Adopt or Breeder?

[Doggie07]

Um, let's say everything goes well and I get settled and am able to handle a dog when I move in a year. Do you guys think it would be more suitable for me to adopt or purchase a breed from a breeder?

So, do people adopt only when they're beginning dog owners and not sure what they want? Do people buy a specific breed when they are the opposite? Or does it all depend on certain things?

It probably sounds like I'm jumping the gun, but I know that it's more likely it won't be a good idea for me to get a puppy til I'm out of school with my own home and settled. But I just want to know if things end up differently.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[Brattina88]

It all depends on the individual, in my opinion.

My personal suggestion would be to go to a rescue and apply, and talk about what type of dog you want. A dog who's already in a foster home, and has already established habits (good and bad) so that they can tell you what to expect (to the best of their ability) when it comes to house training, getting along with other dogs, cats, kids, etc. Not to mention, you're saving a life by making room for the rescue to save another

Puppies are A LOT of work, especially for the first time dog owner. They don't come with instruction manuals, and they can be very frustrating. BUT, that doesn't mean that no first time dog owners should go the breeder route! You just have to weigh your options, and pick whichever route sounds best to you and your situation.

 

[milos_mommy]

I personally think unless you are looking for a dog for a specific purpose, or you're set on a rare breed or breed with lots of known health problems, you should rescue

Both rescues and breeders will have dogs of all ages, breeders often have adult dogs that have retired from showing/working/breeding, or for some other reason need a home.

You don't have the decide on a breed beforehand, but it's a idea to have a general idea of what you want, such as size, age, exercise requirements, trainability, etc.

I think there is no reason for you NOT to go through a rescue or shelter. There is surely a dog in need of a home that will suit you.

If you get a dog that is in a rescue, or being fostered, you will have a better idea of their temperament than with a dog that's been in a city shelter's kennel for three months. However, if you're willing to take a slight chance on exactly how energetic, trainable, etc. the dog will be, a city shelter is an okay place to go.

Write down what you want in a dog....not totally specific, but general size, age, maybe group of breeds, how much exercise, how trainable, if the dog needs to get along with other dogs, kids, small animals, must be very quiet, etc.

A dog from a good breeder will have full health testing done and maybe be guaranteed, but mixed breeds in shelters usually have less hereditary health issues. You'll have to do equal work shopping around, either to find a good breeder or a shelter dog to fit you.

Keep looking at petfinder, on your local shelter's websites, etc. and see if you see anything that might suit you.

Chrissy (Sweet I believe is her username) had posted something wonderful in another thread about to what to look for/ask about in a shelter dog.

 

[HayleyMarie]

Its good to think ahead and start doing you research right now.

Start doing your reaserach now on what breed you want and what characteristics you want in a dog. If it does not really matter to you. I would go the shelter route. I chose the breeder route because I want to know the health background of my dog and the dogs parents. I dont want to deal with lots of crazy health problems down the line, if that should happen. I also wanted a specific breed for a specific purpose.

Although I have not chosen my breed yet, I am choosing the breed with a purpose in mind.

Going the shelter route is great too, you are giving a dog a home and love. And I am sure they will love you full force. No matter where you get your dog the love output from them is enormouse

 

[Maura]

Yes, do research breeds. This will help you to get a better idea of what kind of dog really suits you. So many dogs are in shelters because their owner wanted the "look" of the dog, or because they wanted a really smart dog, or because someone they know has one and it's a good dog. When I got my first dog my father said he had to be big so that my younger siblings (2, 3,.... ) couldn't accidentally hurt him. At the HS I found a two year old Irish Setter. He was a large one and very very smart. In the shelter he was calm (depressed and lonely). So I bring home this big calm dog and no sooner do we leave the building that he turns into a tornado. Talk about high strung! He played all day with the little kids, then I had to run him around the neighborhood. This dog never wore out. Thank God he was gentle, but a super guard dog. See where I'm going with this? First, know what activity level you want, trainability, cost to feed. Second, realize that what you see in that kennel may not be what you get, as I can testify to. Many dogs are not their true self in a shelter. Beagles follow their noses, Rottweilers may or may not like your kids, a Cane Corso is only for an experienced owner with a more dominant personality. Keep in mind also that a great number of those dogs are from puppy mills and have problems that a well bred dog would not have. For instance, papillons are marvelous little spaniels and get along with everybody; but puppy mill bred papillons often have "owner possession". You don't want that.

If you are willing to pay a good sum for a well bred, parent tested puppy then go the breeder route. If you aren't willing to pay, say more $300 for a puppy or dog then you will probably end up getting a puppy mill/byb dog. You might as well go to breed rescue or the shelter. At least you will have a better idea of its health and temperament if it has been in foster.

Another note, breeders often have older puppies that were either given back to them or they were keeping for show or breeding, but the puppy isn't show/breeding quality. You can usually get one at a discounted price, not to mention housebroken. I would also peruse Craig's list and other classifieds. At this time many people are giving away the family pet because they have lost their homes. Sad, but you may be able to pick up a really nice dog really cheap, and keep it from entering the system.

 

[Lolas Dad]

If you know what breed you want or figure out what breed look for a breed rescue. Every breed out their has a few breed specific rescue groups. If you decide to go the breeder route then make sure that the parents of the puppy is health tested and I do not mean just taken to a vet for a checkup before the breeding took place. They need to be genetically tested. Others will chime in with more specific information in what to look for in a breeder.

 

[Doggie07]

but mixed breeds in shelters usually have less hereditary health issues.

Huh?!

Now I have a question that is a bit off topic, how is that possible? I thought when good breeders breed, they breed out or lessen the chances of hereditary problems.

But yeah, I'll start looking at and researching breeds and write down a list of what I'm looking for in a dog. I can't volunteer because of my schedule, but I can maybe chill out at the shelter somedays and gain experience with other breeds.

 

[Linds]

I think if you just have an general idea of what you would like in a dog and what you don't want then you go for an adult rescue that either is in foster care or that you can spend some time with to get a good feel for. Even if you just have an overall group of dogs you like the sound of then a adult rescue might be best for you

If you are looking for a specific breed that you think matches you have researched and if possible spent some time around them then I would go for a breeder personally and get either an adult or puppy depending on what you decide you want and fits you

If you are willing to pay a good sum for a well bred, parent tested puppy then go the breeder route. If you aren't willing to pay, say more $300 for a puppy or dog then you will probably end up getting a puppy mill/byb dog.

I just want to comment on this-if you go to a good working dog breeder then the price of a well bred dog goes way down a lot of time, though not always. At least, I know it does for herding breeds and I would imagine for most other breeds it's the same. I got Traveler for under 300

This isn't to say you should go that route just because it's cheaper, but it's a common misconception that you need to shell out a ton of money for a well bred dog from a breeder

No matter what you do research all you can, and be especially picky while looking and finding a breeder if you go that way

 

[Xie]

Huh?!

Now I have a question that is a bit off topic, how is that possible? I thought when good breeders breed, they breed out or lessen the chances of hereditary problems.

But yeah, I'll start looking at and researching breeds and write down a list of what I'm looking for in a dog. I can't volunteer because of my schedule, but I can maybe chill out at the shelter somedays and gain experience with other breeds.

Some problems are so prominent within a breed that you take a risk no matter how good the breeder is.

For example, when I was talking to the breeder of my Swissy she flat out said that while she has never had or bred a dog with epilepsy it is deep enough within the breed that she knows it will happen someday and therefore she warns all the puppy buyers. A good breeder acknowledges the issues within the breed and works to bred away from them but there will always be a risk.

That said, getting a mix breed is no guarantee either. If it was true that a mix breed was healthier than a purebred than all those people out there making up bizarre mixes would be right when they talk about "hybrid vigor." Since that is consistently argued against it is then impossible to also say that a random mutt from the shelter will be healthier because it is a mutt.

In my case my last two rescue dogs had major hip issues causing pain for them, incredibly expensive surgeries, and long difficult recoveries. While I'm still active in fostering I did go the breeder route with my last two dogs in the hope that having health tested parents would weigh the odds in my favor. I also knew I wanted giant breed dogs and the overall health of the breed weighed in when deciding what breed was right for me.

Notice though that I'm still talking about odds. There is never any guarantee with a purebred or mutt that you are going to get a healthy dog. All you can really do is try your best. That can mean going to a reputable breeder with health tested parents, picking an adult dog from a rescue or shelter, or getting a puppy from a rescue or shelter and hoping for the best. All of the options could turn out wonderfully or horribly, it really can be a roll of the dice. The only thing you definitely don't want to do is go to a backyard breeder because then you are definitely stacking the odds against yourself.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

... but mixed breeds in shelters usually have less hereditary health issues.

I strongly disagree with this rather bold statement. You have NO idea what hereditary health issues you may get from a shelter dog(s).

 

[Beanie]

I personally think unless you are looking for a dog for a specific purpose, or you're set on a rare breed or breed with lots of known health problems, you should rescue

Pretty much what I think... I will almost certainly rescue a sheltie again at some point, but most of my shelties will be bought from a reputable breeder, since I like my shelties with such specific temperaments, and that temperament is not one you find commonly even among breeders. The shelties I rescue will likely be seniors. I just have a soft spot there for bringing an old man sheltie into my home and loving him for the rest of his days.

Beyond that, I anticipate getting several different breeds in the future and I will probably be getting most if not all from breed rescue. I do still want to do agility with them if possible but I don't have such high, rigid expectations for their temperaments. I mean, of course I expect my PWC to behave like a PWC - the temperament is definitely part of what draws me to the breed - but I don't really have a reference point as far as one living in my house every day, so I'm not going to be as... disappointed, I guess, if it's not everything I expect? I hope that makes sense.

 

[Doggie07]

Hey, could you guys check out my thread in the "The Breed" section about Golden Retrievers? I also just read they make a good breed for beginning dog owners.

 

[Maxy24]

If you are just looking for a loving pet dog and don't need something real specific I'd go shelter/rescue. There are lots of goldens and golden mixes in shelters (but the purebreds often go fast).

 

[Maura]

I

I just want to comment on this-if you go to a good working dog breeder then the price of a well bred dog goes way down a lot of time, though not always. At least, I know it does for herding breeds and I would imagine for most other breeds it's the same. I got Traveler for under 300
ay

Yes, in working dogs you are less likely to spend moogoo bucks. Hamish is a border collie, excellent working lines, and the litter went for $350 each. But, this is the exception, and most people shouldn't own a working breed. A person should do research and the price discrepancy between breeds will appear. And the opposite with working dogs happens too, that a two year or three year old dog already started on sheep (tracking,...) will cost more because of the training. But this is not the rule.