Hello everyone,

I've been learning from everyone here for the past 8 months and I'm finally ready to adopt a pup. Anyways, I've been looking through many adds/shelters/craigslist to save a young adult dog and found a beautiful looking 8 mont old black Lab from craigslist advert.

Here was a response to my questions about fixing, registration, breeders name and sire/dam names along with health, and general health of the pup...

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"She is not fixed, we have all the papers for her but we never registered her. She is from a breeder up in Challenge, Rough hill kennels (I'm from the area, and never heard of them). Mom an dad we're both there. Great dogs and both very healthy. Our girl hasn't had any health issues and we havn't had to take her to the vet."

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The owner wants $250 and I'm completely fine with that. However, from our email conversations, the dog has never been to a Vet. because she has been healthy, has "AKC papers", though not registered, and that there is no time for her newborn child and the pup, and I completely respect that.

I'm kind of new to puppy shopping, so I'm not sure if there is any catch to this situation. Does this sound normal for one to sell away their puppy?

Can any of you guys chime in form similar experiences?

Thanks,
Kevin

It could be legit, but it could be the breeder trying to pass an older pup off as a rescue to sell them.

A lot of people get a cute little 8 week old puppy and are really surprised when they grow and <gasp> need things like exercise and training.....

I guess the moral of the situation is one where I save the puppy and support the possible shady profit regardless. This sits fine with me as well because I prevented a pup from going to a shelter and the experiences associated with that or worse.

It's merely an email conversation at this point, but if/when I go to meet them it will could be the same end result. Good people-good puppy, bad people-good puppy.

I just don't don't want get the little girl to the vet and find out she as problems which I might not be able to afford. Maybe the shelter/rescue is a much better way to adopt a pup.?

I'm really torn at the moment....

Make sure she's not pregnant.

I guess it depends on what you're looking for and what your expectations are.

If you're rescuing a dog, then it's not unusual to have very little or no background information about the dog. You're rescuing it and you take your chances about the genetic background and early socialization/training the dog may or may not have.

Jillions of dogs trade hands like this every day, and many people wouldn't get a dog in any other way than to rescue one from a bad situation.

If, on the other hand, you're doing research and looking for a legitimate breeder of quality purebred dogs, then you already know this isn't it.

Can you visit the dog first and evaluate her objectively before you commit? I'd be less concerned about her health than her temperament, frankly. A bargain dog isn't, sometimes.

 Quote: Kevin Van Bochoven

I just don't don't want get the little girl to the vet and find out she as problems which I might not be able to afford. Maybe the shelter/rescue is a much better way to adopt a pup.?

I'm really torn at the moment....

If this is your concern you could ask to get her vet checked before you get her. If you cover the cost they should be fine with it.

Many shelter animals come in with no history. From rescue groups sometime you've got a background sometimes you don't but animals are most often vet checked and up to date on basic vaccinations/HW test/spayed/neutered.

But in the end things happen with animals. You can stack the deck but there are no guarantees. I know a couple that got a pup from a good breeder and ended up with ortho issues. Our family dog growing up was a stray, had minimal vet care and lived a pretty healthy/happy life until she was 14 y/o.

I like the idea of you paying for a vet checkup before the deal goes through.

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

Make sure she's not pregnant.

I know right?! This as well... It reminds me of a time when my Aunt and Uncle rescued a 2 yr old girl and shortly after she had pups which were not expected!

If she's close enough, why not go look at her? That will answer many of your questions, how she has been kept, if she's seems like a nice dog.