I'm thinking of getting a dog...

[HTH AMPS]

The title says it all, I've always loved dogs and they always seem to take to me.  I think its time I dipped my toe into the water.

The major problem is cost, they're bloody expensive to buy.  Anyone know where I might get a puppy free (or very cheap) ???  I've visited local shelters and the dogs are typically either Staffies or just big dogs in general.  I'm after something quite small really - a spaniel or beagle, but not as small as a terrior.

Anyone?

[Jonny]

How much are they anyways?

[Afghan Dave]

I've played with a few cheap dogs in my time.... :?

They can be expensive to share your home with, so I find it's better to play for an hour or two then leave em on the street... :P

Bitches can be great fun...

[_tom_]

How much are they anyways?

Our retriever was about £300-350 I think. Vet bills are bloody expensive as well!

[FELINEGUITARS]

Will it neeed to be half deaf to cope with all the amp testing?
Could it be trained (like a drug sniffer dog ) to sniff out bad tubes

We had a really sweet spaniel come to the shop with a customer this week - was really sweet natured and well behaved.
Dont know what Tigger would have thought of him though  if he'd known that he came into the shop. (Tig was locked in the office - fast asleep)

[Will]

How much are they anyways?

Our retriever was about £300-350 I think. Vet bills are bloody expensive as well!

:lol: My Alsation was over double that!
Then insurance is £20 a month

[Will]

Have you tried finding the breed you are more specifically interested in, then find a rescue centre which focuses on breed.
Most of them may 'require a donation' though.

Another major issue is the time they require to train, more to worry about than the money IMO

[JDC]

can't remember where I heard this but the cost of a pet is suppose to be £600 a year, and I doubt that includes that daft doggy fashion, they already got coats!

[WezV]

if you want a beagle or some breed like that the best place is to find a breeder.  For a show dog you will pay a lot, but they often have runts or one-balled dogs or even just ones with non-standard markings that are much cheaper and no reason it will not make a good pet.

also look out in ad-mags and pet-shop/vet sign boards for recent litters

[Ian Price]

I'm after something quite small really - a spaniel or beagle, but not as small as a terrior.

I have both and recommend a Beagle over a Spaniel. In my experience Spaniels are a bit too eager to please and do whine a lot. Beagles do tend to eat absolutely anything and are not the easiest to train but are great looking dogs.

[shobet]

The beagles I've come across are thick as shitee and mad as badgers.

Is there a specific reason you want a puppy apart from the cuteness factor? Could you live with a rescue dog or one that needs re-homing? Have you researched both Spaniel and Beagle behavioural characteristics and potential health problems related to the breeds? Do they fit in with your lifestyle and time you have to dedicate to the dog?

Also are you prepared for the amount of walking you'll have to do? Note that the dog wont necessarily want to poo and pee when you want it to. Do you work at home or do you leave the house for large parts of the day? I ask this as some breeds can be a bit more needy than others.

What worries me is that you seem to be looking to minimize initial outlay. However if you get a puppy you're looking at 10 to 12 years with that dog. If you're scrimping to get one will you be looking to save on the annual jabs, other vets fees and feeding as that's where the real costs lie? 

I'm not trying to talk you out of it, but to encourage you to fully understand what you're letting yourself in for.

[ToneMonkey]

What worries me is that you seem to be looking to minimize initial outlay. However if you get a puppy you're looking at 10 to 12 years with that dog. If you're scrimping to get one will you be looking to save on the annual jabs, other vets fees and feeding as that's where the real costs lie? 

Meh, sacks are cheap and access to canals is free  :lol:

I like beagles, well I like all dogs.  My mate had a non-descript dog of about beagle size and it was brilliant.  I have a non-descript cat of the pub variety, so I wouldn't get too hung up on bread.

I'd advise against Staffies.  Lovely dogs, just mental.

[HTH AMPS]

Will it neeed to be half deaf to cope with all the amp testing?
Could it be trained (like a drug sniffer dog ) to sniff out bad tubes

We had a really sweet spaniel come to the shop with a customer this week - was really sweet natured and well behaved.
Dont know what Tigger would have thought of him though  if he'd known that he came into the shop. (Tig was locked in the office - fast asleep)

thats gorgeous, I'd have that pooch in a second.

[HTH AMPS]

The beagles I've come across are thick as shiteee and mad as badgers.

Is there a specific reason you want a puppy apart from the cuteness factor? Could you live with a rescue dog or one that needs re-homing? Have you researched both Spaniel and Beagle behavioural characteristics and potential health problems related to the breeds? Do they fit in with your lifestyle and time you have to dedicate to the dog?

Also are you prepared for the amount of walking you'll have to do? Note that the dog wont necessarily want to poo and pee when you want it to. Do you work at home or do you leave the house for large parts of the day? I ask this as some breeds can be a bit more needy than others.

What worries me is that you seem to be looking to minimize initial outlay. However if you get a puppy you're looking at 10 to 12 years with that dog. If you're scrimping to get one will you be looking to save on the annual jabs, other vets fees and feeding as that's where the real costs lie? 

I'm not trying to talk you out of it, but to encourage you to fully understand what you're letting yourself in for.

I'm prepared for it, I've looked after other people's dogs while they've been on holiday.

I'm aware of the costs month-to-month, just that £500+ outlay is not on the cards for me right now.  I've researched how much food and vets bills are and also insurance should anything serious go wrong.

As for shelter dogs, I just feel that getting a dog from a pup means you'll be able to get them used to you from the get go.  I do work and I'll feel awful leaving the dog during the day, but I've talked to lots of friends and work colleagues who work all day and didn't find they have a problem.

I saw two beagles together in a shelter, but they needed to be rehomed as a pair - ain't really got the space for two dogs.

[MDV]

Stop giving me pet GAS!

I miss my alsation and cats :(