Buying a puppy over the computer

[Lilfoot83]

I have a little problem. My boyfriend and I are thinking about buyng another puppy. But the last time we did that, I think that we got scammed. I had talked to the lady over the phone and she told me that he was a "tea cup" chihuahua and now he weighs almost 11lbs. We had thought that he was a mixed breed, so when I made an appointment with the vet, I asked her and she told me no. Again I asked her if she was just telling me that so I wouldn't get mad. But she told me that all dogs are different. They don't weigh what the books say that they are suppose to weigh.
So now I'm a little nervous about buying another chihuahua from a breeder over the computer. I went looking around my area for one, but it's hard to find the color and size that I want. I need help on what I should do. I was going to send the person pictures of him who we got him from to show her how big he is now. I don't know what I should do about this.
HELP!!!!

 

[rottiegirl]

Never buy a puppy over the computer, in pet shops, or in the news paper. Go look for a reputable breeder. You should be able to see the puppies parents. Never buy a chihuahua that is tea cup sized. What did you do with your 11 pound puppy?

 

[juliefurry]

I would second the opinion about not buying a puppy over the internet. You never know if what these people are saying is the truth or not. Lots of people have gotten scammed by having the "breeder" ask for them to send the money for the puppy and then the puppy never getting recieved by the buyer. I would definetely not buy from the internet. Why not go to a shelter if you are looking for a dog, or puppy? Shelters have plenty of dogs and cats waiting for a new home I'm pretty sure you could find a good friend there.

 

[jess2416]

You could look for chihuahuas on www.petfinder.com

 

[Gwinnywillow]

No reputable breeder will sell dogs of any quality over the internet. You will most likely end up with a crummy specimen of the breed you are getting.

What the ignorant call "Tea cup" Chis are actually just dogs that are within the standard compared with the other horrors that backyard breeders produce. I believe the ideal weight for Chihuahuas is about 6 pounds.

 

[smkie]

i would want to phsycially visit the breeder more then once..see mom dad and hopefully grandad and grandmum.and uncle albert...see papers..certificates of health..observe the kennel and how it is run...then and only then would i look at their puppy to purchase..then there is an even better way for me! i go to www.petfinder.com and find the dog of my heart..the one asleep right behind me.

 

[Lilfoot83]

Thanks for all the help... The weird thing is the cost of him. We only paid $500 for him. And that was even to have him shipped from Alabama. i thought that was a cheap price. Especially for a so called tea cup. But after we picked him up, I did indeed sent an email and even called the person who we got him from and asked her to send me pictures of his parents and she never sent anything about his parents. This is why from now on I will never buy another puppy or any animal at all.

 

[FoxyWench]

if you decide to go through with buying a puppy on the internet (i have done it and and very happy with my babies) some thing to remember:
you want pictures...the parents the puppy from birth, the siblings!
ask LOTS of questions! if the breeder refuses to answer one or seems to kind of avoid any, walk away form that person...if they cannot answer ANY of your questions they shouldnt be breeding.
you want references, if they cant give you both personal and professional references (at least 1 from their vet and at least 2 from previous buyers) again walk away.
ask about their bragging rights (showing) and registration, if they use any registration other than AKC (ckc in canada and UKC in the uk) you should be wondering WHY! the american CKC is not a wonderfull registry but its better than others such as american pet registry and others...all deacent breeders have bragging rights even if thye havent shown the parents at the very least the grandparents should have titles or something...

the most important part though is definatly checking up on the references!

also any breeder selling "teacup" "micro" "rare coloured" and other buzz words walk away from, these people are trying to get as much money as possible...there are no rare colours in a breed that in the standard states every colour is permissable...and in any other breed "rare colour" usually means its a fault (ie a solid white doberman) and that dog shouldnt be bred/cant be shown.

also ask what the weight at birth was, what its current age is, how much it weight now, and what the breeder thinks the puppy will weight out at...the standard calls for a dog between 2-6 lbs, for health reasons look for a puppy in the 4lb + range of that scale youll be less afraid of breaking a puppy in that range.
if you need to ship your pet remember for a dog as small as a chihuhaua expect to pay around $200 and ALWAYS insist on continental or Delta! these lines have pressurized temperature control holds for transporting animals and are wonderfull the animals are the last ones on and the first ones off!

always scrutinize any pictures your sent also, if anything looks off (dirty living conditions, look at nay dogs in the background, look at the set up there picturing the pup on, those scenese of cute puppies sitting on flashy fabric with little items aroudn them are just distractions...obviosuly theres something there trying to disguise nd distract you from by showing you these images, you want to see pictures of the pups playing, nursing and being puppies...

if your buying over the internet expect to put in double the work checking references and such.

 

[rottiegirl]

Thanks for all the help... The weird thing is the cost of him. We only paid $500 for him. And that was even to have him shipped from Alabama. i thought that was a cheap price. Especially for a so called tea cup. But after we picked him up, I did indeed sent an email and even called the person who we got him from and asked her to send me pictures of his parents and she never sent anything about his parents. This is why from now on I will never buy another puppy or any animal at all.

Do you still have the 11 pound chihuahua?

 

[juliefurry]

Thanks for all the help... The weird thing is the cost of him. We only paid $500 for him. And that was even to have him shipped from Alabama. i thought that was a cheap price. Especially for a so called tea cup. But after we picked him up, I did indeed sent an email and even called the person who we got him from and asked her to send me pictures of his parents and she never sent anything about his parents. This is why from now on I will never buy another puppy or any animal at all.

yes that is a cheap price for a puppy, including shipping. The fact that the breeder never answered her emails is a redflag. That happened to me I had purchased a puppy who started having severe behaviour and aggression problems and I contacted the breeder for help and they never responded back about any of those problems. If you want to buy a puppy look into breeders who live a close distance from you and talk with them and you can get on a list for one of their puppies. That way you know what you are getting into.

 

[mojozen]

Personally speaking - I'd never buy a puppy over the internet. That's asking for WAY too much trouble since it's even easier for people to scam you online.

I'd look around for reputable breeders through the breed's kennel club or ask your vet if he or she has any suggestions.

 

[Lilfoot83]

If you would like to see what he looks like, I have a couple of pictures of him under dog pictures.
I still have him. I would never get rid of him no matter what. Thank you for all of the advice that you all gave to me.

 

[PoodleMommy]

Just another opinion here.

We bought a poodle over the internet about a month and a half ago. We are very pleased with her.

We did ALOT of research and found no reputable breeders with the color we wanted in our area.

We talked to several breeders who had websites. They knew we were talking to other breeders and were still willing to give us as much time as we wanted. The ones who want to talk money only and will give you no time are the first to avoid. We saw many pictures, sleeping on the breeders lap, with her littermates, and posed full body shots.

We asked ALOT of questions, probably too many and the breeder never got annoyed, she answered everyone of them.

We now have a very healthy and happy puppy.

If you do your research correctly, are very careful, and do not make a hasty decision it can work out ok.

Just be ready to pay extra costs, shipping, crate, vet certificates to fly, etc.
FYI: we used continental quick pack service.

Elissa

 

[lpollockandrsn]

It is always best to be able to meet the parents and be sure to have a puppy guarantee. I think it is a little risky to buy pups over the internet, unless it is an uncommon breed that is hard to find. I would think a Chihuahua would be pretty easy to locate locally if you go through some research. Start with the AKC. Breeders network pretty well. You will probably find one pretty easily.

 

[sallyann1969]

I know your all talking about buying a puppy from within the USA but if anyone out there is thinking of having one shipped (especially chihuahua's) from outside the USA please please please have a quick read of my other post titled "Do not buy puppies from Cameroon"
Thanks

sallyann