Where do I look for a dog?

[NMAmy]

Another vote for the Humane Society. In the past, I'd always just kind of gotten dogs that I'd taken in from someone or other who needed a home for their dog. When dd really wanted a puppy and we'd moved to a new area, we tried the Humane Society. They didn't have any puppies the first time we went but they called me when they got some puppies. That's how we came home with our golden retriever mix, Sunny.

 

[Jynohn]

The last place I'd look is a breeder. I don't give my money to someone that breeds their dogs for money.

A good breeder is interested in producing sound, healthy puppies and improving the breed, not in making money. In fact, I lost over $2,000 on my last litter (emergency c-section plus stud fee, health tests, time off from work, etc.)

A breeder will once in a while make a profit from a litter, but that usually ends up going right back into caring for the dogs. Many people prefer a purebred puppy as they can reasonably predict the dog's temperament, grooming and excercise needs, potential health issues, etc. and they like knowing that they have a breeder who is willing to give them a lifetime of support should any issues arise.

Shelters and rescues are great options for many, but going through a breeder doesn't necessarily mean you're supporting someone getting rich off the backs of their dogs.

 

[Pigeon]

Up until recently, we'd always had pure bred dogs bought from reputable breeders.

The last time around, we decided to look at rescues and shelters. You can figure out if a rescue is legitimate pretty easily. Most of the local rescues here have adoption clinics at local pet supply stores on the weekends. If you visit for a few weeks you can get a feel for them. Talk to people who've gotten dogs in the last few years and you're bound to find people who've used a particular rescue. Watch their postings on Petfinder and you'll see where the dogs come from and what kind of dogs they get.

The dog we got from the rescue is the easiest, sweetest dog I've ever had. She'd been with a foster family for about six weeks after being pulled from a high-kill shelter in a different state. The guy who was fostering her told us all about her habits and temper. I found it much more reliable than hoping a puppy would grow up to fit a breed standard for temper.

Every time I look at her, I feel good. She fit a hole in our lives and we gave her a well deserved soft landing.

 

[edwardsfire]

We got ours from an AKC breeder.
We wanted a full breed Cairn Terrier.

 

[robinb]

I don't know. But I do know that it is going on. Obviously puppy mills are going to find a way "in". Oprah's show last year was airing the puppy mill horror and mentioned it. They set up a fake rescue and have someone pose as the rescue person.

And there are rescues that do rescue from puppy mills that are legit.

I suppose you have to do some checking up on them. The rescue org will tell you where they rescued the puppy from and some history.
I guess some gut feeling goes into it as well.

I guess I could also speak to the local humane society and see what they know. I am thinking about getting another dog myself. I have a standard poodle and I am thinking about getting a smaller poodle or poodle mix. Miniature poodle mixes are very popular now in the puppy mill community and one rescue gets a lot of the left over pups and the worn out breeding stock.

I was so careful about picking out just the right dog with just the right breeding when I bought my poodle that I am hesitant about adopting a poorly bred dog (genetic disorders) or one that has emotional/behavior problems.

 

[RitaE]

Our shelter here will keep a list of people who are looking for dogs with particular traits (ie age, size, breed mixes). If they get a likely candidate and somebody remembers to check, they will give you a call. It helps if you make a bit of a pest of yourself -- like showing up several times and asking if they've found you a dog yet. Donating bags of food and blankets or whatever else they need at the time will also help.

Small, young dogs are considered highly adoptable at most shelters and it can very much be just in the right place at the right time kind of thing to find one.

You can work with a breeder, those dogs can be pretty expensive however.

Petfinder can be a good resource. Some of the "rescue" groups are beyond wacky. I would urge you that if you find yourself working with one who begins making unreasonable demands --- tell them you are no longer interested in working with them and move on to the next one.

 

[DMickey28]

Shelter.

When we got Sammie a few months ago there were a lot of 'older' puppies at the shelter of all different mixes. Our county shelter always has new puppies at our local Petco. Seriously, I go in at least once a week and there are always a few new baby puppies there.

We just recently went through the dog search. Of course I wanted a puppy but we ended up with a 7 year old hound mix from the shelter and we couldn't have asked for a better dog for our family. He is trained, polite and SOOOOO happy to have a couch and a few walks that he doesn't ask for anything else ever. Our toddler is great with him and he tolerates the toddler wonderfully. Couldn't ask for anything more in a dog.

 

[CruiserMom]

Of course I wanted a puppy but we ended up with a 7 year old hound mix from the shelter and we couldn't have asked for a better dog for our family. He is trained, polite and SOOOOO happy to have a couch and a few walks that he doesn't ask for anything else ever. Our toddler is great with him and he tolerates the toddler wonderfully. Couldn't ask for anything more in a dog.

OOOOHHHH I love stories like this! Makes me want to go and adopt another dog! One of our rescues we got as a 6 week old puppy from the animal shelter, and the other we got from a rescue group as a 6 month old. The 6 month old came already housebroken, somewhat trained, and because she was no longer a little baby, we could see what type of dog she was and how her temperament was. She is the sweetest thing, so gentle and polite (well, except for her tendency to dig craters in my yard!).

 

[Cindy B]

There are shelters in the area.

I know there is one in Voorhees. I'm not sure about this but at one time there were shelters in:

Mt. Holly (county shelter)
Vincentown --that's where I apopted my cat
Pennsauken
Medford

 

[JoiseyMom]

We want to buy a new puppy.
We don't care if it's mixed breed, but we do know that we want it to be a smaller breed dog.

I have checked the paper, but haven't seen much. Anyone know how to search online for breeders?

I keep typing in searches, but coming up with nothing...

Where did you find your puppy?

As others have said www.petfinder.com

Here is our newest family member http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=12636931

 

[daisax]

I have a standard poodle and I am thinking about getting a smaller poodle or poodle mix. Miniature poodle mixes are very popular now in the puppy mill community and one rescue gets a lot of the left over pups and the worn out breeding stock.

One option is to contact somebody who shows/breeds poodles and ask if there are any dogs that aren't "turning out." A good breeder only wants to breed the very best animals, so sometimes they keep a couple of promising pups from a litter to see how they mature. As they grow, areas of concern might resolve or become bigger concern. Generally speaking these are cosmetic and of no consequence to the animal, but are not qualities that the breed needs more of (could be a different quality of coat, eyes too close together or too far apart, etc.) These traits may be undetectable by regular folks, but need to be avoided so that two generations from now ALL the puppies don't have them.

So good breeders will often have a dog of 6-15 months that just isn't cut out for showing/breeding. It can occasionally be a temperament issue (in a good way) -- some dogs are so low-key that they make delightful pets but don't want to travel to dog shows and hang out with other dogs... they want to curl up on somebody's couch and be Queen of the House.

There's no reason an older puppy/very young adult won't adjust quickly to your home -- generally they're leash and house manners trained, and you get all the benefits of a well bred puppy without the housebreaking stress!

 

[kacaju]

I agree with the above OP. We got our collie at 1 year old. He had just finished getting his Champion and we wanted a Show dog for my daughter to use in Jr. Showmanship and Obed.
He came housebroken with manners and also he was well socialized!!

 

[mrsstats]

Petfinders is my vote too. We live on Long Island, when we were looking, we wanted a small dog to be a friend to our older dog. We spent months looking and finally went to Conn to find our little girl. Then after our older dog past, we went back to petfinders and then went to New Jersey to find Petey. Take your time, don't rush into anything and you will find the right pet. Save a rescue.

 

[WDWBarb]

All of my pets have come from the pound/shelter.

I swear, they know you rescued them, and love you even more because of it!

How true!! I have two dogs now - one a rescue, one.. not so much (she was, but in a very round-about way - she made it to me when she was only 3 weeks old so she has no memory of being "homeless"). My little rescue dog is SO grateful!! He loves me so much and just seems to appreciate EVERYthing we do for him. He rejoices in every single bowl of food or treat, as if he still can't believe how lucky he is to have them.

Rescue dogs rock

 

[DisneyMomOK]

111111111

 

[clh2]

Run to the shelters and rescues.

Let a dog "pick" you out. That's is what ours did. We were looking for a female, about 2-3 year yellow lab mix. Ended up with an 8 year old male, yellow lab mix. We wouldn't trade this dog for anything.

The personality of our dog at the humane society was absolutely "spot on".

Our dog plays hard - and then settles right down. He is definitely a momma's boy He loves other dogs, and loves all the people we meet when out walking. He came to us fully housetrained with really good manners. And...he barks about 1 time per month, on average. Maybe a little bit more barking (aobut 1 time per night) if it is "fireworks season".

Our dog is now 10 years old. Our vet says our guy is very healthy, is at a great weight etc. I hope he is with us for a long time!

If we have the opportunity to adopt a dog again, we will definitely go the shelter/rescue route again. Age of the dog...we would definitely get an older one again.

 

[Aimeedyan]

This is my Petfinder baby. She was 10 months old and dumped at the shelter THREE times before a local rescue picked her up. Purebred miniature schnauzer.

I don't want another puppy. EVER. So we looked for an older dog and found Lucy. My local shelter kills 80% of the dogs that enter their doors and MANY of them are small breed purebred and mixes.

If you want a purebred, and want to go the breeder route, you need to check out some dog shows to find out reputable breeders in your area. Expec to wait awhile since reputable breeders almost always have homes lined up BEFORE the breeding. A reputable breeder may have a slightly older dog that they are looking for a home for (maybe one that wasn't able to be bred, or a returned puppy). Newspapers and pet stores are poorly bred dogs and puppy mill dogs.

 

[Kim in TN]

Petfinder like others mentioned is a great start!

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I am so EXCITED! I found a puppy on petfinder..she is a shih tzu mix and is 11 weeks old! We have submitted our application and we are waiting for a reply. I feel like we are adopting a baby. I am checking my email like every 10 min!

She is adorable! Can't wait. I hope we get her!

 

[mamamary]

Good luck!