Seen a puppy at rspca. Need urgent advice

by claire Thu Jan 20 2011, 18:42

Could anybody out there please give me some advice.
Today I have been to the rspca and have seen a litter of 8 week old puppies that are staff cross. The mother is there also and she is a staff crossed with what the rspca think may be a collie. They do not know what the father is but think it may be a staff because the puppies look very staffie. Anyway, there is one that has caught my eye. She has been separated from the rest of the litter because they have been picking on her. But she is still very sweet, not shy at all and very friendly. My concern is that when we saw the mother she is not friendly at all. Is the fact that the litter are all really really friendly mean that thats ok. In addition, if we were to purchase the puppy i will obviously have to take her straight to a vet and get her tested for HC and L2-HGA. All I care about is that she is healthy and of a good temparent. What do you think. I am going back tomorrow with the rest of the family and will be making a decision then. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

by **janey** Thu Jan 20 2011, 18:49

Go for it, with the correct upbringing the pup will grow up fine. Smile

by Guest Thu Jan 20 2011, 18:51

Claire, the dog will have traits of its mother and father just like children do, and also the dog will have missed vital lessons from its mam as its been separated, its a 50/50 gamble i would say its hard to resist a puppy that needs help, but getting it as a pup gives you every chance of success

Are you an experienced dog handler because that would be an advantage

good luck with deciding

by Guest Thu Jan 20 2011, 20:43

I see no problem as long as you bring the pup up well & socialise her. The mother probably isn't friendly because of what she's been through - it may not be her original temperament.

As to health testing, I personally wouldn't bother unless you are going to breed, and as the pup will not be a registered pedigree she should probably not be bred from. Anyway, the RSPCA may well insist on the pup being spayed as soon as she is old enough, it will be part of the sdoption agreement.

If you all like her & she is outgoing, friendly & healthy I see no reason why you shouldn't go for her.

by **janey** Thu Jan 20 2011, 20:48

Caryll wrote:I see no problem as long as you bring the pup up well & socialise her. The mother probably isn't friendly because of what she's been through - it may not be her original temperament.

As to health testing, I personally wouldn't bother unless you are going to breed, and as the pup will not be a registered pedigree she should probably not be bred from. Anyway, the RSPCA may well insist on the pup being spayed as soon as she is old enough, it will be part of the sdoption agreement.

If you all like her & she is outgoing, friendly & healthy I see no reason why you shouldn't go for her.

great, let us know what happens?

by whmon Thu Jan 20 2011, 21:15

I would agree with the above posts and add that the mother may appear not to be friendly because she is guarding her litter and as far as she is concerned, strangers keep coming to look at her pups. I would also say that even the mother, if she is really an unfriendly dog , has a great chance of being resocialised herself. It just takes the right, new owner.

by Guest Thu Jan 20 2011, 21:42

Like said above the mother is probably protecting her babies, If it is right for you go for her.

by Guest Fri Jan 21 2011, 09:55

I am speaking from my own experience...

I have a boy who I have had from 12 weeks old, again rescue came into work and has been with me every since, he is now 7.5 months old.

He has been well soicialised with people and with dogs etc and when he hit about 5.5/6 months old he became very nervous. He snaps at people he doesn't know and he is a lot of hard work, but I wouldn't change him for the world.

I am lucky as I take him to work with me every day an get to work with him, soicalising him all the time.

What I am trying to say is no matter what you do with them, sometimes it's already in them. Vets and trainer seem to think mum may have had a trauma in her 3rd trimesta to make the pups nervous.

x

by claire Fri Jan 21 2011, 11:37

thanks everybody for your advice. I will take what you say on board. Thanks again.

by Guest Fri Jan 21 2011, 12:34

What ever you decide good luck and if you do get the puppy, make sure you come back here and post plenty of pics so we can all get jelous

by Jess Fri Jan 21 2011, 14:04

BlueStaffBlue wrote:What ever you decide good luck and if you do get the puppy, make sure you come back here and post plenty of pics so we can all get jelous