So the kids and their Mom decided we needed a mutt. We’ve been half-joking about getting a pup lately and they took the plunge. They found a litter of mutts and Mom decided which one was ‘The One’ and then had me come down to look at her to see how cute she was. I’m sure others have gone through this…soooo now we have Duchess Ann.
We picked her up at 6 1/2 weeks and she weighed 6 pounds via an electric scale. I know picking up pups later on is better but the pups were destined for the pound and other than her age she was ready to go. The price was also right, free. The mom is a 30 pound pit and the dad is a 65 pound german shepherd. She doesn’t look to have the german shepherd hips so hopefully we won’t run into any of those possible problems. The vet will look her over this week so we will know more then.
So now I’m training the puppy and training the people to train the puppy and it is going very well! She can go through the whole night without having to go outside and is having a blast getting socialized. People love on her all the time and break out in baby talk. She has been around quite a few other dogs and cats and is getting on very well.
For now my biggest worry is how much this free mutt will cost me.
Apologies if I screwed up photobucket, links, and any crappy pics. First time photobucket user and my phone is very budget. Duchess is 8 weeks in the pics.
So yeah…no real reason for this post other brag on my mutt.
I’m at a cabin owned by family who like me and how I raise my mutts and my next place will be my own cabin so I have no worries about landlords.
In the Kenai Peninsula there are an abundance of pit-mixes and no stigmata attached to them as a breed. I’m not saying that there aren’t dogs that are poorly trained or the odd weird mutt but that happens with all breeds.
I’ve been lucky and most of the people and other animals we’ve met/played with have been well socialized and trained.
That could be a valid concern in some areas though and may give others something to think about.
Actually she is growing up around two other cats and every now and then goes into cat-prowl mode. If the cats could be bothered to notice the pup they would give the cat look of disdain but it is funny as hell to see the pup try it.
One more and I’m done…I swear.
Look into the face of madness and know despair. And a puppy too!
I agree 6 weeks was way way too early but it wasn’t up to me. She can be mouthy but I’ve been lucky with her. The other dogs she plays with let her know when she goes to far, nose bumps and stuff, so she is learning how to play with mutts.
Getting her to realize that not everything in the world is her chew toy will be a chore but I knew that going in.
You realize it’s the Great Puppy Conspiracy - they’re all born cute and cuddly and adorable and squeeable so that you become attached before the waking-you-up-at-4AM begins. (Yeah, our dog has a hosed-up internal clock…)
But she is adorable, and I’m sure the cats will keep her in line.
Our last dog before the current one was literally rescued off the street in front of our house, so you can’t get and more free than that. But she was probably 10 years old and part poodle, so there was the grooming required since she was a matted mess. Then the vet visit - not only had she never been spayed, but she had a bunch of tumors on her belly, so not-quite-$700 later… But she was a good pup for the few years we had her. Of course, that’s not your issue, so huzzah! As long as she doesn’t eat your sofa, you’re good!
