I have, trying to fill the spot left by my best mate.
In NSW a seller must vaccinated and micro chip each pup, but it is not happening.
I looked for my new mate in ten shops over a 600 klm trip at work yesterday.
Found cross breeding that just frightens me, how about the Dog? some outcomes seem to bring concerns for the health of new pups.
And constant story's about we will reduce the price if you get the vet things done are a worry.
A pup pure bred and fine but not the right one for me, was given this added sales pitch.
The boss puts them down if they are not sold as pups! please buy him!
Then the bright eyed Little bundle of fur that was cross bred but not sure what breeds are involved!
Do we need more regulation? yes we do, and I still need my mate.

Belly, forget the shops, buy privately where you KNOW these things wont be done (if if they are supposed to be), then get them done yourself. You then know its been done right. As for cross-breeding, it can bring out the best or worst in dogs. I'm on my third dog (second pure-bred), and I'll never buy a pure-bred again. My farm mutt was much more intelligent and obedient than the two since him have been, and has much more character!

Thanks Country girl you are right, but it does not change my concerns.
Bush breed I have had Kelpies and blueys in big numbers love them but not what I need now.
My best mate died and I took his little bundle of fur home it grew on me.
I want another one like her, only after starting the search did I get some doubt was she pure breed?
Kept looking between jobs today and it hurt!
Pet shops backed by puppy farms are openly by passing state laws.
Not vaccinating and horrible as it seems killing dogs past a selling age.
Can not get over that.
A dog if you are not working it should be a mate not a status thing, not a body guard , just a companion and mate.
And at 8 weeks who can tell what a pup will be? unless you see both parents.

Belly, I think that a pet shop would be about the worst place to buy a dog. Unlike CG, I prefer pedigreed dogs (golden retrievers, perhaps unsurprisingly) - and I found my current 'best mate' through a breeder recommended by the official kennel club.

The puppy wasn't cheap, but she came with all vaccinations, certifications and pedigree. I had her microchipped and desexed.

She's the best dog I've ever had - but that's what I thought about the last one :( One of life's tragedies is that dogs don't live longer...

Belly

There's a real racket going on with the sale of dogs. Once, if a dog was a cross breed you didn't pay anything for it. Now potential dog owners are paying hundreds of dollars, even for a maltese "chitzu" cross and so on.

As for myself, I have never sought or bought a dog, however, I have never been without one either. My animals have all been refugees. On the odd occasion I have snatched them from moronic and cruel owners.

I have also had pure breeds such as labradors, boxers and bulldogs. I now discourage friends from buying certain breeds, a result of breeders who continue to breed the pug, bulldog etc. These poor critters usually suffer from breathing difficulties, asthma, eczema and in-breeding genetic flaws. My lovely Bruno, the boxer was born with a hole in the heart.

Now Belly, a word of advice. Why not go to the pound and rescue the ugliest dog you can see? Ugly dogs will for certain get the bullet since there is such snobbery amongst canine owners these days.

I have had my beautiful, intelligent bitzer for 11 years. Unsure what breed he is (his Mum was a good sport!) but golden coloured with woolly pants - about the size of a blue heeler. Three years ago the vet diagnosed melanoma with a short-term grim outlook. "Right" said I and put him on my special diet. He is thriving and outruns all dogs including those much younger.

I am opposed to "booster" vaccinations which dogs are currently receiving. I believe all these treatments (together with commercial pet foods) are responsible for many current diseases in dogs. Pound dogs are often resilient since many of them have been "street kids" and have built up a good immune system. An initial vaccination, I believe, is sufficient.

So do a poor ugly dog a favour.......Skeeta would approve of your good deed!

PS: Was forced to spell "chitzu" since this new monitor thing accused me of a profanity!

CJ- You old softie you. A dog lover. Well we have that in common.

I lost my old mate Ben recently. He was a full grown Dachshund as opposed to a miniture. A lovely chestnut brown colour.

I miss him too.