A musing - rescue dog or puppy from a good breeder?

Am on my 3rd rescue now and can hand on heart say none of them have been a problem. The only one I got as a puppy was my girl that i sadly lost before Christmas and we only bought a pup that time as we couldn't pass a home check and OH had set heart on a malamute and even the breed rescues wouldn't pass us for one of them! Looking at getting another one now as house isn't full enough and think ash spends too much time alone now and all the rescues at saints keep tugging at my heart strings but worry that thewrong rescue might knock ashs fragile but getting there cconfidence and what a rescue is when it first comes through the door can be totally different to how they are in 6 months and have to do right by my current boy, so will probably look at puppies again and they are oh so cute but if I do this will feel so bad for the poor dogs left in kennels. It's definitely a difficult one.
 
I've had one dog from a huge dog's home and my current two are rehomes because my friend couldn't cope with them and do you know what? My next puppy will be from a line of champs bred by a reputable breeder with the breeds best interests at heart. That's where I want the money to go. That's who should be encouraged to breed dogs.
 
firm said:
Op I hadn't noticed you were in Scotland, four collie pups in Edinburgh! http://www.dogaidsociety.com/index....gs-name-here&catid=38:dogs-availabe&Itemid=37 :-)
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Ha ha! Thanks :) Tbh I can't look just now as I will only torture myself ;) I can't get a dog till myself and OH have moved as we aren't allowed a dog where he lives atm :( Both my girls were/are border collies and I have a massive soft spot for the breed but tbh I think I will look at something a little less high energy for next time as although I love Poppy she needs to be doing something or she gets bored and at the horses must have a ball to play with or the boredom translates into "chase the horses because it's a fun game and that's what I'm meant to do right?!" :rolleyes::)
 
weaselwords said:
....... and do you know what? My next puppy will be from a line of champs bred by a reputable breeder with the breeds best interests at heart. That's where I want the money to go. That's who should be encouraged to breed dogs.
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That's an interesting stance. Well said.

As to the question itself, the OP has asked for the opinions of others, not for advice, so here's my opinion! However tempting it is to take on animals which arrive with built in problems, and feel that one is acting in an altruistic way, I find that the grief attached to many of these dogs is such that they're never really worth the effort. The possible exception would have been the few GSDs which I took in, and generally having come from a domestic environment, I actually ended up with several very useful, and saleable, dogs.

Of course, there will be those dogs which are models of the perfect companion, but the truth is that they'll be in the minority, as most people want to be rid of a dog because they've made the most frightful mess of the animal, and it's staggering how often those very same people go out and do exactly the same thing again, believing that the fault laid with the dog!

They say that ignorance is bliss, don't they? We've a lad in our village who bought himself a couple of Inuit-Husky types of dogs, and handsome they were too. They lived in a heavily fenced and small garden, and from memory, I only ever saw them out a couple of times. All that they did was bark, the village did nothing but moan, he got rid of them, and now has two collies, and he's right back where he was.

I know of those people, we all do, who's lives are ruled by their 'rescue', and I suppose that the very same person would most probably have exactly the same problems were they to take on a puppy at weaning. I'll accept that those who live lives of devotion, to an animal with major and inbuilt problems, probably deserve a medal. I'm not amongst them.

I've taken on the odd collie which is up for re-homing, because it's shown an interest in sheep, but they've never really made the grade. I was given several young Springer spaniels, many years ago, and when I was seriously in to spaniels, but again, most had so much in the way of attached baggage, that taking them back to the start and the basics, never really worked. There's a lady who takes in 'rescue' working cockers, she conducts her own system of self praise, offers these dogs on a serious Gun dog forum, and wonders why people berate her when one of the conditions which isn't up for negotiation is that the dogs must live indoors.

I wouldn't say never, as a dog may well come along one day who inspires me, but those rescues which I've seen would be unlikely to repay my effort. If I start off with puppies, then they seem to grow up without any major hangups or problems.

I also suspect that though it might not apply in every case, but that 'Rescue Centres' are something of a growth industry.

Alec.
 
My first doggie was 8 stone of rescue Rottie & he's been an absolutely fantastic dog. Can't fault him. But when we wanted to get another one, I'd stopped working from home all the time & we fell foul of the 4 hour rule. A shame as we've got paddocks, large yard with 6ft fence etc, & they are very rarely left for more than 4 hours. Either o/h comes home at lunch or I'm WFH or Adrian's sharer lets them out. I was after a rescue Rottie that the previous rehomer got bored of and dumped in a dog walker's garden! But they said no so we got a puppy :-/ Would rather have saved one, esp as no-one wants to rehome Rotties.

T x
 
A1fie said:
I would love a rescue dog having lost my dearest little friend recently after having him for 16 years but many rescues won't consider me because i work full time. I would adore to have 2 rescues to keep each other company during the day.

I feel i can offer a good home. I can provide 2 walks a day, a secure garden, a dog flap to go in and out and weekends and evening walking in the country and mooching about the yard.

I don't think it would be fair to have a puppy because they need a lot of time but an older dog, with company, would surely have a better life than in kennels?

I do understand why rescues have the 4 hour max alone rule, but i wish they could see that although my circumstances may not be ideal, they are not awful and i could provide a good home.

Ironically, i could get a puppy from a backroom
breeder (not reputable) with very little checks but don't want that.

I have even thought about contacting Cayla but i am the other side of the country to her

I don't want to start lying to rescues about my working hours so i am left hoping something will turn up 'organically'. I have even gone to my local slaughterhouse as they sometimes get in terriers/collies etc, breeds that i love and understand, and asked them to contact me if they get in something.

Sorry, this has turned into a rant! But it makes me so frustrated. I have lost my best friend and am so bereft but really would love to give a couple of mutts a happier life.
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Ask your local vets they often know of dogs needing homes .
 
Rescue dog, every time for me :-) There are so many I honestly believe the right dog is out there for most people. To those who mention the 4 hour rule, don't be put off rescuing altogether! Whilst the RSPCA do have this rule, smaller rescues are often much more flexible.

To anyone considering taking on a dog [or puppy, rescues often have them!] please do visit the following

www.dogpages.org.uk

It's an amazing resource, with links and contact info for pretty much every rescue in the UK.
 
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