Where is the best place to get a dog?Pound,rescue,breeder?

Question

Thank you to everyone. This has help me out alot.

Answer 1

Buying from a breeder tends to be better if you want to get a purebred, but it also may lead to these cases of puppy farms, where the mother dogs are kept in squalor, rarely fed, and lead an utterly miserable life. Make sure that you do your research, check their accreditation, and even go and see the place you are buying from.

If you just want a puppy and you do not care about the cross-breeding, I would recommend the local SPCA. They often have puppies and new litters that they will be forced to euthanize if the animals are not adopted. These animals are given a health check, usually given their rabies shot, and also spayed or neutered. You pay a flat fee for the dog regardless of breed.

Finally, if you are willing to give an older dog a chance, you should check out the SPCA or a local animal shelter. You will find many neglected or abandoned dogs that just want to be loved and have a nice warm home.

Answer 2

Unless you intend to use the dog for breeding, I would go with the pound or the rescue. At a rescue, you have a better chance of finding a dog that is already house trained, and possibly even has had some obedience. At the shelter, its usually a little bit cheaper to adopt, and those dogs need homes badly or they will probably be killed. I've had three dogs one from each place. The one from the breeder only lived a year and a half and then died from a genetic defect. The other two are a live and well and like I said the were actually both already house trained.

Answer 3

You will have your problem with all three. Breeders are the worst they treat their animals like product, which they are, they will swindle and lie to sell the animal. I have always found that the dogs that come from breeders have a shorter life span. The pound is OK but, unlike a breeder, its hard to tell what you are getting. But you save an animals life and that is your reward. Also the animal is cheap when coming from the pound plus they also make sure that it is spayed or neutered. The rescue is the same as the pound but you know the dog has been mistreated and you have to take that into consideration. I got a pit bull from rescue that i hated for a good year. but i was patient and loving and now everyone that comes around praises the dog for good behavior. So its worth if you are willing to put in the time.

Answer 4

This just depends on what exactly you are looking for.....special bred dogs are obviously bred for quality and certain traits. Are you looking for a show dog or a companion. If you want a beautiful well bred dog to show off then go to a breeder and if you are just looking for a companion or a pet to keep you company and enjoy as a part of the family well then you can adopt. You have to keep in mind though when you go to a shelter unless the owners were completely honest to the shelter about the pet's background when they left them there then you have no clue what that dog is or was like. They could have a history of abuse, neglect and even diseases that you cannot see. If you do adopt from a shelter then you should get them spayed or neutered and make sure you take them to the vet and get them a checkup and physical so that you know what kind of health your pet is in. Any dog is capable of agression too so dont let rumors fool you about certain breeds of dog such as pitbulls, rottweilers and boxers. Any dog can and will bite if treated inhumanely. So whatever your choice.....treat them with love and respect and you will have the greatest pet. Sometimes pets who are loved actually bring out the better in us as well. A few dog obiediance classes couldnt hurt either to brush up any skills that they might already have or lack thereof. I wish you luck in your search! Hope this was helpful!

Answer 5

All three of those places are good to go to but it depends on why you are getting a dog, what your intentions are with the dog, and the members in your household.

Personally, I get my dogs from breeders (or myself) but the major factor in this is I show my dogs and compete in events that require purebred, registered dogs. I also like that will a pure-bred you have a better guarentee of the temperment; and you know the history of the dog.

As for rescue and the shelter, those are great places to get a dog and give them a new start in life. The downside is that you often have little history and, depending on when and the degree of temperment testing done, what you see temperment-wise is not always what you get.

I do not recommend going to the pound or a shelter to anyone with very young children UNLESS it is an organization that fosters and does extensive testing. The reason for this should be fairly obvious but to explain: some dogs are not suited for young children, living with young children requires a degree of tolerance (merely because the children are themselves learning) and because of this there are obvious safety considerations.

Answer 6

It really depends on how you weigh certain
factors. If you are trying to do "good", I'd say
the pound, as these dogs will be destroyed
shortly if not adopted.

"rescue" can refer to institutions that specialize
in rescuing certain dogs, such as greyhounds,
from unfortunate practices. I cannot recommend
"Greyhound Friends" and its affiliate organizations
enough - the staff is professional, the dogs are
in excellent condition, and of course a greyhound
is a "fast friend".

Greyhounds may wait around months before being
adopted, but yes, if they aren't, they will eventually
be euthanized. I don't know about other rescue
organizations.

Breeders should be taken out and shot. Their only
purpose is to create specialized traits in the animals
which may be amuzing from a human's point of view
but is rarely in the best interest of the animal.

If you find a breeder out there that specializes in
producing non-neurotic, friendly, laid back animals
I might change my mind, but generally, they are
more interested in looks or the ability to perform
certain limited tasks.

I do have one exception to my breeder hostility: Those
breeders that produce WORKING dogs - dogs that
perform a real useful function to our society. A dog
with a purpose tends to be healthier, and obviously
helping the blind navigate isn't a bad thing either.

No, breeders creating dogs whose only function is
to be vicious guard dogs don't count as producing
working dogs - they're producing monsters on spec.

If you want a really rewarding experience, and you
can put a little effort into it, try raising working dogs
until they go off to doggy school. Yes, you miss out
on much of the dog's life, but the dog will lead a
comparitively happy life and you'll be helping some
human out too.

Warning: Its hard to see them go off to their new life.
Not has hard, however, as putting down your best friend.

Answer 7

IF you are asking which is best you would be suprised that rescue shelter animals are usually much healthier than from poor breeders. There are more Sh*tty breeders for any breed than good breeders. By the time a dog makes it from a breeder to the shelter to a rescue They have had vet care and any issues addressed. Which gives you a healthier pet to take home.

Of course you are going to get an occassional sick dog and sometimes even parvo but more shleters and rescue are offering the first month of pet insurance free to avoid any extra costs to the adopter.

Answer 8

That depends on your needs. It is quite noble to get a dog from a rescue or a pound-I have done it and will do it again. But a pound/rescue dog is not right for every one.

If you are flexible, willing to accept some bad habits and willing to work with others, then a pound/rescue dog would be great. If you want to start from scratch, see a breeder.

If you have small children, you may not want a rescue or pound dog. The dog may not like kids or be able to adapt.

It depends on you. Either way, dog rescues and your local humane society would welcome any contribution you could make, even if you could not adopt a pet.

Answer 9

Just depends on what you are looking for. If you want a purebred puppy/specific breed a breeder is a great option. Humane societies often are filled with great dogs that need a loving home and a chance. Rescue organizations are also great places to get adult dogs. All placews have advantages and disadvantages. Breeders are more expensive, but you get to raise the puppy on your own. Rescue organizations and Humane Societies are cheaper, but sometimes it is hard to welcome an adult dog into a home with other pets and/or small children. I would suggest lookign more into each and then deciding what is best for your family.Good Luck!

Answer 10

Well it really depends on what's important for you in the dog. If breeding and background doesn't matter then pound and rescue are wonderful options. If you want to know more about where the dog came from or are looking for a pure bred and are willing to pay a little more for those things then you want to go with a breeder.