to people getting a dog

[The Six]

I am posting this because a lot of people make wrong decisions but its NOT their fault, they just dont know these things. The people who KNOW, but do it anyway, are idiots.

DO NOT:
-buy a dog from a BYB (back yard breeder)
-buy a dog from a puppy mill
-buy a dog from a pet store (all the dogs are either BYB or puppy milled)
-buy a dog from a breeder with no hip/elbow/eye/heart/etc certifications
-buy a dog from a breeder who wont show you their kennel
-buy an -oodle. this is not a breed. its a mutt thats costing you a thousand dollars when you could get a perfectly fine one in the shelter
-buy a dog because you want to put it in your purse

DO:
-research breeders thoroughly
-ask a knowledgeable dog person about your breeder of choice
-research shelters and dog rescue groups
-research how you can tell if your breeder is not good


There's nothing wrong with wanting a dog from a breeder over a dog from a shelter, but before you go to a breeder at least check petfinder, local shelters, or dog rescue groups. EVERY breed has at least one dedicated rescue to its breed.

[Coopmv]

Too late for me since I already have 3 doxies.  One came from pet store as a puppy but he turns out to be a great doggie.  The other two are rescue doggies from CCDR (Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue) and my wife is a volunteer for the CT chapter ...

[Joe_Campbell]

Get a dog from Korea.

[Coopmv]

Get a dog from Korea.

One of those cloned Labs?  They will set you back $50K ...

[Joe_Campbell]

One of those cloned Labs?  They will set you back $50K ...

Nah...one destined for Bosin-tang.

[Lethevich]

Why buy a dog when there are so many free ones in animal shelters?

[Coopmv]

Why buy a dog when there are so many free ones in animal shelters?

It is far easier to train a puppy than an adult dog from a shelter or some rescue group.  The one we got as a puppy has much better personality than the two adopted ones ...

[DavidRoss]

Good advice, Six.  Also, do not get a dog based solely on your liking for its appearance.  Temperament is far more important in a companion who will be a member of your family.  Research breeds and their characteristics, attend dog shows and talk to breeders and vets, and the odds of a good match with your new pack member will improve significantly.

Breed rescue is a great way to go.  The animal shelter presents a risk, since you have much less chance of knowing what you're getting and finding a good fit.  Taking a dog into your family is a commitment.  Taking in a problem dog might seem warm and fuzzy at the time, but if it's a bad fit, neither you nor the dog will be happy.

I'm reminded of one of my favorite short stories, a mini-masterpiece by Pan Houston, For Bo, from her first collection, Cowboys Are My Weakness.  A great read.

[Dr. Dread]

Now you tell me...

[Gurn Blanston]

Breed rescue IS the way to go. We have just 3 dogs now, all rescues. Somewhere recently I posted a picture of myself with my Chihuahua and my Cairn Terrier. Both are rescues, Paco from the shelter and Maui from the Cairn Terrier Rescue (Colonel Potter's in the US). They are great dogs. But you can also get rescue puppies. My Scottie I got at 8 weeks old. She is my 7th one, the last 3 all rescues. The first 2 were bought from reputable breeders, and the next 2 were their daughters which I kept. The 3 rescues have every bit the personality as the expensive breeder dogs, plus we have a sense of satisfaction over having saved them from a fate worse than death. Don't think that you can't "do anything" with an adult dog. Sometimes you can't, but many times you can. Try it and see.



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Listening to:
Czech PO \ Kletzki - Op 125 Symphony #9 in d 3rd mvmt - Adagio molto e cantabile - Andante moderato

[ChamberNut]

We have one dog from a breeder in rural Manitoba (Fawn colored Pug named Beatrice), and one dog from a Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter (Papillon/Pomeranian cross named Pizazz) 0:)   Both wonderful additions to our family.