Would you buy a puppy/dog from a shelter/humane society?

Question

I am just curious I know there are a lot of people who say they wont. Why not? Why would you?

I would, I mean I have and always will. I may not have paid 1200 bucks for my pup but let me tell you I still love her unconditionally. All the dogs I have known to own in my lifetime (including childhood) have come from shelters/humane societies. AND EVERY SINGLE DOG has been something special and a very loved member of the family. I am just wondering what people have against them? If you aren't going to show your dog then why does it matter?

Answer 1

First, I've had rescues and will continue to help with rescue in the ways that I can.

There are good reason for purebreds as you noted. If you have a sheep farm and want to move your sheep around so you can separate lambs to get injections or if you need a dog to protect them from pumas, coyotes and roaming dogs -- you do not adopt a dog from the shelter and hope for the best.

Before I found the genre of the flockguard breeds, I experienced keeping a rescued adult dog that ripped out 10 feet of chainlink while I was at work. He did it to catch and partially eviscerate one of my foals. The foal was saved but scarred for life; the dog in question (was forgiven of course) and we continued to keep him until he died many years later of age related health problems.

But here is where I start to have problems with some of the humane shelter promoters. And this is why you asked your question. Or did you really just want to hear from the chorus?

Plenty of mutt and casual breeders know that rescue people will bust their butts to get dogs into a new home. So they don't care, they don't have to do any work. If dogs don't work out, just let all the rescue folk take care of the problem.

So here is the tip of the iceberg and the answer for your question:
This is the reality ---
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The rescue and shelter groups often do all they can to be sure there's a steady market for more mixed breeds and mutts by advertising far and WIDE that rescues and shelters for mutts and 'purebreds' are the BEST places to get a pet so that other other dogs don't die!

They feed the revolving door and are worsening the problem with their recommendations.

They are their own worst enemy.
============================
If they LOVE DOGS...

They SHOULD
- be teaching that responsible owners care about healthy dogs and to only get dogs that had parents from health tested lines (OFA, CERF, CHIC etc) --- they should not be saying that mixed breeds get the best of both parents or are healthier than purebreds - they should be teaching that all dogs used for breeding should ge tested genetically.
===> THIS benefits all breeds by promoting better health and education!

They SHOULD
- be teaching pet owners that getting a pet from a breeder that takes their dogs back is the most responsible way to reduce the problem of unwanted pets. These breeders will turn away a lot of homes rather than risk putting a puppy they love into a bad situation.
===> THIS teaches that anyone getting a dog should support true animal welfare by only getting dogs from people that care.

They SHOULD
- be teaching pet owners that certain breeds have certain qualities that need to be examined before choosing a dog that will correctly fit their lifestyle and that if the breeders don't think that their home is right, they should consider a different breed.
===> This teaches people to choose their breeds carefully.

== INSTEAD
- they perpetuate the mess by advertising that these mixed breeds are good and healthy pets!
- they teach that there are no important distinctions in behavior and instincts, but that a good pet can be had from the exciting world of irresponsible breeding.
- that's just a start.

So Houston, do we have a problem?


-*-*-
So did you want an answer or just to hear from the chorus?

This is why the first choices I recommend is the responsible breeder that has GENERATIONS of health tested dogs, doesn't breed often, and couldn't bear to see a dog of their breeding in a shelter so they are doing their part to be sure there are fewer rescues.

Often all I see is DON'T BUY FROM A BREEDER!
..oO ( Promote the revolving door! )

And I'd certainly buy/adopt a mixed breed from the shelter and pay an additional donation and also have the pet neutered. I have in the past, and will again in the future.

There are serious education and PR problems in the promotion of shelter dogs and mutts which promote the endless mobius loop. The irresponsible breeders and the mutt breeders have their advertising done for them when adopters are taught they can get just any good pet from all sorts of unknown and irresponsible breeding.

I think responsible breeders and rescuers can work together, and we often do.

Answer 2

I am a mix...I will admit that I do and will always have the "purebred" dogs.....but I also have several shelter animals as well. I also take in animals, help them out and find good caring homes for them.I have no quarrel with mix breeds, in fact they are better then most of the pures. Fewer possiblities of certain hereirdty traits that are common in most pures.( from really bad 'back yard'breeders). I used to have a few runners, show dogs, agility dogs, now I am down to my three favorite dogs: Buddy( my mix.......I love him sooooooo much, hes been there for me through thick and thin!) Bambi, and KoKo. As of what people got agaisnt them; their are some people that want "papered dogs" which is kind of stupid if you asked me because there is the American Canine Hybrid club now where you can registered a mix. Also some people think " why pay that when I can get one for free?" again this is stupid. All shelter dogs are up to date on thier vaccinations, neutured and spayed( I support that whoely!) which most of those free puppies do not even have thier first shots! Once I had an accident litter, so I kept the pups, got them all thier shots, when old enough got them spayed/neutered and found homes for them. I agree with you wholey, if you won't show or do something with your dog then why should it matter if its a shelter dog?

Answer 3

I wouldn't get a dog anywhere else! Look into your local shelter/humane society. Most respectable places will temperment test their dogs to make sure they are suitable for families and how they are with children. I worked for my local humane society and everyone there was so dedicated to the wellness of the pets and the safety of the public. It was the most amazing job i have ever had. Mutts are just as wonderful and any pure bred dog. There are so many adandoned pets out there that need homes, and it's a great thing when someone chooses to adopt verses "buying" a dog. Also most shelters will make sure the dog is spayed/neutered before it leaves and they guarentee the dog goes to a good home and will get the care and love it deserves. Please spread the word and your faith in shelters, education is the key to helping our four legged friends.

Answer 4

We always took other peoples pets in when they wanted to get rid of them....rediculous how people can disregard animals asif they are nothing, just a toy or somthing lifeless. They forget the bond the dog has with them nevermind how they feel about the dog. Dogs especially are social animals and need alot of attention and fussing.

I have recenlty become aware of the term "Dont breed or buy while shelter animals die". I have become so strong abou tit that I dont think I will ever buy a purebred, unless they are in a shelter.

My lil story began when I heard the other two dogs growl next to my window...I went outside and in a lil patch of green grass lay a dirty but white lil Cairn Terrrier. She looked exhausted. She came into our yard whil the gate was open, My boyfriends mom said we had to get rid of her asap and take her to the shelter, I took her to every friend I had but noone was home, I gave her a bath and cleaned her up, took her to the shelter where the receptionist informed me that she is too old and that they would give her 2 days before they put her down... I was shocked, I returned home and sadly broke the news....My Boyfriends mom said I must get her immediatly, I returned had to buy her back but she got spaded and all her injections were included in the price. I called her ROxy and she was 6 +/- when i got her 2 years ago...she slept all day and another while a worship cd was playing in my room....today she is the favourit in the hous and my beautiful friend. I am so happy I have her and often wonder where she came from, such a blessing!!!! Ps she is very energetic and runs like the wind, she has no teeth in the front of her mouth and she acts like a young puppy cuz we treat her like one...!

Answer 5

I can not understand why anyone would not get their dog from the shelter either. I rescued a full breed sheltie from a shelter and she was a great dog. I loved her so much and I was happy to give a home to grow old in. She was already housebroken and knew a few commands. She loved me soo much and it broke my heart when she died of old age.

Now I have a rescued pit bull that I got as a puppy from a shelter. When I finally brought him home, he had all his shots, had a full vet check up, was neutered and had a microchip inplanted so if I lost him the pound could return him to me. The shelter also checked my backyard to make sure it was safe for him. He is the cutest, funniest dog ever!!

Last year, i adopted a full grown cat from the pound. Someone turned him in because her roommate had allergies. He too has been a fabulous pet and I know how much he loves me because he tell me every morning.

The excuse that some people want purebreds does not make sence either because every breed of dog has a rescue group dedicated to placing homeless dogs of their breed.

Answer 6

All my dogs and cats are from the pound/shelter. I think most people think they're "someone else's problems", meaning all pound puppies have bad habits etc. Which is clearly not the case. And even if they do have problems, most can be corrected with a little time and love. My mom has always had "purebred" dogs, and I'll tell you, the money's she's paid for them, they all end up getting the typical diseases associated with the breeds, because of all the inner breeding done to them. I would never pay the money for a purebred.

Answer 7

Some people are insecure & use their animals as status symbols, just as they would expensive clothes, cars, etc. They have to have a purebred for their egos.

Other people are insistent that once in the "pound" a dog is exposed to diseases & will not be as healthy. Not true, but you know how people are...

I have 3 purebred poodles I got from breeders. Well, 2 were gifts, one I bought. I couldn't find a poodle in a shelter or rescue when I was looking for Baby Girl. Maybe I'm a hypocrite? Hmmm... possibly. Never thought about it before since I've rescued & fostered many other dogs since.

I guess I do have mixed feelings about it. I can understand wanting a PB from a reputable breeder, definitely. I can also understand getting a dog from the shelter.

Answer 8

Yes, I would buy one from a shelter or humane society. Most dogs there are mix breeds which means that they are the healthiest dogs around and all of them need good homes - I think it is a great thing to get an animal from the shelter. Good For You!

Answer 9

One of the best dogs I ever had, I got at an animal rescue league shelter, and he was a 12 week old dobe-shep. mix. He was very intelligent, great with the kids, and a wonderful watch dog! He was an indoor dog, but we would take him for walks in the woods, and play outside with him alot, and eventually we got a German shepherd to keep him company, and they both played together, and were equally good dogs! The dog I have now is a mix consisting of shepherd and Akita, and I love him dearly! He is smart, loyal, and I'm always getting compliments on how beautiful he is when I walk him! There are lots of good dogs out there from shelters, and breeders, its your choice, and GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

Yes. Not only "yes" but HELL yes.

I can't justify forking over money to a breeder when there are millions of dogs being killed every year in shelters.

The only exception would be if I needed a dog to do a specific job (such as a livestock guard dog) where getting a dog from working stock would be the only option. And even then, I'd go through LGD Rescue to see if they had any working dogs that needed homes, first.