Island Discovery
& Training
835 Harewood Mines Rd.
Nanaimo, BC V9R 6P3
250-753-5246
Dog Lovers Directory
for Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum, BC
BC Vancouver Island
There are about 16,000 dogs living in Nanaimo City
and more in the rest of the region.
That's one dog for every five people!
As members of the family, they need attention from you to keep them
happy, healthy and well-behaved. Below are locally provided services and
products that are available in the Nanaimo region to help guide you to a
better relationship with your dog. Please let them know
that you heard about them from the "games for dogs lady".
Breed-Specific Rescues Mixed-breed Rescues Animal Shelters CKC Dog Breeders Internet Classified Ads
Before you get a dog, be prepared for one!
This link offers
excellent tips on how to prepare and introduce your new puppy or dog
to your home, family members, existing pets, visitors etc. to prevent
problems before they occur.
A great section on house training is included.
This link gives ideas on how to acclimate your new dog to your
family and solve some common problems
before you ever get to the trainer.
Where to get a Dog
| Tip: Before you go out and get a dog,
consider four important things: 1. Do you have time for a dog? Dog sit for a couple of weekends or more to see how much time they really take. Are you away long hours during the day? Puppies need early socialization to be good community members. 2. What are your moving plans for the next 10 to 15 years? Will a dog be able to stay with you? Fostering a dog might be a solution. 3. Can you afford a dog? Food, toys, veterinary and grooming bills add up over a year. 4. Which breed or temperament will fit best with your lifestyle and personality? Talk to breeders and friends to interact with the breed of your choice. Examine common health and behavior problems for that breed. |
Breed Rescues
Purebred puppies and dogs are available through
breed rescues. Volunteers or responsible breeders who prefer a certain
breed either foster dogs in their home or assist current owners in
re-homing their dog. The reasons for giving up a dog vary from death of
owner, moving, allergies, divorce, dog's behavior etc. Some of these
dogs are rescued from shelters and other situations where the dog is
threatened with euthanasia. Most are regional or provincial. Adoption
fees vary from $150 to $350. Typically they include assessment,
spay/neuter, inoculations, flea treatment, vet check and a return
contract. Check each organization web-site for details. Remember that
your canine pal may live 10 to 15 years so make a careful selection.
Choose a healthy dog to keep your veterinarian bills low. Provide a home
for one of the over 100,000 homeless dogs listed on
www.petfinder.com
in North America.
Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Canada Rescue
Bichon Frise Rescue of BC email Kim 250 758 3926
Great Dane Rescue
Northwest Canadian Greyhound League
Vancouver Island
Jack Russell Terrier Club
email
Labrador Retriever Club of BC Rescue
email
Island West Old English Mastiffs Ladysmith 250-722-3911 email
Rockport Mastiff Rescue Comox Valley
Internet Miniature Pinscher Service Inc. BC Wide
Papillon Canada Rescue Peggy 250-245-0151 email
Rottweiler Rescue of BC (Mission) Vancouver Island Contact Or Try This
See Spot Smile Dalmatian Rescue 250 703-DALS Vancouver Island
Shetland Sheepdog Rescue of BC Friends In Deed
That'll Do Border Collie Rescue- BC Wide
Your breed is not listed above?
Try a search engine to type in (your breed) dog rescue nanaimo bc
Mixed Breed and Purebred
Dog Rescues
Rescues save dogs that find themselves homeless by placing them in foster homes or helping to find new homes while they are still in their original home. They are run completely by volunteers with donated money, usually out of their own pockets. All adoption fees go straight back to the dogs they are helping. No money goes to staffing. The big benefit to adopting a dog from rescue (and in foster care) is that most dogs are assessed and you will have a better idea how the dog behaves in a home environment. Spaying, neutering and inoculations are usually included in the adoption fee. Adoption fees vary from $150 to $400. Most rescues have an application process where they try to match a dog and his new family. An adoption application typically includes a home check with requirements of fenced yard, dogs kept indoors as part of the family, regular exercise, training classes etc.
FurEver After Small Dog Rescue Qualicum
Little Paws Small Dog Rescue Parksville
Second Chances Pet Rescue Parksville
Walker's Animal Rescue 754-7081 Nanaimo
Victoria Adoptables Features dogs from pounds and rescues in Victoria and Gulf Islands.
Big Heart Dog Rescue BC wide
Dogs in shelters are very stressed
and it is not until you get them home that their true nature comes out.
If you are patient and selective, you may find a gem here.
Generally, SPCA's are considered the place of last
resort and sadly see many dogs with behavioral issues. Many behaviors can be
re-trained. Check a dog using a
temperament assessment test to help you determine if he is
suitable after a preliminary look. If you don't know dogs well, hire a dog trainer to help you
evaluate a chosen dog before adopting or take a friend who is
knowledgeable about dogs with you. It will be worth the money ($25-$40)
to ensure you are getting the dog you think you are.
Nanaimo
SPCA Animal Shelter 2200 Labieaux Rd. 758-8444 Open Tues
to Sat 12 noon to 5 pm.
Accepts owner surrenders and seizes dogs from unsuitable homes. Will
release dogs to registered rescue organizations.
Nanaimo Animal Control (run by contractors for the City of
Nanaimo) 1260 Nanaimo Lakes Rd. 754-1397
Accepts reports of stray and aggressive dogs. Has an after hours pager
for found dogs and animal emergencies. They do adopt dogs out if they
have not been claimed after 72 hours or owner surrenders. Go in person to see what they have
available. They are adopted quickly!
Parksville/Qualicum SPCA 1565 Alberni Highway Errington 248-3811
Cowichan Valley SPCA Duncan
Internet Listings of Dogs in Rescues & Shelters
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Breeders
Sadly, for many people, dogs are seen as goods to be bought and sold, not living beings they are. As in buying goods, it is buyer beware when purchasing a dog! Puppies should be socialized with adults, children, other friendly dogs and sounds they will encounter in life. Experts agree that puppies should not leave their mom until at least 8 weeks of age to ensure they have proper exposure to dog language with their littermates and mother. Ask for references for owners of their puppies. If in doubt, hire a dog trainer to accompany you on a second visit or ask a dog-knowledgeable friend to go with you. Here's an article on How to Pick a Winner.
The regional library also has a video that helps
you to determine a prospective puppy's temperament. Called "How Smart is
Your Puppy?" by Dr. Laura Pasten, it gives you 15 simple tests to do on
the puppy.
If you ask a breeder what health or behavior issue problems their lines
have and they say nothing, find another breeder! Every line has a
problem, no matter how small, that the breeder is trying to remove.
Responsible breeders will screen you as closely as you screen them and
the potential dog. Most breeders require an application form and many
require a deposit before the litter is even born. They will find out
what your family's needs are (by asking questions) to match you with a
pup from the litter. They should also supply family history (health,
temperament, conformation) information including letting you view
original documents from health tests such as hip, eyes and ear diseases
common to your breed, register the dogs with Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
for no extra fee, offer a one to two year health guarantee, and have you
sign a non-breeding contract unless you are purchasing the rights to
breed the dog. This means you will have the dog spayed or neutered. Some
will offer a partial refund upon proof of spay or neuter. Most breeders
will have titles on the parent dogs-may be for show, hunting, tracking,
carting or dog sports such as agility. Many offer help for behavior
problems or can refer you to a local trainer who is familiar with the
breed. They should also require that you return any dog to them or will
at least assist you in finding a new home if for some unforseen reason
you must re-home him in the future. Occasionally, they may have adults
available. Commonly available breeds cost about $500 to $800 per pup.
| Did you Know: If the kennel name includes "Perm" Reg'd, it means the breeders have been a member of the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) for 10 years or more and have produced 10 CKC champions in that time. |
Horsinaround Ladysmith 250 245-4864
Orru
Reg’d 250 245-0271
email
Orru
Reg’d 250 245-0271
email
Basset Hounds
Sunset
Registered Basset Hounds
722-0004
email
Beagles
Breigayt Perm
Reg’d Beagles Nanoose Bay
N-UENDO
Bernese Mountain
Dogs
Kennel Alpenblick email
Double Dutch 758-3908
email
Border Terriers
Romney
Kennels
Trekhond Kennels Salt Spring Isl.
Brittany Spaniels
Islandview Brittanys
Registered
email
Cairn Terriers
Jenngorah
Crystaljems
Clumber Spaniels
Fly A Way Corey Kennels Parksville 250-248-2379
Cocker Spaniels
Vallance
Cockers Parksville 250 248-2574
email
Collies
BenEcho Collies Reg'd
Ladysmith
email
Thistle Isle Collies 722-7223
email
Puppies
occassionally.
English Pointers
Wynair Pointers
Reg'd Ladysmith 250-245-7035
email
Liver & White, Black & White.
Darkisle Irish Setters Ladysmith 245-7985
email
English Springer Spaniels
Bastion Springers Cedar 722-3329
email
English Toy Spaniels
Kamira Perm Reg'd 245-7342
email
Golden Retrievers
Ferglen Gold Golden Retrievers
Meadow Mist Golden Retreivers Qualicum Bay
Darkisle Irish Setters Ladysmith 245-7985
email
Horsinaround Irish Terriers Ladysmith 250 245-4864
Briaridge Jack Russell Terriers Ladysmith
Kerry Blue Terriers
Terkyra Kerry Blue Terriers
email
Labrador Retrievers
Casadelora Labrador Retrievers Ladysmith 250
245-3323
Kinkell Yellow Labradors
Tobago Labrador Retrievers
Leonburgers
LionsLair Kennels Ladysmith
722-3575
Manchester Terriers
Martise Manchesters Gabriola Isl 247 7885
Miniature Daschunds
Miniature Eskimo Dogs
Ice White Kennel 250
752 4163
email
Miniature Pinchers
Pomeranians
Aprildew Reg'd Pomeranians Coombs 250-248-4541
Cheyenne Pomeranians Chemainus (250) 246-4627
Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Shamabridge Reg'd
245-8979
email
Rottweilers
Miniature Schnauzers
Mimicker Miniature Schnauzers
729-9920
email
Salukis
Kamira Perm Reg'd Salukis 245-7342
email
Shetland Sheepdogs
Behaven Shelties Shetland Sheepdogs Qualicum Beach 250-752-2350
email
Shiba Inus
Evening Cove Siberians
email
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Staffiferd Staffordshire Bull Terrier
email
Vizslas
Piroska Vizslas Ladysmith 250-722-2295
email
Vitali Vizslas Errington 250 248-9992
email pups occasionally
available
Whippet
Darkisle Whippets
email
Looking for a breed not listed above?
Discover Dogs Directory
Vancouver Island Breeders 2006
Backyard Breeder or Puppy Mill
A backyard breeder or a puppy mill are those who breed puppies to
generate money. Dogs are bred with little concern for health or
temperament. They may raise only one litter a year from untested stock
just because they want a pup from their dog or perhaps they want their
children to see the miracle of birth. They may raise multiple litters and multiple breeds at
the same time. Dogs are typically isolated away from people to raise
their pups. The facilities they maintain may or may not be clean and
puppies are usually not socialized with people or other dogs etc. No effort
is taken to match you with a dog of suitable temperament or dominance
level for your family and lifestyle. Females may be bred every time they come into
heat and into her mature years (6 or older) which affects her overall
health.
Designer Breeds
Many of the trendy designer breeders fall into this category with the
bonus of overcharging for mixed breed puppies. Unless they provide most
of the things that CKC registered breeders do, avoid them. By buying a
puppy from them, you are supporting their market supply and demand.
Prices range from cheap $450 (trying to get rid of the left over pups)
to $1600 or more. Buying a puppy from a pet store is also an
unacceptable (and pricey!) practice today. You still have to bear the
cost of spaying or neutering yourself as well.
How do you avoid these types of breeders? Ask many questions, visit the
site, meet the puppies parents, ask to see documentation, read the
parents registration papers and look for Canadian Kennel Club or
American Kennel Club. Be aware there are fake breeder registries set up
with the same acronyms of CKC and AKC. Canada only recognizes one dog
breeder registry per breed and you can check by visiting the
CKC website for a list of those
breeds recognized by the CKC. Any not found on this list may be registered as a recognized
breed by the AKC (such as Border
Collies or Jack Russells). Any others are breeding registries not recognized in
Canada. None of the Poo mixes are recognized breeds nor are there any
authorized organizations in North America that will register them.
Pet Stores
Pet Stores are not a good place to buy a puppy. Even if you receive a CKC registration, the puppies will be of dubious quality. Puppy mills and BYB supply puppies to pet stores. Health and temperament problems are common. No reputable or responsible breeder would sell their puppies through a pet store or broker. If you are still considering purchasing from a store, ask the store who the breeders are so you can meet the parents. (They will not tell you.) Ask if they have a health guarantee in writing.
Internet Classified Ads
for Dogs
Ask the same questions as you would for other breeders and be wary. While
some good breeders may advertise
here, more backyard breeders, puppy mills and puppy brokers do too. They simply
disappear into the woodwork once they have your money, guarantee or no
guarantee.
For adult dogs that are being re-homed-ask why and listen between
the lines. Some people skirt the truth. Visit the dog in its
environment and be observant for signs that tell the truth.
Sometimes rescue organizations will post individual dogs
here; the ad will give the organization's name. Cross reference it on
the internet for a web-site and info about the organization. Some are
puppy mills and byb's in disguise. Brokers may take the appearance being
a private seller. Look on the classified ad page to see if there is a
"See all sellers ads" link.
View the pup and parents or dog before payment and ideally make purchase conditional
on a veterinarian check. Get a bill of sale in writing as well as any
other promised services in writing (free vet check, guarantees etc). Ask
to see the agreement before signing it. Follow the other
suggestions listed under CKC breeders above.
While there are some ethical brokers, here are some things to look for that you may be dealing with an unethical puppy broker:
No website available showing parents, pedigree, breeders history, location etc; when you search the phone number on a search engine, the only links that come up are classified ads; phone number is not listed under personal or business numbers in the phone directory.
On-site: Can't meet the mother, multiple litters on site, seller does not volunteer information, direct questions are answered with vague information, sellers not dog knowledgeable generally about dogs or about the specific puppies or their parents, no interest in what you have to offer the puppy, will not take back the pup in case you need to rehome him/her, no temperament testing for best match, not much time spent with puppies (esp those in outdoor setting), yard not maintained (lots of poop), dirty or no water, free feeding (out of laziness), no emotional connection or investment in the puppies (they are an item to barter or generate revenue only), accept credit cards (unless has other legitimate business).
Nanaimo Craigslist (Rescued and Re-homed dogs only. No Breeders.)
www.bstonline.com (Buy, Sell & Trade Online-Vancouver Island, access by membership only)
Kijiji Internet Classifieds (may not be local even though they are listed under Nanaimo)
Last updated Nov 21, 2007
Copyright Ó2007 Island Discovery &
Training