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We've gotten very lucky with the craigslist community pets section. Largely frequented by arrogant douchebags and people who think they should be paid the price of a decent used car for a pet, if you filter out the bullshit you can find a fine animal offered by a decent person... usually/eventually.
I'm with you as far as a pure-breed to a point. But be open minded, unless you are a die hard for a certain breed.
My Golden was freaking awesome, but he got cancer at 8 yo and broke my heart. He lasted 2 weeks after the diagnosis.
My "mutt" (lab mixed with ??) is 13 yo and going strong. He's an old man and doesn't chase the rabbits like he used to, but he's still going and the doc tells me that the mutts always last longer. Doc said he "looks great" a few months ago.
Just my 2 cents. Honestly, when my boy does go, I'll probably get another Golden or two. I just love them.
Either way, get a dog and love every minute you have with it!
Just about all pure bread dogs are a pain in the ass. They all have medical problems or at very least require special food or they crap everywhere. Just my experiences. Rescue dogs can be a toss up though too and you never know what the previous owners did to them.
Honestly the best way to get a dog, purebred or mutt, is to decide on what you want the dog for, then find a dog with a temperament to match it's purpose. The only way to identify a dogs temperament is to actually take it out for a walk and play with it for a while. Also there are foster programs where you can take care of a dog for a little bit and see if it is going to work out. The worst thing you can do is find a dog online and buy it because of the picture or breed type.
My dad bought a Visla that was supposed to be a great hunting dog. Well it was a purebred dog and developed neurological problems when she was two. The dog is always on medication, has a medical emergency about once a month, and is terrified of gun blasts. So terrified that she can have seizures.
Try PetFinder. It is usually made up of sheltered animals but I got my current pitbull off there.
Stout [M2]
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...1230000639.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...1423_Stout.jpg
This is one of my favourite local rescues
http://bigdogshugepaws.com/
I have been looking for a web site also, I have 2 poms I need to get rid of, my wife ot 2 cats and now its like the zombie apocolypse in my house.
If you can, try and go thru a rescue. If you are set on a certain breed, see if they have a rescue for that breed.
Do your research on the breed if you are set on a certain breed. I researched dobermans for about a good year or longer before I got my pup and i'm happy I did.
I honestly dont know a good site to get a dog from. Just try and stay away from backyard breeders.
breeders.net I think is where we got our pup from.
Been looking on this journey for a while myself.
A lot of crap out there and a lot of people who want a whole lot of dough for their dogs. Not sure what the answer is- other than maybe a rescue. Gotta watch those though. Start with a 4 page application, an interview, a home visit, a trial period and still might end up shelling out a couple of hundred bucks.
Good luck to you... love dogs [Beer]