puppies

[powell11]

can anyone tell me where some dog breeders are in the surrounding area of bristol or maybe bristol??
thanks

[Kleiber]

Depends what breed you're looking for.

[powell11]

well i have three choices really
1.german shepherd
2.golden retriever
3.labradoodle(cross between labrador and a poodle)

[Kleiber]

Didn't you want a pet rabbit a little while ago? Has your Mum now agreed to a dog?

[powell11]

well when i saw my mates guineau pigs that gave me the idea of a rabbit and then i saw my other mates hen and cockerel which made me want them and all three of us were playing football and this man came up with his dog and he said once the dog finds you it wont leave you alone so we started to play with the dog and that made me want a dog

[showcatbenga]

If you are really keen to get a dog I suggest you go to a dog show where you will see all the breeds that you may be interested in, meet their owners & possibly the breeders. I suggest that you try to find someone who has a dog that you could help take care of. Or try volunteering to help out at a local rescue & re-homing centre. You have to pick up your dog's pooh in a plastic bag & put it in a bin (or take it home with you if there isn't a bin!) when you are out walking anywhere public. Groom the dog. Walk the dog in the cold, rain, snow or sunshine even when you don't want to. Clean up any accidents or sick. Train the dog - it doesn't just happen! You may have to take a class. Follow a regular routine for feeding & exercise at the same time every day. Find somewhere for your dog when you go on holiday.....etc. This animal will probably live for at least the next 12 years - can you deliver all this care & more for that length of time?

[Kleiber]

powell11, love, I seem to remember that your Mum was concerned about who would look after a rabbit if you had one, when you went on holiday. You'd have more problems with a dog - you'd have to pay for kennels or, as I do, just don't have holidays. Believe me, much as it seems you love animals, and I've no doubt you'd be a good owner, they are a tremendous tie. I have 5 cats & 2 dogs and if it weren't for my son, who looks after them all when I go away on business, it would cost a fortune to kennel them all. I haven't had a holiday in 7 years. An animal is a lifetime committment (their lifetime, I mean, not yours). Bide your time and think very carefully about this... K

[leelapops]

I must say, powell, I agree with Kleiber (as always, 'cos she is fab!). A dog is a minimum 10 years' commitment, and I am talking emotional, financial, social...If you are serious about dog ownership, you make a fair few sacrifices to ensure the welfare of your pet.

I don't know anything about you, and I won't presume, so just consider what would happen if you got a job with long hours? Or had to move away or travel back and forth for long periods of time? Or, as Kleiber says, if you just wanted a holiday? You either have to pay expensive kennelling fees and risk upsetting your dog, find somewhere dog-friendly and put a lot of thought into the type of holiday you have, or just not go.

I only speak from experience, as a 22-year-old part-time working, university student with a wonderful Border Collie, now aged almost 4. When moving house, we spent a long time trying to find rented accommodation that would accept pets, my partner worked nights so Jack wasn't left alone excessively.

I know you didn't ask the question in order to be lectured, but I see too many cases of unwanted pets not to lecture!! There is so much to consider, and as showcatbenga says, the dog will still be there when it is hailing outside, or when you have a hangover, and they aren't ready-made, a lot of work goes into responsible dog ownership.

Just please think long and hard. Lisa.

[garner]

I have to agree with leelapops you just cannot get or buy animals on a whim,goodness me, they are living creatures and need money and time spending on them, it's a full time job,7 days a week,week in and week out.

[woofgang]

and what will happen when you meet a man who has an elephant?? <grin>

[powell11]

i know where to put my puppy if i get one theres a local kennels and ip ut my old dog there and didnt know where to put a rabbbit

[powell11]

then ill want an elephant
lol