No rummage sale puppies - it's not that simple!
Of course we dog lovers don't buy dogs from ominous classified ads, possibly at dumping prices. Stop! It's not that simple. Especially in Corona times with extensive contact restrictions, it makes it very difficult for dog lovers to find a puppy from a reputable source and dubious traders have long since learned their lesson. But that is not all. With Corona, downright crime structures have developed around mass dog reproduction. There are a number of reasons for this.
When dog lovers became aware that dumping prices are an indication of a dubious supplier, the dog breeders drastically increased the puppy prices.
A high price is not an indication of a serious supplier! Mass dog reproduction is not allowed either, but the penalties are a joke considering the misery caused by the breeders. This has led to the fact that even drug traffickers are "switching over" to this still lucrative business. Puppies can be "produced" in a small space for very little money. For the multiplier, it is only important that the puppy reaches the buyer alive as early as possible. What happens afterwards is of no interest to him. This development is a catastrophe for the dogs and of course also for the people who in good faith spend a lot of money on a puppy and take home a terminally ill animal.
And now?
There is no absolute protection! There are only two possibilities. 1. a properly run animal shelter in the neighbourhood. There probably won't be any puppies there, and if there are, the number of applicants will be high, but at least dog lovers can get to know their future housemate first and get advice. Keep in mind: A puppy is cute, but it also really makes a lot of work. Even experienced dog owners are always surprised at how much work is involved in looking after and raising a puppy. An adult dog that is as well socialised as possible and given a new chance can really blossom again in a loving environment and become a great companion.
2. a reputable breeder from the region. Of course, reputable breeders were also overrun with requests for puppies - and still are. So there are many more interested parties than puppies. Breeders of particularly popular breeds sometimes receive so many enquiries that some report that they can no longer answer. That's how big the rush is. Only a small group makes it to the shortlist and an even smaller one actually gets a puppy.
But unfortunately that is not all! At some point, the market is saturated with dogs. Not everyone who has acquired a dog will be able or want to keep it. Especially not when the time of the home office ends, but at the latest when holiday trips are possible again. The animal shelters have been warning for months about what will happen then, because they themselves will not be able to take in the many animals.
FAQ - I am looking for a dog
I have thought about getting a dog - what is the next step?
Talk to dog owners you know or like because their dog is healthy and well behaved and ask how they got their dog. You may get a tip that will help you. Call your local animal shelter and ask for advice. Animal welfare organisations are also good places to go.
I'm not sure what the future holds, but I would love to have a dog!
Have you thought about "sharing" a dog with someone? Check with your local SPCA and offer to help if someone is temporarily unable to care for their dog. This can also be older dog owners who are happy to have someone walk their dog. In this way, you can slowly get used to life as a dog owner.
Taking the dog to the office?
Some employers allow dogs in the workplace. However, such commitments can also be withdrawn because the circumstances change. This could be an allergic employee. But it is also easy to understand that the employer cannot tolerate several dogs running around the office at once. Nevertheless, a commitment is of course a great option.
Are dog boarding facilities an option?
Yes and no. A good boarding kennel is a great facility. Look at what they have to offer, find out exactly what they have to offer and arrange a trial stay. Reputable boarding kennels insist on it anyway. Of course, your dog shouldn't have to wait there for hours, but should be allowed to play with other dogs. This assumes that your dog is socially acceptable. Consequently, you will not be able to give away a bitch in heat. Good boarding kennels are worth their weight in gold and a huge relief. Then you pick up a happy dog in the evening who has had a great day. But such boarding kennels are not cheap. If you know you need a boarding kennel before you get your dog, find out the prices beforehand.