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great thanks! very helpful.
Now if only they didn't sell the dog already, after we asked if was still for sale and then bought train tickets to fucking gloucester. fuckers. back to square one, looking.
I'll keep everything in mind for the next one.
Christ though, is it better to get a puppy and clean slate?
Puppy vs rehoming. Discuss...@PQR - lovely!! if you need a sitter/walker!
mands-
That's annoying, but possibly a blessing.
Over the years I've had many mixed breeds, as well as Labradors, border collies and staffies. My last dog was a staffy and I had him when my kids were born. He died at 15 and I waited 6 years to get Herbie, till the kids were a bit older.
I was torn between a rescue dog or a puppy and wasn't helped by my kids' all wanting something different - Rottweiler, husky and whippet... In the end two things swung it for a puppy - the chance for my kids to experience having a puppy and seeing it grow and develop, and not wanting to inherit any issues with a dog that would be around the kids.
The next one will be a rescue...
Markyboy
What's their reason for selling/giving away the dog at two? At that age it should have had at least two rounds of inoculations, three if it's over 27 months. If I had to let my dog go at that age, I would be happy to pass on the vet's details to the prospective new owner so they could look into any past health issues. Check whether it's had regularl worm and flea treatments too.
Is it the only dog in the house? If not watch how it is around the other dogs. In any case, spend time just watching it without giving it attention. Does it look alert and interested? Is it nervous? Ask to take it for a walk with the owner and see how it behaves when out and whether it's confident. Watch it walking and running to check for any signs of lameness.
Find out what it's been fed on and whether it has any diet issues. What do you plan to feed it on,will you be able to change to that if you need to.
Where's it going to live at your place? Bed in a specific room, crate, outdoors? Is it used to sleeping the owner's bed? Does it go on furniture? Will you be happy with this in your house? If not, how easy will it be to retrain it?
There's loads of general stuff, plus the breed specific issues about which I have no idea. If the owner is evasive, gets impatient with your questions, doesn't want to spend time going through all this stuff, then walk. Don't be seduced by the cute dog...
I went to Sunderland four times before I got Herbie. The first time, I was there for over three hours and I was being vetted. That was over six months before the litter came.
Bottom line, if the owner is genuine and wants the best for the dog, they will have nothing to hide, and will be glad that you are being so thorough. Good luck!