Should I get a puppy from a shelter, or should I go with a certified breeder or family owner?

Question

I was considering getting a young puppy from a shelter to raise and own. I have been a dog owner for 12 years, but have never recieved a dog from a shelter, all were from family breeders and friends. What can I expect?

Answer 1

The shelter. You might get a dog whose been abused but usually they are sweet and grateful you got them.

Answer 2

Young pups in shelters may not have any immunity from disease if their mom wasn't vaccinated. The have been exposed to many other dogs and they often come out very sick, with Parvo, Corona Virus or Distemper. And often, you're stuck with a bill high enough to to have paid for a top-quality purebred dog.

Older pups and adults in a shelter have probably been dumped because someone else didn't take the time to train them properly. You'll be adopting someone else's problems - chewing, housebreaking and biting. They can also have separation anxiety problems from the abandonment and stress of kenneling.

I prefer to find a good breeder by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. You can also find info about the breed clubs on the akc site - they probably have a rescue group where you can save an older dog (who has been temperament tested) for less money. The best breeders will be members of their breed club, promoting healthy dogs with great temperaments. They should ask you a bunch of questions to make sure their puppy will be getting a good home. If all a "breeder" seems to care about is whether your check will clear, you can be sure he won't care a week later when the pup is dying from distemper or parvo and you want your money back.

Whatever you do, DON'T go to a pet shop, a flea market or buy one sight-unseen off the Internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. The breeding animals are often kept in deplorable conditions - spending their entire lives in small wire-bottomed cages. They probably haven't been vaccinated against contagious diseases or tested for any health or temperament problems or genetic diseases - that costs money and cuts into their profits. A female is often bred every time she comes into heat. When her poor little body can't take it any more, she is often clubbed in the head and tossed into a dumpster or an open ditch. Most puppy mills ship their pups to pet stores at wholesale prices and many pups die before they even get there.

These so-called "breeders" have now figured out that they can use the internet to ship a dog directly to the customer and thus make more money by cutting out the middleman. If you buy a dog from out of state, good luck getting your money back if there's something wrong with the pup. These people count on you becoming instantly attached to the poor little guy and being willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at the vet to treat whatever is wrong with him.

Answer 3

My neighbor got a dog from the local shelter, and it's so sweet and gentle. Seriously, he's really mellow.
If you get a puppy, either one shouldn't be too different. I would try to see if you could get a vet to check the puppy out, to see if it could have serious health problems later in life .(ie. Hip displasia, spinal problems...) Try to get a dog who has a good personality. If you get a shelter dog, understand that it may have a past, and thus may have problems. This will sound lame, but if you have behavoral problems with your new best friend, get Cesar Milan, and you and your dog will be great.

If you do get a shelter dog make SURE that you take it on a walk for AT LEAST an hour before you take it home with you. This way the dog won't just move from one kennel to another "kennel"

Answer 4

if you get a young dog from a shelter than you can expect a friendly dog you can train and have a life long friend. if you choose a older dog you should ask the shelter what the dog's living situation was like before. either way you will be helping a animal out that is in need of a good home.

Answer 5

The shelter is a great option, but get the puppy checked the day it comes home with you @ your vet, literally line up the appointment ahead of time, this way, you established with a vet that has seen the puppy so they'll rush you in if something goes wrong. Family friends are great too, but they probably have pure bred puppies which will find good homes on their own. The shelter puppy won't have as easy of a time. Plus, pure breds seem to have more genetic problems than pound puppies.

Answer 6

I think you will find that the shelter has a lot to offer.They will be checked out and up to date with their shots etc. and many times will be so grateful to get to have a home out of that cage, that they will reward you for life with their loyalty.Many times you can find a purebred that for whatever reason, ended up displaced.In my experience they let you pick a pet and take it to an area where you can get to know each other for a few.They actually are very good at screening you as an owner.They want it to be a good fit for both the pet and the owner.It surprised me that they take such great care that way.Give it a try. Sometimes, it seems almost like the pet picks the owner.See how several pups respond to you and when it is the right one, you will just know.The cost is generally 50.00 which is not much compared to breeder prices.

Answer 7

If you are just looking for a pet go with a shelter, but try to get a younger dog. Ask the workers about the animal. A lot of shelters have some background information on the animals they have.

Answer 8

If your just looking for a pet, then go to the shelter. Hundreds of dogs are put down every year because lack of homes. Many times the dog will be grateful that your paying attention to it and be a very loyal pet. If your looking for a show dog try a private owner before a pet shop, because in most pet shops the dogs are over bred and treated badly.

Answer 9

I have only gotten my dogs from shelters, I don't believe in getting a dog from a breeder. Some dogs in shelters are being treated for illnesses, but not all. Give them your support, not a breeder.

A Mutt will be just as devote and loving as a purbreed, though shelters also have a few purebreeds, not many puppy purebreeds though.

Answer 10

I've had nothing but fabulous things to say about the little girl I recently adopted from the shelter. She's a lab/hound mix...very ornery and fun (not exactly little). I have had much success with kennel training with her as well. No health complaints other than a mild case of kennel cough (that comes with the territory of over populations in animal shelters). The only draw back to adopting from a shelter is that you have a very limited health knowledge of your pet, and very limited health guarantee. But then again, you're sparing the life of a critter who might otherwise be euthanized.

Answer 11

Millions of dogs (pets in general) die in shelters every year and for every American there are at least three dogs/cats. The very process of selective breeding (pure breed pets) is atrocious because for every $400 dog bought - 3-6 priceless dogs are put to sleep. If you want a real pet friend, start the friendship by saving their life - it'll make all the difference and the money you save can be put in your pocket, or spent on your new friend.