Buying a cross-breed?

[diddy]

Hi all,

We're wanting to get another dog. I really wanted to get a rescue but have had pretty negative experiences with two different rescues despite us having experience, a big garden and someone at home all day - gah. Anyhow, we're now looking to buy instead but am feeling bad about spending a small fortune on a pedigree dog.

So...what is your view about buying crossbreeds i.e. not designer dogs like a labradoodle but puppies that may or may not be accidental like a collie-cross or something, which are obviously much cheaper?

My sensible head is saying I shouldn't pay money to someone that is breeding random dogs on purpose or by accident. But it also seems a bit mad to pay hundreds of pounds for a pedigree when we would have been happy to have pretty much anything from a rescue centre. What d'you think?

D. x

 

[s4sugar]

You are probably trying the wrong rescues.
I would not give any money over vet fees & food costs for an accident and would not entertain lining an irresponsible breeder's pockets.

What area so we can give some suggestions?

 

[Leo Walker]

Have a look at lurchers. Some are indiscriminately bred, but a lot are bred from working lines, with a lot of thought and care and are bred to be sane and tough. They arent expensive. You will probably also find that a lot of the lurcher rescues are a lot more pragmatic about rehoming. I know a lot will happily rehome the right dog with small children and to full time workers etc

 

[Clodagh]

There don't seem to be odd mutt puppies any more - terrier x collies are now jollies and £450 each...all very odd.
I have ummed about another rescue but have decided I will buy a pup, I will go pedigree and health tested as I want to work it. Pedigrees don't know that they are, so at least if you buy a health tested pup you are maybe more likely to have a long lived happy pet?

 

[planete]

Have a look at lurchers. Some are indiscriminately bred, but a lot are bred from working lines, with a lot of thought and care and are bred to be sane and tough. They arent expensive. You will probably also find that a lot of the lurcher rescues are a lot more pragmatic about rehoming. I know a lot will happily rehome the right dog with small children and to full time workers etc

That. And you can get puppies from a rescue too if you want a pup. Look up specific lurcher and greyhound rescues which also have lurchers.