Those who bought from responsible breeders...
- Thread starter Julee
- Start date
I needed a sure thing, or as close to one as I could get. I needed a service dog, and if this dog failed, I wouldn't get another chance until one of my dogs passed away (I was and still am unwilling to rehome a dog because they failed to pan out as a service dog..they're still my pets and I still love them, and I could never part with either of them). So I needed the best chance possible that my dog would actually become a service dog. Enter Logan, who I actually found on Chaz thanks to Romy (actually, she pointed out his brother, and then the breeder offeredme Logan as a better fit). He was the right age (1 year old), healthy, just the right amount of drive, already was geared towards working (wilderness SAR), fantastic temperament, basic training already started, short haired...basically, he was the perfect dog at the perfect time.
Yes, Gavroche is a rescue. He was not from a shelter, but an actual rescue - he was a stray for months until one of our clients at the clinic took him in, then he lived outside for a couple weeks, and she just couldn't keep him since she already had several dogs, and two very sick ones. He was boarding at the clinic for a few weeks before I was able to finalize that I could indeed have him. The same lady that rescued him is the one I dogsat for for 6 months 2 years ago (it was really neat, because he was SO at home there instantly, he must have remembered living there before lol).
Shelters just turn me off, for many reasons. IF I were to get a rescue in the future, it would either be a true rescue (like Gavroche), or from a breed-specific rescue that would be willing to work with me regarding spay/neuter (either allowing me to leave them intact, or allowing me to get a vasectomy or OSS done in lieu of a full spay or neuter). And of course said rescue would have to be okay with me having other intact dogs, which is probably the most difficult part.
Nope! None at all.
:hail: :hail: :hail:
Yes, Gavroche is a rescue. He was not from a shelter, but an actual rescue - he was a stray for months until one of our clients at the clinic took him in, then he lived outside for a couple weeks, and she just couldn't keep him since she already had several dogs, and two very sick ones. He was boarding at the clinic for a few weeks before I was able to finalize that I could indeed have him. The same lady that rescued him is the one I dogsat for for 6 months 2 years ago (it was really neat, because he was SO at home there instantly, he must have remembered living there before lol).
Shelters just turn me off, for many reasons. IF I were to get a rescue in the future, it would either be a true rescue (like Gavroche), or from a breed-specific rescue that would be willing to work with me regarding spay/neuter (either allowing me to leave them intact, or allowing me to get a vasectomy or OSS done in lieu of a full spay or neuter). And of course said rescue would have to be okay with me having other intact dogs, which is probably the most difficult part.
Nope! None at all.
:hail: :hail: :hail:
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I'm honestly just not a rescue dog person. It'd have to be just the right dog. We've had rescues in the past, and a couple of not very good experiences that kind of deterred me from adopting future dogs. Winston was amazing though and was our first dog from rescue, but still, I prefer raising my dogs from puppyhood and I prefer to know that said puppy has come from a known background and has been raised well from the get go.
I feel no regret at all about my dogs from responsible breeders. It's definitely the right decision for me. I love getting to know my breeder and my dogs' relatives, and while it's not fool proof, I like knowing that my dogs come from health cleared lineage, I like knowing that my breeder cares enough to choose a dog for me based on temperament so that I have the best chance at getting the dog I want, etc. I like to have a good idea about something before I commit to it, with anything in life, and the same goes for when I buy a dog.
If I go the rescue route in the future, it'll be fostering. That I can do and would actually really like to do. But I can't see myself keeping many rescues.
I feel no regret at all about my dogs from responsible breeders. It's definitely the right decision for me. I love getting to know my breeder and my dogs' relatives, and while it's not fool proof, I like knowing that my dogs come from health cleared lineage, I like knowing that my breeder cares enough to choose a dog for me based on temperament so that I have the best chance at getting the dog I want, etc. I like to have a good idea about something before I commit to it, with anything in life, and the same goes for when I buy a dog.
If I go the rescue route in the future, it'll be fostering. That I can do and would actually really like to do. But I can't see myself keeping many rescues.
No reason in particular. I was 85% sure that I wanted a puppy (although I was open to an adult) and I had a particular look/type and breed in mind. My first experience with "dog people" was through forums, and from the moment I joined almost all of the discussions and questions I had were about breeders. So that's where the majority of my research went into, and from there I started picking and choosing between breeders, contacting them, and visiting them. Eventually I had a deposit down and that was that.
Now, I would absolutely go to a breeder for my breed of choice. Maybe in the future I'll adopt an adult or (preferably) senior German Shepherd, but as far as foreseeable plans go it will always be a breeder dog. The more experience I have with the breed the choosier I am about the type of dog I want. And if I can stack the odds in my favor and get the temperament, drives, nerves, and looks that I love, that's exactly what I'll do.
No, my current dog is my first and only dog.
Oh geez, no! Not in the slightest. And for the most part, I haven't heard many negative comments about my having purchased him. I do hear generalized comments about rescuing over purchasing from a breeder, but nothing directly related to my own dog/decision. One family friend did say it was a "bit of a shame" that we bought from a breeder instead of adopting from a shelter/rescue, but that was all she said and she's been the only one.
I'd love to adopt an older adult or senior dog one day, but my next... 3 or 4 dogs will probably be from breeders.
Now, I would absolutely go to a breeder for my breed of choice. Maybe in the future I'll adopt an adult or (preferably) senior German Shepherd, but as far as foreseeable plans go it will always be a breeder dog. The more experience I have with the breed the choosier I am about the type of dog I want. And if I can stack the odds in my favor and get the temperament, drives, nerves, and looks that I love, that's exactly what I'll do.
No, my current dog is my first and only dog.
Oh geez, no! Not in the slightest. And for the most part, I haven't heard many negative comments about my having purchased him. I do hear generalized comments about rescuing over purchasing from a breeder, but nothing directly related to my own dog/decision. One family friend did say it was a "bit of a shame" that we bought from a breeder instead of adopting from a shelter/rescue, but that was all she said and she's been the only one.
I'd love to adopt an older adult or senior dog one day, but my next... 3 or 4 dogs will probably be from breeders.
I wanted a very particular dog so no... not just any dog would do. I looked for a long time - a very long time. No I didn't feel any guilt over it. I am very picky and I expect to live with my dogs a very long time.
Honestly rescue just isn't my thing. There aren't a ton of toy breeds with my selection criteria available in rescue.
Honestly rescue just isn't my thing. There aren't a ton of toy breeds with my selection criteria available in rescue.
Well Nico was SUPPOSED to be from a breeder, but he's a rescue. Let me rephrase...When I was looking for a sport prospect, I knew I wanted either a Malinois or a Dutch shepherd and in fact was on a waiting list for a Dutch pup. Then my friend got word that one of her foster pups was coming back. I knew his momma, and my friend had lamented from the time I met her that Nico would have been perfect for me, so I took myself off the wait list to meet him and give him a chance. Fate rules sometimes, and he is exactly the dog I've always wanted.
No, I don't feel guilty. :rofl1:
NEXT dog will almost certainly be coming from a breeder. Finally.
I won't feel guilty about that, either.
No, I don't feel guilty. :rofl1:
NEXT dog will almost certainly be coming from a breeder. Finally.
I won't feel guilty about that, either.
I wanted Papillons. There are none in shelters.
I rescued Lilly, she was the best dog ever. She was also always sick. My Paps are healthy as horses. No structural problems at all, not so much as a limp, ever. I don't want to deal with health problems again.
Guilt? Nope. Don't like dogs from breeders? Don't buy one. Your problem is not mine.
I rescued Lilly, she was the best dog ever. She was also always sick. My Paps are healthy as horses. No structural problems at all, not so much as a limp, ever. I don't want to deal with health problems again.
Guilt? Nope. Don't like dogs from breeders? Don't buy one. Your problem is not mine.
I wanted to rescue. Other half firmly didn't. He never says no so I knew he was serious. My compromise was we buy, I pick... Lol.
Yes I feel guilty. But I've enjoyed the experience of searching, contacting, getting to know the breeder, talking to people who own the same breed (and siblings to Fred!!).
Yes I feel guilty. But I've enjoyed the experience of searching, contacting, getting to know the breeder, talking to people who own the same breed (and siblings to Fred!!).
I wanted to stack the odds in my favor of getting a dog with a compatible temperament, lol. My sister's dog, who she adopted from a rescue as a puppy, is now a 3 year old and there is a reason we still call him Rufus. He is just the kind of dog that will get all worked up and run into walls, bang his head off cabinets, just generally has no sense of body awareness. I like her dog, but he is NOT the kind of dog for me and I wanted a better guarantee of temperament.
I kind of did as a kid. Peco was a breeder bought, shipped up to Ohio and then his first owners did not want to deal with the hook worms he had so they gave him to a rescue. My mom and I both worked at the vet clinic so met him the first time they brought him in. When we heard he had been given to a rescue we went and got him.
No, I don't feel guilty at all.
I kind of did as a kid. Peco was a breeder bought, shipped up to Ohio and then his first owners did not want to deal with the hook worms he had so they gave him to a rescue. My mom and I both worked at the vet clinic so met him the first time they brought him in. When we heard he had been given to a rescue we went and got him.
No, I don't feel guilty at all.
First three/four dogs I had we're from BYBs. They were "gifts" from my parents and after begging for years to get a dog, I wasn't going to say no after having them home.
When I went looking for my own dog (Jack) I opted for a rescue puppy. I likely wouldn't get a rescue puppy again, too many unknowns with look, size, temperament, health, etc.
I do love rescue because you can get an adult dog and know exactly what you're going to get. Crossbone had been everything we were wanting and expecting. If we opt for a rescue again, I'd definitely get an adult.
If I wanted a puppy, and I think that I really do, I'd go to a breeder and stack the odds in my favor because I'll need all the help that I can get!
When I went looking for my own dog (Jack) I opted for a rescue puppy. I likely wouldn't get a rescue puppy again, too many unknowns with look, size, temperament, health, etc.
I do love rescue because you can get an adult dog and know exactly what you're going to get. Crossbone had been everything we were wanting and expecting. If we opt for a rescue again, I'd definitely get an adult.
If I wanted a puppy, and I think that I really do, I'd go to a breeder and stack the odds in my favor because I'll need all the help that I can get!
That's something that's been going through my head as well, lately.
I hope nobody took it as my insinuating that one SHOULD feel guilty for buying over rescuing, that was not my intention at all. It was just an honest question, since I know a lot of rescuers try to use guilt to prevent people from buying.
I hope nobody took it as my insinuating that one SHOULD feel guilty for buying over rescuing, that was not my intention at all. It was just an honest question, since I know a lot of rescuers try to use guilt to prevent people from buying.
Previous dog is the reason current dog is from a breeder. Rumor is extremely healthy and does not act her age. She's absolutely perfect. Duke was younger than Rumor when he passed, and he acted like a senior. I loved him, but his temperament wasn't something I wanted to deal with again. I don't feel guilty at all about bringing Rumor home.
It's a fair question. I obviously stressed over buying from a breeder, like I imagine you are, but I can't say I felt guilt after the fact. The pros outweigh any cons, for me, and the devotion is nothing short of amazing, another con fed that rescues love you more than a bought dog can. A good dog is where you find it but I prefer stacking the odds in my favor.
Well, my dogs up until now have all either been adopted or rescued, but I've made up my mind to go through a breeder for my next ACD. I'll always support rescues and help where I can, and probably adopt again in the future, but with both Ma'ii and Charlotte's issues, my main reasons for wanting to go through a breeder is I want a dog of good sound temperament and health that a good breeder strives for.
As for guilt...it flip flops, even though I know there's nothing to feel guilty about.
As for guilt...it flip flops, even though I know there's nothing to feel guilty about.
I know this is aimed at people who buy, but I wanted to put my penneth in 
I found a litter of Deerhound puppies in 2009 from a good breeder. She'd had an owner fall through, and had a gorgeous girly needing a home. She was what I wanted and perfect! I booked her, around 3 weeks before she was ready. Almost as soon as I got off the phone I immediately felt guilty. I felt like I was denying a retired greyhound a home, and I couldn't sleep for days with the thought of it. I really did just feel awful. So so bad, I can't even explain it.
In the end I phoned and cancelled my booking. Lost my deposit, but I know I ddi the right thing because if I got that Deerhound I wouldn't have got Maddy, who was my absolute heart and soul. It was meant to be!
I know now I couldn't go to a breeder. I just cannot knowing there are dogs sitting in kennels without a home. All I look for in a dog is a good pet, I don't need it to have a fancy name, title or wonderful at tricks.
I can understand a lot of people DO want those things, but I personally wouldn't support a breeder. Next time I want a specific breed, other than a greyhound. Rarely do Cocker Spaniels or Shetland Sheepdogs come up in rescue, but I'm happy to wait
I found a litter of Deerhound puppies in 2009 from a good breeder. She'd had an owner fall through, and had a gorgeous girly needing a home. She was what I wanted and perfect! I booked her, around 3 weeks before she was ready. Almost as soon as I got off the phone I immediately felt guilty. I felt like I was denying a retired greyhound a home, and I couldn't sleep for days with the thought of it. I really did just feel awful. So so bad, I can't even explain it.
In the end I phoned and cancelled my booking. Lost my deposit, but I know I ddi the right thing because if I got that Deerhound I wouldn't have got Maddy, who was my absolute heart and soul. It was meant to be!
I know now I couldn't go to a breeder. I just cannot knowing there are dogs sitting in kennels without a home. All I look for in a dog is a good pet, I don't need it to have a fancy name, title or wonderful at tricks.
I can understand a lot of people DO want those things, but I personally wouldn't support a breeder. Next time I want a specific breed, other than a greyhound. Rarely do Cocker Spaniels or Shetland Sheepdogs come up in rescue, but I'm happy to wait
lol, a dog is a dog and will love you just the same. I had a scare with Em's eyes earlier this year that realllly implanted the thought into my head. Between Copper's weird phobias, Shadow's... everything (that's unfair, Shadow really is just not the right dog for me, but she is the right dog for my parents and will be living out her days here), Bloo's issues that could have been managed much better had I had her from puppyhood... y'know. I really love rescue, the people involved, not so much.
When it is time for me to acquire my next service dog prospect, I will not have the space for a washout. I will not have the money or resources to keep a washout. I don't want to have the perfect puppy grow up to be the wrong size, or develop a career-ending ailment. If I had gotten my new prospect say, last year, it wouldn't have been a concern. I have a financially stable living arrangement right now. I don't need to worry about landlords right now. However, very soon, I will. I'm hoping to add my next prospect within the next 2-3 years, hopefully.
However,
is a very major concern for me. That sounds like exactly what I'd end up doing, replacing "retired greyhound" with "death row dog". I really appreciate you adding your two cents, Sarah!
It's freaking STRESSFUL. I'll always continue to use rescues to train for others, or donated dogs, but it's something I'm really struggling with it for myself.
When it is time for me to acquire my next service dog prospect, I will not have the space for a washout. I will not have the money or resources to keep a washout. I don't want to have the perfect puppy grow up to be the wrong size, or develop a career-ending ailment. If I had gotten my new prospect say, last year, it wouldn't have been a concern. I have a financially stable living arrangement right now. I don't need to worry about landlords right now. However, very soon, I will. I'm hoping to add my next prospect within the next 2-3 years, hopefully.
However,
is a very major concern for me. That sounds like exactly what I'd end up doing, replacing "retired greyhound" with "death row dog". I really appreciate you adding your two cents, Sarah!
It's freaking STRESSFUL. I'll always continue to use rescues to train for others, or donated dogs, but it's something I'm really struggling with it for myself.
Past dogs are why I went with a breeder too. Happy turned out to have been from a puppymill. Kota was a rescue. I loved them both and still miss them every day. But Happy was a real mess and I just couldn't deal with that again. If I DID go rescue, it would be to get a senior like Kota, and I wanted a baby dog.
After Auggie I was sold on these dogs. Payton came into my life because he was a relative, more than anything I WANTED a relative. At some point I will probably be getting dogs that are not relatives and it will be tough because these lines are amazing and I'm hard pressed to be that wowed by anything else.
I didn't feel guilty about it and still don't and can't see ever feeling guilty about it.
I will more than likely rescue again, but like I said above, it will probably be a senior sheltie. It will be when I'm not seeking out another sport dog and want something young and spry. Or it will be a case where a dog of some of the other breeds I like will be in rescue or something at just the right time. So far I have seen two dogs come through rescue, one I REALLY wanted and still think about, but it just wasn't the right time.
After Auggie I was sold on these dogs. Payton came into my life because he was a relative, more than anything I WANTED a relative. At some point I will probably be getting dogs that are not relatives and it will be tough because these lines are amazing and I'm hard pressed to be that wowed by anything else.
I didn't feel guilty about it and still don't and can't see ever feeling guilty about it.
I will more than likely rescue again, but like I said above, it will probably be a senior sheltie. It will be when I'm not seeking out another sport dog and want something young and spry. Or it will be a case where a dog of some of the other breeds I like will be in rescue or something at just the right time. So far I have seen two dogs come through rescue, one I REALLY wanted and still think about, but it just wasn't the right time.
We 'rescued' Squirt from a puppy mill ..as close to a rescue as we ever got. He'll be 20 in August& I just didn't want something else that would live that long Squirt is mean like a bear. If he didn't only weigh 5lbs, he'd have been put to sleep a long time ago. His small size made him manageable for my clueless family.
I love him to pieces, but for my next dog I was definitely ready for a kid friendly, take anywhere, medium sized dog! Lots of research lead me to Vizsla and I hadn't had a puppy since I was 6 and I was desperate for a puppy so off we went to find a breeder and wait wait wait for my puppy to be born!
She's everything I could have asked for and more. I feel no guilt over buying her, although around here rescue is EVERYTHING and I catch a lot of comments about do I realize how many animals I could have done good for if I took the money paid for her& donated it to the SPCA.
I will probably foster but never adopt.
Squirt is mean like a bear. If he didn't only weigh 5lbs, he'd have been put to sleep a long time ago. His small size made him manageable for my clueless family.I love him to pieces, but for my next dog I was definitely ready for a kid friendly, take anywhere, medium sized dog! Lots of research lead me to Vizsla and I hadn't had a puppy since I was 6 and I was desperate for a puppy so off we went to find a breeder and wait wait wait for my puppy to be born!
She's everything I could have asked for and more. I feel no guilt over buying her, although around here rescue is EVERYTHING and I catch a lot of comments about do I realize how many animals I could have done good for if I took the money paid for her& donated it to the SPCA.
I will probably foster but never adopt.
I wanted something specific in my next dog (herding instinct was the main thing, but there were many others too).
I also wanted to know the lineage of next dog.
In addition to these things, I haven't had the greatest time with Lizzie. She's had her issues. I mean, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade her for the world, she's made it SO clear she's MY dog, and she likes that. But my relationship with Lizzie is much different than mine with Blaze. Maybe a good word for it would be harder? I don't know.
Yes. Lizzie is from an animal shelter.
Not a single bit. I think both purchasing from a rescue or a breeder have their place, and each must choose what is right for them.
I don't think people should feel guilty at all for choosing a responsible breeder over rescue. I think you should try to get the dog that is right for you, and that doesn't always mean a rescue.
I also wanted to know the lineage of next dog.
In addition to these things, I haven't had the greatest time with Lizzie. She's had her issues. I mean, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade her for the world, she's made it SO clear she's MY dog, and she likes that. But my relationship with Lizzie is much different than mine with Blaze. Maybe a good word for it would be harder? I don't know.
Yes. Lizzie is from an animal shelter.
Not a single bit.
I think both purchasing from a rescue or a breeder have their place, and each must choose what is right for them. I don't think people should feel guilty at all for choosing a responsible breeder over rescue. I think you should try to get the dog that is right for you, and that doesn't always mean a rescue.
I was looking at local shelters and breeders at the same time, and found what I was looking for in a dog with a breeder first. I was/am pretty picky about the kind of dog I like (in terms of temperament) and I wasn't confident enough to choose a dog from a shelter as a puppy, and none of the adults I met were quite what I wanted. There were a lot of (really great) pit mixes, but they weren't quite what I was looking for, lots of dogs that were too small or too large to fit into my lifestyle, and lots of dogs I just didn't click with.
I looked at shelters and breeders at the same time, and ended up finding Elsie's breeder first.
I have not. I did not. I only have one available 'dog' slot in my home, and I don't want to fill that with a dog that isn't compatible with me.
I looked at shelters and breeders at the same time, and ended up finding Elsie's breeder first.
I have not. I did not. I only have one available 'dog' slot in my home, and I don't want to fill that with a dog that isn't compatible with me.