What Would You Do?

[phoebejo]

I love Dandie Dinmonts - which never ever ever come up in rescue.

Another breed that's disappearing. There was an article in the Daily Mail about it this week. There was a lovely Dandie Dinmont in Zaras puppy vlass

[Jacobean]

To answer Wendy's question. I got mine before I was involved in rescue and before I realised just how much need there was out there. I've probably answered this thread wrongly to be honest. Even though I had taken in a poundie in the past I took a risk that thankfully paid off. I was living on my own back then and could make such decisions. To be perfectly honest the easiest in some ways was the pup from the breeder. It's probably the way it has worked out for me but none I have taken in from rescue have been at all easy. I would never let any dog go but I've had my share of trouble with them all. Fergus is a big lad and was snapping at both dogs and humans on arrival. Took me a while to bring him round. Sheena hid behind a chair terrified and I felt so guilty for bringing her into my home. Then she came round and realised we weren't so bad after all. Was a little angel. Then became confident and can be a horrible little madam when in the mood. She has bitten me badly a couple of times and yet is supposed to love me to bits. Issie was a complete nightmare on arrival but we had been pre-warned. Was very food possessive and intimidated all of the dogs. Wouldn't shut up, very demanding. Would I have taken these 3 on with hindsight. Yes I would because I love them all to bits and have the patience to see through the bad times and bring them round. All of the 3 dogs I have lately taken on from rescue were in great need of a place quickly and we took them in. I envisage doing this from now on but there is another person in my household who isn't involved in rescue. Just puts up with losing me to it day in day out.

[BillyMalc]

I have to say I've not read all of the replies, but that is because the answer is so clear to me: I would never ever ever buy a dog from a breeder. First of all because of the 1000's of dogs waiting in rescues for a home - not to mention the ones who never make it there, being put to sleep because they are "surplus to requirement" - but also because I completely disagree with the idea of a dog being a commodity which can be bought and sold. It's just not right.

All my dogs so far have been rescues, 2 out of 3 not the easiest, but I wouldn't want to have them any other way :wub:

[Fee]

Quite apart from any 'moral' issues, I'm just sitting looking at my five now, all sprawled around the room crashed out after a walk and dinner. I have a very mixed bunch - a greyhound, a large lurcher, a terrier x, a whippet x and a big hairy thing, ranging from small to large and 5yrs to 13yrs all with very different personalities, yet they are all fantastic dogs who work well with the family and with each other.

 

I honestly think that I could have spent years researching breeders, travelled the length of the country and payed thousands of pounds and probably wouldn't have ended up with five such wonderful dogs. I just don't see how buying from a breeder could give me anything 'better' than I've got

[Jacobean]

I suppose the other thing to throw into the hat is we all know just how many rescues exist as we belong to this forum for one. A few years ago I actually thought there was only the Dogs Trust and the RSPCA (pound) local to me and that was it. I didn't believe I would be able to rehome a dog from the Dogs Trust as I worked full time for a number of years. Saw the little fella being put in a dog wardens van and traced him by hook or by crook to the pound. I did actually used to wonder what I would do when I wanted another dog as I could never walk into a pound as choose one dog's life over another. As fate had it I moved in with my oh who already had a dog so we ended up with 3 anyway. Then a couple of the oldies died and he wanted another viz. We didn't know there was a viz rescue. But funnily enough we wouldn't have our rescued viz if it wasn't for him as someone the breeder knew was trying to get rid of 2 of them quickly. So we stepped in and took one in. Fate is a strange thing sometimes. If it hadn't been for us getting a pup from a breeder goodness knows what would have happened to our Fergus especially as he was taking everyone on quite aggressively at the time. So yes actually in this case I'm glad I got my pup. Should also add before anyone jumps on me I wasn't working when we took the pup on.

Edited February 23, 2007 by Jacobean

[Sue B]

I find it very hard to understand why people "need" a specific breed of dog. My criteria in choosing a dog is to find one with the right temperament and needs (exercise, training, grooming) to fit with my family, other dogs and lifestyle.

 

I am totally with Fee on this, I will never understand in a million years why some people only like pedigree dogs at all. This isn't a criticism at all, but I just don't get the whole pedigree thing when there are so many lovely crossbreeds out there.

 

Say for example you like the look of Labs, there are enough labby type crosses to suit, as with many breeds.

 

I can't imagine ever having a pedigree myself, all the ones I know seem to have medical problems and they also don't seem to live as long as crossbreeds either.

 

I do understand that people like a certain look of a dog, but they could easily find a similar looking dog with a similar temperament thats a cross in rescue?

[Tobleronie]

Some of what has been mentioned here is the temperament of a dog people would get that would fit in with their 'lifestyle' 'other dogs' whatever, a puppy taken from a rescue is no different from a puppy bought from a breeder no matter what breed - puppies of weeks of age come up through all rescues so why would it be safer to get a puppy from a breeder than from a rescue

[GSDFan]

If I couldn't find the breed I wanted in rescue then I would definately go to a good breeder.

 

I'll say much more than that though

 

My breed of choice is GSD's. There is unfortunately never a shortage of those in rescue and there will always be room in my home for one or two problem GSD's, specifically problem GSD's, ones that are most likely straight from the pound and won't get a decent home or rescue space. There will again one day though be room in my house for a well bred GSD puppy. When I have the time and money there will be another puppy and it won't be a rescue because I will want to show it and I will want to compete in ( at the very least ) Working Trials. This will require a very specific type of puppy.

 

There are a couple of breeds I fancy owning one day that rarely come up in rescue so if I ever decide to own them they will be bought from good breeders.

 

I would also like to own a Rottie ( or Rotties ) and a Malinois, for either of these breeds I would go to a good breeder. I don't have experience of owning or training either of these and I don't believe that either of these breeds are suitable for someone with little knowledge to take on as a rescue.

[bonniebird]

I had my first dog a rescued lab called Sally, when I was about 4. I then got my very own Yorkie, Buster when I was 9 from a breeder. He died when he was 14

Then came a rescue Corge x Sheltie, 5 year old Rusty. I was his 3rd or 4th owner. He died also aged 14.

I moved in with Gilbert, who had Jim a lovely Beardie aged 1 from a breeder. When Rusty died, Jim was distraught We looked for another Beardie, and along came my beloved Bonnie from Beardie rescue aged 7.

Bird was my next "2nd" hand dog, my Small Toy Poodle from one of my grooming clients, who was old and infirm and couldn`t keep her.

 

Then we move on to Edie Being a groomer and having access to loads of different breeds, I knew what I definately didn`t want in a dog. I researched ETTs for a good year, and researched the breeders. ETTs only came up in rescue very rarely. 2 last year and so far 1 this year. They are on the vulnerable breed list.

 

I did feel guilty, but I`m afraid I wanted an ETT and I don`t regret my decision for a moment. I`ve got the puppy thing out of my system now, (I think )and in the future, I will rehome an ETT or Chihuahua when the time comes from rescue if there any any around.

 

I love all dogs, but, the dog has to be the right one for me. I give a substantial amount to dog charities, and support my local FOAL Farm in loads of different ways. I have been known to give free grooms to people who can`t afford it, as long as the dog is OK, I don`t care about the money. I also do free grooms when the need arises for a major charity.

 

So there you go, thats my reasons

 

Karen x

[Purrpuss]

I honestly think that I could have spent years researching breeders, travelled the length of the country and payed thousands of pounds and probably wouldn't have ended up with five such wonderful dogs. I just don't see how buying from a breeder could give me anything 'better' than I've got

 

Perfectly put

[cycas]

puppies of weeks of age come up through all rescues so why would it be safer to get a puppy from a breeder than from a rescue

 

Playing devil's advocate, one could say:

 

The first 8 weeks of a puppy's life, I understand, dictates quite a bit about how the adult dog behaves. It's a psychologically really important time for them: even more so than human infants. I understand that pups that are familiarised with sheep at this early time, for example, have a different attitude to sheep to those that only encounter them older. So a pup that came in at 6 weeks to a rescue foster home from a neglectful home *might* be at a disadvantage compared with a pup born and brought up in a loving home, if someone were looking for a dog that was not going to be a cat chaser, for example.

 

One could also argue that pups that come into rescue at that age are perhaps less likely to come from health tested parents who have been fed well and kept in good conditions, which could have implications for their future health.

 

But:

Personally I'm happy to take the 'risk' that my rescue dogs might not have absolutely optimum genetics and background. I didn't ask my husband for his hip score before marrying him after all (I'm afraid my parents in law, lovely though they are, did not socialise him as well as I may sometimes have wished. ) But we cope. We cope with Mollydog's bad wrist and Az's fearfulness too.

[traceymcl]

But what about getting a puppy from rescue rather than an adult dog with issues? How will getting a puppy from a breeder rather than getting a similar puppy from a rescue make a difference? You have no guarantees either way and your breeder bought pup could end up causing problems or being the perfect dog for your household in exactly the same way a puppy from a rescue could.

 

I would happily get a puppy from a rescue. So long as the rescue could guarantee that the puppy would be small as an adult and had no terrier breeds in him. And the puppies were being brought up in an experienced foster home, carefully socialised with people, adult dogs and the outside world. And I could meet the mum and at least know what dad was. And spend enough time with the litter to choose the right puppy for my household.

 

I do keep my eye out and am looking around but so far, I haven't seen a litter in rescue that would meet my requirements.

 

I suppose that the bottom line for me is that it is me who will live with the dog for the next 15 or so years of my life. I will be the one dealing with any problems. So it is up to me to make whatever decision I feel is suitable for my household.

 

Tracey xx

[Fee]

I sometimes dip in to a particular breed forum (I don't have a dog of this breed, but have a couple of friends who post there). The forum strongly advocates responsible breeding, and most of the people who post there are experienced owners with well-bred pedigree dogs they bought as pups.

 

This is not a breed known for difficult behaviour, yet I look at the 'problems' section of the board, and see people discussing: dog aggression, food guarding, growling at children, fighting with other dogs in the home, barking etc - in fact exactly the same range of issues that you would see on any rescue board. I don't believe that even the most carefully chosen pup with the most careful possible upbringing comes with any guarantees of being perfect. At least with an adult rescue with a 'formed' personality you know pretty much what you are taking on.

[Jakeysmum]

There are lots of breeds I love that you don't see in rescue, tibetan spaniel, clumber and cardigan corgi. I have a breeder bought JRT who is amazingly beautiful and who helped me find Dp and a rescue Labrador. Previous boys were collie and corgi cross. This is a hard question but I think a good home is a good home and while I often champion the virtues of rescues to my friends and colleagues I would never criticise someone who decided to buy a dog for whatever reason, that is personal choice.

[Muriel]

ah well, each breed that's been mentioned on here as not turning up in rescue has it's very own breed rescue, so it must happen.