Rescue dog snobbery?
- Thread starter StephyMei1112
- Start date
I see my purebred, paid for dogs as rescues too. They could have wound up in a home where they wouldn't have had the high level of love and care they have. Maybe even a home where no one does much with them, leaves them all alone for long periods of time or even one of those alpha schmalfa people. Lol. I saved them from all that. So how do you like them apple's? Heh, heh.
I haven't seen much snobbery from either side, but I also tend to surround myself with really good, knowledgeable dog people. I own rescues because it is what is right for me; I have good friends who are breeders. I don't think either of us is judging the other based on what we have for dogs. One of my closest friends runs a rescue - but has one dog purchased from a breeder.
The only place it even really comes up in conversation is at agility events with Gusto, where everyone wants to know what he is and where I got him. They all assume his is a (intentional) sport mix. The only comment we get that makes me want to hit my head against the wall is the frequent "If I could get a rescue dog like that, I'd be rescuing!" Well, guess what geniuses
? He's just plain a rescue dog. There were three others in the litter, and there are a ton more out there just like him.
Well, hopefully not *just* like him, for everyone's sake!
The only place it even really comes up in conversation is at agility events with Gusto, where everyone wants to know what he is and where I got him. They all assume his is a (intentional) sport mix. The only comment we get that makes me want to hit my head against the wall is the frequent "If I could get a rescue dog like that, I'd be rescuing!" Well, guess what geniuses
? He's just plain a rescue dog. There were three others in the litter, and there are a ton more out there just like him. Well, hopefully not *just* like him, for everyone's sake!
I notice a bit of this for sure. I'm overall happy that the general consensus of the public nowadays is to rescue... generally speaking, for the average home, a rescue mutt is perfect. And most typical people can't differentiate between a reputable breeder and a BYB anyways, so yeah, really I'm glad more tend to be rescuing these days.
For me? I have really specific wants for my next dog. I would not turn down the "perfect" rescue dog that may come my way, of course, but for the time being... I'm fairly certain my next dog will come from a reputable breeder. But it's been nearly 4 years of research, narrowing down breeders from a few different breeds... I just personally have always wanted that breeder support, knowing the parents, seeing the siblings, knowing any potential health issues and what the dogs relatives have aged like, etc, etc. It's just something I've always wanted to experience. I'll have a rescue someday too for sure. I also have specific wants, traits, looks, etc, that I'm after. I also am a dog nerd who will most likely continue to participate in sports, etc.
I think one can find JUST as good of a dog in rescue as they can through a breeder but it's the little specifics that are making me lean more towards going to a breeder. I am sure some will think I'm crazy, or not understand. But whatever *shrugs*. I got extremely lucky with Jackson coming from a BYB in that he's the perfect dog for me. Had he not been, well, that would've sucked, lol. But I lucked out. There's a few issues, very very minor, that I think we wouldn't have had I gotten him from a good breeder (who socializes, begins training, etc), but 99% of the time, he's certainly MY perfect dog.
My mom, for example, introduces me to my step-dads niece's new puppy.... "she's so cute, isn't she?! She is a new breed, a pekeapoo. And she did the RIGHT thing... she rescued her from a farm in PA from the Amish country" That's just how my mom thinks... she's not a dog person, she has no clue, and I feel like this is how the majority of the country thinks. She watched a show on puppy mills so knows "pet stores = bad" but doesn't think about the rest, lol. Then the niece goes on to tell me how "they knew their stuff! They had, like, 10 different breeds there!" I asked her what breeds those were mixed together and she was like... ummm, I'm not sure? a poodle and something? And I was like "pekinese?" ... "YEAH that's it!" I honestly just smile and love on the pup. I'm not going to be that snob who ruins her excitement over her new puppy.
For me? I have really specific wants for my next dog. I would not turn down the "perfect" rescue dog that may come my way, of course, but for the time being... I'm fairly certain my next dog will come from a reputable breeder. But it's been nearly 4 years of research, narrowing down breeders from a few different breeds... I just personally have always wanted that breeder support, knowing the parents, seeing the siblings, knowing any potential health issues and what the dogs relatives have aged like, etc, etc. It's just something I've always wanted to experience. I'll have a rescue someday too for sure. I also have specific wants, traits, looks, etc, that I'm after. I also am a dog nerd who will most likely continue to participate in sports, etc.
I think one can find JUST as good of a dog in rescue as they can through a breeder but it's the little specifics that are making me lean more towards going to a breeder. I am sure some will think I'm crazy, or not understand. But whatever *shrugs*. I got extremely lucky with Jackson coming from a BYB in that he's the perfect dog for me. Had he not been, well, that would've sucked, lol. But I lucked out. There's a few issues, very very minor, that I think we wouldn't have had I gotten him from a good breeder (who socializes, begins training, etc), but 99% of the time, he's certainly MY perfect dog.
My mom, for example, introduces me to my step-dads niece's new puppy.... "she's so cute, isn't she?! She is a new breed, a pekeapoo. And she did the RIGHT thing... she rescued her from a farm in PA from the Amish country"
That's just how my mom thinks... she's not a dog person, she has no clue, and I feel like this is how the majority of the country thinks. She watched a show on puppy mills so knows "pet stores = bad" but doesn't think about the rest, lol. Then the niece goes on to tell me how "they knew their stuff! They had, like, 10 different breeds there!" I asked her what breeds those were mixed together and she was like... ummm, I'm not sure? a poodle and something? And I was like "pekinese?" ... "YEAH that's it!" I honestly just smile and love on the pup. I'm not going to be that snob who ruins her excitement over her new puppy.
So, you think that because you give your dog a better life than someone else might have you rescued them? That isn't rescue, that is a purchase.
I don't think I'm alone when I say this..
We all as dog lovers feel we give our dogs the best possible home. We worry when they aren't with us because they aren't getting the care we provide, etc. So, if providing your dog a good home makes them a rescue, then I guess I have four.
I don't think I'm alone when I say this..
We all as dog lovers feel we give our dogs the best possible home. We worry when they aren't with us because they aren't getting the care we provide, etc. So, if providing your dog a good home makes them a rescue, then I guess I have four.
So everybody should go support BYBs and puppymills (not saying thats where your dogs came from) because they could "rescue them"? You paid money for a dog, you purchased it/bought it, somebody directly got your money. What do yoy get from saying you rescued them? I mean, if people who buy their dogs from breeders go around saying that they rescied the dog, that kind of makes the "rescue snobs" pounts valid a little, doesn't it? As far as they see it, you think rescuing a dog is how a dog is worthy, so their points are valid, no?
Sorry, it's something I've wondered for a really long time, and something that kind of grindd my gears
Sorry, it's something I've wondered for a really long time, and something that kind of grindd my gears
I ran into someone who seemed to think he had rescued his purebred border collie from a life of herding sheep all day. We were at the dog park and I didn't feel like getting in to it, but it made me laugh.
I see rescued vs. purebred dogs a bit like adopting a child vs. having one naturally. It's great if you adopt, but it's not for everyone. Honestly, as long as you don't get your child off the black market (or from a BYB if it's a dog) I don't care. I just care that you treat that child (or dog) humanely.
I see rescued vs. purebred dogs a bit like adopting a child vs. having one naturally. It's great if you adopt, but it's not for everyone. Honestly, as long as you don't get your child off the black market (or from a BYB if it's a dog) I don't care. I just care that you treat that child (or dog) humanely.
I have a rescue dog and a breeder dog and haven't personally seen much snobbery from anyone regarding where I got my dogs. The only thing I've ever gotten grief about is Sally not being a "real" pit bull, which is why I call her a mix even though she is almost certainly an unpapered "pit bull." Ultimately, Sally is Sally, and is awesome whatever breed classification she falls under. I think I'm going to just start calling her an American Possum Cur.
Honestly, most people I know who are involved in rescue also own at least one dog from a breeder and support reputable breeding, so it's just never been a issue.
I've seen much more hardline people when I've looked into bird rescue than dog rescue.
Honestly, most people I know who are involved in rescue also own at least one dog from a breeder and support reputable breeding, so it's just never been a issue.
I've seen much more hardline people when I've looked into bird rescue than dog rescue.
I think it's awesome that there is such a push towards rescue. For 99% of America, the right dog for their home is available in a shelter/foster home somewhere with the smallest amount of effort.
For the 1% that truly needs/wants the traits or abilities of a purebred dog from a good breeder, they aren't going to be swayed by the rescue push anyway.
For the 1% that truly needs/wants the traits or abilities of a purebred dog from a good breeder, they aren't going to be swayed by the rescue push anyway.
Yeah what if somebody trained like Caesar Milan and alpha rolled them and bought my dogs? what if somebody bought my dogs and hit them? my dogs are lucky I bought them. Harrumph. like I said, dogs are dogs. it doesn't much matter where anybody gets them with with the exception of puppy mills or other crappy breeders. I like pure breds and mixed breeds, pariah dogs... all kinds of dogs. Fyi I don't go around telling people my dogs are rescued. Rmoflol. You missed my point completely.
It just happens that I have thought about it before. My niece and I were talking about it one day when we were hiking on a gorgeous mountain trail in Idaho which we did every day plus swimming and the dogs getting to hang out with their owners all day instead of locked up in a garage all day like some poor dogs do. We said....just think. Someone else could have gotten our dogs and they might never have gotten a life like this. We said to each other...yep...we saved these dogs from a possible crummy life.
If you still don't get my meaning, I give up. *chuckles*
And i do know the difference between a purchase and a "rescue" in the traditional sense of the word. There are different ways to rescue. One can rescue a dog lost in the woods or dumped on a free way. Rescue organizations aren't the only way to rescue a dog. I have rescued anumber of dogs in the past, including the acquisition of dog.s from shelters. And I consider my current dogs saved from the hands of possibly lousy owners. Just my own feelings or opinion. But i don't label them rescue dogs. Of course not. Sheesh.
It just happens that I have thought about it before. My niece and I were talking about it one day when we were hiking on a gorgeous mountain trail in Idaho which we did every day plus swimming and the dogs getting to hang out with their owners all day instead of locked up in a garage all day like some poor dogs do. We said....just think. Someone else could have gotten our dogs and they might never have gotten a life like this. We said to each other...yep...we saved these dogs from a possible crummy life.
If you still don't get my meaning, I give up. *chuckles*
And i do know the difference between a purchase and a "rescue" in the traditional sense of the word. There are different ways to rescue. One can rescue a dog lost in the woods or dumped on a free way. Rescue organizations aren't the only way to rescue a dog. I have rescued anumber of dogs in the past, including the acquisition of dog.s from shelters. And I consider my current dogs saved from the hands of possibly lousy owners. Just my own feelings or opinion. But i don't label them rescue dogs. Of course not. Sheesh.
Last edited:
But if you got them from a "reputable" breeder, shouldn't the breeder be doing a good job vetting the potential homes, checking in with them, and taking them back in if the home is less than stellar?
I guess I thought that one of the selling points of a good breeder is that there ISN'T the chance that they go to a crummy home.
I guess I thought that one of the selling points of a good breeder is that there ISN'T the chance that they go to a crummy home.
Well, there's always a chance. People lie
I guess the idea that you are potentially saving a dog from a crummy life when you go to a good breeder just negates the entire point of a good breeder to me. I understand that Dober's dogs have a darn good life (all chaz dogs do!), but they weren't doomed to life in a kennel or a shelter or the streets if she didn't get them. They'd have lived with her breeder or another well vetted family (unless someone really managed to pull a fast one).
I think people can be kind of sensitive (possibly oversensitive) about this topic, too. I've seen it with myself!
People assumed that my second dog, Grace, would be a rescue, because Bailey (clearly!) is -- and I can tell that "rescuers" have been surprised and maybe even taken aback to find out that I went the breeder route for her.
I have gotten the "I don't need a dog from a breeder" and "I would just save a life" from people. Eh. I do/give more to dog causes than many, and Grace's breeder does way more than I do, but that's okay. I have no need to sell people on purebred/breeder-bred dogs; for a lot of people, rescues are the right option, and I think that's great.
Since I've gotten Grace, I've been more privy to the other side -- very pro-breeder, pro-maintaining purebred dogs, etc. That's okay with me, too -- I think it has its place and I'm glad that there are people that prioritize it -- but, frankly, it's just not going to be my big issue.
One thing I love about Grace's breeder is the money she raises and donates to genetic research. I don't think that rescues have the ability/capacity to do that, and I'm glad breeders can (and do!).
I really think that having both breeders and rescuers is great.
People assumed that my second dog, Grace, would be a rescue, because Bailey (clearly!) is -- and I can tell that "rescuers" have been surprised and maybe even taken aback to find out that I went the breeder route for her.
I have gotten the "I don't need a dog from a breeder" and "I would just save a life" from people. Eh. I do/give more to dog causes than many, and Grace's breeder does way more than I do, but that's okay. I have no need to sell people on purebred/breeder-bred dogs; for a lot of people, rescues are the right option, and I think that's great.
Since I've gotten Grace, I've been more privy to the other side -- very pro-breeder, pro-maintaining purebred dogs, etc. That's okay with me, too -- I think it has its place and I'm glad that there are people that prioritize it -- but, frankly, it's just not going to be my big issue.
One thing I love about Grace's breeder is the money she raises and donates to genetic research. I don't think that rescues have the ability/capacity to do that, and I'm glad breeders can (and do!).
I really think that having both breeders and rescuers is great.
Yes, good breeders are careful about the homes they send their dogs to...generally speaking. But they still might not have gotten to hike at Priest Lake Idaho. LOL. Off leash. I mean, you haven't lived if you haven't been to Priest Lake Idaho. And if I get crippled or kick the bucket tomorrow, my daughter will take the dogs and she's wonderful with them. Of course, she has to work and is gone a long time during the day, but they're getting old and aren't as active as they were before.
I know, I know...it's an exaggeration to say I rescued my dogs from a life of sheer misery. But I still think our dogs on Chaz are all lucky ducks. And they've all been blessed with better than average dog owners who feed good food, take care of their medical needs and give them lots of fun stuff to do and good training. Someone else might have gotten your dog and not given him/her nearly as good care, even okay dog owners. They might have missed out on doing agility if they love doing that or better than average training or missed out on something else extra special that a lot of dog owners don't go out of their way to do. So, I see it as being saved in a way.
And these two Chihuahuas did come from a less than stellar breeder over a decade ago. She would have sold them to anyone who seemed nice enough, I'm sure. They have had needed medical care, surgery when needed, specialists, good, nutritious food, patient handling and kind treatment. Someone might make a good enough dog owner... we see it plenty but also we see a lot of people making a lot of nasty mistakes that are unfair to dogs. And still, they wouldn't be considered horrible dog owners by most. So when a dog ends up in a really super good home, I sometimes think...wow, that fella lucked out with that owner...could have wound up in a marginal or worse kind of home. I don't know...never mind. LOL. Carry on. opcorn:
And if I get crippled or kick the bucket tomorrow, my daughter will take the dogs and she's wonderful with them. Of course, she has to work and is gone a long time during the day, but they're getting old and aren't as active as they were before. I know, I know...it's an exaggeration to say I rescued my dogs from a life of sheer misery. But I still think our dogs on Chaz are all lucky ducks. And they've all been blessed with better than average dog owners who feed good food, take care of their medical needs and give them lots of fun stuff to do and good training. Someone else might have gotten your dog and not given him/her nearly as good care, even okay dog owners. They might have missed out on doing agility if they love doing that or better than average training or missed out on something else extra special that a lot of dog owners don't go out of their way to do. So, I see it as being saved in a way.
And these two Chihuahuas did come from a less than stellar breeder over a decade ago. She would have sold them to anyone who seemed nice enough, I'm sure. They have had needed medical care, surgery when needed, specialists, good, nutritious food, patient handling and kind treatment. Someone might make a good enough dog owner... we see it plenty but also we see a lot of people making a lot of nasty mistakes that are unfair to dogs. And still, they wouldn't be considered horrible dog owners by most. So when a dog ends up in a really super good home, I sometimes think...wow, that fella lucked out with that owner...could have wound up in a marginal or worse kind of home. I don't know...never mind. LOL.
Carry on. opcorn:
I think so too. I don't remember anyone acting snobby toward me about having purebred dogs. Oh...wait, maybe once someone where I use to live said something like, "why did you pay for that dog (Lyric) when you could have gotten a dog from the shelter?" Then like a dummy, I went on to explain all the specifics I was looking for in a dog at that time and why I loved Dobermans. But other than that one time, I really can't recall any noticeable snobbery. Of course, I don't travel in some of the venues that some of you do where the odds would be higher naturally. But if I ever do experience any of that, I think I'll just walk away and go enjoy my dogs. lol. I think those kinds of snobby people aren't looking at the whole picture probably.
Haven't read the whole thread.
I've come across more people that take offense to breeder dogs online. I've only met a couple that seemed annoyed with my breeder dog and that was when I was working at the shelter. I have had people ask if Mia's a rescue because she's shy. It's silly but it is what it is. I don't think they mean harm by it.
I DID get griped out once by a neighbor in college that thought I got my dogs from the pet store in the mall. (I have no idea why she thought that). It was odd but she was perfectly fine when I said they were from good breeders.
I've seen the snobbery go both ways though. I think there's always opinionated people.
I've come across more people that take offense to breeder dogs online. I've only met a couple that seemed annoyed with my breeder dog and that was when I was working at the shelter. I have had people ask if Mia's a rescue because she's shy. It's silly but it is what it is. I don't think they mean harm by it.
I DID get griped out once by a neighbor in college that thought I got my dogs from the pet store in the mall. (I have no idea why she thought that). It was odd but she was perfectly fine when I said they were from good breeders.
I've seen the snobbery go both ways though. I think there's always opinionated people.