Purebred Dog Breeds

[pica_nuttalli]

my boyfriend has lately been quite adamant that he wants to get a dog after graduation and settling down. he's never owned a furry pet and i've tried explaining to him that he's really a cat person (low maintenance and snuggly), but he's determined that he wants a dog. however, i've convinced him that i get to narrow down the options since i'm the one with enough experience to say "no big dogs, no messy dogs, no outside-only dogs, no terriers, NO FEEDING TABLE SCRAPS".

while my definite preference would be first to check out the local mutts for suitable young adults, i am also interested in looking into high-quality purebred puppies. but i've got two problems: (1) i'm not sure what breeds i'd be interested in, and (2) i don't know of a good resource for identifying potential behavioral and health issues. the potential health risks of purchasing a purebred are daunting to me and a big influence on which breeds are appealing.

can anybody reccommend a good general resource for me to look through? something with pictures, general temperament & physical descriptions, pros & cons, and health cautions?

although we are still quite some time away from being in a position to acquire a dog, it doesn't hurt to plan ahead. i don't want to get caught-out like my mother, who just wanted "a purebred" any purebred, and bought the first "reasonably priced" sweet puppy she found without getting any genetic certificates or seeing the father. fast-forward a few years and she has an extremely dominant wirehaired fox terrier with food allergies, rashes, and eye problems. overall, the perfect example of why your research should consist of more than leafing through the Simon&Schuster Guide to Dog Breeds

 

[Ethos]

Just a side comment - Bichons are beautiful! My favorite kind of dog!
http/www.akc.org/breeds/bichon_frise/index.cfm
They're kinda girly, but very beautiful!

 

[Synirr]

You totally want a Chinese crested

Well ok, I totally want one...

Here's a site about getting a purebred vs. mixed breed, and Here's a list of breeds with pics. It doesn't have anything about temperament, but you could pick out some you like and Google them for that info

Edit: Something else to consider is that you should be prepared to pay considerably more for a good purebred, but I'm sure you already knew that. From what I've seen, I'd say $200 is about the cheapest you're going to find and I'd be careful buying from someone with puppies even that cheap, as they may not be the best quality (which means future health problems to look forward to)

 

[pica_nuttalli]

You totally want a Chinese crested

Well ok, I totally want one...

OMG Synirr, that's totally the breed i've been wanting the most!! aren't the powderpuff puppies sososo adorable? i think my favorite adult version, tho', is the hairless but with a really furry face. how funny that you would reccommend that breed.

i'd seen both of those links, but i feel much better about my research "skillz" now that i've gotten an outside reccommendation. like i said, we're still at least 2 or 3 years away from actually getting a dog, but if we're actually interested in a purebred, that's really only just enough time to pick out a breed, find & contact a quality breeder, and then sign-up for puppies. (wow, that was a lot of commas in that sentence.) fortunately, that also is plenty of time to save up the moolah.

then again, maybe once i show Darling the upfront cost of a quality purebred puppy, he won't want one so badly!

 

[MegTheFish]

You totally want a Chinese crested

Excuse me while I go barf...
Thats not a dog! Its...well...the same thing as this....

enough said


Ok, that was mean, I'm just joking *cough*

If I were to go with a purebreed, instead of a mutt (which I wouldn't), I would get...ermm....probably a golden retriever, but the ones I've been around seem a bit pushy, even aggressive. Not a lab...just because, no terriers, I already have to listen to 6 others (in my neighboorhood) yap ALL DAY LONG hyper: *twitch*)
Well, I actually can't think of a single purebreed dog I'd like to own, there's always just one thing that turns me off. I'll stick with my mutts. Wow I was getting off topic there, carry on.

 

[morgan]

Terriers are my favourite type of dog. You're right about the yapping though! I looked after my friend's dog (Westie) while she went away and during that time my dog (Penny, also a Westie)) "taught" her dog to yap. She had previously been a quiet dog but she wasn't after that! Thing is I live in a rural area and my friend lives in town so it is more annoying for her dog to yap. I miss my yapping dogs. My dog cost £280 sixteen years ago and my Scottie cost £240.

 

[littleimp]

If you gonna buy a dog you should buy a dog!! If you want a cat sized dog buy a cat or a ferret. Much easier to look after & cuter too. I see so many people round here carrying these toy dogs in their arms & shopping baskets becuase the damn things are too small to be walking on a lead.

If it's a man your buying for it needs to be at least collie sized. If it's a man's man your buying for then it needs to be at least labrador sized.

No man in his right mind is gonna take one of those rat dogs for a walk!

Bit sexist this I know but real.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

while i (on some level) appreciate the input, THE POINT OF THIS THREAD IS NOT TO RECOMMEND OR DISMISS DOG BREEDS. i do not WANT a large or high-activity dog because my intended career will not allow me the TIME necessary to TRAIN and EXERCISE a large dog. and as stated, i hope to AVOID the negative aspects of my final breed of choice by CAREFUL RESEARCH AND SELECTION OF BREEDERS.

honestly, i wasn't going to say anything with regards to one breed or another except that synirr's joke pleasantly surprised me. please, no further specific breed discussion. i desire general reference sources for objective consideration of breed characteristics.

thank you.

 

[RandomWiktor]

I have this great dog breed encyclopedia with over 300 breeds. It goes into basic temperament, colorations, size, etc. and also gives a history of what it was bred for so you can be prepared for problems like prey drive, dog agression, etc. It is simply called "Dogs" and is put out by Eyewitness Handbooks. It is by Davild Alderton. I also have the book "The New Encyclopedia of the Dog," which has some breeds the Eyewitness book lacks, and is also pretty detailed. It has some great tips on raising and training dogs, and was written by a veterinarian.

If you boyfriend likes small, cuddly, animals like cats, perhaps he'd like a companion breed? The companion group has a huge array of friendly breeds, from the more "macho" like the bulldog, to the more dainty like the Bichon Frise. Gundogs/retrievers (not to be mistaken for hounds) also tend to be very affectionate, though many have high energy and exersize needs. I think some of the "Non-working" dogs are companionable as well.

At any rate, good luck. The ACK's webpage might have info for you too, but if you really want to look into diseases, please do independant internet research, as many dog showing and breed enthusiasts sites do not want to admit the down sides of their chosen breed of preference.

In regards to finding a breeder, if you are in the US, make sure the dogs are AKC registered, not registered with the Universal Kennel Club or Continential Kennel Club as they are both not as reputable (esp. the UKC... ungh.). Make sure they are selling a real breed, not some designer-fad-mix cockapoo, puggle, etc. The kennel name should be well known and reputed, and the owner should be able to show an extended lineage of all dogs in her care. All of the dogs should be tested and certified free of problems common to the breed, such as bad hips. A breeder who breeds any ***** under 2 years of age probably hasn't had these tests done, so that should set off an alarm in your head. The breeder should gladly and proudly show you all of the dogs in her care, which should appear healthy, well groomed, well fed, and alert. Viewing the kennel area is also a must. And, most truly good breeders shouldn't just happen to have a litter available when you inquire; most good breeders have a waiting list established before the dog is even pregnant, to make sure all puppies get a home when they are born.

 

[Jessica13]

I couldn't have a chinese crested - You have to shave them and stuff But they look very cool!!

Im wanting a Pug puppy, probably next year. Obviously there are some medical problems linked to that breed so im going to have to pay £1000+ for a puppy from a very top breeder to reduce the problems that you get from bad breeding. But still, you can have problems with breathing and their eyes but its not as common as people think

I have three labs and they are the best breeds you could ever want! My 3 are the most loving, affectionate and friendly dogs you could meet but they are VERY good guard dogs. Of course, they are quite big though and need very regular, long walks.

To be honest, you need to have a look at breeds and narrow down to a list that you like the look of and see if they're suitable! I had a list of things from a pug, to a basenji, pharoh hound to a Shiba Inu! The best doggie related website i can think of is http/www.dogweb.co.uk/talkdogs/ Its a very friendly website with lots of owners, breeders and stuff so you'll get plenty of advice. Theres also a 'breed directory' with pics and members opinions on the dogs you may find helpful

 

[splashluff]

Here's a site that a really like, as far as general descriptions and a nice search option ~ http/animal.discovery.com/guides/dogs/se...or/selector.jsp

I really agree with Synirr, purebred dogs from a reputable breeder are absolutely worth it if you find a great breeder. Except, for a very well-bred dog, I think $500 is the absolute cheapest you'll find for most breeds IMHO, especially smaller breeds who can have just 1 or 2 puppies per litter. Unlike BYB's, they take the pups in for health exams every 2 weeks and get them dewormed every 2 weeks... a good breeder also keeps the puppies until they are 8-12 weeks old, meaning THEY pay for all of the first boosters and shots along with lots of high quality food and hours spent socializing, which alone adds up to $100's. A reputable breeder shows and/or works the parents in all venues that apply to the breed (ie, herding with Border Collies, dock-diving and hunting with Golden Retrievers, therapy work with Bichons). They complete extensive, expensive health tests on both parents including exams for all of the possible health defects in the breed... which is why it's very important to look up all of the possible health issues in the breed you're interested in, and be sure that the breeder tests for that. As a rule of thumb, all good breeders OFA (orthopedic foundation for animals) test hips and elbows/patellas to ensure the puppies have a very low risk of dysplasia. Eyes, hearing and thyroid are also common tests for many other breeds. A good breeder will also sell on a contract that entails that the puppy is guarenteed for health for at least 24 months (because that is the age when hips/elbows can be confidently x-rayed), and also guarentee that you must contact them before abandoning or re-selling the dog, and furthermore they hold you to spaying/neutering pet quality dogs to ensure the betterment of the breed. That's the basics for a good breeder, to me. Here is another good link... check out the buyer's checklist ~ http/www.namascusa.com/finding.htm

I've researched all of this like crazy for about 3 years... because I'm going to be getting my first purebred dog from a wonderful breeder (as opposed to several purebreds and mixed breed dogs in my family from rescues, which have ALL been amazing dogs) this spring. I'm getting an Australian Shepherd, they're awesome dogs but it doesn't sound like the best fit for you, as you said you aren't interested in an uber-demanding energetic dog, which all herding breeds are!

 

[Tolak]

If you look at it from a point of view similar to fish, you would be better dealing directly with a breeder, as opposed to a pet shop, especially a corporate one.

I've dealt with breeders before purchasing dogs, they are similar to fish breeders, not in it so much for the money as an enjoyable hobby that partially pays for itself. They are totally devoted to their particular breed, and pride themselves in selling a product superior to what is found in pet shops. In any situation you may run across some breeders who think they can turn a quick buck breeding, with some research on any particular breed you can weed out the more unscrupulous breeders.

http/www.akc.org/breederinfo/breeder_search.cfm has numbers & links to many breeds. If they are anything like any other breeders I've dealt with, they will be more than happy to talk your ear off concerning their particular breed, and probably have knowledge about similar breeds to the ones they currently have.

Tolak

 

[Synirr]

Pica, I think I may have found you a winner:
Wikipedia: Dog Breeds
Let me know if that helps

OMG Synirr, that's totally the breed i've been wanting the most!! aren't the powderpuff puppies sososo adorable?

Ew no, I actually hate the powderpuffs
Not a fan of fuzzball dogs

Ok, that was mean, I'm just joking *cough*

Those actually are the same kind of dog, haha

I couldn't have a chinese crested - You have to shave them and stuff

No no, they come hairless!! That dog isn't shaved, that's just how it naturally is. You do have to put sunscreen on them in the summer if they're going to be outside, though

 

[Jessica13]

I couldn't have a chinese crested - You have to shave them and stuff

No no, they come hairless!! That dog isn't shaved, that's just how it naturally is. You do have to put sunscreen on them in the summer if they're going to be outside, though

I know someone who breeds them and she says they get clumps of hair that you have to shave Though hers are for showing so maybe you dont have to worry so much if its just a pet!

 

[catxx]

what about http/www.dogster.com ?
personal opinions of people with specific dog breeds.