[mamamillet]

So I was wondering about the overall feeling of those on this forum with regards to rescue dogs (including puppies) versus breeder dogs.
I have always been partial to rescuing a dog or pup from local animal shelters instead of buying one from a breeder. I do understand that there is a level of predictability that you get when buying a dog from a breeder and could understand that option when looking for something specific but if you are just wanting canine companionship I have always felt that rescuing was a better option. Thats my opinion--whats yours?

 

[EdlynsMom]

I voted rescue.... My reasoning is that since there are SO many animals that need good homes in shelters/rescue groups, folks should check there first. You really can find a gem of a dog/cat/"other" taht someone else for whatever reason couldnt keep. It may be a bit more work, but really, when are animals not work? I am always a bit put off when someone tells me they just got an animal from a breeder. If they plan to show it, Im a little less put off. If they plan to breed it (and arent established, responsible breeders), Im just pi**ed.

 

[DesireeH]

I voted other. DH got our male boxer out of the pennysaver (newspaper ad). So technically it was a breeder but the place was a dump.

A few years later we got our female boxer by just taking her. Some people were abusing her, she was tied to a pole, skinny, with no food and water in 105 heat for days in our friends' neighbors backyard so they broke the fence and got her out and let her go and then called me to drive by and "find" her.) They called animal people multiple times but no one would help her, they even sent pics, well we took matters into our own hands.

 

[PennyRoo]

I voted shelter. I can't think of a reason to go through a breeder unless you, too, are a professional breeder. So many dogs are euthanized each day for lack of homes.

My childhood dogs were always mutts from shelters. If someone is looking for a specific breed, there are rescue groups for nearly every type of breed imaginable. For the past 16 years we have adopted a number of adult labs through various labrador retriever rescues. Even though several of the dogs were poorly socialized and likely abused, labs are such great, sweet, wonderful, family-oriented and gentle dogs that with lots of love they turned around fast and ended up being amazing pets.

We currently have a lab who was a Hurriacan Katrina casualty - I adopted him in this past October through a group that rescues labs and lab mixes in the south and re-homes them in the north east. My pup came without manners and in very poor health but he is a big, gentle goof and I trust him implicitly around our DD and her friends. (Having a child, Labs are just about the only breed of adult dog I would adopt without knowing *anything* about their past history.) I can't say enough about how rescuing has enrished our lives. It's like the dogs realize they got a good deal and are immeasurably grateful and loyal, and want to repay you one thousand fold. As I type my boy is sprawled out with his head on my foot.

 

[Al Dente]

I think it depends immeasurably on the dog and the dog's breed, but I wouldn't be comfortable, nor would I have the time/energy/emotional wherewithal necessary to devote to a rescued dog. If I didn't have a baby and my dog was going to become my mission, it would be one thing. I have seen way too many wacked-out rescue dogs that need way more than they are given adopted by owners who pet them for 10 minutes a day and call it even. They need an owner that will go the extra mile and put up with any neurosis they may have and will really work with them, and work hard at getting the dog to be as "normal" as possible.

I'm not saying every rescue dog is like that, but many of the ones I've known/heard/come in contact with have been. For those reasons, I would get a dog from a reputable breeder rather than a rescue.

 

[ItyBty]

First off - let me just say that I take NO issue at all with responsible breeders, and I think that what they do is awesome.

That said, I've always been a rescue-dog kind of girl, mostly because here in the money/status area of CT we live in, there are SO many people with "papered" pooches that I feel like there are more than enough people willing to take a purebred dog, and not enough who want or don't mind a mutt. I've always had rescued/free dogs of all sorta of breeds, and I've never minded the little bit of extra attention they need.

 

[lrlittle]

Rescue all the way. What is a "responsible" breeder?

 

[livinzoo]

Almost all the animals in my house are rescue. My rescue list includes 2 dogs, 4 cats, 3 birds, 1 snake, and 1 lizard. I've also rescued some other abandoned animals and found new homes for them.

 

[MamaAllNatural]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrlittle What is a "responsible" breeder?

What is....the_kimballs??

Yay, I win!!

: (what is my prize?)

I voted "rescue" and I believe strongly in it. I do think though that as far as the "breeder" answer goes there is a *huge* difference between backyard breeders/puppy mills and actual, true responsible breeders. A huge one.

*ETA: I just wanted to add that rescues can be very young puppies too with no issues. That's what our puppy was. They rescued him (and his siblings) from a high kill shelter. They were only about 5 weeks old...no chance they could've been messed up for life, kwim?

 

[Sailor]

If I just want a companion dog, or one for the more "casual" training/competitions ... then I would definitely go with a rescue. I work with a GSD rescue organization, and growing up we always had rescues and fosters in our home. However, we did purchase a few GSD's from good breeders in the years I was growing up in order to pursue more serious competitions such as Schutzhund, etc. I have a GSD now, whom I did purchase from a good breeder precisely because I wanted to pursue Schutzhund. When I have the room, time, and money for more pets, I'll probably go the rescue route. It just depends what I want to be doing with those dogs.

 

[AlbertaJes]

Most of our pets come from shelters. We've always found wonderful pets that way.

However, I will, at some point, buy from a breeder.
It's been my dream since I met one at age 2, to share my life with a Great Dane. Because of the short life span and numerous potential health problems those wonderful dogs have, I want to start out with the healthiest I can. That means a reputable breeder and tons of research on my part.

 

[Treasuremapper]

I do not intend to get any more dogs, but when I used to get dogs, I only did rescue. My reason is that breeding creates more dogs and there are plenty of pure bred dogs down at our local kill facility. There are plenty of sweet, wonderful, deserving dogs out there and I do not want to contribute the problem of pet overpopulation.

That said, I would consider buying from a breeder under certain very limited circumstances, so limited that it is hard for me to even imagine them.

 

[LittleMonkeyMom]

I voted rescue. We have three dogs, one that came from an all-breed rescue/shelter and two others that were adopted from a breed-specific rescue (American Brittany Rescue). We did not want to participate in any competitions that would require an official AKC registration number, so it just made sense for us to adopt. Also, if we did want to compete with the dogs in obedience, agility or a few other competitions, we could do a certain type of AKC registration that would allow us to compete in those events. We just could not compete in conformation shows and field trials.

I also personally feel that buying from a breeder may give some people a false sense of security in that they are getting a "known" quantity. It may give them an edge health-wise, but as far as personality goes, personal experience leads me to believe that a lot is just the luck of the draw.

Warmest Wishes to my fellow dog lovers!

:

 

[thekimballs]

If getting a dog from a breeder is the luck of the draw, then there's something wrong with your breeder!

I've gotten dogs and cats from both breeders and rescue; right now any dog I get would come from a breeder.

Where I do think a breeder isn't magic is in the end behavior of the dog. But that's not because breeders can't predict temperament or personality--we actually can, to a great extent--it's because behavior depends on YOU. How you react to a puppy's normal actions, how you train, how you socialize, and so on can turn a sound, healthy puppy into a monster or a timid, retiring puppy into a fabulous, confident pet.

But any good breeder should be able to hand you a puppy and genuinely predict how it is going to look, what health problems or strengths it is likely to have, what food it should eat for maximum health, and so on.

And, of course, what you are really buying from a breeder is the next ten or fifteen years of that breeder's life. You're paying to be able to rely on that person to answer the phone at 3 am if your dog has a health crisis, to always be available to give reliable advice on anything from training to food to care to major veterinary decisions, and also to have a permanent, caring, good place for that dog should anything ever happen to you, to him, or to your life that means you can't keep him. A lot of posts we see here are about giving up dogs, or considering giving up dogs, or finding a new home for a dog. It's awfully nice to have somebody waiting in the wings, ready to take your dog if anything happens.

It's also true that responsible breeders don't contribute to overpopulation. We actually produce only a small fraction of the purebred dogs in the US, and no good breeder will ever let a dog or a puppy of that dog end up in a rescue or shelter. I have an extremely strict policy of never allowing any dog of mine to be bred without my permission (I retain rights that would prevent you from ever registering any puppy with AKC, and my contract states that you owe me a thousand dollars for each puppy that you produce without asking me first), and my contract is neither extreme nor unusual--it's what we all do.

When a family has young children and is considering a difficult breed, either one with major health issues or one with prey drive issues or aggression issues anywhere in the breed's makeup, I strongly recommend going to a responsible breeder over rescue (breed-specific rescue is fine).

And thanks, MamaAllNatural

.

 

[shannon0218]

Hey MAN! What about me???

Like Joanna said, if your going to a breeder is luck of the draw, you need to do better research on breeders. Purchasing from a breeder is as much work on your part as it is on ours, you see, when well meaning but under educated on the process people buy from a "breeder" and get a crappy dog but then go around saying "Hey, what happened, I bought him from a good breeder!!" then when we actually look into things, they bought from the utmost back yard breeder going.

For me, always from a breeder, but I work my dogs, it's hard enough to get a top sport dog from a perfect genetic matching, I'm not taking my chances putting $5000 of training into a dog tat will never make it.
I think it's VERY important to consider the rescue too. Around here at least, way too many (like I've so far found one rescue that isnt' like this) are so bloody eager to get you a dog that they dont' take any considerations into account. I remember doing a consult on a dog who was downright nasty, the family had a 2 yr old, mom had MS and was essentially confined to a wheelchair most of the day and dad was....well dad was a dick. The minute I walked in, I recognized the dog!! I'd done a consult for him 3 weeks before and advised the owners to take him back to the rescue--his first day there he bit both the owners--one badly. When this new family adopted him they told him he was a total mush, never shown any signs of aggresion. (of course that's the same thing they'd told the people before)
New family decided to believe the rescue people over the master trainer. One month later the dog mauled (and I mean MAULED) a local dog walker while she was walking him.
The new family is suing the rescue and I will be testifying on their behalf--this rescue continues to adopt out dogs without telling anything about history--even when they know it.

 

[MamaAllNatural]

Shannon, I thought of you too but it seemed like a one answer question (like jeopardy) and I figured you're not techinally breeding right now so...

I think that is the most important difference...that responsible breeders always take the dogs back and that they never contribute to overpopulation. Backyard breeders and puppymills are the *cause* of pet overpopulation. It should be two separate options in the poll but unfortunately a lot of people *think* they bought from a responsible breeder when in fact they did not.

I know that if people stuck to only responsible breeders (like Joanna *&* Shannon

) and rescues the pet overpopulation problem in the US would cease to exist. I wish they could outlaw BYB's and Puppymills.

 

[mamamillet]

Overpopulation is just that...more pets than available homes. Anyone that breeds contributes to the overpopulation. Responsible breeders, if they are good, will always take their pups back and that is what keeps them from contributing to the "unwanted, homeless" pet population, which is a good thing indeed.

 

[DebraBaker]

As much as I love dogs and had dogs growing up, our space isn't fit for a dog and we are cat people.

I adopt adult cats. I really feel strongly that I should rescue an adult cat and they usually speak to me.

Presently, we have a sweet little rescue kitty, Meg.

 

[LittleMonkeyMom]

I should preface my post with the fact that I am taking it for granted that most people understand that not all shelters and rescues are created equal, as not all breeders are necessarily responsible. Nor would I ever imply that there is no difference between good breeders and the horrid back-yard breeders and puppy millers. It behooves one to always consider the expertise and experience of their pets' source, be it rescue or breeder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekimballs If getting a dog from a breeder is the luck of the draw, then there's something wrong with your breeder!

As I mentioned in my previous post, we don't have a breeder, we rescue our dogs. However, my parents have been raising and competing with dogs for over 25 years, so I am not without any practical experience in this matter. And I should also state that as my experience is almost solely with breed-specific rescue groups, that colors my perspective.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekimballs Where I do think a breeder isn't magic is in the end behavior of the dog. But that's not because breeders can't predict temperament or personality--we actually can, to a great extent--it's because behavior depends on YOU. How you react to a puppy's normal actions, how you train, how you socialize, and so on can turn a sound, healthy puppy into a monster or a timid, retiring puppy into a fabulous, confident pet. But any good breeder should be able to hand you a puppy and genuinely predict how it is going to look, what health problems or strengths it is likely to have, what food it should eat for maximum health, and so on.

While I do agree that a good breeder can predict the general temperament of a pup (assertive, submissive, easy-going, timid, etc.), to my knowledge there is no way to definitively predict if a dog if a dog will have a love of competition, a desire to perform consistently, perfect conformation and enough natural instinct and talent to perform the job each particular breed has been bred to do. I also know of no breeders who can absolutely guarantee that a pup will not grow up to be a barker, a chowhound, a couch potato (comparatively), etc.

I would never argue that the owners of the pup do not have a huge influence. They do much to foster talent and bring out the most positive attributes of a dog, and conversely can bring a dog to ruin. Yet, I firmly believe it is not strictly an issue of nature vs nurture. Dogs (and really, most animals) have personalities, abilities and talents every bit as wide and varied as that of humans.

When one adopts a dog, the foster family knowledgable in the breed can give the adopter an idea of some of these things. That is why I do not believe it is entirely accurate to say that buying a pup from a responsible breeder gets one more of a "known quantity" than does adopting from a rescue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekimballs And, of course, what you are really buying from a breeder is the next ten or fifteen years of that breeder's life. You're paying to be able to rely on that person to answer the phone at 3 am if your dog has a health crisis, to always be available to give reliable advice on anything from training to food to care to major veterinary decisions, and also to have a permanent, caring, good place for that dog should anything ever happen to you, to him, or to your life that means you can't keep him. A lot of posts we see here are about giving up dogs, or considering giving up dogs, or finding a new home for a dog. It's awfully nice to have somebody waiting in the wings, ready to take your dog if anything happens.

I think a person can get these things without paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for a puppy. Most responsible breeders I've ever met will not hesitate to help someone with their dog, whether purchased from them, another person or adopted through rescue. At the very least, she will direct an owner toward the necessary resources. In fact, many responsible breeders are actively involved in their breeds' rescue programs and connect with adoptive families regularly, providing a wealth of support and knowledge for no other reason than a great love of dogs.

 

[Pandora114]

I would go with a REPUTABLE breeder, CKC/AKC registered breeder. Why? Rescue dogs can be damaged goods, and I have yet to find an upfront rescue organization about the dog.

My mother, when she was breeding Sharpei, had a temperment guarantee. Thar's right, she guaranteed their temperments. She BRED for temperment FIRST comformation second.

She produced a few champions, not a whole heck of a lot..but her dogs were the most loving, most caring biggest wuffle of wrinkles ever.

They were truly embassadors of the breed.

Rescue dogs, more often than not have been put through SO MUCH Crap that they need to really be worked with to overcome it. I have a small child, and another on the way. I'd rather have a dog that has a guaranteed good temperment than the luck of a draw from a rescue org.

I will not jepordize my childrens safety on something like that...

With a breeder, you're getting more than a dog. You're getting 24/7 support and knowledge of your dog.

My mom willingly took back any dog she placed, no questions asked (she did have a legal contract stating what she would give refunds for though, sometimes she didn't refund the money but she DID take the dog back)

Reputable breeders totally discourage impulse buying. They take the time to educate the prospective buyers about the breed, about the needs, and acctually work with the family to see if the needs of the family = the type of dog they want. If not, the breeder will reffer them to another breed of dog that would be a closer match to their lifestyle. Shelters dont do that. Shelters rarely ever have staff knowledgeable enough in one particular breed, let alone the HUNDREDS that go through their doors each day...with a breeder you get an encyclopedia...