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Dogs - all types What do you think of this mix of breeds
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Author | Topic: What do you think of this mix of breeds |
Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 06-07-2003 08:18 PM
Hi, Does a Sheltie/Golden Retriever sound like a good mix of breeds to anyone out there? Anyone with any experience with this mix? I've met the Golden Retriever Mum and she's lovely and sweet. The Shelties in the house are also friendly and smart. (Mum and Dad are both pure breds who had an illicit affair) The puppy is not cheap, but it is from a breeder who is making sure the Mum and puppies are getting good vet care and puppies are very well socialized. After all, isn't that why we are willing to pay higher prices for dogs? Because we know that it's not cheap to give good vet care and good food for a family? Or am I totally mixed up about pricing. IP: Logged |
iluvmypup Member Posts: 341 |
posted 06-07-2003 08:27 PM
lucky, before you mention how much your going to pay for a puppy you might want to think again alot of people here do not like people who mix breeds and when you mention how much you paid oh boy you will be attacked like crazy (i'm not one of the people)but i just thought i should warn you. good luck. to answer your question i know retrievers are good dogs but don't know about a sheltie. IP: Logged |
Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 06-07-2003 08:31 PM
Ooops! Thanks for the warning! Haven't bought the puppy yet and it's not as expensive as a pure-bred...but...I'd be interested in hearing what's wrong with paying big bucks for a mix breed. Is it a matter of too many dogs and not enough homes or that purebreds are just better dogs? IP: Logged |
iluvmypup Member Posts: 341 |
posted 06-07-2003 08:43 PM
i see nothing wrong in paying big bucks for a mix i did it myself.and he was worth every penny.it's up to you to spend what you want if the dog is what you want.and i don't think purebreeds are better and i don't think mixes are better. to be honest my shihpoo is just as smart as any purebreed maybe smarter then some.just depends on the mix i guess.but if the mix is what you want i say go for it. [This message has been edited by iluvmypup (edited 06-07-2003).] IP: Logged |
RottyMommy Moderator Posts: 480 |
posted 06-07-2003 11:11 PM
As far as the reason why people dont like others spending money is mostly because of the overpupulation of mixed breeds. As for the mix I have a black lab/sheltie mix. She is 14 years old. My now fiance trained her when he was 12 years old so I dont think they would be that hard to train and labs arent much different from goldens. She barks at everything not sure what breed she got that from but just a forewarning. Just remember everydog is different so your pup could have the traits of neither breed personality wise. The most aggressive dog I have ever seen was a golden retriever. I rescued him and now has a permanent home. But he lives with a single lady can't be around kids, men, or other animals. But he is happy now and didnt have to be put down as we thought we might have to. Just some words of wisdom. But I have to say my lab/sheltie mix is wonderful a total delight. So good luck with whatever you decide! IP: Logged |
nern Moderator Posts: 1591 |
posted 06-08-2003 12:50 AM
Hi Lucky. I think it has more to do with people intentionally breeding mixed dogs and selling them at high prices just to make a buck when there are plenty of homeless mixes already out there. In your case, it sounds like this was an accidental breeding rahter than a money hungry back yard breeder and hopefully the owner will be more careful in the future. As long as she is not intentionally breeding and selling the pups in an effort to make big bucks...I see no problem with you getting a pup from her. Retrievers and Shelties are both great dogs and if her dogs have been health screened (because she normally breeds purebreds) than that is a plus too. If she is charging a good amount of money for an adoption fee then I would expect the pups to have been checked by a vet, gotten their first and maybe even second set of shots and treated for worms and if they havent I would question her reason for a high adoption fee. IP: Logged |
goob Member Posts: 552 |
posted 06-08-2003 02:14 AM
It's not uncommon for shelties to have issues with barking, so you should definitely be prepared to deal with that if you decide to take one of the pups (may not happen, but better to be ready just in case). Also, both breeds can be very active, so you may find that you'll have to find the dog some sort of "job" to keep them from becoming bored and destructive. I don't know much about either breed, but from what I have seen, eye problems are not uncommon in either breed, so you may want to see if they've had the parents checked for genetic eye diesases (PRA, etc). Also, be prepared for a lot of coat, which you'll have to either brush, or keep clipped down. There's nothing wrong (IMO) with buying a mixed breed dog if that's what you want, it does bother me though when breeders/owners try to pass off mixed breeds as a breed (and breeders demand overly high prices for their "designer breeds"), which is insulting to the people who work/ed to create the breeds there are today and keep them around. Edit: Forgot to mention that the best way to determine temperament/physical characteristics of a mixed breed pup is to look at the parents and any other close ancestors. There is usually very little uniformity in F1 (first generation) crosses (it can take dozens of generations to finally develop some uniformity in physical/mental characteristics), so there's no telling whether your sheltie/golden will be anything like you neighbor's sheltie/golden, cousin's sheltie/golden, etc. Even looking at the parent's/relatives isn't a guarantee that they'll be like that, as some genes can be carried without being expressed for generations, but it's definitely a much safer bet than looking at other examples of the cross, but by different parent dogs. [This message has been edited by goob (edited 06-08-2003).] IP: Logged |
Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 06-08-2003 03:24 AM
I paid $30 for my Aussie/Lab mix at a horse show, he had his first shot and that was it. I paid $200 for a rescue pup thats a Catahoula and I drove to California to get him. I get $50 of that back when I show proof he has been neutered, he had his shots, been dewormed etc. I can go to the humane society here and adopt a dog for $105 that includes microchipping, spaying or neutering, shots and vet exam. I won't make comment on breeding for mixes, but I will offer my point of view on the lady who had the accidental breeding...it was an accident, and I would be willing to pay for the amount of care that has gone into the dog...but if thats over what I would be paying from a rescue or shelter, I personally wouldn't do it. I don't know what you consider "alot" and the area you are in would be a small factor as well but I would rather rescue from the shelter. There are so many mixes and purebreds at the shelters, and they are great pups and dogs...why pay more? Just my opinion. Anything you buy...is worth what you are willing to pay for it, that would be current market value, and truely it comes down to your own choice. IP: Logged |
Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 06-08-2003 12:25 PM
Hi, Thank you all for your responses. I do really like the idea of getting a dog from a shelter. In fact I have recently had two dogs from our local shelter. The problem is that both dogs have had terrible health problems and both had to be put down (our most recent baby had to be euthanized at 2 yrs - we were working through her hip displaysia and knee problems and her stranger anxiety but then when we took her in for booster shots we found she had cancer all through her lymph nodes) I know that many, many people find wonderful dogs at shelters - I can think of half a dozen healthy, happy animals in my neighbourhood alone. I think everyone should be encouraged to adopt unwanted animals. But we've had nothing but bad luck from shelters and it's hard on us and our kids. I'm hoping that by going to a breeder and seeing the parents I'll end up with a dog that might truly be able to be part of our family for 10-13 years. IP: Logged |
goob Member Posts: 552 |
posted 06-08-2003 12:53 PM
I can understand your concerns, but even when buying from a breeder, there are no guarantees that the dog will be healthy into old age, remember where the dogs in the shelter came from. That's why it's important to be sure you buy from a good breeder if you choose that route. It would be a good idea to do some research on common genetic diseases in both breeds, and talk to the breeder about how they go about preventing these diseases in their dogs. If they just give a simple "well I know my dogs are healthy" or "the vet checked the mother before she was bred, the pups are checked before leaving" type answer, then definitely do more checking into them/their dogs before buying. Most of the tests for genetic diseases have to be carried out by vets with special training, so if you have doubts, ask for their vets contact numbers and see what they've had done on their dogs. Here are two links that list some genetic diseases common in goldens http://www.gaylans.com/diseases.html http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/breeds/goldens.html Some about shelties http://www.rehler.com/html/sheltie.html#health http://www.assa.org/notice_on_genetic_diseases.html And more more that lists a bunch of breeds and some common genetic diseases for them http://www.raot.org/information/genetic.htm From looking at these, it seems that they can have these problems in common; Hip Dysplasia, Thyroid problems, PRA (or similar diseases), von Willebrand's disease, epilepsy. So you would definitely want to see if they had done any testing for these problems. IP: Logged |
goob Member Posts: 552 |
posted 06-08-2003 01:05 PM
Have you though about contacting some breeders and seeing if they have any older pups/adults they're looking to place. If you don't mind getting a dog that's not a pup, that may be the best way for you to go. Often, an older "pet quality" (because they had a slight fault, like a mismark, or an uneven bite) pup will already be partially trained, fixed, and if you go with a reputable breeder, you would be pretty sure of getting a healthy dog. Or maybe a rescue, as they usually do more extensive health/temperament checks than the shelters, who are just looking to get the dogs out before they're PTS. Not saying to not get the pup you liked, just suggesting a few other options. IP: Logged |
Jas Moderator Posts: 536 |
posted 06-08-2003 01:07 PM
Hi Lucky, if you prefer at this time to get a dog from a breeder check out a site like this: http://members.tripod.com/antique_fcr/goodbreeder.html There is good info on the site about what to look for in a good breeder, things to be aware of, genetic testing - and why its important. best of luck IP: Logged |
Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 06-08-2003 02:23 PM
Wow! What great web-sites. Thank you very much. I don't think I have asked enough questions about genetic disorders. (Although I'm impressed by what a relatively healthy breed Shelties appear to be.) I will now ask about hips, eyes, etc. What has impressed me most about this breeder is the temperament of her dogs. I have honestly never seen animals so people friendly and well-adjusted. The breeder has offered to start crate training the puppy for me. She also is an obedience trainer who allows you to attend her classes for free when you have one of her pups so she can keep an eye on how they are doing. I just get a good feeling about her...but I still need to dig more into those health issues! IP: Logged |
puttin510 Member Posts: 1179 |
posted 06-09-2003 04:39 PM
My boss has a neighbor with THE most beautiful sheltie. Awsome. Golden retrievers great dogs. I think the mix would be a good pup. The sheltie I spoke of. He has never barked at me and does not know me. I know a 14 year old sheltie that i used to visit on our walks. He liked us from the get go. Though he would bark at others. Not me and my dogs though. He used to get loose once in a while and come round to my block. I would bring him home. He hopped right into my car once. Either way I think the pups will be beautiful. IP: Logged |
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