Looking for a Pooch....

[Steve007]

An overwhelmingly simplistic question. Consider the specific qualities of the breed (and individual), not the country of origin. And while there are, I presume, still genuine "imports", most breeds have been living in India or the US for many dog generations. George Washington imported English Foxhounds in the 18th century; Daniel Webster imported Gordon Setters from Scotland in the 19th; Irish Water Spaniels were brought here in the 1870s. For that matter, Mastiffs came from Central-Asia, and the dogs were brought to Britain by Phoenician traders about 500 BC. During the Roman occupation of Britain (55 BC - 415 AD), they were exported from Britain to Rome. In 1948, they came to the US from Britain. I'm sure the inmigration of breeds to India, while certainly not identical, is not totally dissimilar. So who's "imported" or "foreign" and how long ago?

Really, your bias is not fact-based, but on things you heard from other ill-informed biased people. The plural of "anecdote" is neither "data" nor "fact".

[prashantsingh]

For a flat (2BHK) I would prefer a smaller breed.
Big dogs needs more place. Labs are known to gain weight if they do not get adequate exercise. Remember they are Gun Dogs and need all that running around. There will be times when you will have to travel. I am not sure who will exercise your dog then.
They make good family dogs, specially if you have kids around.
But then it also depends on how you raise your dog. Presently I have a Dobermann at home . He is 2 years old and quite a handful. Interestingly he is very gentle with my small kids.

[mundaire]

Talking about Indian and foreign breeds, we had an English pointer in the village when I was a kid. The fellow fared quite well for almost a decade and a half, without any serious ailment(s). But then pointers are a breed which takes very well to warm climes - as do many other short haired breeds. He wasn't 'imported' either, came from a line in Punjab that probably started sometime well before independence.

I do understand the point you are trying to make though. The local breeds would (I expect) have a wider gene pool and therefore fewer inbreeding related iissues, thus may be healthier overall.

Cheers!

Sent from my ST27i using Tapatalk

[wingsoffires66]

My opinion comes from my practical experience with dogs and not with internet or preached knowledge available a click away. I like all breeds and I have to foster more of the foregin breeds because their owners face issues . We are trying to help a friend find the best way around. So why would I suggest him to go for a breed which has some inherent issue like the dog foul or temperature resistance ( resulting into drool or skin problems) which majority of the foreign breeds in here suffer? Especially when we have vast options and almost all of them will thrive in all parts of the country. Mud slinging getting personal or just the internet knowledge doesn't make one smart, it is very easy. What is difficult is learning from all and implementation to improvise .

[kanwar76]

Thanks a lot guys for your suggestion.

wingsoffires66 - My requirements are not met by indie dogs. Talking about Bully or Indian Mastiff, I won't trust a Bully near my daughter.

Prashant: Doc, I don't live alone apart from that I have people who can take care of him in the event of everybody in family going at a place where we can not take him. He will get his exercise. Luckily I myself becoming a bit of exercise nut now so he will have a companion forever.

Everybody: I am going to see few pups this Saturday, what should I look for? Are there any warning signs I should specifically look for? I have not taken a dog till date out of a litter. All our dogs were either brought into house by my dad as a surprise or pups gifted by family or friends so I am not very experienced when it comes to choosing a puppy.

-Inder

[Steve007]

Internet knowledge? I've bred 17 Champion Dalmatians, judged the entire Non-Sporting Group, put 14 obedience titles on five different breeds of dogs and instructed, achieved two Field Championships, a MH and three SH titles, a Schutzhund I title, lived with 2-6 housedogs for more years than I'll admit to, been to hundreds of dog competitions of various sorts and am widely read and knowledgable regarding (almost) all dog breeds... My two German Wirehaired Pointers (now) are #2-ranked nationally in obedience (CH Heywire N Justa's Look Who's Talkin' CD) and formerly #6-ranked Field trial dog nationally (FC Jerelin's Justa Stacked Deck MH). They are both full time house and office dogs. More credentials than that, but I don't want to bore you.

I sure wish I had your "practical experience", though, instead of just internet knowledge.

[kanwar76]

Steve007,

Can you advise on this?

"I am going to see few pups this Saturday, what should I look for? Are there any warning signs I should specifically look for? I have not taken a dog till date out of a litter. All our dogs were either brought into house by my dad as a surprise or pups gifted by family or friends so I am not very experienced when it comes to choosing a puppy. "

-Inder

[Steve007]

Steve007,

Can you advise on this?

"I am going to see few pups this Saturday, what should I look for? Are there any warning signs I should specifically look for? I have not taken a dog till date out of a litter. All our dogs were either brought into house by my dad as a surprise or pups gifted by family or friends so I am not very experienced when it comes to choosing a puppy. "

-Inder

Yes. First, here's a good article on the subject that will save me some typing. Read several times. However, there are a couple of more things.

A) Choose the litter first, not the pup. That means make sure the litter is well-socialized, clean surroundings and healthy and the dam is mentally-stable. If the mother is not there or if she is skittish, pass. The sire will not be there. Ask for the name of the vet that takes care of the mother. No name, don't buy. Has a vet seen the pups and (depending on age) given first shots? Especially if you are looking at a retriever, hip dysplasia really is a big deal in those breeds. It is hereditary. Do a little research and see about Indian HD-free certifications for the parents. Ask to see a pedigree. Purebred dogs of good breeding are (on the average) healthier and more mentally sound because informed people care enough to do things right. Don't buy from a pet shop or from someone who breeds more than one breed of dog. Do you and the dam of the litter like the guy or lady?

B) in the end,if the litter is good, get the confident extroverted pup that likes you best. Don't argue with a healthy pup of a good background that likes you.

C) You need stuff! Don't take a pup home! Make a list (including the same food the pup is getting). Buy the stuff first.

D) Call a vet. Buy pup ONLY with 48-hour return for full refund (get in writing). Get pup, go to vet. Return if problems.

E) You will have a dog for a long time and spend time, emotion and money. Don't be cheap. A breeder (refers to anyone with pups) that cares enough to x-ray for HD (in HD-prone breeds) ,for example, probably will charge more that an unknowledgable person that breeds Fluffy to Fang down the street.It's worth it.

F) Six weeks is too young to bring a puppy home, percentage-wise. Eight weeks is much better, if the dog has a good start in life from parents and breeder. Seven minimum.

G) Don't let your wife or kid talk you out of any of this.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-p ... ppy-litter

[hvj1]

Wingsoffire
While your advice on suitability is based on reason, ultimately for a dog lover and specifically one who has experience with different breeds, what really eventually matters, is not the breed but the affection for a particular breed based on experience. While your opinion on smell and other aspects does hold water, however, regardless of the cons, one does plump for a breed which one loves.

[hvj1]

Inder
Points which I look for are as follows;
1. Go for the first born.
2. If that is not the case, observe the litter and settle for the pup which is the most playful and active. Particularly the one who insists on chewing the ears and scruffs of its siblings.(this is just an example)
3.Avoid pups which are curled away from the rest of the litter in a corner, which is lethargic.
4.Pick up the pup you have identified and see how it reacts to you. Put him down on the ground and if he tries to lick your hands or tries to follow you around, that is a good sign.

Finally, most breeders have the 'pick of the litter' for which they charge higher. These are really good animals, provided the breeder is not a conman himself, trying to pass off each and every pup as a Pick.

Regards

[kanwar76]

Thanks a lot Steve, I made sure I pick pups from litters where I can see both Sire and Dam. I don't think three is any HD free certification is there but one of the pup will be KCI registered. I am planning to take a vet with me (depending on his availability), will ask the breeder that if I can have 48-Hour return option.

Both Puppies are 5 week old, I am not planning to get them until at least 7 weeks. Not taking my daughter alone precisely for same reason. If I decided to not to take one for any of above reasons,I know I will have horrid time till I reach home

BTW what you think about chocolate Labradors?

Thanks a lot for your help

-Inder

[hvj1]

Excellent advice Steve.

[hvj1]

I won't trust a Bully near my daughter.

-Inder

ditto

[kanwar76]

Inder
Points which I look for are as follows;
1. Go for the first born.
2. If that is not the case, observe the litter and settle for the pup which is the most playful and active. Particularly the one who insists on chewing the ears and scruffs of its siblings.(this is just an example)
3.Avoid pups which are curled away from the rest of the litter in a corner, which is lethargic.
4.Pick up the pup you have identified and see how it reacts to you. Put him down on the ground and if he tries to lick your hands or tries to follow you around, that is a good sign.

Finally, most breeders have the 'pick of the litter' for which they charge higher. These are really good animals, provided the breeder is not a conman himself, trying to pass off each and every pup as a Pick.

Regards

Hi Hemanth,

Both the litters are from homes. One had both Sire and Dam with them,Unluckily from one litter only 1 male and 1female is left from another only 1 male is there rest are already booked:(

So i have to choose between those 3 ;(

-Inder

[hvj1]

Inder,
In that case, pick up each pup and Go by your gut feeling, if you are not sure, wait for the next litter, I know your daughter will not receive this idea well. All the very Best.