Rescue dog?

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I am looking to get a young dog within the next year or so, something small and maybe a year or two old. However, I am torn between a rescue and a purebed from a reliable breeder.

I like the idea of a rescue, of giving an animal who needs one a home, and frankly of not paying a fortune.

1/2 the people I know who have rescues have fantastic dogs, sweet, gentle beautiful animals. But the other 1/2 have crazy animals that do things like bark so much their condo associations threaten to evict them, or destroy things, or bite people who get too close.

I know I'm supposed to say that I will commit to a dog 100%, and would never give up -- but that's not true. A dog that got me kicked out of my home would be returned, as would a dog that bit my child especially more than once. Maybe that means I shouldn't be a dog owner, but those are pretty firm lines for me.

Is a purebred from a breeder a safer choice? Or are there steps I can take to make the chances of success with a rescue higher? What are the questions I should be asking. How should I go about looking for a dog?

Thanks!

 

[mattsdragon]

Personally, the rescue dog is the better way to go. Mutts from the pound or rescue groups are in a great need to be adopted into a furever home. We have two greyhounds from the track, and although they are purebreds, this is a breed that desperately needs help. As for getting a mutt, they tend to live longer and have less of the genetic problems associated with most purebred dogs.

I vote that you go to the pound.

Rescue a dog, gain a companion.

 

[CathrynRose]

I am looking to get a young dog within the next year or so, something small and maybe a year or two old. However, I am torn between a rescue and a purebed from a reliable breeder.

I like the idea of a rescue, of giving an animal who needs one a home, and frankly of not paying a fortune.

1/2 the people I know who have rescues have fantastic dogs, sweet, gentle beautiful animals. But the other 1/2 have crazy animals that do things like bark so much their condo associations threaten to evict them, or destroy things, or bite people who get too close.

I know I'm supposed to say that I will commit to a dog 100%, and would never give up -- but that's not true. A dog that got me kicked out of my home would be returned, as would a dog that bit my child especially more than once. Maybe that means I shouldn't be a dog owner, but those are pretty firm lines for me.

Is a purebred from a breeder a safer choice? Or are there steps I can take to make the chances of success with a rescue higher? What are the questions I should be asking. How should I go about looking for a dog?

Thanks!

Dogs are dogs. You could end up with a pure bred barking biter or an angelic mutt dog - or vice versa.

I can tell you this - odd's are you'll be able to determine a year or two old's personality waaaaay better than a puppy, in any case. Going to the shelter, you'll be able to see how that older dog acts, versus the unknown personality of a pure bred puppy you might get.

That was absolutely the case with Charley. He was *about* 17 months old when we got him from a shelter - and that laid back dog, who wasn't barking when the whole place was going wild, whom just sat in his cage and eyeballed everyone who walked by - is the same laid back dog laying on my couch looking at me right now. KWIM?

I say shelter for the reasons above AND because there are too many dogs out there needing homes, to spend any money on a pure bred.

You can Google something along that lines of 'dogs that dont bark as much' or something. I can tell you Charley is NOT a barker, at all. We didnt even think he could bark for weeks, when we first got him. There are breeds that are known for it (any hounds, for example)

And lastly - I think you'd be surprised how many 'pure bred' dogs are in shelter's. Just start looking at their site.

Good luck!

 

[PrincessKitty1]

These are all great question! I've owned 3 rescue dogs and one dog I bought from a "backyard breeder" kind of person. I have friends who have bought from breeders, as well.

The first thing you need to realize is that many, if not most, puppies are destructive. Certain breeds are more likely to be chewers than others, but virtually all puppies will chew on things they are not supposed to. Puppies (purebred or mutts) take a huge, huge amount of work because they have to be housebroken and trained not to chew, not to nip, not to bark, etc.

Adult dogs tend to be more of a known quantity. We adopted an adult dog from the pound about 17 years ago and she was PERFECT. Sweet, affectionate, house-trained, never chewed on anything, etc. MOST of the dogs in the pound and in rescue are there because they had irresponsible owners, NOT because they're "bad dogs" in any way.

That said, your best bet (since you're willing to adopt an adult dog) is to adopt from a rescue who has had the dog in a foster family for at least a few weeks or a few months. This will give you an idea if the dog is house trained, how much it barks, whether it chews on household items , etc.

Some rescues keep their dogs in kennels rather than in foster families and they tend not to really know much about the dogs if this is the case. For instance, our local Humane Society keeps their pets in a kennel facility so they don't really know whether or not their dogs are house-trained. The rescue where we adopted our current dog has ALL their pets fostered, so they know them pretty well. For instance, some of the foster families have kids so the rescue is able to tell you which of their pets have been around kids, what ages, and what their reactions to kids have been.

Purebreds can have many unknowns, just like mutts. My SIL bought a beautiful Sheltie from a breeder and it turned out to be crazy and untrainable--she kept it for 3 years and finally gave it away to folks who lived out in the country where the dog had many acres to run and be crazy on.

 

[CathrynRose]

Check this list out:

http://www.barkingdogs.net/excessivebarking.shtml

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I should be clear on the barking, and destroying the house (because that's an issue too in a rental house), it's not like I'd immediately give a dog away because they barked. I'd try lots of things, and work with it, maybe do some doggie daycare.

The dogs my friends got barked all day every day, especially if the owner wasn't there. If the owner ran down to the take out the trash they woke up the whole building. I've also read about dogs that tried to dig their way through the front door, and almost succeeded. Which seems different from a dog who chews on the legs of chairs or your favorite shoes.

I think the suggestion of looking at dogs who have been in foster care is good.

 

[Villain-lover]

if you research various breeds and decide that you want a specific breed of dog, there are plenty of 'breed specific" rescues out there, just look online. I have a friend that dot her Dachsund from a Dachsund Rescue that was local to her. That way you can get a purebred dog if thats what you decide you want without goin through a breeder. Tht being said, many of my friends have mutts and they are great too!

 

[clh2]

Dogs are dogs. You could end up with a pure bred barking biter or an angelic mutt dog - or vice versa.

I can tell you this - odd's are you'll be able to determine a year or two old's personality waaaaay better than a puppy, in any case. Going to the shelter, you'll be able to see how that older dog acts, versus the unknown personality of a pure bred puppy you might get.

That was absolutely the case with Charley. He was *about* 17 months old when we got him from a shelter - and that laid back dog, who wasn't barking when the whole place was going wild, whom just sat in his cage and eyeballed everyone who walked by - is the same laid back dog laying on my couch looking at me right now. KWIM?

I say shelter for the reasons above AND because there are too many dogs out there needing homes, to spend any money on a pure bred.

You can Google something along that lines of 'dogs that dont bark as much' or something. I can tell you Charley is NOT a barker, at all. We didnt even think he could bark for weeks, when we first got him. There are breeds that are known for it (any hounds, for example)

And lastly - I think you'd be surprised how many 'pure bred' dogs are in shelter's. Just start looking at their site.

Good luck!

I agree with everything that CathrynRose mentioned. I just about have Charlie's brother from a personality standpoint, except Riley is a yellow lab/white shepard mutt. Our guy was 8 when we got him at the humane society, and his personality the day he picked us out - very playful, and very engaging. Riley also doesn't bark, even when the rest of the humane society was in a barking mayhem.

I also know someone who got a golden retriever as a puppy, and unfortunately, due to poor training, it has been a disaster. Their dog is now 3 years old, and while I understand that she is a sweetie when just the family is home, the dog doesn't care for any company, and gets a little "growly" when their daughter has paly dates. This dog is so obnoxious, that when they host a family function, they take the dog elsewhere. I truly think it is bad training.

So - as CathrynRose mentioned, getting a purebred puppy is no gaurantee that they'll make a perfect pup for your family.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I also wanted to be clear, I'm not thinking so much that a purebreed is "better" just that a dog thats been hurt or mistreated might have developed some habits that we aren't in a position to deal with.

 

[manning]

The majority of times it is the owner, not the dog, that is the problem. Dogs are pack animals and there is a social structure there. There has to be a leader of the pack and that has to be you. When you are they will always be challenging to become the leader. If you have kids you will see the pattern.

Watch the "Dog Whisperer" and you will get a lot of info.

 

[rn4val]

All the dogs I have had have been from the pound or rescued. The last dog we got from an animal rescue they let us walk him and we even came back the next day with our other dog to see how they interacted. I am all for adopting animals that really need homes. They haven't all been mistreated some times someone moves and can't take their beloved pet or the owner dies. The rescue organization usually has info about the dogs. Our last dog was even given obiedence trainging at a prison and he is a wonderful dog.
You really have to be careful of breeders some times their is health issues with inbreeding. My brother got my parents a beautiful little dog that was pure breed and is very skiddish. So you can never tell.
Shop around at some of the shelters.
Good luck
Debbie

 

[CathrynRose]

The majority of times it is the owner, not the dog, that is the problem.

I've never thought of a shelter dog as 'bad'. Just this past week I was at my shelter, and saw *3* dogs there that were owner surrender.... not enough time, moving and too big. (too big?? Did you not know your cute black lab puppy would be a 'big' dog???? )

I swear my husband and I have discussed so many times WHY ON EARTH Charley was even given up. He was trained when he came to us - sit, stay, down. He doesn't run off. We already discussed he doesn't bark. He (for us) is the epitome of a 'perfect dog'. The only conclusion we can come to is - bad owners. Who knows. But Charley certainly wasn't the "bad" one.

 

[Stacerita]

There is no way to know if a purebred will be a safer choice than a rescue dog. I have had purebred from a neighbor who breeds, and they were no different than the two I have now which are both rescues. My two rescue dogs are very loving and sweet. They do bark, but they are protective of their home. But so were my purebreds.

If given the choice, I would pick the rescue dog over a purebred. Their are so many needy wonderful animals who need homes. The first dog I rescued is probably the best dog I have ever known. And to think, when I found him he was on the "last row" meaning that if I didn't adopt him that day, he would have been euthenized the next morning.

Both of my dogs are laid back. Neither have evern been destructive. And both came to us potty trained. They enjoy lying on the couches watching tv, they sleep in our beds with us, and are part of the family. Are they still dogs who get into trouble now and then? Yes, but no more than the purebreds before them.

And its not to say you can't find a purebred at the rescue either. We have been told by a breeder/trainer that I know, that they think both of my dogs are purebreds. But because we rescued them and can't say for sure, they can't be called that.

Go for the rescue dog. They will love you for it.

 

[CathrynRose]

All the dogs I have had have been from the pound or rescued. The last dog we got from an animal rescue they let us walk him and we even came back the next day with our other dog to see how they interacted. I am all for adopting animals that really need homes. They haven't all been mistreated some times someone moves and can't take their beloved pet or the owner dies. The rescue organization usually has info about the dogs. Our last dog was even given obiedence trainging at a prison and he is a wonderful dog.
You really have to be careful of breeders some times their is health issues with inbreeding. My brother got my parents a beautiful little dog that was pure breed and is very skiddish. So you can never tell.
Shop around at some of the shelters.
Good luck
Debbie

Ohhhhh - this makes me so so so so so sad!!!

There was a dachshund mix at our shelter who's owner died. It said owner died, family does not want. UGH! The stinking dog was like 12 years old. Probably had a few years left as it was. And he was so friendly, and so confused, and so wanting attention. He would howwwwwwl for you to come by, and when you did he put his whole side up against the cage door so you could just rub him, and scratch him and just give him some lovin'.

Made me so sad.

 

[CathrynRose]

Quick story (Dog Mom Brag Moment)

When we first got Charley - both my husband and I were late getting home. We expected an 'accident' because it had been longer than he was used to.

So we walked around the house looking for the mess - and didn't see anything. *Phew*

Then my husband went into the bathroom to use it - and Charley did pee. But he pee'd right in front of the toilet. A little pee puddle, right smack dab in front of the toilet.

Smart dog.

 

[onelilspark]

Something to think about too: some breeds are known for barking or yipping...we had a toy poodle, which is known to be a yipping dog. She was very far from it. The only time she even barked is when we came home...or provoked her Definitely not standard for her breed. So realize that there's always exceptions!

 

[Aimeedyan]

It is more about the breed and the owner than where the dog came from. A reputable breeder (which will take work to find) will breed for temperment but again, sometimes the dog still has issues. A backyard breeder or puppy mill dog is more likely to have issues than a well bred dog.

I have 4 dogs in my house right now - two shelter mutts, one purebred that was returned to the shelter 3x before being pulled by a local rescue that we then adopted from, and one purebred from a backyard breeder (we didn't know any better). They all have personality quirks, and the two purebreds are true to their breed. The one from the backyard breeder has more health issues than the other 3 combined but that's what we get for choosing a poor breeder.

Two of the four came to us as puppies; we won't do that again ever. I loved getting Lucy at 10 months and really seeing her personality - not just her puppyhood. I loved having her foster mom tell me exactly what it's like to live with her. She was honest, and it helped us decide if she was a good fit. I loved having the chewing, peeing, biting, crate training out of the way. Plus she was much cheaper than a puppy

We put down millions of dogs each year in this country; we won't be buying another animal until our pet population is taken care of. You can get every breed around there, for the most part, through a rescue - even a puppy. I just don't see a need to buy when there are puppies being put to sleep on a daily basis.

I'd be happy to help you find some available pups if you'd like. I really feel passionate about this issue yet know many get frustrated in the search and give up. If I can help in anyway, let me know.

 

[lisajl]

Our dog Chloe--photo under my name(to the left), is a shelter dog.
We finally decided to get a dog and we went to our Humane Society. There is no other place I would get a dog. She was 8 months when we adopted her.
She was a bit fearful of my DH. But, the weird thing, she was a patient at the Veterinary Hospital I work at. I looked up her records and I was the one that spoke to the wife that owned her. She had gone out of town, came back and Chloe was scared to death of the husband. Chloe would stay in her crate and cower.
Come to find out he had done some damage to her one of her eyes. He must have hit or kicked her. JERK!
Luckily, these people have never come in the clinic, because if they did, I would get fired over what I would have done to them.

She is an amazing dog. She does bark when people come to the door, but I look at it as a good thing. She makes sure people knows she is here.
She had to have some surgery last year, (anal glands removed), and it turns out she has cancer. She is doing well with us. If she would have been with previous owner or someone else, would they have had given her all the vet care we have? I don't know, all I know is that our lives are much better with her in it.

Whew! Sorry, did not mean to make it a Chloe moment.
Take your time. research what you want. Make some friends at the Humane Society, ask them questions. They will help you.
I hope you find what you are looking for, if not, the right dog will find you.
Ours did.

Lisa

 

[Jeninindy]

I swear my husband and I have discussed so many times WHY ON EARTH Charley was even given up. He was trained when he came to us - sit, stay, down. He doesn't run off. We already discussed he doesn't bark. He (for us) is the epitome of a 'perfect dog'. The only conclusion we can come to is - bad owners. Who knows. But Charley certainly wasn't the "bad" one.

We have had the exact same experience as you.

We adopted our Boxer from a local Boxer Rescue. He was 9 months old at the time.

We met several dogs before Odie, but Odie immediately "adopted us." He ran to my then 6 year old son, who had been very skittish around dogs, rolled over on his back and went belly up for my son to pet him. Odie ran from person to person giving love to each of us. We took him home with us that night.......almost 4 years later he is still a wonderful, loving dog. He barely ever barks - when he does he gets immediate attention as it's usually for a good reason. He has never been destructive - he does have a weakness for cardboard boxes, but we discovered that many years ago and don't leave them around for him anymore...lol. They cannot be perfect right...

 

[CathrynRose]

He has never been destructive - he does have a weakness for cardboard boxes, but we discovered that many years ago and don't leave them around for him anymore...lol. They cannot be perfect right...

Yes - Charley has a weakness for tissue boxes. And we immediately know upon entering the house that he 'got one' because he's REALLY low, eyeballs looking up at us, ears back like 'I am sooooo sorry! I couldn't help myself!'

I love reading all the great shelter stories.