new puppy question

[Mosiboo]

We are getting a new puppy for christmas and We have to fly all the way to south carolina to pick him up. He is coming from a breeder. (And Old English Sheepdog).
what should we look for to know the pup is not coming from a puppy mill?
How many litters should a female have a year?
What is wrong with a blue eyed dog? Are they more likely to have eye problems?
And do you think a 3 month old OES puppy will fit in a travel bag so he can ride on the airplane as a carry-on?
Will a new puppy get along with our 1 year old cat? He likes to be the only one will he feel replaced?
These are just a few of my questions to all of you... Thank you!!

[PatchO'Pits]

We are getting a new puppy for christmas and We have to fly all the way to south carolina to pick him up. He is coming from a breeder. (And Old English Sheepdog).
what should we look for to know the pup is not coming from a puppy mill?
How many litters should a female have a year?
What is wrong with a blue eyed dog? Are they more likely to have eye problems?
And do you think a 3 month old OES puppy will fit in a travel bag so he can ride on the airplane as a carry-on?
Will a new puppy get along with our 1 year old cat? He likes to be the only one will he feel replaced?
These are just a few of my questions to all of you... Thank you!!

Some signs of a BYB and or puppy mill some red flags....

A female goes into heat about every 6 to 8 months.... if tehy are being bred on every heat cycle or the breeder has several litters a year out of a bunch of different dogs


If the breeder has not asked for referrences from you and can't answer your questions about the breed

If the dogs are not well socialized and cared for

If they can't explain why they paired up the mating couple

If the dogs have no health tests

if the dogs have no show or working titles or at least a temperament test/CGC

If they are not sold under contract

If they do not require pet quality dogs be spayed/neutered


THose are just a few
here is a good link to help you with some more http://www.apbtconformation.com/ReputableBreeder.htm

[JustJo]

We are getting a new puppy for christmas and We have to fly all the way to south carolina to pick him up. He is coming from a breeder. (And Old English Sheepdog).
what should we look for to know the pup is not coming from a puppy mill?
How many litters should a female have a year?
What is wrong with a blue eyed dog? Are they more likely to have eye problems?
And do you think a 3 month old OES puppy will fit in a travel bag so he can ride on the airplane as a carry-on?
Will a new puppy get along with our 1 year old cat? He likes to be the only one will he feel replaced?
These are just a few of my questions to all of you... Thank you!!


A 3 month old English Sheepdog will be too large to travel as a carry on. Even as a carry on they require a airline approved crate that will fit under the seat. You should get some books and start reading up on this breed and what to expect as far as growth, developement, feeding, etc.

There is nothing physically wrong with a blue-eyed dog. Some standards do not accept this eye coloring. I am not familiar with the English Sheepdog standard so do not know if this is a fault. How did you find your breeder?

[dlaura]

Please go to the following link and read of another's unhappiness due to purchasing a puppy prior to doing research. Page 2, Post #17 last paragraph is particularily telling.

http://forums.petlovers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13350&page=2

Now obviously if you are flying during Christmas to pick up your puppy you must have your tickets and such by now. I am wondering what you will do if you arrive and the worst case scenario presents itself -- it turns out this breeder is a BYB and there is no ? about it? You put yourself in the position that you have already paid for plane fare, probably already put a deposit down on the puppy .................... and have your heart & mind set on bringing this puppy home. Wow it would be very late in the game at that time to change one's mind. Just the concerns I would have if it were me. Please let us know how you make out. Good Luck and Merry Christmas.

[Magnum]

I totally agree with everyone here. If all you had to do is send a deposit and get your plane tickets, I would label this breeder as a puppy mill or back yard breeder. Responsible breeders have quite a few hoops they have their potential buyers jump through in order for them to buy a pup from them. Making sure ALL your questions are answered before hand is one of them. Another is making sure you will be the right person to care for, and love the pup for it's entire life. Responsible breeders put their pups life and future as their top priority, not the money they get from them (which is not a lucrative business). Also, I do have initial reservations on this breeder since they are selling you a pup at Christmas time. Selling pets, knowing they are going to be a "present" is a No-No that I know of. Responsible breeders don't "market" their pups. They are in it for the love and betterment of the breed.

I also agree that the pup will not be able to be put into a duffel, or carry on bag. Airlines have strict rules on transporting pets in the cabin, and you do not want the pup in the belly of the plane, regardless if they say it is temp. controlled! Too many pets have died in transit.

One last opinion of mine..;) Please don't sacrifice doing as much proper research on the breed & breeder in order to get the pup by Christmas. I am not saying this will be your case, but we here have seen so many Christmas pets end up in shelters, fosters, HS, etc.......

[PatchO'Pits]

I totally agree with everyone here. If all you had to do is send a deposit and get your plane tickets, I would label this breeder as a puppy mill or back yard breeder. Responsible breeders have quite a few hoops they have their potential buyers jump through in order for them to buy a pup from them. Making sure ALL your questions are answered before hand is one of them. Another is making sure you will be the right person to care for, and love the pup for it's entire life. Responsible breeders put their pups life and future as their top priority, not the money they get from them (which is not a lucrative business). Also, I do have initial reservations on this breeder since they are selling you a pup at Christmas time. Selling pets, knowing they are going to be a "present" is a No-No that I know of. Responsible breeders don't "market" their pups. They are in it for the love and betterment of the breed.

I also agree that the pup will not be able to be put into a duffel, or carry on bag. Airlines have strict rules on transporting pets in the cabin, and you do not want the pup in the belly of the plane, regardless if they say it is temp. controlled! Too many pets have died in transit.

One last opinion of mine..;) Please don't sacrifice doing as much proper research on the breed & breeder in order to get the pup by Christmas. I am not saying this will be your case, but we here have seen so many Christmas pets end up in shelters, fosters, HS, etc.......

Good posting evryone

Personally I find flying pups in the cargo area very scarey

Yes, please do Try to research the breeder more before you actually make this long trip

[Mutt Manners]

OES are not a common breed in my area so it stands to reason that you might need to travel to pick up this puppy. However, it seems strange to me that you are going there to get the puppy and it sounds like you don't really know much about the breeder. These are both things that can and WILL get you into trouble with a puppy. The OES are a large breed and can have problems if not bred well (all dogs really). You owe it to yourself, and your family to research the breed, the breeder, and ask yourself why you have chosen to pay for airline tickets to go and see this breeder that could be a BYB. The other members are right, you have put yourself in a bad financial position not to mention set up for possible disappointment.

And YES it's a HUGE NO NO to purchase a puppy for christmas. Most if not all reputable breeders will not breed around Christmas due to impulse purchases and they don't want to see their babies end up in the shleters or worse the streets!

Just my opinion.