Dog Community

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

Posted : 4/10/2007 4:57:11 PM

Here's why.
For the past 25 years I have denied myself the companionship of a dog ( and I do love dogs) because I lived alone and worked full time. I was away from home 8-12 hours a day.

I now work at home and can arrange my life to be gone no more than an hour or 2 during puppy-hood and generally less than 4 hours a day after that. I also have a dog loving family that is happy to board and otherwise provide backup care as necessary.

Included in that family is a 16yo boy who is allergic to most dogs, but is fine with Wheaten Terriers. They have an absolutely wonderful 3 yo Wheaten name Ray (I'm Ray's second favorite person). The breed was specifically chosen to because of the boys allergy issues and it has worked out spectacularly.

My family lives 2 hours away and I spend 4-6 days a month with them. So would my dog if I had one.

This means the only practical choice for me is a purebred Wheaten. Yes, there are other know hypoallergenic dogs (poodles, Bichon Frise, etc.), but I am intimately familiar with Wheatens, there temperament, and needs.

I have been checking the shelters and rescue orgs? No purebred Wheatens have been available for adoption within 100 miles of Richmond VA in the last month. While I would be happy with a medium sized Wheaten mix, poodle mix, etc. I would have to arrange to have my allergic nephew spend an hour with each potential candidate in an area untouched by other dogs. Not very likely.

As for breeders, there is not a single one within eight hours of me. I have no real way of knowing who is reputable, and I am not willing to pay a non-refundable $500 deposit for a dog that hasn't even been conceived yet and might be available 6 to 12 months.

Ray, the best dog I have ever known (and I've know a bunch of dogs from breeders) came from:
*link removed* and they are getting two Wheatens in tomorrow. I am having a hard to convincing myself I shouldn't buy one of them. I have make a reasonable effort to to do the right thing, and it hasn't worked out.

If you know of reputable Wheaten breeder with puppies for sale, I would love to hear about them.
If you know of a purebred Wheaten rescue available for adoption in the Richmond. VA area, please let me know (yes I know about barkva.com, petfinder, S-Wheat, and WIN).

Thanks for listening.

huskymom

Posted : 4/10/2007 5:15:59 PM

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.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 4/10/2007 5:16:47 PM

Most reputable breeders who have puppies on the ground have a waiting list of people they've already approved, waiting for those puppies. You aren't going to get one until you go through the ringer, and get approved.

Buying from a commercial kennel guarantees that you get a dog with no known history. It guarantees you no guarantees, basically. It guarantees you no genetic testing.

You will know a reputable breeder by the quality of their dogs, and by the way they treat their dogs. You will know them, because they will care much, much more about the kind of home you have then by the amount of money you'll shell out for a dog. You'll know them, because they will do genetic testing, and their entire breeding stock will be of tested, proven dogs. You'll know them because of their guarantees, and because they promise to take your puppy back, at any point in it's life, should you have to rehome it for any reason. It will always have a safe place to go.

mrv

Posted : 4/10/2007 5:21:28 PM

Respectfully, at least consider the breeder referral list from the national club. There may be someone closer than you think and or there may be transportation options available of which you are currently unaware. Having waited 4 years for the terv and 3 years for the malinois,,,, developing a relationship with those breeders during those wait times,,,, to steal a phrase,,, Priceless.

Liesje

Posted : 4/10/2007 5:49:18 PM

How long have you been looking? Like mrv said, it's not uncommon to wait years for the *right* dog. The earliest I could adopt a dog would be August, and even then it's more likely a year from then (when DH is done w/ school and we can look into a house), but I've already established contact with a respectable breeder and just today applied to the local rescue to get on their lists. I've spent over a year researching breeds, and now I anticipate spending 6mos - 2 years searching for the right match.

Mic Foster

Posted : 4/10/2007 6:18:05 PM

If you would like to email me your zip code, and details of EXACTLY what you want I will find you a reputable breeder that can probably have a puppy for you in the next 3 months.

zatchbell322

Posted : 4/10/2007 6:23:29 PM

ORIGINAL: Liesje

How long have you been looking? Like mrv said, it's not uncommon to wait years for the *right* dog. The earliest I could adopt a dog would be August, and even then it's more likely a year from then (when DH is done w/ school and we can look into a house), but I've already established contact with a respectable breeder and just today applied to the local rescue to get on their lists. I've spent over a year researching breeds, and now I anticipate spending 6mos - 2 years searching for the right match.

Very true. I waited 3 years for Lex. When the right one comes along, you'll know.

Cita

Posted : 4/10/2007 6:50:29 PM

I'm assuming you've looked through this page? (Wheaten Terrier Club of America - how to choose a puppy):http://www.scwtca.org/helpme/decide.asp

And this one? (Wheaten Terrier Rescue):http://www.wheatenrescue.org/

Similar but different rescue site:http://www.wheatenterrierrescue.org/ (Just look at this cutie!:http://www.wheatenterrierrescue.org/Kenyon_in_LA.html)

This is an excerpt from the Wheaten Terrier Club of America ethics code:

F) Am knowledgeable about the genetic diseases affecting Wheatens and work to manage these and other diseases.
1) My breeding stock over two years of age is OFA certified for hips or meets the average mean for SCWT using PennHIP. Any breeding stock under two years of age is OFA Preliminary evaluated for hips or meets the average mean for SCWT using PennHIP.

2) My breeding stock's eyes are examined by a Board certified ophthalmologist prior to the first breeding and a minimum of every two years thereafter while being bred or until age 10, whichever is later; dogs whose semen has been frozen are tested for life or until frozen semen is no longer stored.

3) My breeding stock undergoes blood and urine testing, including blood chemistry panel, CBC, urinalysis and urine protein/creatinine ratio before the first breeding and at least annually thereafter.

4) I keep accurate health records on my breeding stock.

Sounds like looking for a dog from a source associated with the club would be a good idea!

I know you said there were no breeders within 8 hours of you. Have you called and talked to them anyway? Asked for referrals, talked about your options? Sometimes people in "the circle" of a particular breed will know about opportunities you might not have heard about - someone in your town needing to rehome their Wheaten, a fellow breeder moving down the street from you, who knows. At the very least it couldn't hurt to call and check.

dlg81

Posted : 4/10/2007 7:45:23 PM

Ray, the best dog I have ever known (and I've know a bunch of dogs from breeders) came from:
*content removed, contained previously deleted content* and they are getting two Wheatens in tomorrow. I am having a hard to convincing myself I shouldn't buy one of them. I have make a reasonable effort to to do the right thing, and it hasn't worked out.

The kennel you listed looks like a puppy mill with a nice web site. I think that should be enough of a reason not to buy from them. They have a ton of different breeds available at all times. How do they give those puppies the attention they need? I think that your family is lucky that Ray is a gem.

It sounds like you have put in some time to look for a dog, but I think putting in more time is warranted if your only other option is to support a facilty that sells puppy mill dogs.

This is an anecdote about the kennel you listed ([linkhttp://www.petstorecruelty.org/Hall%20of%20Shame,%20part%202.htm]http://www.petstorecruelty.org/Hall%20of%20Shame,%20part%202.htm[/link]): POTOMAC KENNELS--MARYLAND--GAITHERSBURG

August 2006--A visitor to the store writes: "I was in Potomac Kennels two days ago and was upset to see a '9 week old' beagle puppy that was the smallest beagle I've ever seen. I say '9 weeks' because I don't believe there is any way this puppy is that old. He is so skinny you can see every rib and his protruding hip bones. He's lively, I had them take him out so that I could play with him, but I could not get over how skinny and small he was. Even if his size is small, that does not explain how thin he is.

I purchased a beagle puppy at Potomac Kennels a little over two years ago and although she looked fine, she had kennel cough and needed to be put on several meds after I got her home. She recovered in a few weeks but it was definitely disheartening to think about the puppies that were still there and probably sick as well.

The last thing I will say about Potomac Kennels is that they are dirty and the people there do not know a lot. Of course they tell everyone that their dogs come from reputable breeders and are purebred."

[Note from petstorecruelty.org, Sept. 2006: the website for Potomac Kennels does not include any mention of what STATES the puppies come from or what they mean by "reputable breeders."]

Anonymous

Posted : 4/10/2007 8:29:11 PM

[Deleted by Admins]

Anonymous

Posted : 4/10/2007 8:30:25 PM

[Deleted by Admins]

stardancnminpin

Posted : 4/10/2007 11:52:24 PM

I also wanted to put this thought out there. Sometimes, breeders will ask not to have their names listed on their breed's parent club website. So, email the parent club's contact person asking for help. You will be surprised at what turns up. Also, if there are dog shows in your area and you find a breeder that you like and has a puppy you could get - they might arrange transport for that dog with another exhibitor/breeder that is coming into your area. Just a thought. Don't give up and give in to buying from a broker/petstore just yet. We had planned on waiting several years to get our next Miniature Pinscher due to waiting list etc., but we ended up with an incredible girl not even two months after contacting her breeder. Hang in there!

Amy

Luvntzus

Posted : 4/11/2007 12:31:01 AM

Sorry, but I don't think it's reasonable to expect a person to wait years for the "right" dog. There are lots of "right" dogs out there. It's fine if you want to wait years, but I don't think it's right to make another person feel like they SHOULD do the same. Just my two cents.

Edited to add, are you open to any other non shedding breeds like Mini Schnauzers? They're a lot easier to find.

rolenta

Posted : 4/11/2007 3:11:13 AM

Am I the only one who smells a troll?

mrv

Posted : 4/11/2007 6:45:54 AM

Respectfully, waiting is a lost art in this society. And yes waiting when a purchase could support a disreputable business practice, that should be encouraged. It is always personal choice, but this board typically tries to pursuade folks to take the time to make the best decision possible. The posts on this thread offered options that had not been previously stated by OP.