I keep telling my friend if we can't rescue a dog, we'll go to a breeder. He thinks the very idea of a breeder is wrong and doesn't know how that thought ever crossed my mind.

So I was wondering, how do I tell him that breeders aren't so bad if we can't rescue? Thanks.

Well I dont see how you couldn't rescue. Sometimes it takes patience.

But that being said, a REPUTABLE breeder only is the way to go. That means that they are AKC registered, come from champion lines, and both parents are health tested before breeding (tests for genetic disorders)

maybe he had bad experience with breeders and it marked his mind, but try to get him to a credible breeder who knows a lot of things and knows all the answers to his doubts..

I replied to your other thread as well, but noticed your wanting a cocker spaniel/poodle mix. No good breeder will breed these as these are cross breeds and not purebreds. So you are best finding one in a rescue.

A tip though, search for cocker spaniel or poodle. Since Cockapoo isnt a breed, most petfinder adds arnt listed that way.

Here is a cocker rescue in PA. Im sorry I didnt know where in NJ you were so I just searched by Trenton, NJ. Since they are a cocker rescue they might be able to hook you up with a mix in need. Or you could just get a pure cocker!

<font color=0099cc>Cockers in Need

I'm still looking on Petfinder everyday for one, a lady who my parents met has a Bichonpoo and got her at some respectable pet store-so we'll check that out later. I didn't check Craig'slist because I hear they're not that good.

We will always try to rescue an animal, it's great to. I rescued a hamster and he lived two wonderful years and you always hear so many great stories, but we haven't found one that we like yet on these sites or in the shelters near us.

As I said in the other thread my father and I both have allergies so we need a dog that won't shed as much as a Golden or Husky. We're not bad people if we don't rescue a dog.

And thanks for your reply janicejan.

Oh good gawd, any pet store that sells puppies is NO GOOD! They all come from backyard breeders or puppy mills. ALL OF THEM. Dont believe that they tell you they get their dogs from good breeders. Good breeders do not and will NEVER sell their puppies to a petstore. They want to know where their dogs are going, bottom line.

I know that. I've told my mother this and she knows. I may not know everything on dogs, but I do know some stuff. *smiles*

Well thats good to know! lol.

Sorry if I was snappy, when people say "pet store pups" I just want to pull my hair out!

I replied this in your other thread too, but have you considered a Maltese? Very adorable and are great for people with allergies because their hair is more like human hair. They are a long haired dog so grooming and daily brushing are needed, but they dont have an undercoat and dont shed much.

They're cute, but my father wants a bigger dog, not that a Cockapoo is much bigger, hehe. No, you didn't snap...I just don't want to come across as you all thinking I'm stupid or a bad person just because I'm looking at a crossbreed.

Yeah a cocker/poodle wouldnt be much bigger. As far as I know they are mixed with mini poodles so it will probably be smaller than a cocker. I think Bichon's are a little bigger then a Maltese and they are still pretty cute.

What about a Sheltie? They have long hair that is really soft and they dont shed much.

Oh and just to add, no dog is really hypoallergenic. They still have fur and dander. Its just some dogs shed less and have less dander so they dont bother people AS much. But if a person is HIGHLY allergic to a dog any dog will bother them..

As another note, getting a dog as a puppy (no matter what breed) will help a person become immune to that dog. Even an adult dog people can get immune to. With my boxer Heidi, her hair really bothered me when we first got her. I would get really itchy and dry skin. I took some allergy pills for a month or two because I knew it would pass, I just had to build up an immunity to her. Now a year later, she doesnt bother me one bit

I realize you said that poodles wernt a favorite, but if your looking for something besides a small dog, what about a standard poodle? They are usually calmer and less barky than the toys. Just my opinion but to me the standards that i've known also seemed to have more of a personality than the toys.

Another breed you might consider would be a Portuguese Water Dog. Not quite as big as a standard Poodle, but with similar coat. Less likely than many breeds to cause allergy problems, but they do require frequent grooming. Then again, so do Cockapoos.

Originally Posted by vetgroomer

Another breed you might consider would be a Portuguese Water Dog. Not quite as big as a standard Poodle, but with similar coat. Less likely than many breeds to cause allergy problems, but they do require frequent grooming. Then again, so do Cockapoos.

Oh thank you for posting this! I knew there was a bigger dog who was good for people with allergies and I couldnt think of it for the life of me lol. I heard thats what the Obama's are getting.

Well we saw a Bichonpoo today, not a bad looking dog. And my allergies were fine with it, just got allergies over the bedding they were in. We're actually looking for a mix breed, not a purebred.

And whoa! No Shelties! Nothing against them, they're adorable and I love my Grandmother's dog Poco, but needless to say we'd go there Christmas Eve and Christmas Day I was sick as a dog because of Poco. Then when she moved to NY with my uncle it was worse cause there was Poco and Marley, my aunt/uncle's Irish Setter.

So no those cutie pies. Are there any mix breeds out there that you know are good for people with allergies? Thanks Sway.

There are no mixes that are good for people with allergies. Like I said, you wont know til its older which side it took after (the poodle or the mix) The ONLY way you should get a mix is if you get one as a rescue and as an adult.

A purebred from a reputable breeder is the only way to know what the dog will be like as an adult.

Originally Posted by GoldenJedi

a lady who my parents met has a Bichonpoo and got her at some respectable pet store

I'm sorry but "respectable pet store" that sells puppies -- that's an oxymoron. If you want a purebred, find a breeder of quality dogs and purchase...but I'd say go for a rescue...there are plenty of purebred dogs in rescue. No "respectable" pet store will sell puppies and no respectable breeder would place their puppies in a pet store.

Personally, unless you are wanting a quality show dog you should only consider rescue.

Originally Posted by GoldenJedi

We're not bad people if we don't rescue a dog.

And thanks for your reply janicejan.

Of course not! It's not about "good" or "bad". You need to find what works best for you. But, you will find that dog people feel very passionately about certain things and backyard breeders is one of them--pet store puppies are ALWAYS from such places. This practice must be discouraged and the only way to do that is for NO ONE to purchase such dogs.

Regarding allergies: no dog is hypoallergenic (as has been mentioned). Pres. Obama is looking for that for his girls and he's going to find out the hard way that they don't exist. That said, my understanding is that dogs that have hair rather than fur are less likely to produce dander which is the allergen. Dogs such as shitzus and Lhasa's and maltese are such dogs.

[wishbone]

If ever you have a list, try to include Corgi or Dachshund on your list...