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Author
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Topic: Help! should my friend buy this dog?
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horseyjesse
Junior Member
Member # 1199
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posted July 09, 2004 12:18 AM
my friend has been searching for a puppy to add to the family for some time. he recently decided on Australian Shephards as his breed of choice
the puppy that he is planning on looking at (and even purchasing) is currently suffering from both eye and ear infections. He is the last of the liter because the breeders placed him outside (during are their hussle and bussle from moving) and he apparently got attacked by the flies.
i want to tell him (i have been his 'go to' for dog advice since i have two myself) that it wouldnt be wise to purchase a puppy with such medical conditions. But i am hesitant to do so because i am not sure if it is such a horrible thing
i also want to tell him that if he is so set on buying the puppy, he should ask for a lower price from the breeder due to the vet bills he will have to pay later on.
are these good inputs? are the correct? i need help with this ASAP!
thanks!
Posts: 1 | From: san dimas, CA | Registered: Jul 2004
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ellierat
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Member # 612
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posted July 09, 2004 01:06 AM
I guess it would depend on the seriousness of the infections. IE: Eye..could the pup lose sight, how bad is it, long term.
Hearing... could the pup end up deaf, what the actual infection is etc.
If they are just minor, then no, there is no harm, but I agree, he should ask for a lower price, at state that the owners would be lucky to get a buyer with a pup in such a state, and furthermore the pups wellbeing should have been paramount above other inconsequential things such as moving, the pup is a living thing, the moving is a material thing.
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I love my labs.
Posts: 880 | From: australia | Registered: Feb 2004
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sambucca/whiskey
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Member # 989
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posted July 09, 2004 05:26 AM
I agree if he is set on this pup which appears to be in a compromised state, ask to bring the pup to vet before purchasing for an evaluation.
Sorry but I do have to question why the breeder hasnt already brought the pup to the vet and have it on the apprpraite meds?
Posts: 246 | Registered: May 2004
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DaxAriel's toy
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Member # 740
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posted July 09, 2004 06:19 AM
If he's been looking for quite some time why not wait a little longer for when he has the pick of the litter not the last one.
That way his chances of getting a healthy well adjusted puppy will be much higher. Not only that but he can do a little reasearch on the breeder to ensure he knows what he's getting into.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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Barbara Smith
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Member # 867
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posted July 09, 2004 07:13 PM
I agree with DogLover! Also, I don't know how well this type of dog would do with children.
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Barbara Smith
Posts: 127 | From: Norf.,Va | Registered: Apr 2004
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Elite
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Member # 774
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posted July 09, 2004 09:20 PM
I think aussies are rather good with children, myself. They're active, certainly, but are highly trainable and when they're older they seem to do very well with everybody. But that's just from my personal experiance around them.
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~*Elite*~
"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'"
--Dave Barry
Posts: 164 | From: Colorado | Registered: Mar 2004
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Shane
Junior Member
Member # 1205
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posted July 11, 2004 06:19 PM
Since this puppy is the last of the litter, I'd definately suggest your friend look elsewhere.
Beings that the dog is the last of the litter to be sold, may very well mean it is the runt that no one else wanted, which may explain the owners lack of concern about leaving a puppy so young outside knowing the risk of infections that could come, (and did come)
The last puppy of the litter almost always sells for less money, and for many reasons. Obviously because it's the smallest and by far not the best of the bunch, but also because the runt of the litter many times doesn't survive long. They don't get the amount of food they need from their mother because the larger pup's show no mercy when it comes to feeding. The smallest of the group will many times die within a few days due to starvation.
The problem is that even if the runt does infact live through the neglected feeding, it is still more likely to develope infections and such, and many times won't be able to surrvive because of the lack of immunity that comes from not eating enough.
In my opinion, unless he can get an extremely reduced price on the puppy, or the current owner sees to it that the puppy is treated and cured at his own expence, I would certainly suggest finding another breeder.
Your friend may end up with a stack of vet bills, and a puppy that may not survive even with treatment.
Posts: 12 | From: Hammond,LA | Registered: Jul 2004
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