Hard times finding a puppy...

[AFawbush]

Hi. I have not posted on this forum yet but I have been reading the posts for a couple months now.

About 5 months ago my girlfriend and I decided that we were going to get a puppy. A couple months after that we decided on the German Shorthaired Pointer breed. We decided on this breed because we are both young, very active, and sport oriented so we wanted a breed that was just as fast paced. We also liked the fact that the coat is short, since we live in Florida, and that it loves to be around its family. And we think that they are beautiful looking dogs.

Since we decided on the breed we have been contacting breeders that we have found mostly through the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of North Florida. Of all the breeders in Georgia and Florida there are only a couple of breeders having litters anytime soon. The soonest litter is not until July. So now we are faced with the problem of either waiting until July or later, or purchasing a puppy of the internet through a site like puppyfind.com. I know that pretty much everyone on this forum agrees that breeders that make listings online are just in it for the money. But I know several people that have gotten their dogs off the internet and things have turned out just fine. Another reason I want to get the puppy sooner than later is that the semester will be over soon and I will tons of time to spend with the dog.

So we are faced with the problem of either waiting till July or after and not having as much time to spend with the puppy or purchasing the puppy from out of state and flying him in.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[NewYorker]

I would check with the breed rescue first, they can be a big help to you

 

[Renee750il]

What New Yorker said! Maybe this year you could adopt a Pointer that's not quite a puppy anymore, then plan ahead so that next year you can add a puppy to your family. These are dogs that really like companionship, and by the time a puppy was available the older dog should be ready to help you train the puppy.

 

[Barb04]

I agree with New Yorker and Renee. One thing is don't rush into getting a dog; make sure it is healthy and if you go through a breeder, make sure it is reputable. I've learned from experience that just because a breeder says he's good, doesn't mean he is. Buying a pure bred dog has given me an education into the world of dog breeding that I didn't even know I needed to know. When you find a breeder you like, call other breeders and ask their opnion about that breeder. We calle many breeders before we were comforable with our decision, including the president of the breed. You can never get enough info about a breeder.

 

[AFawbush]

Thank you for the advice. I grew up raising different puppies and adult dogs and have decided that I want a puppy and not an adult dog. I did search shelters in Florida though for puppy or young GSP's and found nothing. I have also talked with the national GSP Rescue organization. I feel like I have exhausted all my options. Yesterday I was excited to find a breeder with puppies just turning 8 weeks old but he wanted $800 and I thought that was too much cinsidering this is just going to be a companion dog and not a show or hunting dog.

 

[Saje]

Here's some German Shorthaired Pointers in Florida (rescues) They have some young dogs and what looks like a pup that is a mix. http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?ac... Shorthaired Pointer&pet.Animal=Dog&preview=1

 

[nohea]

I don't know what the price range is for the breed, but even though it's only going to be a companion is no reason to necessarily pay less. Part of what you are paying for is good breeding for a healthy dog, free of genetic problems and with a sound head on its shoulders, all of which are just as important for a house dog as they are in the show ring. Just some food for thought.