British Expats - buying a dog ????

British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)

- The Maple Leaf (https://britishexpats.com/forum/maple-leaf-98/)

- - buying a dog ???? (https://britishexpats.com/forum/maple-leaf-98/buying-dog-623516/)

Re: buying a dog ????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay Buster (Post 7812870)

and expect to be grilled as your suitability as an owner....

Either way ..... remember that dogs are NOT children!

I wish some people were vetted as rigorously as to their suitability to have children :sneaky:

Re: buying a dog ????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay Buster (Post 7812870)

Either way, invest in training and remember that dogs are NOT children!

Recent experience leads me to think that the experience of living with a purebred dog is very much like living with a child. An autistic child.

Re: buying a dog ????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purley (Post 7812837)

Well, I took my Golden to Petcetera and the groomer there did a fantastic job of my ancient dog. I missed an appointment with my groomer and I thought she might not be able to fit him in as she is super busy.

So I phoned Petcetera and asked if they knew where the groomer that used to work there had gone. The person who answered the phone said "Just a minute" and put me through to the groomer. I asked her if she was still grooming dogs and she said "Not at the moment, but we are re-opening at the end of August." She said something about someone else had bought them out.

They are having a big closing out sale, but I assume she knows because otherwise why would she be hanging around there and not getting another job??

You'd think a buy out would have made the news since they are still under bankruptcy (whatever it may be called in Canada.)

The employees in the local store are all getting ready to leave, as of last week they were told by mid-September everything should be closed and liquidated....

Time will tell I guess.

Re: buying a dog ????

Quote:

Originally Posted by scliffe (Post 7807157)

My girlfriend wants a dog and I am finding it highly amusing plodding around the pet stores and BCSPA trying to find one.

Now many moons ago back in England we have cruffs that champions pedigree breeds while doing all in its power to promote breeding cruelty

then you go into a pet store and see the cute and shabby little puppy and then read its description

I am a pomeranian, king charles chiwawa crossed with a yorkshire terrier.

Now I don't know in your book but in mine thats a bloody mongrel, its a mutt and a Heinz 57 it has no credibility as nothing else and the pet shop commits daylight bleeding robbery to charge $800 for it even if it is cute!
And then its equally daft listening to people explain to other people what breed(s) their dog is.
ITS A MONGREL THATS WHAT IT IS!!!!!

I mean there are even books on odd mongrels like the Cockopoodle ...............Oh please!!!

We also have some friends whos dog has had pups. They explain to me that there is a little of next doors dog in the puppies together with their other friends dog that was introduced.........How does that work in one litter of pups????
and exactly how can you cross a Yorkshire terrier with a husky?
its all a little bizarre to me!
I think compulsory biology classes are needed

amen....if it's a mix it's a mongrel.

and pet stores are notorious for using puppy mills ....arsehats :frown:

Re: buying a dog ????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jsmth321 (Post 7813463)

It surprised me, I can tell you. If it was just a rumour, I wouldn't have given any credence, but seeing she was the groomer and is still there, although not grooming at this very moment, suggested to me that she maybe really does have some inside knowledge or else she would be pursuing a grooming job elsewhere. She was really good and I am sure she could get a job because its very difficult in this city to find a decent groomer.

Some years ago, I didn't have an appointment for one of my dogs and his undercoat was really thick. As he was very prone to hot spots at the time, I managed to find a grooming place with a free appointment. I guess I should have been wary but a friend told me she took her dog there regularly.

Honestly, when I got him home, I was embarrassed to take him anywhere he looked so awful. He is a shih-tzu and it looked like a blind person had hacked away at him with scissors! For some strange reason they had also cut the back part of the hair from his ears and also his tail and left some ugly frond thing on the end!! I took him round to show my regular groomer the result and she said that it looked like someone had at him with a weed wacker and if she had loaned me her clippers, I could have done a better job myself and saved the money!!

So I know what I am talking about when I say the lady from Petcetera did a good job!

Re: buying a dog ????

We have a Newfoundland. They originate from..... er.... Newfoundland. They're one of the few Canadian Dogs. They were bred for helping fishermen, were used for pulling Canadian Mail Carts, and feature in Peter Pan (Nana).

I haven't met a single Canadian that can identify her!

"Wow, what a cool looking dog! What mix is she?"
"Aaawww, what a lovely dog... what sort is it?"
"Is that a Labrador cross?".

My response is usually "No, Dear, she's one of your National breeds"... but seeing as everyone I've met here is an immigrant (whatever generation), it's not really a huge surprise!

Re: buying a dog ????

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat PH (Post 7807642)

YAY!!!!! at last someone who speaks sense! Unless a breed of dog is mated to the same breed of dog it IS a mongrel! (And trust me, I have NOTHING against mongrels, they are some on the best dogs out there both for health and longevity AND character). Thanks for making me smile first thing on a monday morning!! :thumbsup:

I have just purchased a mongrel from Camrose. She is adorable and I paid $250 for her, but not before explaining to the owner that in UK these dogs are called mongrels and are usually given away !!!!!!!!:eek::eek:

Re: buying a dog ????

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsmith (Post 7807837)

If you are looking to get a dog please, please get a rescue dog from the pound - that way you get a wonderful companion and do some good in the process.

Seconded. You save a life and they love you for life.