How do I pick a breeder?

arybvtcw0eolkf

I'm trying my damnest to talk my wife around the idea of getting a dog, she's a cat lover.

The dog I have in mind, after much research, is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

I have a young family, plus an adorable cat (Sammy, you guys helped me pick/rescue her) and choosing a rescue dog isn't an option unfortunetly as I'd be genuinely nervous about introducing it to the family home and our cat Sammy.

So its got to be be a puppy.

Termperament is all important, showing or breeding the dog isn't at all inportant, although I don't mind paying good money for the right dog.

So, how do I choose a reputable dealer?.

nesf

Would this be the first dog that you've owned?

arybvtcw0eolkf

nesf wrote:

Would this be the first dog that you've owned?

As a family, yes.

But I've grown up with dogs all my life. Oldest lived for 17 yrs until being run over by a neighbour.

As as silly as this sounds, dogs love me!.
I get on great with dogs, love 'em in fact and have also found it returned.

nesf

Mairt wrote:

As a family, yes.

But I've grown up with dogs all my life. Oldest lived for 17 yrs until being run over by a neighbour.

As as silly as this sounds, dogs love me!.
I get on great with dogs, love 'em in fact and have also found it returned.

My only concern is that (from my experience) Staffies can be lovely dogs around people even calm ones can turn almost into different dogs when around strange dogs. Taking said dogs on walks in cities can be very difficult if you're not used to dogs and don't know how to control one or train one to be obedient.

Sigma Force

I would avoid getting any of the breeds of dog under the 'could be banned soon' breed that Dublin CO CO want to get rid of.

Btw there are plenty of rescues out there with dogs looking for good homes don't buy from a breeder. Paying a lot for a dog doesn't mean it's well bred. Watch out for chancers and puppy farmers.

EGAR

Guineapigrescue wrote:

I would avoid getting any of the breeds of dog under the 'could be banned soon' breed that Dublin CO CO want to get rid of.

I am sorry you feel that way. No wonder the ordinary peeps let themselves being trampled on by stupid legislation if there are self proclaimed animal lovers like you.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Guineapigrescue wrote:

I would avoid getting any of the breeds of dog under the 'could be banned soon' breed that Dublin CO CO want to get rid of..

I'm well aware of the DCC's decision in regards to "dangerous dogs" and I choose to ignore it, first I'm on living on council property so it (at this stage) doesn't affect me and two I've emailed my local councillors and TD's in relation to the matter

Guineapigrescue wrote:

Btw there are plenty of rescues out there with dogs looking for good homes don't buy from a breeder. Paying a lot for a dog doesn't mean it's well bred. Watch out for chancers and puppy farmers.

Read my original post, I don't want to take the chance with a rescue dog (unfortunetly). And I've asked "how do I pick a breeder", hoping that someone here with more experience than I could help me avoid "chancers and puppy farmers".

EGAR wrote:

I am sorry you feel that way. No wonder the ordinary peeps let themselves being trampled on by stupid legislation if there are self proclaimed animal lovers like you..

Jesus, stay on topic buddy and leave the personal attacks out of it please.

peasant

Mairt

as a general rule of thumb:

contact the IKC, find the relevant breeders club, ring all the breeders and the one that asks you the most questions and/or is most reluctant to sell you a pup is generally the best breeder

nesf

EGAR wrote:

I am sorry you feel that way. No wonder the ordinary peeps let themselves being trampled on by stupid legislation if there are self proclaimed animal lovers like you.

Actually it's fairly sensible if you are going to introduce a dog into the family. Having to send "our dog" away a year later (and knowing that it can happen) could be fairly traumatic on the kids.

Not that there's anything wrong with going for it and fighting in order to keep the dog.

Tabitharose

peasant wrote:

Mairt
as a general rule of thumb:

contact the IKC, find the relevant breeders club, ring all the breeders and the one that asks you the most questions and/or is most reluctant to sell you a pup is generally the best breeder

and make sure you get to meet the parents - stay well clear of any breeder who does not allow you to do so - I don't know where you're based but there are some places that run classes for puppies - so they can meet other puppies of a similar age - which I think is a fantastic idea

http://www.brayvet.com/

do them and I think Dog Training Ireland do something similar too

if you haven't had a dog in a while I'd recommend reading up on crate training too (I didn't & my lab girl destroyed my kitchen the first night she was here :rolleyes: )

oh and please please please post photos when the new arrival arrives

arybvtcw0eolkf

Tabitharose wrote:

oh and please please please post photos when the new arrival arrives

I will of course, but I've to get around the wife first!.

She's really against it, but then again she's against almost everything I want to do, I guess the rest of this story belongs in the personal issue's forum, lol.

The last time you guys helped me pick a pet was a few months after 'Tigger' died, here's a reminder http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055058193&highlight=tigger

So I promise if I get my Staffy I'll get some photo's up, but getting around the wife will be another thing!.

giddyup

peasants advice is pretty good. I was clueless about buying (QED) dogs when I eventually caved in to my wife's lifelong dream of getting a Beardie. I looked in the Golden Pages and I thought I'd be able to go into a pet shop and there'd be all the different breeds of puppies on a shelf and I'd be able to pick the cutest one. Luckily for dogs everywhere this is not the case I eventually figured out that you ring the IKC or check the website get the contact details of the breed club secretary and they will have a handle on who is breeding in the near future. Then you contact them or meet them at a show and the process begins. We were grilled and grilled by two different breeders and we had to make a trip to Cork for a "final interview" before someone was prepared to hand a puppy over to us. It was all worth it in the end though!

Ti

Guineapigrescue wrote:

I would avoid getting any of the breeds of dog under the 'could be banned soon' breed that Dublin CO CO want to get rid of.

QUOTE]


Nice Rebecka, really good advice.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Ti wrote:

Guineapigrescue wrote:

I would avoid getting any of the breeds of dog under the 'could be banned soon' breed that Dublin CO CO want to get rid of.

QUOTE]


Nice Rebecka, really good advice.

Stop trying to stir the sh*t, infact had I not known about the ban it would be good advice.

Vinnie K

Great choice of dog my friend, i have a beautiful staff named mikey. There so loveable, i dont have any kids but when ever we meet some he loves playing with them. What has been said already about them being a bit aggressive towards other dogs can be true but with good socialiseing(sp) from a young age thats easily sorted. If you ever wanna convince your wife by introduceing her or the kids to a staffie gimme a shout, im in dundrum.
Vinnie..

Sigma Force

Ok so I worded it wrong

What this poster said is what I meant they worded it better than me

Actually it's fairly sensible if you are going to introduce a dog into the family. Having to send "our dog" away a year later (and knowing that it can happen) could be fairly traumatic on the kids.

Not that there's anything wrong with going for it and fighting in order to keep the dog

.

What I meant to say is to consider another breed in case this breed is banned and the ban is spread to other householders aside from CO CO.

My fault for wording it wrong so apologies for that but I DID NOT intend to **** stir thank you very much!

gubbie

I got my cat from a breeder who is known for preducing great temperament in her animals. She's just gone into breeding dogs, so her dogs would be used to cats which is half way there!
http://coomakista.tripod.com/index.html
Here's her cat site, I'm sure there's a contact somewhere if you're interested

Sphynx.ie

Mairt wrote:

So, how do I choose a reputable dealer?.

i dont how about the dogs breeders, but or example in the cats area the breeder would pick you and not you him. He must make sure that you are suitable owner.

Best way to find good breeder- cats or dog show.:)

JarOfFlies

Mairt wrote:

I'm trying my damnest to talk my wife around the idea of getting a dog, she's a cat lover.

The dog I have in mind, after much research, is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

I have a young family, plus an adorable cat (Sammy, you guys helped me pick/rescue her) and choosing a rescue dog isn't an option unfortunetly as I'd be genuinely nervous about introducing it to the family home and our cat Sammy.

So its got to be be a puppy.

Termperament is all important, showing or breeding the dog isn't at all inportant, although I don't mind paying good money for the right dog.

So, how do I choose a reputable dealer?.

Mairt, I can't really answer your question, but a staffy is a great dog to get

I have one and she's adorable.