Puppy Mix Advice

[mumsy]

Hi everyone, we have gone to see a neighbour who has puppies. The mother is probably a lab cross pointer. The father lives across the road and is a golden retriever cross lab. I haven't met the father of the pups, but the mother seemed to have a lovely nature. There are a mix of nine puppies who are now 5 weeks old.

I know there is alot of debate about mixed breeds etc. We would welcome any advice about possible adoption. Our good friends across the street are also looking for a dog. We thought that perhaps getting litter mates, they could socialize alot without always living together as both of us would prefer to adopt only one dog.

Is there any way at this age to tell whether they will have a long or short coat?

Thanks in advance.

[Pete.the.dog]

Hi everyone, we have gone to see a neighbour who has puppies. The mother is probably a lab cross pointer. The father lives across the road and is a golden retriever cross lab. I haven't met the father of the pups, but the mother seemed to have a lovely nature. There are a mix of nine puppies who are now 5 weeks old.

I know there is alot of debate about mixed breeds etc. We would welcome any advice about possible adoption. Our good friends across the street are also looking for a dog. We thought that perhaps getting litter mates, they could socialize alot without always living together as both of us would prefer to adopt only one dog.

Is there any way at this age to tell whether they will have a long or short coat?

Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately the thing with crosses is you can't tell anything about them at their age: full size, coat, potential health issues etc

That said I have a rescue cross breed and he is absolutely gorgeous! (IMO)

I'm sure people will post much more detailed responses, just take it all into consideration and good luck

Edited January 14, 2010 by Pete.the.dog

[poodlefan]

What sort of advice were you after?

You've got three gundog breeds is this mix. The mix is 50% Lab. The pups could take after any of the breeds but its likely (not definite) that Lab will predominate. The dominant breed and one of the others are prone to hip and elbow displaysia. Two of the breeds can suffer from heart issues.

Basically, the pups are a bit of a lottery. I'd be looking hard at both parents in terms of temperament. I'd be looking hard at the temperament of the individual pup.

Big breed gundog pups can be pretty boistrous and require a fair bit of training. How old are your kids?

What's your primary interest in THIS litter?

[Christina]

Hi everyone, we have gone to see a neighbour who has puppies. The mother is probably a lab cross pointer. The father lives across the road and is a golden retriever cross lab. I haven't met the father of the pups, but the mother seemed to have a lovely nature. There are a mix of nine puppies who are now 5 weeks old.

I know there is alot of debate about mixed breeds etc. We would welcome any advice about possible adoption. Our good friends across the street are also looking for a dog. We thought that perhaps getting litter mates, they could socialize alot without always living together as both of us would prefer to adopt only one dog.

Is there any way at this age to tell whether they will have a long or short coat?

Thanks in advance.

Whoops you sure have picked the wrong forum to ask on

My answer is that given the mix of dogs, which may only be guesswork anyway & inaccurate. No difference even if its right.

There is no way of knowing what you will get. Unlikely to be a long coat as in a maltese or briard for example.

You will get a medium to large size dog, that may look like anything. Be of unknown temperament, with no health history other than mum & dad seem ok.

If you are saving a life & the pup is free, good luck.

If they ask for money say No. This just encourages them to do it again.

Its a pot luck choice.

[WreckitWhippet]

What kind of dog do you want ? what are your expectations ? what can you provide in terms of exercise and time spent with the dog ?

Edited January 14, 2010 by SBT123

[poodlefan]

One more thing.. if they want to sell you a pup aged six weeks, say no.

What sort of diet have Mum and the pups been on. Have they been regularly wormed?

[Snout Girl]

Hi everyone, we have gone to see a neighbour who has puppies. The mother is probably a lab cross pointer. The father lives across the road and is a golden retriever cross lab. I haven't met the father of the pups, but the mother seemed to have a lovely nature. There are a mix of nine puppies who are now 5 weeks old.

I know there is alot of debate about mixed breeds etc. We would welcome any advice about possible adoption. Our good friends across the street are also looking for a dog. We thought that perhaps getting litter mates, they could socialize alot without always living together as both of us would prefer to adopt only one dog.

Is there any way at this age to tell whether they will have a long or short coat?

Thanks in advance.

Whoops you sure have picked the wrong forum to ask on

Why shouldnt they be able to ask a question about possibly taking a neighbours mixed breed pup? Arent we trrying to educate and encourage responsible choices? If so, this is a great forum to ask on

[HugUrPup]

Arent we trrying to educate and encourage responsible choices? If so, this is a great forum to ask on

agreed

[mumsy]

We are looking to adopt a family member. We have four girls aged 8-14. My husband is a runner and would love to take the dog, once old enough with him. I am a stay at home mum, so am home most of the time. We had a goldie until about a year ago that died at 13. I would prefer shorter hair this time round but it isn't a necessity. Just a lovely temperment and good family member is all we are after.

We have been looking at rescue dogs, but a friend told us about this litter, so we went to look. Also thought that if we got a dog with our neighbour that they could have each other for company as well, but that isn't a priority.

The family isn't after money for the pups, but I have checked with our vet and know the cost of desexing, microchipping and shots already.

I suppose I wouldn't know about health issues.

Should I have put this under the Puppy forum instead?

[tdierikx]

Pups are very cute at 5-6 weeks of age... not so cute when they are 30kg and eating your house, shedding coat everywhere, and generally being a lot of hard work.

I have a smallish Labrador (crossbred at some stage of parentage) - she is now 4 years old and weighs around 28kg. She has a short coat, but sheds like an absolute bitch at this time of year. She is generally well behaved now - but during her adolescence was a complete PITA. I wouldn't swap her for anything in the world though... *grin*

If you are wanting to get a pup - make sure that the seller has vaccinated, wormed, and microchipped the pups - and they shouldn't be leaving their mother until at least 8 weeks of age... also, when choosing a pup, let the pup choose you - not the other way around. I've found that it's much easier to live with a dog that wants to be with you from the start...

T.

[Adnil444]

Hi, in my experience with dogs (over 40 years) it is a lottery with purebreeds and with crossbreeds. I now have 2 crossbreeds (doberman x kelpie and a doberman x rottie) and I couldn't be happier. I've had purebreeds in the past and the same breed can have lots of differences and puppies from the same litter have many differences (or behavioural traits). If the parents are of even sound temperment and are healthy, I think this mix would be fine as long as you socialise and exercise and train from an early age and continue to do so - this would go for all puppies regardless of breed.

If you are concerned about the puppies, have them vet checked beforehand. All dogs (regardless of breed) have issues, there is no perfect dog, however how you raise and train the dog will be what is important.

Good luck with your decision.

[Guest Ams]

Here is fine for the query. You will get mostly the same people responding anyway. It does sound like you have done some research and honestly whilst we do not support or encourage BYB if you can talk the owners of the dogs into desexing their animals respectively and can offer a good home to a puppy then go for it.

Any cross bred dog is a lottery with regard to temperament, health, etc but if you know there is a possibility for elbow and hip displasia and are able to cover the costs should they eventuate I see no problem. In all likelihood if these puppies do not find homes then there is every chance they will end up at a pound or shelter anyway.

By 8 weeks old you will have a reasonable idea of the temperament of the pups. Maybe read some of the pinned threads in puppy and training forums as well to help you choose the right temperament puppy for your family.

Pet insurance would be a good idea too.

If in doubt then don't get one but if it feels right then go for it.

[Christina]

Arent we trrying to educate and encourage responsible choices? If so, this is a great forum to ask on

agreed

The question really was will it have a long or short coat.

The lectures will come.

Hmm responsible choice

Taken as a puppy this choice will probably be as ok as a rescue, its not like the neighbour is trying to make a quick $ from a litter,as I read it.

[WreckitWhippet]

We are looking to adopt a family member. We have four girls aged 8-14. My husband is a runner and would love to take the dog, once old enough with him. I am a stay at home mum, so am home most of the time. We had a goldie until about a year ago that died at 13. I would prefer shorter hair this time round but it isn't a necessity. Just a lovely temperment and good family member is all we are after.

We have been looking at rescue dogs, but a friend told us about this litter, so we went to look. Also thought that if we got a dog with our neighbour that they could have each other for company as well, but that isn't a priority.

The family isn't after money for the pups, but I have checked with our vet and know the cost of desexing, microchipping and shots already.

I suppose I wouldn't know about health issues.

Should I have put this under the Puppy forum instead?

Sounds like another Golden, from an ethical registered breeder would suit your family

If you do decide to take on a puppy from across the road, they should not be leaving home until 8 weeks and should be wormed on a regular basis, have their first puppy vaccination provided and be microchipped.

ETA: I do not condone BYBing, my preference is for eberyone to purchase from an ethical registered breeder, who guarantee their pups and offer their full support or choose a dog from an ethical rescue.

Edited January 14, 2010 by SBT123

[poodlefan]

also, when choosing a pup, let the pup choose you - not the other way around. I've found that it's much easier to live with a dog that wants to be with you from the start...

T.

That will probably get you the most socially dominant pup every time.. or the one that sat quietly while the others madly played and are now sleeping.

This is where the breeder's knowledge is so important. 8 weeks of knowledgeable observation helps match pups to family. Little knowledge = another lottery.

[mumsy]

I am assuming at this point, because of the condition of the house that the pups have not received shots or worming. I know this family vaguely and although lovely people, probably don't go down that line. She has stated that they won't go to homes until Feb 6th which is 8 weeks. We have had a retriever in the past and we haven't made the decision to look for another dog lightly. We have been looking and on this forum for awhile now so that we didn't make a rash decision on "cute" etc. We have visitted a few shelters, applied for a dog with vic dog rescue, which was not successful and have looked on here too. I suppose I want to know that if they haven't had all this done before they went home, what the consequences could or would be?

[poodlefan]

I am assuming at this point, because of the condition of the house that the pups have not received shots or worming. I know this family vaguely and although lovely people, probably don't go down that line. She has stated that they won't go to homes until Feb 6th which is 8 weeks. We have had a retriever in the past and we haven't made the decision to look for another dog lightly. We have been looking and on this forum for awhile now so that we didn't make a rash decision on "cute" etc. We have visitted a few shelters, applied for a dog with vic dog rescue, which was not successful and have looked on here too. I suppose I want to know that if they haven't had all this done before they went home, what the consequences could or would be?

Where are the pups being raised Mumsy? I really hope they aren't in a shed or garage?

Edited January 14, 2010 by poodlefan

[Bindii]

We had a goldie until about a year ago that died at 13. I would prefer shorter hair this time round but it isn't a necessity. Just a lovely temperment and good family member is all we are after.

I have a pug and a samoyed and looking down at my black top i have far more annoying spikey pug furs in me that long white samoyed ones! It is very hard to say whether these puppies will end up being big shedders or not - but don't let the short hair fool you!

Good luck if you do chose one of these puppies, listen to the advice on here regarding the vaccination/check up/worming history of the pups etc.

As for socialising the pups - if you and your neighbour do get one each then that's fine and nice that your dog could have a doggy friend for life- but socialisation should also involve many dogs of different sizes/ages/types etc.

Naturally being a pure bred forum most on here would recommend you find a breed that suits yours and your families needs and adopt your puppy from an ethical, registered breeder. Or to rescue a perfect family member from a shelter.

But if the litter is there, and it's an oops litter, and they're not asking an exuberant amount and you like the sound of ALL of the breeds that are behind the pups then it is your choice...

EDIT: after reading your post above i would not be encouraging you to purchase a puppy from these people - unless they're giving the pups away. And even then this pup may end up costing *you* a lot of money given that there are no health tests of parents being conducted and that they have been brought up poorly. You said it was not to make money but if they're aren't taking adequate care of the pups and mum given the condition of the house also (as you stated) i definitely wouldn't want to encourage these people to breed (by giving them money) and to have another uncared for litter in the future. All of the breeds that are mentioned as being possible behind the pups are at risk of diseases such as hip dysplasia - among many other problems. I personally wouldn't take the risk or give my money to these people.

Edited January 14, 2010 by Bindii

[mumsy]

No they are in the house with the family which has two kids and the mother dog, and another male dog who is desexed. As I said, I just thought this is a good place to get advice.

[poodlefan]

No they are in the house with the family which has two kids and the mother dog, and another male dog who is desexed. As I said, I just thought this is a good place to get advice.

Raised in the house is a positive. If you decide to take one of these pups, get it wormed and get it vaccinated and microchipped at 7 weeks.. even if just yours and your neighbours are done.