Trying to be paitent...

StyciM · #1 02-18-2008, 11:45 PM

This is my first post-introduction post!

Just curious I guess... how long did most of you have to wait to get a puppy? I've been actively trying to get a puppy for about 2 months. I guess it's not really that long... but in the land of instant gratification it feels like a lifetime...

I've only been able to find a few (2 or 3) breeders within 100 miles of me that have puppies. Two of them were asking $1,800 and one was asking $2,000. That price took me by complete surprise so I had to pass. I've scoured the breeder links for both of the local boxer clubs but have had no luck

Every day I see boxers listed in the local paper for a fraction of the price. I know NOT to go with a BYB but some days it feels so tempting. (When that happens I refer to the BYB horror stories on this site to get me through.)

How long should I expect this process to take? I know of a couple breeders that I've turned in applications to that are planning a litter for later this summer. I'm hoping I don't have to wait that long though.

K8IE · #2 02-19-2008, 08:10 AM

After our last Boxer Killian died we waited about 3 months before we started looking. We were fortunate to find a litter in Chicago (about 9 hours from us) that had just what we wanted. We were very lucky as we only ended up having to look for about a month.. I know it is hard to be patient, but try to be, the right puppy will come along and you will be so happy! As far as the prices go, I know what you mean, we paid around what you have been seeing for our puppy, but I would do it all over again. To know that he came from a great breeder that does things right and knowing that he is healthy and we didn't support a BYB, well, I can't put a price on that. Good luck and keep us updated!

ELubas · #3 02-19-2008, 04:27 PM

It can take some time depedning on who is breeding, the size of the litters, etc. I waited up to a year to get a pup from a good breeder. It is really worth the wait as you know

Your pup will find you!

elindave · #4 02-19-2008, 07:18 PM

Have you tried expanding your search to other states? We also paid close to what you are being asked, but feel it was worth it. We learned after we got our Rottie from a farm and he had lots of health issues. I know how you feel, cause I was SO excited to finally get my baby!! Good luck, don't give up and look farther if you have to. Keep us posted on your search.

Eli
Nikita (Aug 28 07) fawn, floppy, docked

StyciM · #5 02-19-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elindave

Have you tried expanding your search to other states? We also paid close to what you are being asked, but feel it was worth it. We learned after we got our Rottie from a farm and he had lots of health issues. I know how you feel, cause I was SO excited to finally get my baby!! Good luck, don't give up and look farther if you have to. Keep us posted on your search.

Eli
Nikita (Aug 28 07) fawn, floppy, docked

How would it work to look at other states? I'm near the coast in the bay area of Ca so a trek to a different state is a pretty big deal. I know some breeders will ship a dog, but that makes me kind of nervous.

angleheart · #6 02-19-2008, 08:35 PM

Another option might be to check your local boxer rescue. Occasionally, they receive/rescue pregnant girls or ones that already have puppies along with many young and old perfectly good boxers that need homes. There is prob no health guarantee, but, you would be giving a needed baby a home. So I say if you are ready to own a boxer and ready to committ to possible health probs, vet bills, insanity at times, occasional destruction of property, just to name a few, (you should be ready for these things no matter where you get your baby) try this option too. Good Luck

entelekia · #7 02-20-2008, 11:49 AM

Hi!

We also live in the Bay Area... and we're (hopefully) getting our new puppy from GA. So, it can totally be done.

Hope that helps.

aaranda · #8 02-20-2008, 04:16 PM

Hi, I'm also from the Bay Area, California and have actually been doing some research lately into Boxer breeders in the area and have found a few that look very promising (do all the requisite testing, conformation showing, etc.) with litters just being born or due soon. I'm not sure how many of these puppies are already spoken for, though, or how much they would cost! I'm looking more out of curiosity at this point since I'm not ready to get a puppy just yet.

Due to the site rules, I can't specifically point you to the breeders that I've found (and you should always do your own research anyway!), but a general rule that I've heard is that you can ask your local Boxer Club for breeder references.

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/vie...-the-world.htm

If you click on the American Boxer Club link, you'll notice there are a couple in Northern California that you can get in touch with.

ChristyA · #9 02-20-2008, 11:04 PM

Have you tried any local dog shows? In my area there are AKC dog shows at our fairgrounds. You can ask the people that are showing boxers where you might find a good breeder.
Christy
Dexter
Sophie

axlfjasdljfa · #10 02-29-2008, 08:48 AM

Just because someone advertises in the paper doesn't make them the worst of the worst BYB's. Give some of them a call and ask a few basic questions like whether or not they've health tested the parents. If they answer your questions ok, you can take a deeper look into what they have going on. You might be surprised what you find.