Calling on Dan, Andy, and other dog owners...

[Workdawg]

Mixed breeds aren't recognized by the AKC because they are essentially muts. They were bred together to combine specific traits. There's nothing really wrong with that, just that they aren't really specific breeds.

If you were going the route of purebred, it's a good layer of protection to have... but certainly not necessary for a pet. I'd be extra critical of the breeder and make sure they are really breeding for a love of the dogs rather than to make a buck. If you can, take a trip to visit the breeder and see the conditions their dogs are kept in, meet the parents of the litter, talk to the breeder, etc. If the breeder discourages this, that would raise a red flag for me. Also, if they seem TOO eager to sell you a puppy, that would concern me as well.

When we bought Smush, we had to fill out a questionaire and go meet the breeder to make sure a bulldog would be the right fit for us, and we would be the right fit for the dog. I went alone once, because Jenny was out of town, and then we went over together. I think we were there for 2-3 hours the second time just talking about the breed and playing with the puppies.

In regards to "muts"... 5-10 years ago you never heard of golden doodles, labradoodles, puggles, etc... they were just called muts or x-by-y crosses. The recent boom in "designer dogs" has caused every crossbred dog to get some sort of fancy name to try and make them sound like a real breed.

 

[niterydr]

We can bring Scotty by sometime if you are interested in a terrier.

 

[AJ]

Lots of awesome info in here, many thanks to everyone!

The Breeder we are looking at for the Puglier is a referal of a freind (Swanny, JET has a pug from the this place) who had a good experiance with theirs. Very playful, very good with their 3 kids, 1 at 1 year old, good with theri other two dogs, and already very well trained (and not through classes or school).

It's one of those things where we are leaning to a pug/puglier right now, but this thread has given us lots of base to make sure we are making the right choice. The only thing i don't see a lot of is pugs in on the resuce side of things, when looking at sites that is.

 

[Jana]

We just gotta get past the 1 month mark w/ Drew and we'll have to get together. Maybe even outside....

I totally agree with your friend. Bringing home that few week old puppy is an amazing experience and as you know, they don't stay that little for long.
It is so much fun watching them grow up and learn/experience things for the first time.

So since the breed is new and not AKC, you will really want to investigate and research the breeder as much as possible. The breeder won't be held to any of the AKC rules and regulations on breeding (only certain dogs are allowed to be bred and they are generally the ones that meet the criteria of the breed standard). So if the breeder is just trying to make fast cash, they could be breeding any of them.... I think you can see how this could go bad quick.... However, if the breeder is top notch they generally say mixed breeds are healthier than pure.

They look cute. Have you considered a pug? http://www.akc.org/breeds/pug/index.cfm

We were originally looking at Pugs. The breeder I've been in contact with was a referral, and they typically only do the pure breed Pugs, Cavalier, Beagle & Westies (http://www.puppypaws4you.com/default.htm). Our friends got their Pug from them, and have had him for several years now with no issues. I didn't even know about the Pugalier until the mentioned they have those puppies now, and will have the pugs in about 2 months. What we really liked about the pugalier over pure pug was the longer nose so they do not have as many issues from what I've understood.

Totally understand on wanting to wait till Drew is a bit older, so just let me know when your ready for a toddler to invade!!

 

[YSOSLO]

Saw the pics of the new dog on FB. Looks like a great pick! Did you guys (AJ and Jana) find it at a shelter? How old is he? You mentioned it's a Corgi/German Shepherd mix, but there must be something else in there too for the floppy ears.

 

[Jana]

We made another trip to the GV Humane Society yesterday morning to kill some time with Lilli, and I didn't really think we'd find anything. The lady helping us was awesome & she's the one who brought this one to us after seeing two others. He was so laid back, and seemed to just fit right in. We put him on hold & were gonna go back this morning but my sister & her family convinced AJ to go pick him up yet yesterday.

He's just over a year old (like 1 year and a few days). He was a transfer from another shelter from OK or KS that was full. All we know for sure is Corgi/Mix; you can just see German Shepard in him quite a bit but it could be something else or more of a mix. So far he's fitting right in with us.

 

[AJ]

Here is a pic:

 

[Big Nate]

Awesome.
Looks like a great dog.

 

[mndsm]

That's a pretty good dog right there. And with being over a year old, he won't get any bigger, and small dogs=small poops.

 

[AJ]

Last night he started puking up some white flemming looking shit, not a lot by any means, but weird none the less. Anyone have this with their dogs before?

 

[mndsm]

Dogs do that. it's generally from either A- nerves, or B- eating grass and crap. NBD as long as he's ok afterwards.

 

[Big Nate]

Did you change his food? Did you get food with him? Did you rinse the bowl out before putting water in it?

Dogs are very sensitive to soap and cleaning liquids. if you ever wash their bowls rinse them very well and do a bleach rinse and air dry fully.

Dogs tummies can handle a lot of organic shit but they get funny when it comes to chemicals and the like.

 

[mOjO]

One time incidence is no big deal.. If it happens regularly, or the dog isn't eating, pooping, peeing, acts lethargic, coughs, throws up anything suspicious (blood, non food/water items) then bring the dog in to get checked.

 

[spek1098]

Yep, totally normal considering the adventure he's been on lately. The pre-gaging that they do is actually a good warning sign, it often gives me the chance to get the dog off the carpet before he ends up puking. Yay for hard flooring!

 

[Jana]

So he did the spitting up yet yesterday morning, so my co-worker recommended the hamburger/rice mix to settle his stomach (since he's still recovering from being fixed on Friday the 8th, and is on meds). So far that is working out good. He's had 2 good meals of that and keeping it down. He's coughed like he's going to vomit, but nothing comes out. We've got his appt at the vet next Tuesday, but will get him in sooner if that changes. Other than that, he's been really really good. He's been going in his crate pretty good at night (AJ sleeps in the 2nd bedroom with him for now) and then he's in it during the day and when we get home over lunch & after work he's just chillin', not whining or anything.

 

[mOjO]

Good for you guys. Sounds like you're doing things correctly with the crate training. Remember, reward when they go into it, ignore when they get out.