Puppy Wanted | ExpatWoman.com
 

Puppy Wanted

3
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 09:06

Hi,

My husband and I would like to adopt an apartment-appropriate puppy (6 weeks) at the beginning of September, and I was wondering if anybody knows of any dogs about to give birth? We would like a small puppy which is born into a family and is appropriate for an apartment. We will of course be able to take it out frequently (we both work from home), but we don't want a medium size/large dog which would be unhappy in an apartment.

We have already been to K9 friends and fostered a dog, however the (primarily) desert dogs they have are simply not appropriate for our circumstances. I know that lots of people will say we should be adopting from there, but I am trying to be responsible. Neither of us have owned dogs before and we do not want to be one of the people who return their dog to K9 friends because they couldn't handle it.

We do not want to go to a pet shop and buy an imported dog, as I don't think the conditions they are brought over in are fair.

We would also be happy to look at a dog which needs to be rehomed because the owner is leaving the UAE. Again, they need to be a dog which is used to living in an apartment.

Please understand that we will wait as long as it takes for the right dog for us. I think it's very important to get the right dog in order to avoid rehoming or an unhappy dog etc. which is why, having visited K9 friends we have decided against adopting from there.

Thanks,

Amelia

2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 16:01
With apologies for being repetitive, please think carefully about a puppy and an apartment. Even experienced dog owners could have some considerable trouble raising a healthy, well-adjusted pup in an apartment. It's just going to be sheer hard work. If you're genuinely up for that (maybe foster a pup for a while to be sure??) then the important thing is finding the [u'>right dog[/u'> for you...not the right breed. Good luck with your decision. ETA - Sorry...I know you didn't ask for opinions. This is just such a MASSIVE decision. If you are determined to have a purebred dog, please also be aware that it is illegal to breed and sell dogs in the UAE unless by a registered and trading pet store. 'Backyard breeders' are the worst breeders there are. You will have zero health (future BILLS) guarantees on a pup sourced within the UAE. Perhaps leave it until one or both of you holiday overseas and source a pup from an ethical breeder there. Get to know the pup in a dog-friendly environment then bring it back with you. You can start researching ethical breeders now. It may take some time, but will be worth the wait. (I keep quoting one EW member who searched the globe for her chosen breed, and finally found the right pup...TWO YEARS after her search started. :) ) <em>edited by Green-ish on 13/07/2011</em>
83
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 16:55
Amelia, just wanted to tell about my experience here.. After living in company accomodations for years, last year at last I moved into my own place and I chose a dogs allowed building with the intention of adopting a dog.. I don't remember how I started feeling that brave but I ended up adopting 2 from friends of animals, which were originally rescued from the municipality, death row:( I was living in a tiny one bedroom apartment on 8th floor, can you believe they never had an accident at home? Eventually I moved to a better/bigger place with a small garden, just for the dogs.. Now I wonder why I bothered because they never go out or use it. They were perfect in the apartment with regular walks.. They don't chew my belongings (at first they tried to steal slippers but learned toys are better), they are not noisy. When I was adopting the picture in my mind was me and my dog relazing on the couch watching a movie, my guys were not allowed on the furniture before so no matter how much I encourage them they don't! If I got a puppy myself, I couldn't be able to train him like this, more likely he would train me:) My point is.. not all rescue dogs have issues or unsuitable for apartment life.. Also, you and your Dh being first time owners, an already trained dog can be more suitable, puppies are too much work and to be honest, I couldn't even find time to housetrain if I got a puppy. Of course if your choice is to get a puppy, go ahead.. I just wanted to say if the only reason is living in an apartment you have other options. And as chocs said, contact the organisations, they almost always have puppies :) Good luck! :)
3804
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 15:19
Please note that puppies should be at least 8 weeks before they leave their mother - 6 weeks is too young! Have a look at the Dubai Municipality they have abandoned dogs there all the time. They recently had a wee dog whose owner refused to pay the release fee to get him out and so left him. He was a small dog. DARC, K9, Dogs & Cats Adoption, Posh Paws - all these shelters have dogs or all breeds, shapes and sizes.
 
 

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