I want to get a dog

Cherry Blossom

anewme wrote: »

That’s a bit harsh and unfair . English may not be the posters first language. Does not mean they won’t love the dog.

Maybe so, I am not in any way racist so I hope I haven’t come across that way. They will need to be able to articulate why they want a Pomeranian. ‘I watched funny videos of them’ and ‘I want cuddles’ isn’t going to cut the mustard. I would never have thought the OP had a nine year old son, they come across as being a young teenager which I am putting down to their use of English.

memomtoo

Zak Flaps wrote: »

Memomtoo - Do NOT buy from online sites. Many of these people are selling dogs from cruel puppy farms, and may end up having behavioural or medical issues from the word go.
Someone posted earlier that you may be waiting years to get the exact pup you want from a reputable breeder.
I would contact a few rescues and get your name on some waiting lists. Tell them your situation and what kind of dog you're interested in. I know <snip> are currently fostering them first to see if the dog is suitable instead of just giving them up for adoption. Maybe a lot of the other rescues are doing that also.

Cavalier King Charles, Shih Tzu, Maltese, Bichon Frise, Pug, Miniature Poodle, French Bulldog, Daschund are suitable small breeds when it comes to kids.

Ahh thanks a mill I literally noted them down for researching more!

memomtoo

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

Maybe so, I am not in any way rasist so I hope I haven’t come across that way. They will need to be able to articulate why they want a Pomeranian. ‘I watched funny videos of them’ and ‘I want cuddles’ isn’t going to cut the mustard. I would never have thought the OP had a nine year old son, they come across as being a young teenager which I am putting down to their use of English.

I have no time to deal with this please
See other posters how they are respecting
May be you are not used to chatting with different people, as long as we take it positive it sounds positive
Cuddles are absolutely suitable to using for dogs as they are as innocent as babies and at same time when i compared with babies i mean to treat it like a baby as well! So my babies arent ofcourse toys for me...

Cherry Blossom

Here is a good site that gives a brief overview of different breeds and their common health problems.

https://www.dogbreedhealth.com/

I suggest you research all the breeds that may suit you before making a choice based on what you find. Then you will be able to answer the question why you want that breed. Please look at breed specific sites for more in depth descriptions on temperament and breed traits. Funny videos on youtube will not add much to your research.

Cherry Blossom

Dogs do not like to be cuddled the way you might cuddle a child or a stuffed toy. It is a quick way to get bitten.

em_cat

In all honesty, I was raging red when I saw the OP requesting a tea cup size, however I waited to make a reply as I know that it is too easy to come across as judgemental when it comes to things like people searching for dogs in this country.

OP, in reality, you want your children and yourself to have the best experience when it comes to having a puppy, and that’s very understandable. Please understand that say when a tea cup is advertised, the mum has most likely had to have a forced c section as they often can’t deliver naturally due the littler size, the puppies often have faulty heart issues and can almost never receive anaesthetic or pain relief should they need it, they tend to also have underdeveloped brains, bones and organs and generally not bred from the best of breed samples, for lack of better wording... I know that Instagram and YouTube are full of videos of the tiny micro and tea cup sizes, you just need to be able to resist and see that part of pet ownership is caring about how that pet has been bred and cared for before you ever get it.

Maybe look into the toy type breeds, someone listed a few, although I would stay away from the french bull dogs or pugs as they have a myriad of breathing difficulties and some of the most puppy farmed and unscrupulously bred breeds, also the breed clubs haven’t done much to help them yet either.

Grainnef93

I have 2 kids with 6 dogs, we have german shepherds and 1 American bulldog and they are great with kids but not for every owner. And honestly be prepared to pay for quality dog food, vet bills, grooming and everything else. Small fluffy dogs need lots of grooming and maintaining.

Dogs go for a small fortune now so you could expect to pay over 1k. And the puppy stage can be like having a toddler. But if you put the time and effort in the outcome is a best friend for life.

As someone who works with dogs and has seen the down side to owners not putting the work in. You really need to be sure that your prepared to train, socialise and care for a dog.

volchitsa

memomtoo wrote: »

Cuddles are absolutely suitable to using for dogs as they are as innocent as babies and at same time when i compared with babies i mean to treat it like a baby as well! So my babies arent ofcourse toys for me...

Actually this is something I didn't really know until I got a dog myself, which is that while they love attention, they usually don't like to be held or cuddled, and I think that's what people are trying to explain to you, OP. Studies show that all dogs, even the ones that tolerate being hugged and cuddled by their owner, still show signs of stress when they're being held - and a novice owner and their children probably aren't going to be able to notice that in time. That's why there's a risk of a child being bitten.

My dog is anyone's for a belly rub or a stroke, but she doesn't like being held. She likes to come to you for a stroke. She tolerates us holding her because she's so good natured, but smaller dogs may find being held even more stressful than a bigger dog. In my exerience they sometimes tend to be more aggressive than big dogs, and being tiny in a big stressful world with boisterous children probably wouldn't help.

So while you may not have meant it to sound like you intend to let your boys carry the dog around like a toy, I think that's what some people are hearing.

I hope you find a dog that suits your family, but you say you never had a pet: in that case you do need to know that having a dog is far more work than, say, a cat. They really need your attention every day, in a way that cats just don't. And their behaviour can get very challenging (especially if you add children into the mix) if they don't get enough attention from their owners.

Someone said a puppy is like having a toddler that can run very fast and with very sharp teeth - which I thought was so true! But don't forget that if you don't have the time to train the puppy, its behaviour won't improve much from that puppy stage.

ZX7R

Would a cat not suit the op better, from reading there posts they seem to be seeking cuddles a cat would be a much better option.
Not one of the high maintenance types.
A nice short hair tabby would suit there family perfect.
Easy to toilet train, rarely get sick,would also only require once a year check up with the vet.
Does not require been taken for a walk.

Ave Sodalis

memomtoo wrote: »

Cuddles are absolutely suitable to using for dogs as they are as innocent as babies and at same time when i compared with babies i mean to treat it like a baby as well! So my babies arent ofcourse toys for me...

Hi OP. I'm not going to weigh in on getting the dog as I feel most points have been covered at this stage. However, for the interest of safety, I feel I have to respond to this so please do not take it the wrong way.

Majority of dogs do not enjoy cuddles. The very act of cuddling (wrapping your arms around their neck) is seen as a threatening manoeuvre in canine body language and whilst some dogs tolerate it, they rarely enjoy it. If there are to be cuddles, it is usually on the dog's terms and in the dog's way, which is something children especially can struggle to understand. My dog is a cuddly dog and has no concept of personal space. However, if I tried to force a cuddle on him, he will probably bite me.

The second point is to please, do not treat your dog like a baby. It is incredibly detrimental to their mental and emotional health. I cannot tell you how many dogs, particularly small dogs, that I've met with severe behaviour issues because they've been babied. Dogs are dogs, even if they're small. You can consider them as part of the family, or even en par with your children if you wish, but treating them like a child will result in an incredibly confused dog which often leads to aggression issues.

Again, please do not take this as an attack on your post. These are just very important things to know.

myNewName

memomtoo wrote: »

Definitely ill be prepared for all that
I work so can afford for another baby

All we want to cuddles too
Thats the reason i started researching on everything
Really thanks for all headsup
But still confused when checking online sellers
Whats the best thing to check first and what to prepare with
And how much its gonna cost
Example someone advertised for 2500e for pomeranian puppy
Someone for 1500 what could be so different
Whom to trust best

I have a rescue “teacup” pomeranian, got her at a couple of weeks old and is 13 now. She hates kids, when kids come up looking to pet her out and about I’ve to warn the parents she bites. Most of them say it’s ok their kids are good with dogs, that’s not fair on my dog, she’s not good with kids!
She’s cost an absolute fortune in vet bills, is very loud and demanding when wanting food or exercise. I wouldn’t change her, but I’d think long and hard about it OP!

anewme

Zak Flaps wrote: »

It's true. There is a shortage of small dogs. Any that come in to the shelters over here are snapped up. Huge waiting lists as a previous poster said.
Do you know how much it is to rescue from abroad? I don't actually know .
A friend who is in the UK is importing a rescue from Cyprus. I must ask her how much it's costing.

I read on a UK site about rescues abroad importing Brusslossis (worst spelling ever) Not sure if that is an issue

headtheball14

Knowing everything about dogs doesn’t mean you will be a good kind owner, many of the backyard breeders in Ireland have grown up with dogs and are knowledgeable but still don’t care for their dogs.

You haven’t just looked up online and bought a puppy for Christmas , so well done for taking the time to think this through.

For rescues with the age of your children it may not be easy to adopt. Many of the smaller breed dogs may be surrendered because they have issues with health or behaviour due to their owners not having taken this time to consider all of the issues.

One of the best things you could do is volunteer with a rescue, I think many have volunteers who commit to visit and walk the dogs and help them to socialize and find their new homes. I’m not sure if I can name them.
It would be a good way to learn about different type of dogs and help you learn more about dog ownership .

Antares35

em_cat wrote: »

OP, in reality, you want your children and yourself to have the best experience when it comes to having a puppy, and that’s very understandable. Please understand that say when a tea cup is advertised, the mum has most likely had to have a forced c section as they often can’t deliver naturally due the littler size, the puppies often have faulty heart issues and can almost never receive anaesthetic or pain relief should they need it, they tend to also have underdeveloped brains, bones and organs and generally not bred from the best of breed samples, for lack of better wording... I know that Instagram and YouTube are full of videos of the tiny micro and tea cup sizes, you just need to be able to resist and see that part of pet ownership is caring about how that pet has been bred and cared for before you ever get it.

Sadly the welfare of the breeding bitch is something that is very often overlooked when people are seeking out puppies.

OP I would also be concerned that a dog that tiny might not withstand the typical (and well intended) rough housing that young boisterous kids engage in. It wouldn't be their fault because kids will be kids, but would you not be concerned about a tiny teacup dog being stood/ sat on etc.?

em_cat

Antares35 wrote: »

Sadly the welfare of the breeding bitch is something that is very often overlooked when people are seeking out puppies.

OP I would also be concerned that a dog that tiny might not withstand the typical (and well intended) rough housing that young boisterous kids engage in. It wouldn't be their fault because kids will be kids, but would you not be concerned about a tiny teacup dog being stood/ sat on etc.?

In ours it definitely would be a concern:) we had a teeny weeny pup, I’d say she was a runt chihuahua in for foster that I had to be very careful with as at 13 weeks she wasn’t any bigger than a Guinea Pig. She had a big attitude and was very sweet. She does live with a couple of bigger dogs and holds her own, but she does have several health issues & vet visits are stressful bc she can’t receive anaesthesia due to her size.

I'd like to give the OP the benefit of doubt as social media has a lot to answer for in promoting the tea cup breeding so I’m hoping she’ll take heed of theses posts.

eviltwin

eviltwin wrote: »

Its not just the money, its the time commitment. A dog needs to be walked - often twice a day. That means no matter how wet or cold it is, no matter what is on tv you want to watch or if you don't feel like it. It really is like taking care of a small child only one that will never grow up. It really sounds like you want a living doll for your kids and haven't really seen beyond the cuteness to what work actually goes into looking after a pet.

Depends on the dog tbh. Mine will moan to get out any day if she's not been out by 2/3pm but if it's pissing rain she'll look at me and sit down til I take her lead off so she can run back into the sofa. :pac:

Panthro

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Depends on the dog tbh. Mine will moan to get out any day if she's not been out by 2/3pm but if it's pissing rain she'll look at me and sit down til I take her lead off so she can run back into the sofa. :pac:

Lurcher/ greyhound family by any chance?!

Panthro

Panthro wrote: »

Lurcher/ greyhound family by any chance?!

Nah Westie cross, probably with a Jack Russell. Should be hardy enough but she loves her comfort. :L Sometimes she'll go out and change her mind halfway through a walk so if it's a bad day I tend not to stray far from the house/car because she'll usually want to stop quite soon.

memomtoo

Ave Sodalis wrote: »

Hi OP. I'm not going to weigh in on getting the dog as I feel most points have been covered at this stage. However, for the interest of safety, I feel I have to respond to this so please do not take it the wrong way.

Majority of dogs do not enjoy cuddles. The very act of cuddling (wrapping your arms around their neck) is seen as a threatening manoeuvre in canine body language and whilst some dogs tolerate it, they rarely enjoy it. If there are to be cuddles, it is usually on the dog's terms and in the dog's way, which is something children especially can struggle to understand. My dog is a cuddly dog and has no concept of personal space. However, if I tried to force a cuddle on him, he will probably bite me.

The second point is to please, do not treat your dog like a baby. It is incredibly detrimental to their mental and emotional health. I cannot tell you how many dogs, particularly small dogs, that I've met with severe behaviour issues because they've been babied. Dogs are dogs, even if they're small. You can consider them as part of the family, or even en par with your children if you wish, but treating them like a child will result in an incredibly confused dog which often leads to aggression issues.

Again, please do not take this as an attack on your post. These are just very important things to know.

Ah not at all
You are dealing with an extremely positive person I promise:)
I got what you mean!
Seriously deciding now after getting some valuable inputs
I see its just awareness on this species handling nothing more i need
They are magical souls as when i said i watch funny videos, i really meant to say that i see some heart melting type of videos of them, they have something to do with our stress treating yes trust me i felt so relieved from all that work or personal related stress by laughing or smiling myself in a very effective way so personally i can give my hearty attention as well!

I certainly need to educate myself a bit i know

memomtoo

headtheball14 wrote: »

Knowing everything about dogs doesn’t mean you will be a good kind owner, many of the backyard breeders in Ireland have grown up with dogs and are knowledgeable but still don’t care for their dogs.

You haven’t just looked up online and bought a puppy for Christmas , so well done for taking the time to think this through.

For rescues with the age of your children it may not be easy to adopt. Many of the smaller breed dogs may be surrendered because they have issues with health or behaviour due to their owners not having taken this time to consider all of the issues.

One of the best things you could do is volunteer with a rescue, I think many have volunteers who commit to visit and walk the dogs and help them to socialize and find their new homes. I’m not sure if I can name them.
It would be a good way to learn about different type of dogs and help you learn more about dog ownership .

Definitely i want to research enough and gain confidence first before bringing the new family member.
So sorry i was literally thinking teacup pom is one of the type of dogs- honest with you i didnt know the reality
Kids are really gentle handlers

Zak Flaps

Will there be someone at home during the day to mind the dog?

SuziXX

Cherry Blossom wrote: »

https://www.ikc.ie/dog-ownership/types-of-dog/breeds/breed-details/179

I would advise getting someone to call who has a good command of the English language.

That comes across very rude. The op obviously doesn’t know anything about dogs (which is fine, everyone has to start somewhere) The tone of that message was uncalled for.

Cherry Blossom

SuziXX wrote: »

That comes across very rude. The op obviously doesn’t know anything about dogs (which is fine, everyone has to start somewhere) The tone of that message was uncalled for.

Yeah, I have foot in mouth disease. It really wasn’t intended the way it came across.