Why are there some dog rescues that only save a specific breed?

Question

That just seems to contradict to me at least...I mean it would be like a homeles shelter that only houses white people? Not be drastic but you get my drift.......

I find the answer "because they know that breed best" laughable. I guess that whole feeding, giving water, shelter, and vet care...varies from breed to breed! lmao

I have had more then a few dogs cross my path both as a rescue foster home and a pet owner. More mutts then most but some full bred. I have found NO true difference in caring for any of them because of their breed. Although traits may differ a breed doesn't always constitue a trait will be there. If that was true, then your saying that Pitt Bulls should be terminated because they will be lethal.

Answer 1

Not really. I rescue Bloodhounds. It's a dog that's not for everyone. I don't breed. I prefer larger dogs. Some breed clubs actually support the rescue of their breeds. Some of them are stellar in their support. Off hand Portuguese Water Dogs and Newfoundland Rescue. Although we have taken in other breeds, we stick to Bloodhounds. People come to us, looking for Bloodhounds. They go to other breed rescues looking for specific breeds too.

The problem with mixed breeds is while they may be nice dogs, you want a certain breed. Some of my adopted dogs are out doing Search and Rescue. Bloodhounds are a natural at this. We also have many foster homes that want to do breed foster. The nice part about this is, it frees up other slots for mixed breed/all breed dogs. 25% of shelter dogs are purebreds.

Answer 2

What does it matter? They are saving dogs, and making more room in general shelters/rescues for others. That means more lives are being saved. And you might think the basics are the same, which is true... But if you think you know everything about every breed you are wrong. Some breeds have specific tendencies, and it takes those who know how to deal with these things to take care of the animal properly. Some dogs require lots of strenuous exercise, while other don't. I would never pick on a rescue. It doesn't matter why... Just that they are rescueing, and anyone who thinks they know that much about dogs... obviously doesn't know enough! Do you know about Belgian Shepherds? Have you heard of a Malinois? Do you know about their special needs? Have you ever had a 55 lbs dog that you outweigh by more than 100lbs. drag you all over the world and back? Yeah, didn't think so... Different dogs have different behaviors, and sometimes it takes those familiar with it to know how to place them in good homes- homes that won't bring them back because- oh, the dog was cute, but I can't handle it's energy, etc.

Get a grip! Just be happy they are rescuing and quit trying to make it a racial thing.

Answer 3

Because rescues are not shelters. They are initiated for and paid for by supporters who happen to love the breed. You will also find that most rescues are for more energetic breeds and large breeds that have a tendancy to end up in shelters because people weren't aware of what they were getting into and then can't handle the dog. Which I think, is where the other poster was going with the comment of "they know the breed best" These types of dogs are more difficult to home from a shelter and alot will end up euthanized. Hence the term "rescue"
There are also rescues for retired athletic dogs like racing hounds and sledding dogs.
Rescues will keep the dog until it finds a home, there is no euthanasia.

Answer 4

As a dog rescue volunteer for a purebreed rescue group, I can only say, thank GOD for all rescue groups. I don't care which breeds they save, at least they are saving dogs. Most groups get started with someone who has an idea and loved a certain dog in their past. My group got together because a few people on the internet thought it was horrible that a man in their neighborhood was locking his dog in a garage in 110 degree weather. If you search the internet, there are rescue groups for just about every breed, and many no-kill shelters that rescue mutts as well. You don't know how HARD it is to get donations to care for these dogs until you have to do it, so if having a purebreed rescue will get people to give money because they love that breed, I'm all for it. I think we should all stop worrying about how groups are saving dogs and all just join in.For all of you out there who are working and volunteering with ANY rescue group, GOD bless you.

Answer 5

Breed Rescue is important as they are supported by the national breed clubs for that particular breed. The money comes from the member donations. I wouldn't want my money for rescue to go to another breed when I am specifically giving it to my club.

The breeders in our club also work wih foster homes to try rehome the dog in the best possible situation. Sadly they are not an animal shelter and we cannot save every dog.
We do pick up any dogs of our breed that end up in a shelter that way we can ensure that they will get the proper training and attention they deserve.

Its not a charity nor is it tax deductible. Its our responsibility to our club and our particular breed.

Answer 6

I love Rottweilers and have had them for 18 years. I prefer to be involved in their rescue because of my love for them. I know the breed (which is a legitimate answer by the way), I know what type of owner it needs, food, medical expenses, training.

I see too many people that get a Rottweiler because they think it's cool looking, or mean looking and know nothing about the breed itself. I not only am involved in their rescue but also in educating people about them.

So many dogs are being put on banned lists because of idiots that know nothing about them and they don't even try to work with them on obedience. Just stick them out in the yard and throw them something to eat once in a while. That's when you have trouble.

I like all dogs but love the Rottweiler and I want to see them go to the right home. I help transport other breeds when it is needed, rescues work together regardless of what breed they are involved with.

Obviously you haven't found a breed that captures your heart, so it's hard to understand.

Answer 7

Some people have a passion for a specific breed and choose to dedicate their efforts to preserving that specific breed. That does not mean that a breed specific rescue does not care about other dogs, it simply means that they specifically focus their efforts on finding good homes for that breed. Usually these organizations work with local shelters to foster and adopt these breeds which helps to ease crowding in shelters. They also help to bring in stray dogs of all breeds to shelters if need be. It is doubtful that someone belonging to a specific breed rescue would pass up and injured or stray dog in the road, just because it wasn't the right breed. If you love one dog, you love all dogs, but may choose to have your money and time go to a specific breed to help preserve that breeds existence. In my area there are many breed specific rescue organizations that do great work in our city to help the pet population. I work with a student run animal group at the school I teach at and we have great relationships with many rescue groups that have found these pets that wander onto our campus homes all over the country. In my opinion, any groups that seeks to help save the lives of animals should be praised and celebrated. Any dog resuced, regardless of the breed, is a reason to be happy. Breed specific rescue groups save dogs lives - that's all that matters!!

Answer 8

I don't know exactly what breeds you are referring too, but it may be because some breeds have it worse than others. For example, the more dangerous breeds such as the pit bulls. Organizations rescue them from places where the dogs where used in fighting, but such dogs surely don't have a chance of being adopted. I also know of such rescue shelters for dalmatians, but only for the deaf ones, because , after the famous movies a lot of people wanted such dogs, and the deaf or otherwise handicapped dogs got killed , as they weren't marketable.
And some organizations deal with former police dogs, that are too old to be used on the job.

Answer 9

Hi - I think this goes back to when the rescues started with rescuing grey hounds from the track - when they couldn't run anymore they were destroyed. Also I think there are specific breeds that are "in fashion" and are overbred and so people that love the breeds started those rescues. There are also plenty of rescues that are non-specific.

I think it is great if people want to give their time to do this for any dog.

Answer 10

You got some great answers, here, but JR nailed it.

I rescue Siberian Huskies, and have for nearly 20 years. I do it because I also breed, show, and work Siberian Huskies.

I figure that if I breed, I should rescue. That simple. I don't breed Dobermans, or Shepherds, or Chihuahuas, so I don't rescue them. I have enough on my hands with the Siberian rescues, thanks -- especially considering that I am a single private citizen, and not a group, with limited funds available to donate to feeding/transportation/vetting costs for dogs I don't even own (in addition to all of those that I do).

I know Siberians, having worked with them exclusively for 2/3 of my life. I know their strengths and weaknesses, and how to find homes for them with people who can live with them. OTOH, I don't know much about Lab mixes (other than the ones I've seen in my training classes) -- so why would I want to take one in when I could rescue a dog I *know* I can place?

You grossly generalize when you say that all dogs are similar in their needs. Gross generalizations like that are the reason that young dogs end up in shelters when they mature into something the owner wasn't expecting.

Yeah, you are being "drastic". The decision to rescue only one breed cannot be compared to racism. Dogs aren't people. And the decision to rescue only one breed goes much deeper than a bias based on skin color. There are sound ethical, behavioral, and financial reasons behind it (remember what I said about only having so much money to spend?).

As someone else said, rather than ragging on breed-specific rescues, you should be pleased that breed-specific rescues mean fewer dogs euthanized or competing for adoption in shelters.