Dog Breeders

[Angel]

My boyfriend has some pretty bad pet allergies. He's very, very allergic to Cats, and quite allergic to most Dogs.

When he was younger he was told about three breeds of Dog that were recommended for people with allergies and I've done some research and found some more.

We've finally settled on a breed of Dog (which is fucking awesome, I really thought I was going to be stuck with a yappy floofy dog!) - The Italian Greyhound.

I don't want to get one from a petstore or a puppy mill and while I would prefer to get one from a shelter I need to be sure that it's a purebred only because of the pet dander issues.

I'm just not up on breeder stuff.

Links and advice would be appreciated. This is something we're going to take awhile to do, as in about a year. But as we're going to be spending somewhere between $100-$500 dollars I would like to have a lot of research done.

 

[Guest]

 

[Azwed]

You can probably find a rescue group in your area that would have dogs with paperwork. Would be a lot cheaper then from a breeder and you should be able to find a purebred.

 

[Azwed]

they have a Greyhound rescue program that rescues the retired racing dogs

They are purebred and usually only 2-3 years old.

I am pretty sure italian grey hounds are different then the racing dogs but not positve.

 

[Agent99]

Try

www.greyhoundclubofamerica.org

 

[honeylick]

italian's are really small e_e, and not used for racing, i think... but there are quite a few rescues out there. google them

 

[Lasher]

Here's a good link, it's on the italiangreyhound.org website and it's about adopting animals in need of rescue. This might be similar to what you're looking for:

http://www.italiangreyhound.org/rescue.html

 

[KillerMuffin]

Greyhounds are a little different than Italian Greyhounds, so if you go the rescue option, make sure you get the right one.

See if they have a "foster" program, where you can keep the dog for a couple of days in house and see if the b/f is allergic to it or not in a home setting.

Most breeders will do that for you, you'd think. It's not hard to find reputable breeders by googling them and browsing. There are also local branches of the AKC that you can go through.

One thing to do is check with local vets. They can usually tell you about who breeds good dogs and who doesn't.

 

[Killswitch]

Be prepared to be heavily scrutinized by the Greyhound Rescue organizations. They will have to verify that you will be good owners, and have the facilities to withstand a Greyhound...IE a large yard for example.

Typically the Greyhounds used for racing may not be of Italian heritage...so I dunno if that makes a diff with the allergies.

If you have to go to a breeder for this dog...expect to pay 3000 dollars.

 

[Killswitch]

P.S. It may be less of a hassle and cheaper to get rid of your boyfriend, and adopt a dog for basically free at the Humane Society....

 

[Starfish]

I wish I could help you, but I stay away from dealing with pure bread animals, because I feel in my case there is no reason. I dont have special needs with animals, so I just take mutts and strays.

I wish I knew more though. My friend who is in pre vet school knows a great deal about it, but I havent talked to her in forever.

Good luck though. It is exciting that you are going to have a doggy!

 

[SuperShyGuy]

If you're serious about getting a purebread of any breed, I recomend picking up a magazine on the subject. Up north here we have "Dogs In Canada" (my mom's a breeder), there must be a similar publication in the U.S.

It should have a breeder listing for virtually every breed you can think of. Try going to a few pet supply stores, not those cheep little pet stores in the mall, but the real stores like Petsmart or Doghouse (don't know if either of those chains is in the US). Ask them for a magazine with a breeder list. They should know which magazine you're looking for. Hope this helped.

 

[Lasher]

If you have to go to a breeder for this dog...expect to pay 3000 dollars.

For a pet grade animal? No fucking way.

 

[Guest]

 

[Angel]

I am pretty sure italian grey hounds are different then the racing dogs but not positve.

Yes. Italian's are quite small.

 

[Azwed]

Greyhound

http://www.puppydogweb.com/caninebreeds/greyhound.htm


Italian Greyhound.

http://www.puppydogweb.com/caninebreeds/italiangreyhnd.htm

Not the same dog at all people.

 

[Starfish]

OMG! That kind of dog is the dog that one of Iries friends has. He is so cute and sweet and he gives hugs.

I think they are neat. I think they are really expensive though. This breed is hard to get too. They had to have their dog shipped over from Europe or some shit. I dont know what is up with what they paid but I can find out tomorrow.

 

[SuperShyGuy]

Okay I hate to put a damper on things here, but I just talked to my mom who has worked with dogs for 40 years and knows as much on the subject as anyone.

She says she hasn't heard about Italian Greyhounds being good for your allergic friend. She reccomends a Mexican hairless, which I think are pretty cute. I'm not sure where you got your info, but my mom really knows her stuff on this subject so I thought I'd throw it in.

Oh, stay away from puppy mills and those small pet stores in th emall at all costs. The stuff they do is just cruel.

 

[Angel]

Oh silly me. I know nothing about dog breeding, but I saw Greyhounds and went with it hoping I sounded really smart

Hehe it's okay. I adore Greyhounds too.

It's actually kind of good that Italians are good for his allergies - I've been reading on them all night and they're good for apartments and smaller homes.
Plus I don't really like floofier dogs like the Yorkie I thought I had to have hehe.

The prices I've seen from breeders with websites range from about 150-700 dollars depending on coloring, sex and what shots and spaying/neutering it comes with, so we're playing it safe and going into actively looking for a puppy to bring home with at least 500.

I just couldn't really find breeders in the S/F, Sacramento area. I have about a year or so to do it, but I thought it would be cool to have a speaking relationship with a good one way before I was ready to bring one home.

I want to take a year to make sure we're financially stable in our new apartment and til I'm settled in a new job, and have a vet ready.

I'm definitely going to try to get a 'rescue' dog that really, really needs a home but I'd like to have open options.

Thanks

 

[Angel]

Okay I hate to put a damper on things here, but I just talked to my mom who has worked with dogs for 40 years and knows as much on the subject as anyone.

She says she hasn't heard about Italian Greyhounds being good for your allergic friend. She reccomends a Mexican hairless, which I think are pretty cute. I'm not sure where you got your info, but my mom really knows her stuff on this subject so I thought I'd throw it in.

Oh, stay away from puppy mills and those small pet stores in th emall at all costs. The stuff they do is just cruel.

I got my info from a vet and the AKC. Hairless dogs are the number one reccommended, and Italian Grey's are on the next step down along with Yorkies and Maltese based on the single layer hair coat and the shed factor.

 

[Killswitch]

For a pet grade animal? No fucking way.

You are wrong......Pure bred puppies are way expensive......my brother just paid 2500 for a puppy. Some small dog I cant recall the name.

I got my lil she devil fo free.....

 

[Azwed]

I remember once seeing a test you could take online to see what kind of dog breed would fit your needs and situation.

I forget where I found it now but that would be a good thing to look into.

 

[Starfish]

I'm definitely going to try to get a 'rescue' dog that really, really needs a home but I'd like to have open options.

Of course you will try, because you are a sweetie, but in this case the idea of his allergies can only be solved through buying an animal. This is no big deal, except for money, and that is up to you!

Good luck on your research, but remember, they all need lots of love and work but it is a lot of fun.

 

[Killswitch]

If you can find a pup, purebred for 500....order one.

Make sure you visit these breeders and dont do an online or over the phone deal....and get references.

 

[Killswitch]

Not to hijack the thread, but this may be of interest to you too Angel....Has anyone had any experience with obedience training classes?

My pup is about nine weeks old, and I want to attend some classes.....