We have a puppy plan!

[jilliniowa]

Well, it's that time of year, and the ONLY conversation at our house by our DDs revolves around getting a puppy. Let me tell you--they are RELENTLESS. Weeks ago letters were written to Santa-"all we want is a puppy," with detailed instructions on when, how, and where to leave it so it wouldn't wake them too early with its' barking.

More importantly, I am ready for this new addition, which is key, since I'm going to be the one home all day with the ball of fur!

At first we took the girls with us to check out prospects, but we soon realized that was two opinions too many, plus they never agreed on the same one. The girls think we have stopped looking, and have pinned their hopes on Santa coming through.

Yesterday, on the recommendation of a friend we drove an hour away, and found what we were looking for--a loving, responsible breeder, with a litter of farm and family raised Goldendoodles. We have our eye on the runt of the litter, a blonde female, with the misguided hope that she won't get too big! She was so sweet, I didn't want to put her down. She is 4 weeks now, so she'll be ready for us at just in time for Christmas. They are going to e-mail us pics every week of the whole litter, so we can see their progress.

We haven't decided yet if the puppy will be from us, or if Santa will deliver. Logistics will probably make that decision for us.

I'm so excited, but I can't say anything! Had to tell someone...thanks for listening to me gush. HO HO HO!

[trish_ks]

I have asked Santa for a puppy every year for the last 25 years...you'd think someone would have taken the hint!!! Your girls are lucky! What in the world does a Goldendoodle look like??

OMG I need one!!!! http://www.soulofadoption.com/blog/goldendoodle.jpg

[Canice]

That's very exciting, Jill! And they're such pretty dogs. What a wonderful addition to your family. Be sure to come back and let us know how the surprise goes!

[armel]

What a wonderful surprise for your girls! I can't wait to find out how surprised they are.

Gigi says woof, woof! She is excited for you too!

[jilliniowa]

Thanks for that link, Trish! That is exactly the color of the one we picked. The litter was mostly black pups, one chocolate, and three cream-colored. We thought the girls would think the light ones were "prettiest." If only they came in pink! That pile of sleeping pups was about the cutest thing I have ever seen.

Momma is a reddish Golden Retriever. Dad is a black Standard Poodle. The poodle contribution makes this hybrid low or non-shedding, and hypoallergenic, which we need for DH. Best case scenario is a dog that ends up with the Golden temperament, and the Poodle intelligence. But I guess it's like kids--you fall in love with whatever you get. :)

Canice and Theresa, you will probably be able to hear the squeals of delight all the way out in CA. A fat, fluffy puppy with a big red bow around her neck? --really, things just don't usually work out for me like this.

[lindrusso]

The link posted is a really cute doodle. :)

The breed seems so variable in looks - some are much more poodle and other much more golden.

The link above seems to be a great blend of the two.

My DH wouln't entertain any kind of doodle, golden or lab. I love Bailey dearly, but I could do without all the danged hair all over the place!

[BucknellAlum]

Oh! We got a labradoodle almost a year ago and I LOVE him! Of course we had some rough moments during the first few months, I had many days of thinking "what have I done??" But now that he is house trained and out of a lot of puppy behavior, it is a lot more fun! (and some BBers here helped me out with advice a couple of times!)

Ours is all black and he is medium size. He is a 3rd generation and a mini poodle was originally bred into the lab line, so he will be about 33 pounds, which is perfect for me. We had visited some 'doodles that were bred with standard size poodles and they were a bit much for what we were looking for,although DS would have loved a bigger dog.

My DS is also allergic and has no reaction to Shadow. And there is NO hair anywhere in the house which I love. I do pay a groomer every so often, but it is worth it to me to not have the dog hair around.

Shadow is a very quick learner and he is so great with my kids! Lots of luck to you and PM me if you have any questions!!

[beckms]

That sounds like so much fun! I still remember when I came downstairs one morning to my own puppy surprise when I was 7...they'll never forget it! Be sure to have a camera on hand so you can get shots of those surprised faces! :D

[pointerhaven]

I'm sorry to be a Grinch on this one, but as a Rescuer I detest the sale and breeding of Mixed Breed Designer Dogs. I so often get emails from Breeders who constantly Breed and Breed and do not have homes for the pups before they are born, and then ask Rescues like mine to take a litter, because they are having another litter and the pups on the ground haven't been sold....

I know that puppy breath is wonderful and I love my dogs dearly and would never give them up. But on record there are so many dogs in shelters and rescues that need homes. Why not go there. Golden Retriever Rescue is very big and they have soooooooo many furbabies in need... Please reconsider and look into rescue.

Sorry for for the soap box, but this is my passion.

Save English Pointers..... www.pointerrescue.org Go there and look at the dogs I am trying to save.

Wanda

[tyroleancutie]

Congrats on the Puppy Plan - I bet your kids will never forget this Christmas :)



Save English Pointers..... www.pointerrescue.org Go there and look at the dogs I am trying to save.


I am with you on this one and if our landlord would allow it, we would adopt another dog in a heartbeat. Bandit, our dog, is a Rescue and I just looked the Rescue Page you posted and now I wonder if she is maybe an English Pointer and not a Dalmatian Mix :o

[alicerh]

I have a soap box to speak from too. Besides the appaling idea of "designer dogs", Christmas is really the worst time to get a dog, with all of the excitement and comotion in most homes at this time. The dog will be scared anyway without all of this. A better idea is to give a IOU for a dog and let the kids go along. Let the dog choose them instead of the reverse. That way you find a dog who "loves their smell" and will bond much easier.

Sorry if I have given you ideas you don't want to hear.
Alice

[avariell]

i will hop on the soapbox and say that my rescue dog is one of the best decisions i ever made.... www.petfinder.org is a great resource in my area. just get a puppy who needs a home!

as a side note, i would NOT recommend a pointer as your first dog :D i was raised around drathaars (similar to german wire haired pointers) and helped my parents pick out their now-4-year-old english pointer. unless you are prepared to spend a tremendous amount of time exercising it, don't get a hunting breed. and this is coming from someone who ADORES pointers :rolleyes: ;)

[nancymaring]

Okay Jilliniowa...I have to get on my soapbox also.
First off, you are paying WAAAAY to much for a MIXED breed dog...no matter what you are paying, it is waaay to much!

Because it is a mixed breed dog, you don't know what you will be getting. These dogs don't just automatically inherit a gene for low or non-shedding...it is a sales pitch...they are not necessarily hypoallergenic..it is a sales pitch....

It could very well inherit all the the shedding, and behaviors, as well as the allergies and health problems of the Golden....or all the horrible health problems of Poodles. You just don't know.(in fact, this is the reason they stopped breeding them for the seeing-eye program in Austrailia..they couldn't breed out certain health issues...and these are people that KNOW what they are doing, in regards to bloodlines, etc)

As a professional dog groomer...believe me...they DO shed, ALL dogs shed...if it isn't falling onto the floor...it is staying in with the live coat and causing matting...which will require loads of brushing on your part, or trips to the groomer...and we charge anywhere from $60.00 to $200.00 dollars to do a 'doodle...depending on the haircut needed...so factor that into the price of raising your dog for the next 15 years.

Getting the runt? How small did you want this dog to be? Both parents are BIG dogs! If you want a big dog, that's great...but you won't be getting a 14 inch dog when both parents are well over 22 inches at the shoulders.

I fully agree with Pointerhaven...get a rescue...you know just what you are getting..from temperament to size to health problems, if any. You don't know that with the puppy you are getting.

And do some research on the BREED of dog you need...each breed has distinct temperament types and it is important that they match up with your family. There are many breeds I adore for looks...but the energy requirements are to much for me...I don't have the time to exercise a large, active hunting breed such as your getting... Really think that through. That is the main reason dogs are in rescue in the first place...people didn't factor in how much exercise a dog needs.
Older dogs fit into todays families better because they are passed the "I need 4 hours of hard exercise a day" routine.

I agree with Alicerh...Christmas day is the WORSE time to have a dog show up in the household. Life is too hectic. Place a toy stuffed dog under the tree with a note that says "I'll be here for real on January 3rd" Why January? Because the kids will be back in school and the dog can have some peace and quiet to adjust to it's new surroundings.

And sorry Avariell...I don't agree...Don't let a puppy pick you. Often the most brazen and alpha of the puppies will seek you out...and most people don't do well with head strong, alpha dogs in their households. People need to learn what temperament fits in THEIR family and look for those traits in their forever companion.

Sorry if this note is hard hitting. I'm just a little passionate about it as I see the fall-out all the time.
I'll get off my soapbox now...

nancy

[avariell]

And sorry Avariell...I don't agree...Don't let a puppy pick you. Often the most brazen and alpha of the puppies will seek you out...and most people don't do well with head strong, alpha dogs in their households. People need to learn what temperament fits in THEIR family and look for those traits in their forever companion.
nancy

you must have misunderstood something i said... i would NEVER let a puppy pick me. i highly recommend researching breeds and matching them with your family's specific needs/desires. maybe when i said "just get a puppy that needs a home", you thought i meant any puppy... which i didn't. i meant figure out what fits your family best and then try to see if you can get a rescue puppy in that category.

[RobinC]

I think what you are doing it very exciting. :D Your girls are going to be over the moon when they meet the new family member. It's good that you've waited until you're ready for the puppy, since as you wisely pointed out - it's you who will be staying home with the little fur ball everyday.

Rescue dogs are great, but they are not for everyone. Frequently rescue dogs need a lot of work - attention and behavior modification. Also, most dog owners I know think their breed is the best (which they should ;)) . I'm partial to terriers (or terrors as they can sometimes be called :p) This is largely because this is what I grew up with.

My sister just got a smooth fox terrier rescue dog. My family has raised smooths, so she knew what she was getting into. It took a few months from the time she put in the application until she got a call that a dog was in need of a good home. Cooper's family was moving and felt they couldn't keep him, so they gave him to some friends to "find him a good home." The friends didn't do a very good job, I think they pawned him off to the first people they found. He went to a family with small children, and that didn't work out so well. After he nipped at one of the kids (smooths are not the best with kids) they put him up on Craig's list. Poor little guy. That's when the rescue organization stepped in. Cooper was placed with my sister and has been doing very well. He is the sweetest boy and it's hard to imagine anyone could give him up. While the rescue dog worked out for her, he wouldn't have worked out in other homes.

The only advise I have is to do some research on training. My sister has and it's really paid off. She's also been watching The Dog Whisperer and has picked up some very good advise.

Best wishes to you and your family on your soon-to-be new addition. There's nothing like the unconditional love of a pet. :)

[avariell]

i also think getting an adult rescue dog for a first time owner with children might be a mistake... for an inexperienced dog owner, the problems that come up might be too much. on the other hand, there are wonderful programs where you can adopt a fully trained rescue dog: http://www.teamgreyhound.com/prisons/PrisonPageTGAO.htm

[alicerh]

I'm the one that said let the puppy chose the kids and I stand by that. You want a puppy that is very sociable, cuddly and wants to be on the kids, not one who is timid, afraid and doesn't want to be loved and cuddled. The alpha is often the one who wants the attention and makes a great pet as long as you teach them you are alpha in the home and this isn't hard to do with a puppy.


Alice

[pointerhaven]

To put everyone at ease about adopting a rescue dog. Let me explain how a reputable rescue works.

Most Rescue's pull dogs from shelters or take owner give up and then move the dog to a Foster Home. There they are evaluated as to adoptablity, health, temperament and socialization. Dogs are vetted, always spayed or neutered. Any rescue that places an unaltered dog is not reputable. We make sure the dog is healthy and happy and knows basic house manners and obedience before being released for adoption. As Foster Coordinator for Pointer Rescue, I follow up monthly with my foster homes and make sure that everything is going ok, if not more often. They have my phone numbers and email and can contact me with any issues.

All adoptive homes are interviewed twice, once by the Adoption Coordinators and then again by the foster parents of the dogs they are interested in. A home visit is done by a volunteer from either PRO or another Rescue in their area. Their vet is interviewd and asked if he would recommend them as a home for one of our dogs. If they do not have animals, we require a personal referance from someone they know who has a pet.

So you see, dogs in Rescue, usually are a safe bet for adoption. However there are always exceptions, and a reputable rescue will have someone the family can call and talk to about any issues and a reputable will take back the dog, if the issues cannot be resolved. However again we ask families to understand that it does take a few weeks for the dog to acclimate to an new home and to be understandindg and patient with thier new family member.

All that being said, I do hope that you get a dog for the children. I remember having a dog always and some of my best memories were of me and a Mixed breed named Tabby, she is always in my memories.

I would also hope that the family as a whole goes to an obedience class and that training is the most important thing. Remember dogs either rescues or purchased do not come pre-trained and this is a life time commitment to the dog. It can be one of the most rewarding things you can do. So get a dog, love and cherish it as you would one of your children.

Wanda and the Three "Couch Potatoes" Nate, Scout and Toby, English Pointers

[nancymaring]

Avariell...My apologies. I did place the wrong name with that statement.

Alicerh...While I don't think the 'puppy should pick you", I also don't think people should stettle for the timid puppy....I was thinking of all those middle guys in the litter...they tend to be the most stable and fit into a family best.

And Pointerhaven..THANK YOU for explaining rescue better then I ever could. Many consider 'rescue' as meaning any rescue...from the pound, from the newspaper, from neighbors. When I say 'rescue' I mean the type of organizations that you describe.
These people help with placing dogs within your limitations.
For instance...I adopt Bull Terriers...but to fit into my lifestyle, I need OLD Bull Terriers...at least 10 years old or older. Young ones , of this breed, have too much energy for my lifestyle.

I still stand by my statement that an older dog is better for most families. Especially with kids. ("older" meaning from 2 to 5 years, depending on the breed)
Most people find that the one or two little 'problems' you may encounter, are easier to deal with then the months of housebreaking, and training involved with a new puppy.

In any case...enjoy....nancy

[armel]

All adoptive homes are interviewed twice, once by the Adoption Coordinators and then again by the foster parents of the dogs they are interested in. A home visit is done by a volunteer from either PRO or another Rescue in their area. Their vet is interviewd and asked if he would recommend them as a home for one of our dogs. If they do not have animals, we require a personal referance from someone they know who has a pet.

I think some folks, such as myself, do not like that aspect of rescues. I guess I don't feel comfortable having somebody decide whether or not I am "dog-worthy".

Some people only adopt rescues. And that is wonderful. But in the end I don't think that is right for everybody. I bought my dog from a breeder and was very happy. I think the most important thing is finding the right dog for yourself.

Jilliniowa sounds like she had thought about what she wants and what type of dog will work with her family. I know she and her children will enjoy the new puppy. And any time to bring the puppy into the house can be the right time. If you are prepared and ready for it. And it sounds like she is. Also, Christmas can be a great time. I know that for myself, that is the one time of the year that I get the most time off of work to help acclimate a new puppy to its home.

And I want to see pictures!!!! Gigi and I watched the National Dog Show today. We only briefly got to see the affenpinscher. Gigi and I think it was robbed. Obviously the superior dog that should have won. No bias here.

[AvrilH]

Avariell - I am joining you in the puppydom very soon too! My boys have been asking for years, and while I have qualms, I realized that I really want a dog too!

We are getting a beagle and I am thrilled. I grew up with beagles, and can't wait to give my boys the same type of experience I had. The litter is expected in January, so one day in late March we are all piling in the van with no explanation and going out to pick up our pup! :)

And I love the idea of rescue, while my children are young I want to bring a puppy in the home for training and safety reasons. In a few years I can see working with a foster beagle organization that is here in Canada. :)