BYB vent and people's expectations

[jenn D]

I honestly don't know where to put this post, so if its in the wrong place, please move it Mods. :)

 

I'm a bit frustrated and a little shocked regarding a recent event. A close friend is wanting to get a puppy for their family for Christmas (we can all go into the holiday/ puppy thing later but just bear with me). They want a new pup because their other dog is very old and they have always had a dog etc and want to get their new 4 legged family member while old one is still alive. They have always got shelter dogs.  To be fair, they are VERY good to the dogs in their family. They take good care of it, exercise, training, its truly a part of their family.

They have a medium dog and they really want a small dog. They asked me to help locate one because they know I do "dog stuff". Now I researched ALOT before I got our dog. I researched breeders more than a year before finally selecting a breeder and I had to make sure we were done with all the medical stuff at our house before adding a dog. It was a 2 year search until I brought our first doodle home. I told them this. But they want the Christmas puppy.

I know the general public doesn't typically think this much beforehand and my friend is no different. They want a Christmas puppy under the premise that they will all be home for 2 1/2 weeks and they think that will be a good time to bring pup in. I've discussed in depth with them issues with this as well as charging into this guns blazing expecting to find anything now without research. I have my own opinions about that but lets move on.

They asked if I knew of any rescues of small "poo" dogs. I was like "whats a poo dog?" but apparently that can be a malti-poo, sheltie-poo, yorkie-poo, small dogs crossed with a small poodle. I guess I should have known this seeing as I have labradoodles. opps.

Anyway, I looked and talked to all the rescues. No poos. Just pitbulls or Chihuahuas are really all that's available.  I don't know if the general public all want Christmas pups or what but their isn't a lot of selection at the shelters.

So I suggested contacting breeders. But that takes a lot of work.  I started to do this for them but oh dear, I cannot believe how many BRB there are. Breeding all kinds of random small dogs to each other without thought. No health guarantees and the oddest names I've ever heard.  I mean when I was researching for myself I had to go out of state to find someone reputable.  I guess I never really dealt with BRB. The phone calls to some of these places were very sketchy.

 

I really couldn't find anything I could recommend. So what a frustrating situation all around.  I know many of you will say to dissuade them from getting a pup for Christmas. Its not going to happen because they have their minds set and they are pretty much like family to us.  I was trying to help make the best out of the situation but it was just upsetting. Thanks for letting me vent. I know you guys get it.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

That's tough, Jenn. I understand your frustrations. I have several friends who said they are thinking about getting a dog and even though I love them dearly, all I can think about is that I don't think they can provide the best home for the dogs. Sad but true.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Jenn, kudos to you for trying to talk some sense into them and refusing to deal with these sketchy breeders. That's all you can do.  I guess the one bright spot is that they have had dogs before and are good to their dogs. I just hope they know what they might be getting into with some of these small poo-mixes and that the senior dog doesn't suffer. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

The shelters in southern California are always FULL of poo dogs - usually white and a mix of BIchon or Maltese or  Yourkie or chihuahua with poodle. These dogs are being put down at an alarming rate, send them to the shelter.   IMO most of these poo mixes are from puppy mills or BYB.  As to a back yard bred dog, I have a beautiful English Springer Spaniel that we have spent about 10 grand on.  He has had orthopedic and skin issues aqs well as anxiety.  He is sweet, but do they really want to go there?  We didn't know better ten years ago, but we sure do now. I can send them  pictures of Gordie in his casts, without fur - what else do they need? 

You stated that they are committed dog owners and take good care of their dogs, so who cares when they get it? As a school teacher, I get the being off work to get the pup and be home with it.  Our kids were even planned for summer so that I could be home.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Nancy, you are so right.

What is with California and the poo-mix pups?  Hundreds every week.  I know we all have all kinds of dogs  in all our states, but this past year CA is full of tiny poodle dogs being put down by the buckets.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Mind-boggling. Kill shelters filled with adorable little non-shedding poo-mix dogs. Only in So Cal do kill shelters look like The Wizard of Claws pet shops. 

[Breanna]

Southern California is a trendy kind of place. Everyone wants what is "in" of everything. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

And it is killin' me.  And we just can't save them all, so whenever I see that someone is looking for a guaranteed non-shedding small dog, I push these small guys.

[jenn D]

Oh man, that makes me so sad. :(

[Lynda Kamrath]

My cousin is involved in Wheaten Terrier rescue and I know there are plenty of them "out there".  I would suggest finding the best dog for them to rescue and give him/her a new home.  They may even get the family involved in the search for their new family member.  Actually, I have no problem with Christmas puppies as long as they are made an integral part of the family.  And finding a replacement for an elderly dog is a good idea.  It might even add some life to the old fellow.  There are so many dogs out there that need a new home and family to love them.  I would say go for it.

[Breanna]

I am a preschool teacher and the kids have been saying they want a puppy for Christmas, and now I think about this post!