest was up to her.
We met, we chatted, I loved George straight away and then all of a sudden his owner started packing his things .
She said she knew he was going to be happy with us and so she had no worries.
At that point I got my wallet out and asked her about the adoption fee but she said in exchange for the life we were offering him.. No charge.
Sometimes it does pay to be pro-active and push what you have to offer rather than just go armed with a list of what you want. I dont mean that in a monetary way I would gladly have paid money for George but other people were not invited to even see him because we were able to paint a picture of a good life which is what his owner needed.
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