Because I’m buying directly from the breeder, they reserve the right to refuse any application! :eek:
What if I don’t measure up? What if they don’t like me? What if they don’t want me to buy a dog?
I’m feeling quite nervous. I had to write a short essay about why I wanted a Bichon, what experience I had with them, if I knew about all their quirks, how I would raise them, etc. This is worse than waiting for exam results!
Well, here’s hoping I’ll join the ranks of the newly be-petted soon!
I have to say that I’m glad the breeder is taking such an interest in making sure the pups go to loving, responsible owners. I usually encounter the kind who don’t give a flip what you do with the dog, as long as your check clears.
I’d venture to say that your willingness to jump through these hoops will give you a leg up, and you’ll be cleaning up puppy piddle before you know it!
access to socialization opportunities (I personally think this one is really important esp. with toy breeds, I recently was bit by a long haired chihuahua that was terrified of people)
So is this like a champion line or something? I can’t imagine having to write an essay to buy a dog.
If I were you, I’d be more interested in interviewing the breeder and observing the sire/bitch.
After all, you’re the one that has to live with the dog for like 15 years, and if the temprament isn’t going to fit your lifestyle, you should find another breeder.
I got my dog from a rescue mission. She’s part Aussie Shep & part Chow. No, she’ll never win a show, but she sure won my heart! I don’t know what I’d do without her little goofy self!
Our dogs came from a Golden rescue, though one is half-Yellow Lab and half-Golden. Wonderful dogs. I don’t think the woman in charge of the rescue makes people write essays, though there’s a fairly lengthy application form, and there’s a required home visit to make sure you have a good setup for the dog or dogs.
If you’re buying from a breeder who is THAT picky, you know you aren’t buying an animal from somebody who breeds indiscrimanately for profit. Yes, there are lots of other animals out there that need people, but I don’t think there’s anything terribly wrong with buying from a responsible breeder.
If you run into a problem with the breeder, though, I would say check out a rescue.
Best advice I’ve received on getting dogs was to get the fancy breed doggy if you wish. Then, since dogs are happier with a ‘pack’ go to the shelter for a nifty mixed breed. Everybody’s happy, lots of good karma all over the place. Good luck Alice, the breeder is sure to realize you’re wonderful.
Alice, you may want to check out www.petfinder.org , they currently have 130 Bichons listed. Not only will you be getting the breed you want, you will be saving a life in the process!
Also, a search online for “Bichon rescue” should be fruitful.
See folks, I have actually considered the “Rescue Dog” option.
The problem with a resuce dog is that I already have 2, indoor lop eared bunnies. My vet, as well as the woman at the ASPCA advised me that getting a small puppy and introducing him as young as possible to the bunnies is going to be key for everyone to get along. An older dog that hasn’t been socialized with rabbits will have a natural tendancy to want to… eat them. This would be most upsetting for everyone concerned, particularly, I imagine, the bunnies.
I’ve been very careful about researching the type of dog to get, and suitable places to adopt from. Now I just have to hope they are satisfied with me. :eek:
I assume there won’t be a problem - I do work, but so do 90% of the dog owners I know. In addition, the puppy won’t be alone - he’ll have the afore mentioned bunnies to hang out with, as well as my parakeet. Hey - the bird talks to the rabbits, why can’t he talk to the dog?
Anyhoo - thanks for the well wishes. I’ve wanted this dog for about 3 years.
Bichon’s are fun dogs - my sister has one who is almost 17 years old now that she got as a puppy.
[hijack on buying dogs from breeders]I bought my dog from a breeder, for what I consider to be legitimate reasons. I had two very shy cats in the house already (rescues, for what it’s worth), so I wanted to bring a puppy into the house that was smaller than they were (but would be much larger than them as an adult). I wanted a dog that I knew as much about behaviorally as I possibly could, which indicated bringing a pure bred into the house, since a lot of behavior is hard-wired into the breed. I wanted a dog that I knew as much about the dog as possible health-wise, which indicated bringing a dog of known pedigree into the house, where the parents and grandparents, etc had been health-screened for the common problems of the breed. I wanted a dog that had a very good chance of being a good match for me, so I researched breeds for at least six months before deciding on a Norwegian Elkhound, then talked to several breeders before finding one that I liked. I also was considering doing dog shows with my new dog (though ultimately I decided not to). There are plenty of other reasons one might want to go the breeder route rather than the rescue route.
I have to say I couldn’t have done much better - Gizmo is a joy to live with. Part of this is breeding, and part of it is training, and part of it was letting the breeder pick the puppy for me. The only thing I didn’t realize up front is how bad the shedding would be.
That said, my next dog will likely be a Rhodesian Ridgeback rescue, or possibly a Greyhound rescue. Ridgies were second on my list next to Elkhounds when I did my first breed evaluation 10 years ago, but I was a first time dog owner and wasn’t sure I could handle a dog that size. Now I know 95% of being alpha in the house in attitude and consistency, not physical strength.
[/hijack]
Good luck with your new puppers, ** alice_in_wonderland**. I’m sure you’ll do fine.
Congrats. Bichons are wonderful dogs. I looked into getting one too but couldn’t afford the asking price from a good breeder! We ended up rescuing a dog - a shepherd mix. Basically the opposite of a bichon, but we love her like no other.
I am all for rescuing dogs too, but I don’t think there is anything wrong with buying from a good breeder. Like you said, sometimes rescuing just doesn’t work with what you need. If everyone only bought from reputable breeders we wouldn’t have the pet problems at the shleters in the first place.
Good shelters make you fill out lengthy applications too. It is a sign that they are looking for a good home. When my MIL adopted a kitten, she had to give references and everything, even give the ok for a home visit! I know it can be nerve-racking, but I’m sure you’ll pass and have your little fluff bundle in no time!
