Help! My Friend Said They Are Buying A Dog

[poodlefan]

The attraction is that the kids friends all have one.

She may be open to suggestions but I've only ever had GSP's so don't know what to recommend to her. No way she's going to go for a GSP!

The kids friends may all have one but the pounds are full of them too. Popular and best dog for this family may not be one and the same.

Back to basics:

Inside/outside dog or outside only?

How much training and exercise will the dog get?

Do they want to take it to the dog park, the beach or on long walks?

Are they up for regular grooming and professional clipping?

[Sunnyflower]

Simple answer. RESCUE!!

I had a gorgeous little Shih Tzu x Maltese with me last year and the rescue groups are always riddle with the little fluffy puppies. Advertise to her that she can get the dog that she desires that for $400 the dog comes with ALL vet work done and she has lifetime support from the rescue group. MUCH better than the $800 pup Bill Smith is going to be selling in the local paper that doesn't care about the pups or how it's life unfolds.

[MelodysMum]

I think the Havanese are great little dogs, but they are very expensive!

If she has been told that Maltese don't have good temperaments tell her that crossing a Maltese with a Shih Tzu does not guarantee the offspring will not have the Maltese temperament.

They can inherit any characteristic from either parent. Why don't people get this? They always think that the specific characteristic they don't want will automatically be cancelled out by crossing the dog with another breed! What if the dog gets the bad qualities from both parents?

It's the same as with humans - you never know which features/characteristics a child will inherit from which parent so why would it be any different with dogs? My kids both inherited my weight problems, not their father's ability to eat anything and never put on weight, they both inherited their father's poor maths ability (when I was in the top 10 per cent of the state in maths in my HSC), they are both good at English and music (from me) which is something because their father is hopeless at both. My husband and I are both brunettes, our son is a redhead and our daughter is a blonde! We can't choose what parts of each parent we want in our human children, so why would it be different with dogs? Why don't people use common sense and apply the same logic to breeding dogs? :D

Tell her if she buys a crossbred it is like picking the mystery box instead of the prize you can see - you never know what you are going to get!!

[Simply Grand]

The attraction is that the kids friends all have one.

She may be open to suggestions but I've only ever had GSP's so don't know what to recommend to her. No way she's going to go for a GSP!

This is basically why I chose to get the dog I did - an apricot Poodle x Maltese ("moodle"). A friend of mine has one and I thought he was the sweetest, cutest thing ever (he is actually very sweet and cute). I did research "moodles" as well as Poodles and Malteses, and from the info I found, the cross suited me. However, the information you find on the internet is limited, and best case scenario! Saxon is a gorgeous dog and I love him to bits...

...HOWEVER, he is quite different from the "moodle" pup I first met - they are about the same size, but have different coat texture, shape, features, colouring, tempraments etc. I have also met several other "moodles", NONE of whom have turned out like Saxon - different sizes, colours, coats, tempraments...

I know I was lucky that Saxon turned out to be a great dog for me, but he takes work!

I brush him every second day, otherwise he matts, but he never actually looks neat, due to the mixed coat he has. He doesn't drop hair but his coat grows fast, and picks up dirt, sticks and smells. I'm learning to groom him myself (with $300 clippers) as groomers cost $60 a pop (for a 5kg dog). He also needs bathing about once a fortnight, which he doesn't love, and after a bath I trim his face, feet, bum and nails (which he also doesn't love). It takes half an hour to blow dry him. I have to pluck his ears and put stuff in them (which he hates) otherwise they get stinky and itchy. He's totally full of energy, he is always bringing me toys to throw or tug with him, and he's cheeky, he's a quick learner but he learns how to steal things and chew them without me noticing just as quickly a he learns what I want him to learn. He can be skittish on walks, he barks at ANY unusual noise even in the middle of the night (both Maltese traits I'm told), he still tries to play with the cats, even though he's had more than a year of them hissing at him. He has needed attention, support and constant vigilance from me when in public in order to be a confident and relaxed dog.

ETA - I'm single, don't have kids, so I have plenty of time to spend on the dog, but I know that having kids and a family to care for would limit that time...

When I got Saxon I knew very little about dogs. Looking back now though, I know that I should have just got a Mini Poodle (not that I'd change Saxon for anything). There was really nothing about Poodles that I didn't want, the only issue was the highly groomed image of them - sorry Poodle people, for me the teddy-bear look is really appealing, although I have seen some gorgeous groomed Poodles. My issue with Malteses was that I didn't want a white dog, and I had an negative image of Maltese temperament - based on nothing but what I'd heard over the years. In future I will definitely go for a reputable pure bred, unless I am ready to deal with the absolutely anything that comes with a rescue.

What I would say to your friend is, think about what you REALLY want in a dog. I think looks is an ok thing to have a preference on, but if they like the look of a Shih Tzu, get a pure bred, then they'll know what they're getting. They look quite different from a Maltese! If they like the look of a Maltese, get a pure bred Maltese, or if they want something a bit bigger and maybe a different temperament, like people have said a Havanese, or a Bichon Frise or a Poodle...

And if they get any of those breeds, be prepared for grooming, training and lots of energy!

Sorry to go on so much, I just feel I've learnt so much and would love to pass it on to others

Edited October 18, 2010 by Saxonpup

[The Ark]

Havanese please, lovely nature, non shed and not yappy! :D

This was going to be my suggestion too! Having met some beautiful Havs over the past 12 months and seeing them with children I couldn't think of a better small, fluffy dog! And not sure that pets are always $2,000?

Are your friends aware that all of these breeds have ongoing, regular grooming requirements? I'm sure you've already told them that.

And if they insist on that particular "cross" then, as many others have said, please rescue! It's funny that people think a particular breed might not have the best temperament, but are then happy to accept a crossbred that is still 50% that breed, believing that the 50% of the other breed automatically "wipes out" any negative traits. It's not about breed - it's about the dog, the way it's raised, it's own experiences. A maltese x shihtz raised by an unsocialised mum is possibly not going to give you the best start if you want a good temperament in a puppy.

Good on you, fiveplusone, for stepping up and helping your friend make a responsible decision.

[t-time]

A well-bred pet Havanese will put you back approx. $1500 - $1800 but there have been a couple of youngsters recently advertised for less - 6-8 months and haven't worked out for the show ring etc.

Owning both breeds, I would actually recommend a Tibetan Terrier to a family with 2 boys of this age. Young boys want a dog that is big enough to kick a football with - not the dog ending up being a football LOL! :D

TTs are larger Cocker Spaniel size rather than a Toy breed with the same qualities and similar looks as a Havanese.

Expect to pay approx. $1000 for a TT and remember to contact the Puppy Enquiries Registrar for the Tibetan Terrier Association - that'd be ME!!

[fiveplusone]

Thank you for all your replies.

She is very open to what I have been tellling her. She didn't understand about the problems with cross breeds but was very receptive when I told her to go for purebred and why.

They aren't hurrying into it, infact they won't be doing anything until the new year so they have time to research and pick the right dog for their family.

They want a small, non shedding, fluffy dog. She was adamant they didn't want a rescue, they want to have a puppy...not for the cuteness factor but simply because they want to know the history of the pup etc.

I will let her know about TT's and see what she thinks.

Thanks again, I knew I would find the help I needed here

Edited October 18, 2010 by fiveplusone

[poodlefan]

Thank you for all your replies.

She is very open to what I have been tellling her. She didn't understand about the problems with cross breeds but was very receptive when I told her to go for purebred and why.

They aren't hurrying into it, infact they won't be doing anything until the new year so they have time to research and pick the right dog for their family.

They want a small, non shedding, fluffy dog. She was adamant they didn't want a rescue, they want to have a puppy...not for the cuteness factor but simply because they want to know the history of the pup etc.

I will let her know about TT's and see what she thinks.

Thanks again, I knew I would find the help I needed here

Well bred Miniature Poodle! It doesn't have to be kept in fru fru clip. One will be athletic enough to play soccer with the kids, go on long walks and be a great family pet. Avoid white and they'll cut the bathing in half.

As long as they are up for a decent walk every day and some obedience training, I reckon they'd love one. I know a few adult men who won't have any other breed as they grew up with poodles. :D

[fiveplusone]

Thank you for all your replies.

She is very open to what I have been tellling her. She didn't understand about the problems with cross breeds but was very receptive when I told her to go for purebred and why.

They aren't hurrying into it, infact they won't be doing anything until the new year so they have time to research and pick the right dog for their family.

They want a small, non shedding, fluffy dog. She was adamant they didn't want a rescue, they want to have a puppy...not for the cuteness factor but simply because they want to know the history of the pup etc.

I will let her know about TT's and see what she thinks.

Thanks again, I knew I would find the help I needed here

Well bred Miniature Poodle! It doesn't have to be kept in fru fru clip. One will be athletic enough to play soccer with the kids, go on long walks and be a great family pet. Avoid white and they'll cut the bathing in half.

As long as they are up for a decent walk every day and some obedience training, I reckon they'd love one. I know a few adult men who won't have any other breed as they grew up with poodles.

Actually when she was telling me what they wanted my immediate thought was mini poodle. I never suggested it though as knowing her husband I can just imagine his reaction, however I have emailed her with what you said. Maybe if I can find a nice photo of a mini poodle thats not in a fru fru clip and they may think about it!

[poodlefan]

Actually when she was telling me what they wanted my immediate thought was mini poodle. I never suggested it though as knowing her husband I can just imagine his reaction, however I have emailed her with what you said. Maybe if I can find a nice photo of a mini poodle thats not in a fru fru clip and they may think about it!

I am grooming Darcy tonight. I"ll post a pic of my efforts. She can buy her hubby the same T-Shirt my friend got hers. It said "The Poodle is NOT with me" He was completely smitten within a fortnight. Poodle pups are gorgeous.

In the meantime, here's a headshot.

Edited October 18, 2010 by poodlefan

[fiveplusone]

thanks PF, I've emailed her your post and pic

Anyway, never mind my friend......I think I want a poodle now!!!

(hmmm, how do you think a minii poodle would go with a GSP??)

Edited October 18, 2010 by fiveplusone

[poodlefan]

thanks PF, I've emailed her your post and pic

Anyway, never mind my friend......I think I want a poodle now!!!

(hmmm, how do you think a minii poodle would go with a GSP??)

My three poodles run with FHRPs GSP without issue. He has been taught from a very early age to respect their space. ETA: Darcy had a tug of war with Polo on the weekend. Darcy was tugging with all his might - Polo just stood there.

Adding a poodle pup with the older dogs would be easier than a GSP pup with poodles I reckon.

You do know there's a breed called a Pudelpointer don't you?? It combined Standard Poodle with (English) Pointers.

Edited October 18, 2010 by poodlefan

[poodlefan]

Oops - double post

Edited October 18, 2010 by poodlefan

[MelodysMum]

Make sure your friend knows not to buy a puppy from a pet shop. It happens so often, someone convinces their friend/relative not to buy a designer dog then they get sick of waiting for a puppy from a registered breeder, fall in love with a puppy in a pet shop and buy it!

[fiveplusone]

Make sure your friend knows not to buy a puppy from a pet shop. It happens so often, someone convinces their friend/relative not to buy a designer dog then they get sick of waiting for a puppy from a registered breeder, fall in love with a puppy in a pet shop and buy it!

I don't think she will. They don't want a dog until next year and sound like they are really thinking things through, especially since our talk yesterday.