Would You Adopt A Dog From A Shelter If You Could Not Get A Purebred D

[aussielover]

I was part of a discussion recently where many people were implying that breeders were the main cause for overpopulation in animal shelters and that breeders and people who purchase purebred dogs were responsible for the death of 1000's of dogs each year that would have otherwise been adopted. The disturbing thing is that many of these people are working in the veterinary/pet industry.

I do not believe this is true at all.

The cause for over population in shelters is the irresponsible owners who dump them there in the first place.

These people are solely responsible for the death of these dogs. Its unfair to blame breeders or other potential dog owners. Sure, some breeders and owners are part of the larger problem but most of the responsibility lies with the owner who dumped/surrendered the dog.

Yes, buying a shelter dog is potentially saving a life but is not for everyone. I believe many shelter dogs would make suitable pets, some immediately and some with a lot of work. If you get a puppy, you run the risk of not really knowing how it will turn out in terms of looks, size or temperament. If you get an adult dog direct from a shelter again, you don't really know its temperament as the shelter environment often changes behaviour. An older dog will have had the opportunity to practice undesirable behaviours for months, even years and may take a lot of work to fix those behaviours.

True 'no kill' shelters are even more of a risk because they won't euthanise unsuitable dogs. With so many healthy, good tempered dogs out there needing homes, I don't believe there is a place for rehoming dogs with serious behavioural issues such as dog aggression, resource guarding, anxiety/phobia or human aggression.

A better option imo, is a rescue organisation who places dogs into foster homes before release. I rarely advise new owners to adopt straight from a pound. I know some people who would not have a dog if they could not get a dog from a responsible breeder. They have certain requirements which makes any random dog from the pound an unsuitable choice. Surely they should be commended not condemned for doing their research and only getting a dog that they are pretty sure will fit with their needs.

Personally I have no problems with a mixed breed dog, although my preference is for a purebred pup from a good breeder. I would look to going through a reputable rescue group though if I couldn't get a purebred.

[hankdog]

Gnarly subject but one worth discussing. I don't have a breed preference so I'll take a rescue dog. However I have learned a huge lesson with my present DA dog. I have no idea if or how I would get my next dog.

I know a breeder who is genuinely interested in furthering her chosen breed, she carefully vets potential owners and rehomes her puppies that boomerang. I also know a breeder who got two dogs, did what she needed to register with the authorities and was purely in it for money and has no responsibility for her pups after monies have changed hands. Although registered I believe they're no better than byb.

Absolutely the people responsible for the pounds overflowing are those who physically dumped their dogs but I wonder how many breeders would give up breeding if they were responsible for rehoming failed puppies? I also wonder if the designer dog/mongrel thing causes problems. People buy a dog expecting one thing and suddenly find that instead of a pug with sporty jack Russell abilities they have a terrier personality with pug breathing issues and the looks of neither?

Edited December 29, 2013 by hankdog

[dartuche]

My first dog was from a back yard breeder (I was young and silly) and my second was from K9 rescue down in mandurah. My rescue dog is the sweetest thing and so loving, and despite his health problems I've never regretted getting him.

That being said-- my next dog will be a purebred. With Zephyr I definetly got the luck of the draw, that alongside the willingness to re-train him, and even then we had our ups and downs.

I would prefer a purebred because behaviour wise and HEALTH wise I will know exactly what I am getting into. I love Zephyr to pieces but I have spent, in the last 7 years, almost a $6000 a year on treatments or vet bills for various health issues.

After my pure bred I might get a shelter dog, but I would defiently be looking for a specific temprament. I wouldn't get a puppy- as stated, you have no idea what you are getting into (case in point: my boyfriends family got a aussie shep X terrier and ended up with a short, hairy daschund looking dog with a VERY loud bark) and would prefer an adult dog, but even then there are just SO many variables, such as the behavioural side-- and I don't think there are many WA shelters that foster dogs out before adoption.

Also, I like the security of having a breeder to rely on- adopting a shelter dog by myself, I made SO many mistakes out of ignorance. With a breeder to rely on I will feel so much safer and secure having them as a resource to guide me through health or behavioural problems, where as with a shelter, I had to google everything myself... and I didn't always make the best choices.

[Guest Clover]

If I really had no other choice I would adopt. But after taking on someone's "throw away" last time, next time round I want a dog with a stable temp and to be raised how I want.

[Pretty Miss Emma]

I said I would get a shelter dog, but it would have to be a working dog and most likely a BC or BC x. My beautiful Emma came from a shelter, I knew she was a BC but could well have been a BC x corgi (she had short legs!). Then it just so happened through a series of chance meetings of people who knew about BC's that I found out she was an ex-show dog, so I had gotten the pure-bred dog I had wanted!!! Well to be honest I just wanted the right dog, and that she was. But she did start off my addiction to the breed! So while I would do everything possible to get a dog from a breeder (particularly because I want to show my dogs and want to know the temperament to some extent for the activities I want to do with them) I would still be open to offering a home to a dog from a shelter.

[Rebanne]

Quite easy for me. If I couldn't get/breed a show bred greyhound I'd get a GAP one. I would not get a greyhound direct from a pound ever.

[mixeduppup]

I only do rescue dogs now. I wouldn't adopt a puppy from a pound during summer especially. I have adopted adult dogs from the pound and they turned out weird but fine :D

[Simply Grand]

How come during summer especially MUP?

[cavNrott]

I think back yard breeders and puppy farmers are to blame for the high euthanasia rate. They sell the pups to anyone who has the money. They don't care if these owners will dump their dogs, as many invariably do.

People who buy pedigree dogs from registered breeders are far less likely to dump their dogs so I can't see how registered breeders could be held responsible for the euthansia rate. Most registered breeders are particular about the people they allow to have one of their puppies.

I've had many shelter dogs but have also always had well bred dogs from registered breeders. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Edited to add: I didn't vote because if I couldn't get the breed I wanted from a registered breeder I would wait until I could.

Edited December 29, 2013 by cavNrott

[Guest Clover]

Simply grand I'm thinking the warmer weather and parvo risks.

[Dame Aussie]

Im open to having (and currently own both) rescue and purebred dogs so if I couldn't get a purebred I'd happily get a rescue.

I'd probably go for a pup and if I wanted a specific breed i would approach a breed rescue, if I didn't care I'd go the pound.

[mixeduppup]

How come during summer especially MUP?

Risk of diseases such as parvo are a lot higher during warmer months. And a pup can seem fine when adopted then go downhill fast. I wouldn't risk it. I've known people who have and it has gone both ways (all from different pounds). Some puppies were fine but a couple have had lengthy vet stays and one died

Edited December 29, 2013 by mixeduppup

[Sayreovi]

No, I wouldn't have a dog just for the sake of having a dog.

I want to be able to raise my dog from a puppy, and I want said pup to be of a certain breed and come from a responsible, reputable breeder.

[Simply Grand]

Ah of course, thanks clover and MUP.

I agree that irresponsible breeding has a big impact on animals ending up in shelters and in euthanasia rather than rehoming. Indiscriminate breeding of dogs with health and or temperament issues and poor raising and socialisation of litters results in dogs that are just not pleasant to live with and may be dangerous, they require extensive training and management, which is not what most people are willing or able to do.

Coupled with that are the owners who don't have the knowledge or the commitment, or either, to manage and train dogs that are essentially fine and can be great in a home that puts a little bit of effort into them.

The vast vast vast majority of dogs that come into the shelter I work at are mixed breeds, clearly not from responsible registered pure-bred breeders.

[LisaCC]

No, I wouldn't have a dog just for the sake of having a dog.

I want to be able to raise my dog from a puppy, and I want said pup to be of a certain breed and come from a responsible, reputable breeder.

Yep I'm with this.

I have all respect for shelters and those who do rescue, there are many reasons but one of the most important things to me is knowing the health behind the breeding of my dog.

[mixeduppup]

My pound dog can balance anything on her head. That's the main thing.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

2 of my current fosters are cross breeds (older females) rescued from pounds.

They both have the most beautiful natures but have been bred from for years on end and were undesexed until I got them.

I have had mostly wonderful dogs from the pound but have had the odd bad dog but the percentage has been extremely miniscule compared to the majority. I have adopted my own dogs from the pound & rescue groups and also have one from a breeder.

I would never rule out getting a dog from a breeder again but it would need to be an older dog as I don't do puppies - never will.

I doubt that I will go to a breeder though, simply because like most rescuers, I'm surrounded by temptation.

My 3rd foster who is pretty much unrehomable for various reasons is a lovely boy but he most likely came from a puppy farm.

Back yard breeders (think mum and dad out to make a buck) and puppy farms selling in petshops or on the internet are the main cause of the dumpage of dogs found in the pounds.

That said, you can find plenty of purebred dogs in rescue, many have originally come from reputable breeders.

My main requirements are not necessarily to be found in a certain breed, they are characteristics found in many dogs and are my prerequisites in a good fit for my home and/or rescue to find a home.

Edited December 29, 2013 by dogmad

[kdf]

I've taken greyhounds directly from the trainer, one from GAP, a puppy from the AWL and a puppy from a shelter. This year I got my first puppy from a registered breeder,

I would do any of them again except for the shelter, the shelter dog is awesome so it's not because of the dog :) .

If I could never get another purebred from a breeder I'd go with a rescue group. When I get another greyhound definitely GAP or a trainer I trusted and a dog I tested :) .

[Simply Grand]

My pound dog can balance anything on her head. That's the main thing.

Even that tricky orange! :laugh:

[Trisven13]

Its difficult to give an accurate response to this as I AM a registered breeder. Should I choose to stop breeding today I have two young pups here of 5 months of age. One would hope that they will live for another 10 years plus each so the reality is that I am, at least 10 years from the position where I am left without ANY dog at all.

I know, from previous experience, that I simply can't live without a dog (in my 45 years of life I have lived without a dog for 12 months as a child) so if I ever got to a point where I had (a) stopped breeding and (b) had no dogs and © had no registered breeder from whom I could purchase another Fauve I would approach a rescue group for a suitable dog.

However I can't imagine those circumstances happening for a very, very long time, if at all.