Q: Which puppy has the best personality?
A: People come to visit here and sometimes spend hours trying to decide which puppy has the best personality. After having received feedback from several thousand past puppy buyers, I have learned that there doesn't seem to be any significant difference between the personalities of mentally healthy dogs once they are adapted and settled into their new home. While some puppies may seem to be more shy or afraid when you take them out to the play area and they have met you for the first time, this should be interpreted as a show of intelligence because you can at least be sure that the puppy realizes that you are a total stranger that may be a threat to him. If you buy one of the girlie pets that has been subjected to 50+ years of breeding his cousins together just to make them pretty for the dog show, he may never quit wagging the tail and licking even total strangers in the face. You might think he's sweet, but you may always wonder if the dog can remember who you were from yesterday. Many visitors have commented over the years that many of these types of pets could never remember anything about their house training.
Q: Why are ours some of the world's best AND cheapest pups?
A: All pups receive up to 4 different vaccines, beginning with Neopar parvo virus vaccine, at 4-5 wks, by 8 wks of age. They get ivermectin to prevent demodex mites, intestinal parasites, and scabies mites (which are transmissable to humans- cause rash and severe itching), and marquis anti-protozoal paste to prevent coccidia and giardia (transmissable to humans- causes upset stomach). They also get prior to sale microscopic fecal examinations, and are sold with a written health warranty. All veterinary doctors and technical people are welcome to visit here or just call for advice if you would like to learn more about my cryptosporidium prevention regimen. Most puppies suffering from cryptosporidium are misdiagnosed as having parvovirus. Ours are likely the only pets in the world to receive cryptosporidium preventative treatment prior to the sale. A high percentage of people who buy puppies in the U.S. spend more at the vet next week than they paid for the puppy. Can you affird not to buy a puppy that hasn't been subject to a professional care standard?
 Q: How much do they shed?
A: Three basic coat choices are available in dogs of all breeds. Short-haired dogs do shed. Most of this is limited to shedding the winter coat in the springtime and indoor shedding can be reduced by brushing outdoors. New tools like the Furminator comb are available now that can reduce the shedding of short coated dogs by up to 90%. Some of the silky long-coated breeds are low or non-shedders. These types of pets have grooming and maintenance issues, some of which can cost several thousand dollars extra over the life of your pet. The only other option to completely avoid both haircuts and shedding is to buy a hairless pet.
The idea that the pet does not shed is the single greatest factor that will complicate your pet ownership experience. Since most long haired non-shedding pets are old favorites that have in many cases been subjected to years of line breeding just to make them look pretty for the dog show, pets that don't shed are in my opinion more likely to be less healthy, less intelligent, and three times more expensive to own. I personally would much rather have an ugly dog that I truly loved than to have "Miss Canine America" not love my family or always urinate in my floor. We do have new tools now, such as the "Furminator" comb, that are quite effective in combing loose hair out of the coat of short haired dogs. These tools when used properly can almost eliminate hair loss indoors with your short haired pet. Choosing to deal with the shedding problem in this way can save thousands of dollars in ownership costs that are related to long coats also. It is also a good way to get a more intelligent and healthier pet. Have you ever noticed that most owners of long haired dogs elect to keep them shaved short so they don't need to deal with mats and tangles? These are the folks who should have bought the Rat Terrier instead.
FURminator Tool, (Yellow) 4
"The Furminator" anti-shed comb! Using this tool when the short haired dog begins to lose his winter coat is said to reduce his shedding by up to 90%!
 This large variety of this product costs approximately the same as just one haircut! Now it is possible for you to have a really healthy and more intelligent almost no shed pet without the mental and physical issues and related expenses that too often occur in the "girlie" pets. This would be much easier to use than brushing a long coat every day just to keep it from becoming matted or tangled, or bathing it enough to make it develop skin conditions while trying to prevent it from smelling like the urine that constantly gets in the hair when it squats to urinate. The only logical reasons to buy the long haired reduced shedding pets now would be that you enjoy doing hair or that you think they're really cute! Because some short haired dogs don't smell as badly as many long haired breeds and because less outdoor allergens are likely to become entrapped in the hair of a short coat breed, a short haired pet that has been properly combed may have more hypoallergenic value to some patients than the long coat non shedders. Now you can have almost no shedding and use that hair cut money for car payments, etc.! |
Q: Should I buy a male or a female puppy?
A: Most male puppies neutered promply at 6 months of age will always squat to urinate like a female. Males are also often more confident than females, and are therefore less likely to urinate in the floor by accident when they get nervous or excited! With all other things in the environment being equal, male puppies seem to like women better, while female pups often prefer men! Although a high percentage of our puppies are likely to love most family members, there can sometimes be an advantage in choosing a pup opposite the sex of the pup's intended favorite person! So many women are in love with a look or with the idea of putting dresses on their pet or putting bows in its ears, that they improve the chances that the dog won't like them as their favorite person just because they bought a female puppy. The fact that so many of these female "girlie" pets are childish also contributes to this situation, because these are the pets that most often prefer men over female owners
Q: Which is the best pet for kids?
A: Children have more fun with an interactive pet that is tolerant of their horseplay and enjoys being involved in their activites. Many breeds, like the Rat Terrier, Beagle, Fiest, etc, are an excellent choice for children, while some breeds, like Chihuahuas, often don't like kids. Others, like Min-Pins, weenie dogs, Jack Russells, etc, are more likely to be aggressive with them or with their playmates later in life. I also think it's a good idea to avoid long haired pets for children. Although some long coated dogs may have some hypo-allergenic value to some pet owners, you may by choosing long hair increase the chances that your child will get Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever or lyme disease, since long haired pets are more likely to get fleas and ticks that can bite your children and make them sick.
Q: How big do they get?
A: Most of the pets we sell here are in the 5-25 lb size range. Most people who are attracted to indoor pets generally agree that the smallest one is the cutest. Many think that 20+ lbs is too big for an indoor pet. My advice to every pet owner is to choose a house pet that's small enough, but not too small. Many of those dogs that mature less than 10 lbs can be handicapped by their size. Dogs that are too small are more likely to have shorter life spans and increased occurrences of diabetes, allergy problems, epilepsy, etc, later in life than are pets that are even slightly larger. Many of those who choose the smallest later wish that the dog had been big enough to climb the stairs without their constant assistance and to jump up and down off the furniture without damaging his knees.
Q: How long do they live?
A: Many factors can impact the life expectancy of a pet. Average life spans for a 3 lb pet are 4-7 years, while a 10-12 lb pet is likely to live 14-16 years. It is those 15-20 lb active breeds with healthy anatomy and no long hair to get in their eyes and make them go blind that seem to do the best. One visitor told me that his giant size 25 lb Rat Terrier lived 31 years; another that his Beagle lived to be 24.
Q: Should I buy a purebred puppy or a hybrid mix?
A: Hybrids (intentional mixes) are typically mentally and physically healthier than most purebreds. Rat Terriers, Beagles, and a few of the purebreds are a healthy genetics pet, but most purebred dogs are much more likely to have health problems than a hybrid. A purebred Rat Terrier is the most mentally and physically healthy of all our pets. I am sometimes dumbfounded by the questions people ask when calling about pets. Some ask "are they registered", as if this makes them a greater prize. I would estimate that at least one-third of the registered dogs that I have seen over the past 25 years were not purebreds AND I would also estimate that purebred line bred pedigreed show dogs are three times more likely to be mentally incompetent and have weird health problems and die young than Rat Terriers or hybrid mixes. I will never understand why some pet owners are dumb enough to think expensive registered show dogs are better. You would be surprised if you knew how many of these tiny show champions don't live more than 3 years before having liver disease, kidney failure, or "too small" health problems because their health has been compromised by line breeding for show purposes just to make them look pretty. There was a time when your pedigreed show dog was once a mutt or mongrel before the word hybrid became popular. Line breeding for genetic refinement just to make them look pretty is likely the main thing that has in so many cases changed their mental and physical health while being bred to look as they do today. To buy a hybrid is one of the best ways to undo the damage that line breeding has done to so many of these pets. In short, the true value of a pet lies in the happiness it brings to our families, and not in its pedigree.
Q: How much are they?
A: See our price list. You should also consider ownership costs if you really don't want to spend lots of money on a pet. It is important that you think an affordable dog is cute, so avoid less healthy genetics, pets that weigh less than 5 lbs, and also pets with long hair! Many look at our girlie pets and complain of purchase price. I always respond by saying that it's not my fault that you think this expensive pet is cute. We have many other more affordable and practical choices!
Q: Which breeds do people seem to like the best?
A: Rat Terriers, Hairless Terriers, and Fiests are favorites. The only people who don't like these are those buyers who would not do a good job with training and discipline. Most first time buyers feel that this is the best all around pet they've ever owned. Beagles, doodles, and most all the hybrid mixes also seem to be well received pets. 30% who buy the Chihuahuas deal with not being able to house train or with serious personality and size-related health problems. 30% who buy purebred Cairns give them away because they're overwhelmed by their mischievousness. 30% who buy Jack Russells give them away at some point, because they are so hyper when young or often bite causing serious injury when older. All of those who buy the Bostons think they're sweet, but many are disappointed in their out-of-control rudeness and potential for expensive health problems. Many who buy long-coated girlie pets don't want another one next time because of maintenance expenses or housetraining difficulties.
Q: How old are the puppies or when can they go home with me?
A: We recommend that all pets be at least 8 weeks old before going home with you, but 10 weeks is a better age for some pets if a stressful situation waits at your home. Puppies that are at least 8 weeks have been vaccinated 3 times, so chances that the pup will get a virus are very slim. Puppies that are older than 8 weeks can handle the stress of adapting better, and are a great value, because more puppy shots will have been given, so fewer vet visits resulting in tremendous savings are required between 8 and 16 weeks of age. For example, an 8 week old pup will need to go to the vet for puppy shots again at 10, 13, and 16 weeks. If you choose an available 16 week pup, these vaccines have already been given. The total savings in choosing an older pet after the older pup discount and veterinary care not needed can easily total $250.00. Because small breed puppies grow into their young adult frames by 5 months old, it is also an advantage to be able to tell just how big the dog is going to get and to be able to tell more about his adult appearance.
Q: Shouldn't your child's pet be raised by an experienced professional?
A: Our pups are born INDOORS on computer controlled heating pads. Our puppies will touch the ground for the first time when you bring him home! ! BACKYARD BREEDERS OR HOME HOBBY BREEDERS don't have a USDA standard facility because they are not willing to spend the money. (Our kennel facility cost $100,000.00). Instead, they choose to exploit the dogs in unsanitary environment and call those of us who care enough to maintain a nice facility "puppy mills". Those who raise puppies in the back yard or in the back room are the people who are truly guilty of animal exploitation because the pups often get sick and die. Want to be able to tell the difference between an animal care professional and a back room puppy miller? Ask to see their kennel facility or photos made in it! You should be thankful for any person who provides a good place from which to get a pet. It is my opinion that none can make a huge amount of money raising and selling puppies if they care for them properly. I do this because I enjoy the animals and I also enjoy the happiness that they bring to people. If you question the need for our puppies, you should get out and try to find another USDA standard nursery from which to buy a healthy puppy or go to the shelter and try to find a small breed puppy exactly like you want! Just last week, I sold a puppy to a vet tech who works for the Humane Society. After watching the shelter every day for more than 2 years to try to find a small breed pup that she wanted as a house pet, she finally gave up on adoption because "all of those available were too big to keep in my apartment".
Q: Why could animal rights activists and illegitimate animal rescue people potentially be the worst enemy of the pet owner?
A: Because veterinary professionals and legislators know that USDA standards are the only way to raise puppies and keep them healthy! Every time someone screams "PUPPY MILL," legislators proceed to instill more USDA standard enforcement, thus creating more USDA standard facilities, while taking the right of the pet owner to breed his pet away. Specific legislations are now pending that could make it illegal to breed house pets, because undesirable behaviors related to sexual function often contribute to pet abandonment at the shelter later.
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