Looking for a puppy. Where do I start?

I can provide a great home for a new puppy! I work at a dog daycare, so it can come to work with me every day. I live in a place that has adaquate room and such for a dog to grow. My question is where do I look? I don't want to go to a pet store and I don't want a purebred dog (pure breed is not really that important). I just want a puppy that'll be able to maintain an active lifestyle (ie mountain hiking, camping, runs, dog park, etc). We want a puppy so we can start from scratch and train it the way that we want it trained, you know, so we don't adopt an older dog that already has some bad habits that it'll be like pulling teeth to break of those.


Anyhow, adoption fees at shelters (at least in my area) are SO expensive and overpriced. Where do I start to look for a puppy that I can pay at least $100 to adopt? I know about craigslist, and I've tried there. Does anyone else know a place to look? Or, do you know anyone who has puppies?


Thank you.

Looking for a puppy. Where do I start?
why would you want to buy a puppy from someone over the internet ? not safe or healthy puppy.





shelters should be $150-250..and that is only paying for what you'd have to pay for anyway (food, vaccines, vet, spaying/neutering). A shelter puppy never goes home to anyone without at least a first set of vaccines. Your vet's would be more expensive. Also they usually spay/neuter if it's a shelter that would be alot more at your vet.





petfinder rescue orgs are about the same price. And you usually pay an exrta $50 that is returnable once you spay/neuter at 6 months.





A puppy can cost $2000 in one year..are you sure you are financially ready for this?





Petstore puppies are from puppymills. it's good not to buy from there because that helps put puppymills out of business and you usually get a very sick (acutely and genetically) puppy.


But petco has adoption drives.(from rescues) http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_petad...
Reply:did u try petfinder.com?
Reply:save a life. go to your nearest shelter.


with most shelters, the spay/neuter, first shots and a complete vet check is included in the adoption price at a reduced rate so you'll not have to spend more.
Reply:Try your local breed rescues. Although they may be committed to a certain breed, they do take "that breed mixes" in.





The reason that the shelter dogs are so expensive is because they are fixed, mircrochipped, have their shots and are temperament tested. Honestly, if you don't want a purebred, the shelter is the best place for you. It is cheaper for an adoption fee then for a fix and shots. good luck!
Reply:If you really think about it, those 'high' adoption fees are often bargains, since the pups will already be fixed- often the adoption fee is around or even under that of just the fixing itself- please reconsider adopting through a shelter or rescue-will save you $ in the long run, as well as piece of mind.
Reply:Usually the adoption fees cover a LOT of things...not toys and beds and all that other stuff people think is so important....but vaccines, worming, spay/neuter, vet check......all that pesky stuff you would spend HUNDREDS on. If you pay for an adoption fee at a good shelter, you may pay more, but you are getting more.





It doesn't make sense to pay a cheaper price just to have the money to get the puppy more "things" right off the bat.
Reply:Okay first thing in the morning go and purchase a newspaper. Then open it up to the classifieds and look for the pets section! You will be able to find a dog with good prices AND be able to go and see the parents! I think its an excellent thing. Thats where I got my great dog! =D ( You see like great dog owners already! GOOD LUCK!)





http://www.sugarloot.com/entry/873806808
Reply:sounds like what you need to do is stick with shelters and rescues. i mean even if it does run a little over a hundred consider please the expenses already taken care of upon getting the animal...and the animal has been vet checked and taken care of properly so you know you are getting a healthy puppy, if it does have special needs you will know that upon adopting.





I don't see your reasoning in lessening your expenses by not using a rescue or shelter just to have to turn right around and pay even more to have it done to maintain the health of an animal that has had no prior care and will be more costly in the long run.......





??? Makes no since to me???
Reply:I'd definately try the local shelter and also petfinder.com is a great help for finding local rescues and available puppies!
Reply:in your search engine try phrases like "buy a pup" "dog rescue" "pet shelters" etc.


for many years i've had poundpuppies, all purebred, and they turned out wonderful!


there are also breed specific rescues as well. sometimes they have litters or individual pups for rescue.


have you thought of size, temperment, activity level, food cost, etc? there's a big difference getting a shih tzu versus a st bernard!





whatever you decide, it sounds like your pup wil be welcomed into a loving home. good luck with your search and pup!!





also, the price you pay at a shelter/rescue sometimes includes the spay/neuter, vet exam, shots, microchip -- just to list a few things. you have the right to know where and how the money you pay to rescue is spent. so ask!
Reply:http://www.petfinder.com is the best place to start. It will list available dogs in your area.





Many no-kill groups charge around $200 for dogs - most of that money goes into helping the dogs via vet care, spay/neuter, food, foster homes, and adequate facilities. It may even be tax deductable. Some will charge even more for puppies because of the higher demand for them.





The best dogs to get will probably be medium-large sized black shepherd mixes. Other than pits, these are the dogs that get killed the quickest in shelters.





GL in your search : )
Reply:mountain hiking, camping, runs, dog park --- I would get a lab or a golden or a mix of a medium sized dog that likes to take long walks --
Reply:First start at your vet's office- They put me on a list of people they'd call as soon as had one or knew of one. Try your local classifieds online. If you don't want to spend a ton of $$, you'd probably be looking at a mutt- and you never know how irresponsible the breeder was. Good luck!
Reply:Start by looking here, you will find the perfect breed:


http://animal.discovery.com/breedselecto...


When you find the breed, look on maybe petfinder.com or just open up the paper to the classifieds and those dogs are most always purebred at least 400 dollars. The people have their phone number in the ad and it should be pretty local. Good luck!
Reply:Someone else suggested looking in the classifieds. DON'T do that. These are people who sell dogs for profit, and 95% of the people who sell in newspapers are backyard breeders that don't care about the dogs, don't do health testing, etc.





Reputable breeders don't sell in newspapers. They don't have to, they go by word of mouth from happy dog owners..



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