I'm probably going to buy a puppy that comes from a commercial breeder/broker.

Heidi, I'm smelling one too.

In any event, there are lots of ways to control allergens on dogs. If you got a very shorthaired breed and a couple of allergy wipes you could easily keep allergens at bay while visiting. Its different if the allergy sufferer lives with you, but even then its not impossible. I have huskies and they are definately not a "HypoAllergenic" breed. My son has terrible allergies and he does fine with the dogs. You just have to keep them clean so the allergens can't build up.

I urge you not to. That site is an obvious puppy mill and dogs that come from that situation are rarely healthy or have a stable temperment.
 
[linkhttp://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8189123]http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8189123[/link] - 8 month old-NJ-no kids though
 
Contact these people: [linkhttp://www.wheatenrescue.org/]http://www.wheatenrescue.org/[/link]
 
Not all shelters post their dogs on petfinder, but most will contact rescue & let them know of dogs in need.
 
I wont tell my personal story again but I will say patience will pay off, there is no telling what kind of health issues a poorly bred Wheaten will have, but a breeder or a good rescue will stand behind their dogs. A puppy mill/broker will not.
 
 

ORIGINAL: huskymom

Are you set on getting a Puppy? When I searched Wheatens on Petfinder for your area a ton of dogs came up. Some puppies but mostly young dogs.

 
were they actually Wheatons? Shelters and alot of Rescues just slap a tag on a dog and are wrong as often as they are right

ORIGINAL: huskymom

Are you set on getting a Puppy? When I searched Wheatens on Petfinder for your area a ton of dogs came up. Some puppies but mostly young dogs.

I just noticed this post. I also live in Richmond VA and searched petfinder. A ton of Wheatons did not come up in this area, I don't think you looked closely enough. There is ONE listed in VA and she's a Wheaten mix. The next closest one is in West Virginia which can be a major drive in the mountains and also looks like a mixed breed. Actually on the whole first page list I only see one that looks like a purebred- a boy named Hampton in New Jersey. Edited to add that I read his description and he has a bite history. Wouldn't recommend him for someone that hasn't had a dog in years...

I think the biggest problem here is looking for a rare breed and not wanting to wait for a puppy or have one shipped. It would be MUCH easier finding a more common breed.

hmmmm....
so long as you choose your breeder with caution. Searching on the internet is not really a good way to find a breeder. Personally...I would be sure to choose a breeder who not only WANTS to meet you AT THEIR FACILITY...but actually insists on it. A good breeder will show as much caution as a rescue in finding homes for their pups.
I do not know what the whole "within 100 miles" thing is about...but my opinion is if you just do not want to or do not have the time to travel more than that...you may not be ready for a dog after all.
It should not matter if the breeder is 10 miles away or 1000 miles away...if you find a reputable breeder with a good rep and has the pups you want...I feel you should be willing to travel.
I would contact parent bred groups...
field and trial groups... yadda yadda yadda....
 
I am in rescue...but rescue is not the ONLY way to get a dog. The problem is not in breeding...it is the fact that people do not use caution in choosing them and thus allow bad breeders to exist...
or want their dog NOW with the least amount of effort on their part...
 
yet they will travel from store to store and spend literally hours choosing and reviewing a refridgerator...
makes no sense to me.

I just wanted to post these links..


[linkhttp://www.atourhands.com/pupmills.html]http://www.atourhands.com/pupmills.html[/link]

[linkhttp://www.prisonersofgreed.org/]http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/[/link]

[linkhttp://www.caps-web.org/fact_sheet.php]http://www.caps-web.org/fact_sheet.php[/link] (also has good info for responsible breeders as well)

[linkhttp://www.dogsadversereactions.com/puppymills.html#puppyview]http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/puppymills.html#puppyview[/link]

[linkhttp://www.lcanimal.org/cmpgn/cmpgn_012.htm]http://www.lcanimal.org/cmpgn/cmpgn_012.htm[/link]


A fellow rescuer sometimes gets dogs the puppy mills no longer want. These dogs are always unsocialzed and scared. She has had 2 poodles from a puppy mill for about a year now. One of them still is scared of her despite a year of working with them. They won't ever be okay. They will have to go to a special home who understands their needs.

Do you really want to condone that?

Be patient & take your time and you will find the perfect dog.