Questions to ask before buying a puppy.

[lay_lady]

I'm going to be adopting a puppy soon, and since she's a hybrid dog (yorkie crossed with dashchund,) I'm having trouble finding information about the breed. Anyways, I'm planning on sending the dogs owner (I hestiate to call her breeder because it was more of a case of two house pets having a puppy rather than her doing it for a living) with a list of questions that could help me be more informed about the pup and what I need to do to make her living comfortable with me. So far I have,

1. How is she around children?
2. How is she around strangers?
3. How much excersice will she require?
4. What's her tempermanet like?
5. What shots will she still be missing after the adoption?
6. When's her birthday?

Can you think of any more questions that would be useful to send?

[Dekka]

First off that cross is not a hybrid, both yorkies and dachunds are the same species. That cross isnt' a breed so you won't (can't) find any solid information.

I would research both the breeds and imagine if your pup got the 'worst' traits from each if you would still be happy.

Questions I would ask (on top of yours)

1. How much? (if this person is making a profit on the pups I would walk away. If they make a profit it might inspire them to do it again)

2. Where did the parents come from (ie if they came from petstores then they are puppy mill dogs) this will help you assess risks.

3. What are the parents like (meet them yourself, but ask too)

4. What food have the parents been fed (this will help you determine the level of care the parents have gotten.. ie if they say ol roy then you know mom likely wasn't looked after the best whilst pregnant)

5. What steps are they taking to make sure this accident doesn't happen again?

6. proof of shots done to date.

[lay_lady]

Originally Posted by Dekka

First off that cross is not a hybrid, both yorkies and dachunds are the same species. That cross isnt' a breed so you won't (can't) find any solid information.

I would research both the breeds and imagine if your pup got the 'worst' traits from each if you would still be happy.

Questions I would ask (on top of yours)

1. How much? (if this person is making a profit on the pups I would walk away. If they make a profit it might inspire them to do it again)

2. Where did the parents come from (ie if they came from petstores then they are puppy mill dogs) this will help you assess risks.

3. What are the parents like (meet them yourself, but ask too)

4. What food have the parents been fed (this will help you determine the level of care the parents have gotten.. ie if they say ol roy then you know mom likely wasn't looked after the best whilst pregnant)

5. What steps are they taking to make sure this accident doesn't happen again?

6. proof of shots done to date.

Oh thanks for clearing that up. I thought hybrid was a cross of breeds. What do you think is a reasonable price? I don't mind paying a rehoming fee for the shots they've gotten but I don't want to inspire them to do it again.. Thanks for the other suggestions. I'll be sure to ask. (:

[SmexyPibble]

Why not either find a purebred puppy you're interested in so you can find solid information and a good, responsible breeder or go to a few local shelters and take a look at each dog, and see which one fits your lifestyle best? That's what I would suggest.

Originally Posted by lay_lady

Oh thanks for clearing that up. I thought hybrid was a cross of breeds. What do you think is a reasonable price? I don't mind paying a rehoming fee for the shots they've gotten but I don't want to inspire them to do it again.. Thanks for the other suggestions. I'll be sure to ask. (:

I don't think there's any reasonable price for buying a mixed breed from a breeder. If you want a mixed breed, you should visit Pet adoption: Want a dog or cat? Adopt a pet on Petfinder and enter one breed that you're interested in and your zip code, and look around.

[Dekka]

If its like 50-100 just to ensure that people are at least thinking about the costs of owning a pup. Any more than that and I would really want to make sure that they spent a lot on the pups (ie like a c section or something)

[corgipower]

I'd also ask about the ages and health of both parents. If the parents have health problems - and especially if those are known issues that both breeds carry, then there's a chance of the puppy developing the problem.

Also ask about temperaments of the parents and make sure you're able to meet them and see where and how they live. Ask if the people you're getting the pup from will take it back should there be any reason you can't keep it. Find out what vet care the pup has had (and the mom) ~ first shots, worming?

[lay_lady]

I don't think there's any reasonable price for buying a mixed breed from a breeder. If you want a mixed breed, you should visit Pet adoption: Want a dog or cat? Adopt a pet on Petfinder and enter one breed that you're interested in and your zip code, and look around.

Well she's really beautiful, and I really do like her. I've been looking at petfinder and no other dog has really made as big of an impact... I still have about three weeks till she's ready for adoption though so I have time to think about it. Thanks for the suggestions!

[lay_lady]

Originally Posted by Dekka

If its like 50-100 just to ensure that people are at least thinking about the costs of owning a pup. Any more than that and I would really want to make sure that they spent a lot on the pups (ie like a c section or something)

She's asking for 120, but I'll ask more about the cares the mother had.

[lay_lady]

Originally Posted by corgipower

I'd also ask about the ages and health of both parents. If the parents have health problems - and especially if those are known issues that both breeds carry, then there's a chance of the puppy developing the problem.

Also ask about temperaments of the parents and make sure you're able to meet them and see where and how they live. Ask if the people you're getting the pup from will take it back should there be any reason you can't keep it. Find out what vet care the pup has had (and the mom) ~ first shots, worming?

The puppy will have its first shots and deworming. She speaks wonders of the parents, but I'll still need to confirm that in person. Thanks for your input!

[Dekka]

Remember you are not really adopting you are buying. So see what guarantees the puppy comes with. (adopt from a shelter buy from a breeder.. even if your breeding is an oops you are still a 'breeder')