Pedigrees vs Bitsers Options

[nolongerhere]

My DF and I were planning on getting a second golden retriever last year, however our plans fell through when we moved from Sydney to QLD (not a great time for a new puppy!). We hadn't had an appropriate time for another puppy, until now.

DF is staying with a guy he works with through the week at the moment (for work reasons), he has a number of dogs (6 I think!!) and 2 of them have had puppies. The puppies are 5 weeks old at the moment and he's trying to sell them, I'm finding out from him what breeds they are but they're bitsers.

Well of course DF has fallen in love with them and I have too!! The little boy we like is very placid and just sits happily in your arms for ages.

We've both only ever had pure breed dogs and I'm wondering what opinions are on bitsers? I always thought I would want another goldie but this little guy is just so lovely....

Anyones experiences or knowledge would be much appreciated!!

ETA- Ok I've just found out the puppy's dad is a wolf hound/band dog and the mum is a bullarub/mastif/dane OK so he's a real bitser!!!

ETA again!!- I forgot to mention that DF has spent the last 5 or so weeks around the dogs and he says the parents are lovely and placid dogs and very friendly

[~Elyse~]

I dont have any experiences... but its going to grow up as a mighty big dog!!
Goodluck deciding

[nolongerhere]

Thanks Elyse! Yep that is a worry I have as well!! His mum and dad come up to about my knee height so I think he would be a little bigger than Zoe, he's a small-ish boy IYKWIM.

[Amelia Jane]

I have no problem with mutts at all, both of mine are crossbreeds and they are beautiful, but I would never intentionally buy from a backyard breeder. So for that reason only I would stay far, far away. Both my dogs are from the RSPCA so they'd already had their temperaments tested and we let them 'meet' before we bought the second one so we had a pretty good idea what we were getting in terms of temperament. From a back yard breeder, it's all guess work, placid parents doesn't mean the pup will get on well with your other dog. So that is something to consider.

The dogs may be clean, well looked after and loved, but this guy is still a backyard breeder. You might think the pups are already here so you may as well take one, but doing this will just encourage him to keep breeding irresponsibily when he knows that he can make money from it. If he is a registered breeder then I stand corrected, but I've never come across a registered breeder who would intentionally breed a mix of at least 4 breeds, and I would NEVER support this, or encourage anyone considering a dog from one of these people.

I'm sure this isn't what you want to hear, but I think it's important to say.

[lilacgirl]

I'm a breed-ist...

I will only ever have a pure bred dog (or cat) from a registered breeder.

There are too many problems associated with multiple X bred dogs. And given the mix of breeds you've mentioned, I wouldn't do it.

That combination will probably make a big dog, and a super active dog!! In all honesty, that breed combination is more suited to a pig dog... (I did say i'm a breed snob!)

Having just ordered our Golden retriever puppy, I'd be inclined to wait for another goldie pup!!
Their temperament is second to none, and you know 100% what you're in for!!!

I had had DH come home telling me about X at work has pups, they're Boxer X Dane X Mastiff... and they're oh so cute.... I said NO WAY!

[CBL]

I have no problem with mutts at all, both of mine are crossbreeds and they are beautiful, but I would never intentionally buy from a backyard breeder. So for that reason only I would stay far, far away. Both my dogs are from the RSPCA so they'd already had their temperaments tested and we let them 'meet' before we bought the second one so we had a pretty good idea what we were getting in terms of temperament. From a back yard breeder, it's all guess work, placid parents doesn't mean the pup will get on well with your other dog. So that is something to consider.

The dogs may be clean, well looked after and loved, but this guy is still a backyard breeder. You might think the pups are already here so you may as well take one, but doing this will just encourage him to keep breeding irresponsibily when he knows that he can make money from it. If he is a registered breeder then I stand corrected, but I've never come across a registered breeder who would intentionally breed a mix of at least 4 breeds, and I would NEVER support this, or encourage anyone considering a dog from one of these people.

I'm sure this isn't what you want to hear, but I think it's important to say.

I'm sorry, I'm with Piper too. But I totally understand why you would want to buy this little one.

There are many many many lovely bitzas (and purebreds) that are in danger of being PTS in pounds every day. Another option for you to consider is to go to a rescue group who will be able to match up a puppy with your requirements.

[Bruce]

I'm not going to weigh in on the bitzer/pure bred debate - we have one of each. However I just wanted to add that although there is some background of wolfhound and dane, it may not necessarily be a huge dog. Our cross is wolfhound/cattledog, and he's no bigger than a labrador size. Unfortunately he was a pound puppy, and at that particular rescue centre, we see lots and lots of wolfhound crosses and dane crosses come through and they seem to all be a smaller version of the larger breed dogs - it seems that crossing them with another breed does take away some of the size element. (Mr Bruce and my theory is that there's some lout in the area that's trying to breed a large cross for some specific purpose and when he doesn't get what he wants, abandons them. I really hope that the authorities catch up with this idiot, if our theory is correct.)

[Chrissy25]

I have no problem with mutts at all, both of mine are crossbreeds and they are beautiful, but I would never intentionally buy from a backyard breeder. So for that reason only I would stay far, far away. Both my dogs are from the RSPCA so they'd already had their temperaments tested and we let them 'meet' before we bought the second one so we had a pretty good idea what we were getting in terms of temperament. From a back yard breeder, it's all guess work, placid parents doesn't mean the pup will get on well with your other dog. So that is something to consider.

The dogs may be clean, well looked after and loved, but this guy is still a backyard breeder. You might think the pups are already here so you may as well take one, but doing this will just encourage him to keep breeding irresponsibily when he knows that he can make money from it. If he is a registered breeder then I stand corrected, but I've never come across a registered breeder who would intentionally breed a mix of at least 4 breeds, and I would NEVER support this, or encourage anyone considering a dog from one of these people.

I'm sure this isn't what you want to hear, but I think it's important to say.

I'm sorry, I'm with Piper too. But I totally understand why you would want to buy this little one.

There are many many many lovely bitzas (and purebreds) that are in danger of being PTS in pounds every day. Another option for you to consider is to go to a rescue group who will be able to match up a puppy with your requirements.

What they said.

[* MsSassy *]

I have to agree to CBL, Piper and Chrissy25. People need to stop supporting backyard breeders and purchase puppies or dogs on death row

Bec - you can browse the RSPCA website and they have a list of dogs, cat any animal really that you can choose from. I recommend looking at a website like this first and then ask yourself do you really want to choose a backyard bred dog over one of these unfortunate pups that have ended up here.

[nolongerhere]

Thank you for the lovely replies girls!
I may sound really stupid here but I didn't even realise this was backyard breeding
I really appreciate your honest replies and I think you are all right (he actually has another of his dogs that is pregnant now so I think this proves your point Piper ) I don't know why they aren't desexed actually....

I've decided I won't agree to get him, I have only ever had purebreeds and I think I'm a bit of a breed-ist too lilacgirl, which is why I was so unsure if we should get him or not. I'd prefer another goldie or a lab deep down too.

FH will probably be disappointed, he's a country boy so probably doesn't understand the whole backyard breeding thing (like me).

Thank you again girls, much appreciated

[Bethmd]

Purebred enough said.

[***Bella***]

Bec I have a cross breed. Bella is a Lab x German Short Haired Pointer and is the most gentle, affectionate dog ever!
It's funny because I have heard people say that X's can be better than pure breds in relation to them not getting alot of the problems that purebreds sometimes get eg hip problems.
But it probably just depends on the breed.

Personally I can't stand any kind of Pig Doggy thing. For some reason I just don't like them.

So I think you should get another lab/retreiver..they are so beautiful!

[Bethmd]

It's funny because I have heard people say that X's can be better than pure breds in relation to them not getting alot of the problems that purebreds sometimes get eg hip problems.

A good breeder would be breeding to avoid this but there is no 100% guarantee. Backyard breeders have been known to breed from dogs with these problems.

[sarah2010]

I would run far far away. The fact that he has 2 bitches whelp at the same time AND has another one pregnant just shoots up all red flags for me. Are the dogs vaccinated? Are the puppies wormed, microchipped, vaccinated before you get them? How much is he charging, it wouldn't be so bad if it was a one-off 'oops' litter but he's breeding them again and again and again. The dogs probably have no clearances, you have no idea what joint problems they have, you don't what what their ancestors are like... you could only fork out a few hunderd dollars and support a BYB cause the puppy is adorable but end up with thousands and thousands of dollars of expensive vet visits for potential hip, elbow and eye problems in the future.

I really really suggest you wait, and purchase your next golden from a reputable breeder who breed for the betterment of their chosen dog breed. Don't support these people who are just trying make a quick buck. It's not worth it.

oh and I just wanted to add -- retrievers rock!! hehe