Too Young and Too Small.

This post is the opinion of the blogger and comes from my years of working with dogs.

Working in the mall at Just Dogs! Gourmet has let me get to know a lot of repeat customers and see a lot of cute dogs. The only problem is they are usually only 6 to 8 wks. old and only a pound or two. I am not kidding! People don't understand that young puppies are so susceptible to disease and upper respiratory disease problems. And, the breeders that are breeding these "designer" dogs that are "micro" as they call them, are just breeding puppies to be put down because they are so small that their internal organs don't develop fully and can't fight infections because their immune system is defunct.

I get so, so upset when I see these dogs. Most generally, when the person takes them out of their carrier all they do is shake and tremble. These poor dogs are not going to be able to lead a normal "dog" life. By this I mean they won't be able to go up stairs or jump off a bed or couch, or play hard with the other dog in the family, if there is one, things like that.

These people tell me they pay up to a thousand dollars for their dogs. Incredible that people are so naive as to think that something that small will be healthy. Then, when they do get to a vet, the vet tells them how unhealthy their dog is and they just can't understand, or they take the dog back, and some other person buys it, and the cycle begins again.

I had two young girls come in today with a teacup Parson Russell Terrier. There is no such creature. She took the dog out of the carrier and when she took it from her friend, she just grabbed it by the nape of the neck and put it back in. I couldn't hold my tongue, I told her not to do that, it could damage the puppy. Well, about an hour later, they came back and asked if I knew why her dog hadn't eaten in 4 days. They had tried all the puppy chow type foods. I suggested she get to a vet asap. The poor little girl dog just shook continually, so sad.

Remember, their are no micro-terriers or teacup anything. So, if you are deciding to buy one, your dog may, notice the wording, 'MAY', not be pure. They say they are, but some use long hair Chihuahua's to get the size. And, usually they are CKC registered. This is the registry that all you have to do is send in 12 dollars and they send you papers.

They don't even have litter registration fees. This means a person can have a litter every time their female comes in heat and they don't have to pay for the puppies to be registered. The people that breed a female every heat cycle, are not reputable. I, personally, and this is my opinion, believe that the breeders are just breeding for money and not the love of the breed. If the breeder will not let you come to their home to see the puppy and wants to meet you at a neutral place, buyer beware! Always make sure you see the parents and the grandparents, if possible, on the latter. Look at all the vet records, and call the vet, if possible.

Do everything possible to ensure that the tiny puppy you are purchasing, is healthy, along with the parents. Research is everything. The longer a puppy is on her mom, the better. I like to see them go at 8-10 wks. old. The mothers milk holds lots of nutrients that puppies need to fight diseases. I just this moment, 1/9/08, 11:30am, got off the phone with AKC. True, AKC is not perfect, but they don't advocate mixing breeds, as CKC does. Why spend 1000's of dollars for a "mutt," and that is what these designer dogs are, when you can spend less and get a fabulous purebred, or go to a breed rescue if you have to have a purebred. If you are going to get a mix, go to a shelter and adopt a dog that is going to be put down, because no-one wants it. These "micro" dogs are just a fad, don't get caught up in it.

Again, this post is solely the opinion of the blogger and does not reflect the opinions of anyone but me. Tamara Myers-White