Member

Posts: 64
From:Ontario, Canada
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-21-2003 05:49 AM         

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Hi All,
Need help! I have been looking for a Shih-Poo in my area for about a month. I have only found back yeard breeders and puppy mills. Oh, and sorry Sean, one nice man with 3 puppies but they are all spoken for. I did a bad thing slast night, I went in to a PJ's pet store, and OMG they had the most beautiful 4 month old male Shih-Poo. He is awesome, but I am nervous about purchasing him, because of all I hear about pet stores, puppy mills, etc.
But now my worry is what will they do with him, if he is not purchased?

Anyone with kind words of wisdom, please reply..

Thanks!
cindylou-poo2

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Member

Posts: 1179
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 08-21-2003 10:36 AM         

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I wish I knew, Some may sit there for a long while. Hopefully they don't send them to the pound. If you are interested in the pup ask the shop owner if he can supply a free vet visit and if the pup is not healthy if it can be returned. Very hard to do, I imagine. Its pretty much a game of russian rullet. If you do and can bring it to a vet have the vet do a blood test and if possible an exray of the bone structure. This may cost you a couple hundred, but if you don't do it it could run much higher if you buy without checking first. Have him check the heart the liver. Maybe even have a friend do it for you so you don't get attached. Just in case its unhealthy. Its a 50-50 chance. Your best bet is not to go looking in pet stores. I am going to get a link to another poo-mix forum. Maybe something will turn up there too. I will be back.
Ok hre is a link to a yahoo group, you have to sign up and it takes a few days to go thru. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/1crosspoodles/
Once in awhile I see puppies for sale. Also check where it says poodle above click on it and it will take you to a bunch more frums with poo and a couple more poo cross ones.

[This message has been edited by puttin510 (edited 08-21-2003).]

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Member

Posts: 24
From:Iowa, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 08-21-2003 12:57 PM         

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hey, i know exactly what your going through. I had been looking for a shipoo for months....and walked into a pet store to buy supplies for my other dog when i saw 3 8wk old shipoo pups. i ended up taking one home...and at first was very unsure about what i had just done, but the petstore owner said we had 3 days that we could take him to the vet and if he wasnt healthy we could bring him back. we took him and took him to the vet the next day.....everything they did came up good and all, there is still a chance of a genetic disease that wont show up for years that we could have avoided if we had bought from a breeder with past records...but we took the chance and he was the best thing i could have ever gotten and i dont regret it in a second even if he does end up with something! i just agree with the other post...talk to the owner and see if they will give you a sort of "warranty" so you can take the puppy to the vet!

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Member

Posts: 64
From:Ontario, Canada
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-21-2003 01:14 PM         

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Thanks,
I think we will go to see him again tonight, and ask about the vet. I have been thinking about him all day!

I will post again and let everyone know how it goes.

Thanks!
Cindylou-poo2

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New Member

Posts: 2
From:Scarborough, ON, Canada
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-21-2003 01:18 PM         

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I must tellyou that I purchased my shih-poo from a woman who owned a small pet supply/pet store in the west end of toronto off Queen or King. I saw the ad in the newspaper 8 years ago and went to see him and fell in love with him.
He was the result of her two pets breeding not intentionally by her. i got to see his mother but the father was not at the store at the time. i might have lucked out but sometimes you have to give the human race the benefit of the doubt and not think everyone is in it to hurt animals.
Maybe you could look in the paper and check them out. Just an idea. Good luck.

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Member

Posts: 27
From:Ottawa, Canada
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 08-26-2003 03:55 PM         

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Cindylou....not all pet stores get thier animals from questionable places. Check with the store, ask alot of questions. Agood store will give a 3 day grace period for sure. If you really want that dog....go for it...it'll make you happy.

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Moderator

Posts: 480
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 08-26-2003 05:18 PM         

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Both a responsible petstore and a responsible breeder should have atleast a 2 year guarantee for genetic diseases. They dont normally turn up till the dog is around that age. A pet store that does it right also should have papers. If they do find out if they get their dogs from the same breeder if they do you got a puppy mill situation. Check with the better business bereau see if there are any complaints on the store for the animals they sell. We put all the pet stores around here from not selling dogs and cats. There is only one around here that does. Which is a small store that most of their dogs come in by request. The dogs have a 3 year guarantee from genetic disoreder, 1/2 off vet bills for up to a year if you use their vet. Have papers for the dogs with the breeders info on it which pertty much anyone can do that. And I have yet to see a dog in there for over 2 weeks. Just some thoughts.

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