I'm after some advice on finding a x breed puppy.  Seaching the internet just brings up lots of adverts for "designer" pups which are costing more than a pedigree and I'm not sure I trust the intentions of these people.  Plus all the puppy buying guides advise you to avoid the internet.  I'm looking for a genuine breeder that has had an accidental mating resulting in an unintentional litter of puppies.  How do I go about finding someone like that?

Go to a rescue. They are full to bursting with "accidental" litters.

I'd expect such genuine people to either be homing through a rescue or not be expecting more for the pup than the rescue adoption fee, so no more than £150 - £200 maximum, as with no registration, Kennel club maintenance fees, health testing, stud fees, etc that should cover the costs of rearing the pups.

Genuine adverts of this sort I'd expect to see on the Vets notice board, maybe local pet shop, local free ads.

I'd also expect to see that the bitch was going to be spayed and that the pups were reared with care (not consigned to the garden shed with minimal attention). 

Such litters breeders may well have minimal experience (else how did they end up with an accidental litter when good husbandry, an injection at the vets etc could have avoided it). 

So I would want to be questioning how pups are being reared and socialised.  Also want to know the Health history, temperament of the parents, or at least Mum.

In other words take as much care as you would when looking for a pedigree litter bred by a decent breeder.

I think genuine accidents are becoming more and more rare these days, due to the fact that a responsible owner will take their accidentally mated bitch to the vet for an Alizin injection to stop her from becoming pregnant. The irresponsible will not, and even if it was an accident they will most likely jump on the bandwagon and invent a name for the cross and sell them as designer puppies. I had an accidental cross 11 years ago myself, back then the mismate injections were not at all as safe as now, so I went ahead with the litter and sold the pups for £50 each. I advertised in places like Dog Traning Weekly, hoping to get homes where people were interested in training their dog. Maybe Agility Net could be worth a try.

The rescue centers in my region have said that they get "occasional" litters of puppies and its a case of phoning up everyday as they don't operate any sort of waiting list, which is fine but the other thing I worry about is not being able to see the temperament of the mother.

Goldmali - thank you for this reply.  I am ignorant in the world of breeding and I had absolutely no idea that something like the "Alizin injection" even existed.  I have become incredibly disheartened in my search for a puppy with all these silly hybrid names and ridiculous prices.  Now that I know a responsible breeder can prevent an unwanted litter, I can focus my attentions elsewhere.  I will look at your suggestions.  Really helpful - Thank you.

Thing is Mishy no responsible breeder would deliberately try to breed cross breeds unless it was for some particular purpose and that would be rare these days, you may find a working and show strain of the same breed being bred but not deliberate cross that is in the realms of the puppy farms and BYB who breed for money.

Again as has been said a responsible breeder will stop the results of a accidental mating it is only if the breeder does not know the bitch has been mated (and that is unlikely) that a litter such as you are looking for will exist. Even using rescues the pups available are likely to be from the bitch of someone who has no interest in their dog or the litter, perhaps if you really want a cross for some reason you would be better getting a young dog from rescue at least you will know what it will be like.

What kind of crossbreed are you looking for?

If it's a Lurcher type, then working Lurchers, small and larger, and terrier crosses can be found in the hunting /shooting/countryside papers and magazines.  These dogs will have been bred to work, but not all of the litter will be suitable for working.

***BUT***   It's likely that a pup from this background would be high energy and want to work at something.  The terrier pups could be rather sharp and not easy-going with other dogs.    All depends on the breeds involved and the temperament of the parents.

Do your research before buying and as with other breeders, find out how the pups have been raised.   Pups raised indoors should be bold and outgoing, not shy, timid or hiding away.

Can I ask what is your reason for wanting a cross breed? and do you have any particular cross or type of dog in mind? If it is mainly cost I would personally think the best ones to be looking for would be gundog crosses, ie labxspaniels seem quite compatible and are fairly regularly bred intentionally by gundog breeders, farm bred collies (not for me, I would want them reared in the home) or possibly lurchers? The reason I am suggesting these is that although crosses they are more likely to have been bred intentionally for a purpose so a better chance of them being reared with more care than some.

I would second the other posters suggestion that you consider and older rescue, with a rescue pup it is unformed and you have no knowledge of it's parents or background and how it will turn out, at least with a more mature dog you can see the 'finished product' so stand a better chance of seeing what you are getting!

Rescues often have puppies, having taken in pregnant bitches. Many Tears often has crossbreed pups looking for a home.

Hi agilabs - Its not so much the cost, I just can not decide on one particular breed - there are so many that I like and it is a lot to invest when you're not quite sure. So I thought a cross breed maybe the way to go.  Looking at the breeds I have gone from pointers to vizslas to labs to retrievers to rough collies to eurasiers.....and then back again.  Its really difficult to research your breed when you can't decide on one.    I know life style is the key - so here it is in a nutshell.  I have a good sized 3 bed house - but it has a small garden (semi rural location) the minimum exercise I can commit to is about an hour in the morning and around half an hour later in the day.  I only work one morning a week, so it wont be left for long periods of time.  I have two children one aged 10 the other is a baby, nearly 1.  I intend to do puppy training classes and then on to obedience classes.  I have contacted a lot of rescue places for a young dog but they are not really that interested when I mention I have a baby.  I have also registered with a few breed rescue places too.  I know that doing the puppy thing with a small child is going to be a nightmare and I may well wait a year or two - but any suggestions on a breed will be most helpful.  I know this probably sounds naive but I'm kind of hoping fate will play a part and the right dog will find me.

Thank you all for all your posts by the way.

Hello Mishy

  Just seen your posts and replies. I would counsel waiting before you consider taking on a dog/puppy. As a breeder, the baby would be an issue for me. I've had five children and am not in any way anti child but knowing how much time and care a baby needs , the last thing you need in your life is another baby ( puppy) Also, you have expressed an interest in breeds that once adult, would require far more exercise than one hour in the morning and half an hour in the afternoon particularly if this is on lead. So, please be patient and reconsider.

My GSP would be just fine on an hour and a half / day... Admittedly off lead is a must as no HPR breed would be satisfied with lead only walks. For me I look at the whole picture and have sold dogs to families with young children and families with disabled children,  the key is how they plan to manage their time to ensure the pup gets what it needs. Each case assessed on its merit. Would have passed up some fantastic homes if I had taken a no young children stance JMHO

Have you thought about getting yourself to a breed specific day for some of those you are interested in? Spend some time with them, owners and breeders.
If you are interested in the working lines maybe get yourself to some working trials or if you wanted something slightly and I mean slightly more relaxed then a dog show, it won't mean that they are thick as many show dog do work and can work. This is in relation to the gundogs.
Also with a cross you really are taking a gamble on type and how they are going to pan out, with a pure breed you'll have a fair idea of what you will have at the end, I think something to consider with kids about.

Gundog crosses often end up and are bred from working homes from what I've seen. Agility net is one place to have a peek.
My girls breeder has raised to children around breeding and showing Rottweilers with no issues, a lot depends on how much time you will allow for the dog/puppy. Don't forget in the first year of its life it can't do too much anyway, so by then your youngest will be that bit older.

I learnt a lot by speaking to various people in the breeds I was interested when I first started and at length to those in breed rescue as it really does open up your eyes and helped me make a decision in the end.

Good luck