Looking at getting a puppy but can't decide

I am looking to get a puppy, almost a year since we had to put our first baby dog down due to illness. I have been researching breeds but seem stuck between cocka poos and shih poos. Any feedback? I really don't know how much I should really spend. I would appreciate any comments.

 

those are breeds? :? :lol: sorry couldnt help myself. if you want a cross breed i highly recommend going to a shelter. there are a few that specialise in small dogs. they wont charge obscene prices and they will be sterlised and vaccinated.

http://www.petfinder.com/ might be a good place to start

 

I agree, if your looking for a mixed breed and a smaller dog, the shelter is FULL of them.
Anything ending is Poo, or Chi is usually a mutt. Hate to say it, but its a designer cross that alot of BYB's are making a ton of money off of. And many of them have severe health issues.

NOT saying the dogs are bad or anything, I think alot of them are very cute, I'm just saying, check out a shelter before you spend a ton of money on a mutt from a breeder trying to turn a profit.

 

These guys are right. MOST of these crosses are easy "designer" dogs...

BUT if you are looking for a hypoalergenic I would recommend a cockapoo. I had one as a kid and it's one of the oldest of the "poo" crosses. If you can manage to find a breeder of them who has been involved in both breeds for a long time and is breeding them as a hypoalergenic companion animal etc... You can't go wrong with that cross. BUT again many BYB's are breeding them and milling them so if you're not looking to spend much and don't want a HUGE search for a well bred healthy dog I would recommend a shelter dog. You could possibly even find a rescue of this cross that is what you are looking for.

Those small dogs and crosses are really a gamble these days so if you're looking to buy from a breeder you'll REALLY have to do your homework to make sure you're getting a healthy animal. Toy's are comonly milled anyway so even for a purebred you're going to have a hard time finding responsible breeders.

I loved my Cockapoo dearly and I can see the value in the cross but again, it has to be bred responsibly and that is the hard part to discern when looking.

Sara

 

I just have to put my two cents in too!

I totally agree with all the posters. Forget the "designer" dogs. Anyone in the dog world knows that is just a mutt! I too, am not saying it would be a bad dog -- but don't let yourself be bamboozeled by back-yard-breeders out for a buck!

Check out the shelters!

There was a thread going on this board a while back -- it was a quiz. You were supposed to guess which dog was a "designer" dog bought from a breeder, and which was an adopted dog from a shelter.

 

hermann,
Here is that link to the "Designer Dog Quiz"
http://www.grumpybumpers.com/dogs

 

Thanks dukesdad!

I took the quiz again and scored poorly (totally flunked!) again!

I hope momof3kids gets a chance to try her hand at the quiz!