Hi there. I've been reading this board with great interest and wondered if anyone can give me further advice.
My daughter is almost 3 and is pug crazy. I've never had a pedigree animal as I have been involved in rescue most of my life (Cats protection for 18 years and more recently Rough Collie Rescue).
I have joined the loooong waiting list at Pug Rescue but fear it may be years til we find the right pug.

I'm looking for a bit of runt, a bit of a hopeless case. I've had animals with legs/eyes/ears missing, birth defects and weird health problems over the years so I wonder do pug breeders ever have a 'dud'?
I'm sorry if it's a silly question but I genuinely have no idea how this works and if it wasn't for our daughters pug obsession (which has now spread to my husband and I) I would have gone to the dogs home for a scruffy three legged, one eyed skinny runt!
Can someone point me in the right direction please?

many thanks
Claire

not meaning to be rude but are you looking to save a little money as they are very expensive?

if so then maybe you should take a look on some sites for a pug that is not registered as i can not see many good breeders having dogs with birth defects as they are very rigerous about health checking.

Is that the place that someone should get a dog from though?  RU wanting a Pug with a short life expectancy?  I think that you would be best waiting and saving the money myself, would you cost you less in the long run hopefully.

I agree and I don't think we should encourage anyone to support people who breed unregistered, poor quality litters. 
I think the OP should just be patient.

Also can I just point out that not all dogs in rescue centres are scruffy, three legged, one-eyed, skinny nor a runt. 

But yes I agree save like billyo and get a properly bred healthy pup from good lines.

Money is not the issue at all. I'd just rather adopt a pug that isn't perfect! I am very well aware after 18 years in rescue work that not all animals in rescue centres are scruffy, three legged, one eyed skinny runts all I am saying is that is the type of dog I'D choose!

I'm sorry. I'm afraid I've not made my point very well at all have I?
All I was asking for was a dog with much less chance of getting a home than it's perfect littermates and to be honest if I had to pay double the going rate for one with 3 legs (for example) then I would. That's the type of person I am. I'd rather have an animal with special needs as I find caring for them very rewarding.

I don't think you are alone .  From what I understand the three legged, one eyed rescue usually has no problem pulling the heart strings and getting offered a home.  It is the rather plain, bog standard ordinaries with nothing special about them that fall by the wayside.
I would think the invalid effect would be even stronger with something like a pug so unless you are willing to support disreputable puppy farmers I suspect you will have to get in the queue I'm afraid.

I understand where both you and the other posters are coming from.  As a pug breeder of several years standing, I can say that "not quite perfect" pug pups do happen, however carefully you select and health test your brood bitches and stud dogs.  However, my own personal experience with them is that they become so precious to you, after all the hard work and sleepness nights you put in with them that parting become simply  unthinkable!  I have my own adorable Puglet, who is now 7, and Pipsqueak who is 8 months.  The idea was that Pipsqueak would go to a suitably adoring home when he was ready (bottle fed up till 12 week, half size etc, etc) so a new home was going to happen much later than normal.  However, I found myself talking prospective interested parties out of seeing him, and the one family who did visit thankfully decided he was not for them, they wanted a baby puppy (he was 5 months old).  I was so relieved I wanted to burst into song.  Pipsqueak is now the official property of my nephew, but lives with me, and is goign to do so for the rest of his life!  Of course, my "perfect" pugs are all extremely important to me too, but the special ones do manage to curl around your heart strings a little bit more.

All I can suggest is that you contact reputable breeders (not the free ad papers  with unregistered ones, please) and explain your experience and that you would be delighted to be considered for a less than perfect pug pup when and if  one comes along.  Good luck

I don't think you, or anyone else, should be buying ANY living animal for a 3 year old child!

Even if the future pet is for you I think you should reconsider choosing an ill or disabled dog which may feel vulnerable or uncomfortable and just wants a peaceful life. It'll never happen with young kids in the house.

I must say that all good intentions aside, I never home to families with young/excitable children. Being as your daughter (however well behaved) is still only two, I cant see many reputable breeders allowing a pup to be homed with you (though I'm sure there are breeders who are happy to home with youngsters). Ive had families visit who have had the most over excitable kids imaginable (and thats in front of a stranger, what are they like at home?) so Ive declined them. I know alot of people dislike this view and trust me, I'm no child hater (I have a six year old) but I just dont like to take the risk.

I dont mean to create offence its just my personal policy.

I have a guideline of 5 years old as the youngest family member in a home I will even consider letting a pup go  to, and that is only if I think the child will be suitable for my pup!  There have also been lots of familieswith Kids of 9 or 10 who I did not consider suitable.  I know other breeders, particularly ones with small kids themselves, who do not have the same criteria.  However, I was thinking that the OP would probably have to be on someones waiting list for ages before a pup came up who needed  a special home.

I have not made any comment on CD's for a long time but this anti kids attitude drives me crazy. It is up to the breeder what they choose to do in regard to homing their pups, but please don't wash every family with the same tarred brush. I was born on a farm and there were always baby animals around the place and at 3 years old I even had my own runt pet pig!

For a child to grow up with animals of all sorts, for them to learn to feed, groom and to listen to their animals is the most natual thing in the world. It is more likely to shape them into better people and caring adults who will have an affinity with the animal world and gift them with a caring and loving nature.

How many of us know of a small child who loves their family pet to squeezeing point? We may look on in horror and agast, but unbelievably, that pet will choose to spent it's time with that kiddy because it's the kiddy that plays with it, shares it's food with it and will snuggle up on the sofa and sleep with it.

> We may look on in horror and agast, but unbelievably, that pet will choose to spent it's time with that kiddy because it's the kiddy that plays with it, shares it's food with it and will snuggle up on the sofa and sleep with it.

I'm afraid that is why I choose not to let my puppies go to families with young children, my breed will so often just put up with it and children do hurt them occasionally. 
There is time enough to learn how to care for animals properly.  I did not have a dog until I was about 11 and I don't think it has left me with any issues other than learning a bit of patience.

Sorry Isobel but I'm sure I did not say that children that are not allowed pets are left with issues. I was however pointing out the positives of pet ownership for small children.

I'm sure there are positives but from the breeders point of view we would want to balance that against any negatives for the animal.
If people feel confident that can properly supervise their children all the time and manage to find a dog, good luck to them.  I am not tarring all families with the same brush but unless I can be there to supervise, which clearly I can't, I do not wish to participate. Like you say it is up to the breeder what they choose so please don't let it drive you crazy

I have to agree with you spiritualist.

IMO the parents of small children should have  extra vetting to ensure they understand what bringing up the two entails, the training of the child as to the needs of the pup etc.as well as the normal vetting criteria the breeder has. If they take offence at your suggestions of 'pup training' the child, then 'bye bye you're not suitable!!'

I'm sure many parents who say they want a pup for their child, actually mean they want their child to experience the ups and downs, the joy,happiness and grief, all the emotions and achievements that dog ownership brings. As long as you can determine that the parent will always have the pups interests to the forefront and that the child will be taught to handle etc the pup properly, what is the problem.After all it is the parent who will be the 'carer' of the pup and they are the ones who will have the hard work of actually 'training ' the pup and child.

I got our 1st pup when my daughter was 13 months......the hard bit was house training them both at the same time . 2 more daughters were added over the next few years. All were taught to respect, look after, cherish and enjoy Bracken. Even in her old age they understood her changing needs, played with her more gently, took her for slower walks, cared for her in a different way. We were all devastated when she died.

That one small puppy we bought home taught my children to be not only dog/animal lovers but to be considerate and understanding of everyones and everythings needs. That has to be a good thing!

agree spiritualist and killickchick. providing the parents are sensible and responsible adults, then its good for children to grow up with animals. I certainly did, can't remember a time without a dog and cat, and almost living at the local riding school with my mum every weekend, then the shows etc etc. There was always a dog or two around the stables, then there was the ponies and the odd donkey....and then once out living in the country we had goodness knows how many different animals, ponies, dogs cats rabbits, hamsters mice, a pig, hens, chickens, geese, ducks, goats, sheep...it was wonderful, friends had dogs, cats, whatever too. Dogs jumped in the landie on the way to shows, cuddled up with the rest of us. no one minded dogs at shows then because they were so well behaved. if a dog nipped a kid....the kid was asked what it had done to deserve it! you grew up knowing dogs could bite, horses could bite and kick, as could goats, and any other four legged animal, rabbits could bite and scratch, in fact you knew animals were animals and the unexpected could happen. Which didnt scare anyone, but you were careful and respectful of animals. It was and is usual for farmers small kids to 'adopt' a lamb or two and bottle rear them at lambing. I don't see a problem with children growing up with dogs, its a wonderful experience for them, and dogs love their family.

I got our 1st pup when my daughter was 13 months......the hard bit was house training them both at the same time . 2 more daughters were added over the next few years. All were taught to respect, look after, cherish and enjoy Bracken. Even in her old age they understood her changing needs, played with her more gently, took her for slower walks, cared for her in a different way. We were all devastated when she died.

An excellent example of family and their doggy best friend together. And children learning how to cope with youth, age and loss. Compasion. Pets are wonderful things. they give so much.

My daughter is almost 3 and is pug crazy

....sorry but this is just NOT a reson to buy a Pug ! - at three she is probaby crazy about Teletubbies too !!! - YOU should be the person who really wants one of these specialised breeds and has done the research on the good and bad points of owning them. ....you should also  be supporting and buying from those who breed to the best of their ability - not looking for a runt or one with health problems.

Put your name down on the waiting list of a really good breeder and save your money to buy the best pup you can - but only if YOU  want one - not because your toddler does !

Yvonne

I brought a kitten for my sons third birthday and sadly the cat at 15 months had to be put to sleep having cancer of the throat so buying a pet for a young child is not really a wise move my son didn't actually know he was getting this animal or demand this pet it was me who wanted it in the first place.  After a few days of having our kitten I had to ban my son from touching him because he wouldn't put the poor thing down or leave it alone. If my son had asked /demanded this animal for it to die as it did only a year and a half later would be a traumatic thing indeed for a 4 year old to cope with. My friend who has 4 dogs of her own brought her 14 yr old daughter a doberman for her birthday thinking she was old enough to cope and look after it but sadly the dog was sent back to the breeder within 6 weeks. Children love the idea of having a cuddly pet but for its well being and life it needs a adult who wanted it 110%. 

Hi...Pugs are my breed and your Truely Pugged Out once you have one!

I do have 2 sons & a nearly 2 year old grandson whom the dogs ardore but after a session of 3 minutes they hide from him!

Personally I think buying a Dog at this stage of yours daughters life is hard work...I know i have done it...summer is ok they can happily trot along in walks but winter rain and cold with a 3 year old doggy walking and poop picking up (one hand with child and other on lead ..its difficult) Memorys!!!...

And remember in a few weeks time she will be wanting/asking for the latest christmas adverts on the tv!

Dont think buying a pug or any dog for a 3 year old is a good idea...UNLESS its what you Want

Maybe you worded it wrong BUT you have to Want the dog for you...she has many a good few years of wanting things and like grown ups we want want want!

I have a friend who adores Pugs 7 always wanted one, however she was left with a family of 5 youngish children went her ex hubby left her & quickly realised that a small dog with small children would be more than she could cope with so she opted for her 2nd love, Newfies. All her children & grandchildren have grown up with her Newfies, who are very child friendly despite being a giant breed. She has just got her pug as all her Newfies have gone to the Bridge & the children & G children are now adults/teenagers. He is just right for her as she isn't in perfect health & he is the reason she gets up some days & certainly amuses her all the time.

I don't knock people with children, but not all small dogs are suitable for children or families. To be looking for a breed because a small children is in love with them isn't really wise & better for the family to have a suitable dog, than one that is really wanted by the toddler

I don't know why people are making such an issue out of her saying she wants to get a dog for her child

Obviously It would be the adults in the household being the main carers
Of course the child may help out with feeding the dog etc but we're not all silly enough to think the OP would put a 3 year old in charge of a pet!

If this lady has been in rescue for many years she will know what high stanards are set before an animal can be rehoused. In fact having bought nearly all my animals with the exception of 2 kittens from breeders I have found it easier to pass their scrutiny than the questions that rescue often pose. Pedgree animals in most cases have been my choice

Animals and children of all ages can live happily and safely side by side if the adults ar responsible and have the time to put in. I say good luck to this lady and as long as she and her husband are having the pup for themselves really how they present the story to the child doesnt matter. Over the past 20 years of children and cats and dogs of all ages I think my family furrie and human have gained so much.
I agree with all your coments morgan B

As for a pup with special needs, all animals need agood home so maybe if you want your pup sooner than later a reputable breeder is the way to go goodluck