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 Veteran
Posts: 124
| Where do most of you get your dogs? Rescues, breeders, pet shops, etc?
I'm not trying to fan any flames or start arguments, but it seems to me that most barrel racers (in my area, anyway) tend to only get purebred puppies. It makes me sad to see so many puppies pumped out day in and day out when roughly 2,000 dogs are euthanized every DAY in the U.S. alone. I get that some people show them or need working cattle dogs or hunting dogs, but why the need for expensive purebred dogs when you just want a pet? There are plenty of purebred dogs, including puppies, in rescues and shelters everywhere. That includes heelers, Aussies, labs, pits, dachshunds, and many other popular breeds.
Like I said, I'm not trying to start arguments or **** people off. The last dog we got was a purebred Weim from a breeder for my husband to hunt with. But I spent many years in three different animal shelters volunteering, and MOST of the dogs I saw that were euthanized were fairly young, healthy, happy dogs. I think there's a misconception that only "problem" dogs end up in shelters, when usually it's a dog who's there for no fault but the owner's.
And if you are a dog breeder yourself, I really hope you're doing it for the betterment of the breed and not just to make easy money. That means genetic testing, spay/neuter contracts, taking the dog back if it's not wanted to rehome it somewhere else, etc. I know there are lots of responsible breeders out there, but for the most part I see mostly backyard breeders. And don't even get me started on puppy mills! (Google if if you don't know what those are!!)
OK, PSA/rant over. | |
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 The One
Posts: 7997
   
Location: South Georgia | I prefer a purebred dog like I prefer a registered horse. I have a better idea of health track record, an idea of the size they will mature to, etc. I purchased my current two Jack Russells 16 and 15 years ago from the same breeder.
I don't support puppy shops or breeders who make shady choices, but I do support a breeder breeding for the bettermenet of the breed who cares about her puppies. To each their own. I see this argument remarkably similar to the having children of your own vs. adoption situation. There are a ton of children without parents, yet, people still have their own children. And I will probably get flamed for that.
Edited by horsegirl 2018-08-23 10:02 AM
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I'm very big on getting your pets spayed or neuter, so there would be less in shelters or on streets or being dumped, to many unresponsible people out here. I love purebred's nothing wrong with wanting a purebred of any type, just be a responsible owner.
Get your pets spayed or neuter as soon as possible like yersterday. 
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2018-08-23 10:13 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | I adopt every time I get a dog and they're the best dogs ever. It doesn't take long or far to look to find a purebred heeler, aussie, Catahoula, corgi... you name it you can find them in shelters.... sadly they all came from breeders or careless backyard breeders who thought or said "they'd get good homes" I wonder how many dogs percentage wise end up in shelters nationwide because I know it's huge. especially in Oklahoma and Texas but Kansas isn't much better honestly.
I know most people think if they get a puppy they're getting a "blank slate" so to speak and this isn't true IMO, I know plenty of people who got a dog as a puppy and can't handle it and it's developed issues so they dump it. I have fosters hundreds of dogs and only ever had issue with one of them that's less than 1%. I wish there wasn't such stigma for rescues. it's hardly ever the dogs fault so they die for what a human did as people fear they won't be "perfect". | |
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Veteran
Posts: 124
| horsegirl - 2018-08-23 9:57 AM
I prefer a purebred dog like I prefer a registered horse. I have a better idea of health track record, an idea of the size they will mature to, etc. I purchased my current two Jack Russells 16 and 15 years ago from the same breeder.
I don't support puppy shops or breeders who make shady choices, but I do support a breeder breeding for the bettermenet of the breed who cares about her puppies. To each their own. I see this argument remarkably similar to the having children of your own vs. adoption situation. There are a ton of children without parents, yet, people still have their own children. And I will probably get flamed for that.
I'm glad to hear you support responsible breeders. That was important to us in choosing our Weimaraner.
My biggest issue is with these breeders cranking out mutts and labeling them stupid names like "labskies" or whatever just so they can make an easy $400 per litter and not spending any money on shots or worming.
My mission in life is to educate people on pet store puppies and where they come from. Puppy mills are just horrible.
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Veteran
Posts: 124
| Southtxponygirl - 2018-08-23 10:07 AM
I'm very big on getting your pets spayed or neuter, so there would be less in shelters or on streets or being dumped, to many unresponsible people out here. I love purebred's nothing wrong with wanting a purebred of any type, just be a responsible owner.
Get your pets spayed or neuter as soon as possible like yersterday.
So glad to hear you support spay and neuter! Accidental litters are also a big part of the problem when we're talking about over pet population.
We adopted all three of our kids (by choice, not necessity). And yes talk about another controversial topic! I could spend all day telling everyone about the misconceptions about adopting from foster care. I'll save that for another day :) | |
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Member
Posts: 37
| All my dogs are a gift from God. They either showed up at my house or were dumped out on the road. I fix all my pets, dogs or cats. I feel so bad for all the animals in the shelters, but we currently have 10 dogs, so I can't go adopt anymore. Well, maybe one more won't hurt. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | lilpeppy - 2018-08-23 10:43 AM
All my dogs are a gift from God. They either showed up at my house or were dumped out on the road. I fix all my pets, dogs or cats. I feel so bad for all the animals in the shelters, but we currently have 10 dogs, so I can't go adopt anymore. Well, maybe one more won't hurt.
What an amazing person and family you have! 10 dogs that would otherwise be dead, alone or homeless! | |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| It really depends on what we’re looking for.
We’ve talked about when we are down a couple dogs getting a good cattle dog - if we do, It will come from a breeder and go through training to be a good working dog.
If we are looking for a house dog or an outside dog we will check out shelters and rescues - sadly some of them take offense to the fact we live on a farm and don’t have a fenced yard and therefore won’t adopt to us. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1515
Location: Illinois | I prefer heelers and they are rarely in any of the shelters around me, and the heeler rescues in the state wouldn't let me adopt when I was looking because I had no fenced yard. So I purchased one from a more backyard type. Not registered, but I knew the parents and person and they are good farm dogs so I was comfortable purchasing. And they were just asking $100 for them, to cover the costs of raising them. She's 3 now and a unicorn. Super mellow, doesn't bother anything, enjoys people and never lets me leave her sight. She's never pottied in the house except for the back rug by the door as a puppy when someone probably wasn't there to let her out. She's never chewed anything up, if she's in the house she's usually asleep on the couch. Her and my house cat are the absolute best of friends, always together. If someone comes to the house she barks & warns, but that's the only time she ever makes noise. Loves other dogs & doesn't bother the horses too much. She's never nipped at anything like a normal heeler. I did have her spayed & sometimes I wish I hadn't so I could have a couple pups out of her, but I also don't want to bring more dogs into the world either.
If I were wanting something with known problems, like breeds with hip issues or something I would go the quality breeder route. If I just want another heeler I may get one from the same place or find another breeder, but I did try to adopt first and would at least look there first for something. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 124
| OhMax - 2018-08-23 11:19 AM
It really depends on what we’re looking for.
We’ve talked about when we are down a couple dogs getting a good cattle dog - if we do, It will come from a breeder and go through training to be a good working dog.
If we are looking for a house dog or an outside dog we will check out shelters and rescues - sadly some of them take offense to the fact we live on a farm and don’t have a fenced yard and therefore won’t adopt to us.
Unfortunately, I volunteered at a shelter in college that was way too picky. They turned away several potential homes who later just bought puppies instead of rescuing. I was turned away by two rescues in college when I wanted to adopt my dog of a specific breed because they had a policy where they didn't adopt to college students. I went on to buy a puppy from a breeder and still have him 10 years later! We looked into a rescue when we got our Weim and ran into the same problem as you.... we live in the country and don't have a fenced in yard. | |
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  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | I wanted a purebred Corgi that came with no health issues and was problem free, so I went to a breeder, a responsible breeder that I looked into and knew only had 1 or 2 females and raised them with her family.
Then for a lab, I tried rescues. Several. All gave me the run around and I was so freaking mad by the time I got screwed over (after passing all their tests) to find out when I drove 3 hrs to get the puppy, I "might" have to enter a bidding war if someone else wanted the same pup, that I went with another breeder.
I'll be honest, if I want a pet, I may go to the shelter as I have owned 3 shelter dogs, but otherwise I am done with rescues. They are a joke and I think only a small % actually have the pup's best interest in mind. | |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I have 6 dogs, 4 were rescues/found, bought my mini Aussie and the 6 th was just added -a Frenchton 1/2 bull dog 1/2 Boston Terrier. I have 8 cats, 3 house cats, one is a Scottish fold, the other 2 are kittens I bottles raised when the wild Moma absndoned them. The rest are barn cats and I just live trapped another this morning, at the vets right now getting fixed and shots. I do not feel bad purchasing a dog, I research and buy from a responsible breeder and I do not breed.
Edited by rodeomom3 2018-08-23 3:43 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | JLazyT_perf_horses - 2018-08-23 11:30 AM
I prefer heelers and they are rarely in any of the shelters around me, and the heeler rescues in the state wouldn't let me adopt when I was looking because I had no fenced yard. So I purchased one from a more backyard type. Not registered, but I knew the parents and person and they are good farm dogs so I was comfortable purchasing. And they were just asking $100 for them, to cover the costs of raising them. She's 3 now and a unicorn. Super mellow, doesn't bother anything, enjoys people and never lets me leave her sight. She's never pottied in the house except for the back rug by the door as a puppy when someone probably wasn't there to let her out. She's never chewed anything up, if she's in the house she's usually asleep on the couch. Her and my house cat are the absolute best of friends, always together. If someone comes to the house she barks & warns, but that's the only time she ever makes noise. Loves other dogs & doesn't bother the horses too much. She's never nipped at anything like a normal heeler. I did have her spayed & sometimes I wish I hadn't so I could have a couple pups out of her, but I also don't want to bring more dogs into the world either.
If I were wanting something with known problems, like breeds with hip issues or something I would go the quality breeder route. If I just want another heeler I may get one from the same place or find another breeder, but I did try to adopt first and would at least look there first for something.
I could help you find one.. any day of the week! If you check the fb pages Heeler inn from the shelter or Heelers for rehoming, you can find TONS all over the U.S. ALL rescues are super different, I help with one and we adopt out of state ALL the time and each application is on a case by case basis, we adopt to many homes without fenced yard as long as they can justify how they'll keep the dog safe and off the road. I can't begin to even save a fraction of all the heelers around where I live.. There's a cattle rescue in Michigan called Aucado and I know they have a ton too. or try petfinder.com or adoptapet.com
Good for you spaying her. There's definitely way way more than enough dogs in the world. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | wyoming barrel racer - 2018-08-23 1:33 PM
I wanted a purebred Corgi that came with no health issues and was problem free, so I went to a breeder, a responsible breeder that I looked into and knew only had 1 or 2 females and raised them with her family.
Then for a lab, I tried rescues. Several. All gave me the run around and I was so freaking mad by the time I got screwed over (after passing all their tests) to find out when I drove 3 hrs to get the puppy, I "might" have to enter a bidding war if someone else wanted the same pup, that I went with another breeder.
I'll be honest, if I want a pet, I may go to the shelter as I have owned 3 shelter dogs, but otherwise I am done with rescues. They are a joke and I think only a small % actually have the pup's best interest in mind.
that's too bad about your experience. Just remember every single rescue is different. I know some are way too picky but I know many that are wonderful. I was able to get my nephew a yellow lab pup from a high kill shelter in Texas this year. It's the best pup ever! It can be frustrating but I encourage you to try again in the future, maybe look up review and ratings. I hate when people have bad experiences but just wanted you to know each are so different.
I definitely have the best interest of dogs in mind. I drive thousands of miles each year, spend thousands of dollars of my own money and my whole life revolves around caring for rescue dogs. Getting them adopted is essential towards saving more. Our rescue has amazing reviews and we work with people. | |
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 I'm Cooler Offline
Posts: 6387
Location: Pacific Northwest | My family does both! We have purebreds and shelter dogs. Everything we own - dog or cat - is spayed and neutered. Even the barn cats get trapped and fixed.
I don’t have a problem with reputable breeders but I really can’t stand designer breeding...people combining two breeds and creating essentially a mutt that has no use other than it’s cute. I’m not talking about when people breed two different kinds of working dogs. I’m talking about like the Aussie x corgi trend. They’re adorable and I’m not trying to offend anyone who owns one, but almost $1,000 for something that is not even a real breed is just crazy in my opinion.
But, not my dogs, not my problem. To each their own. | |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | lilpeppy - 2018-08-23 10:43 AM All my dogs are a gift from God. They either showed up at my house or were dumped out on the road. I fix all my pets, dogs or cats. I feel so bad for all the animals in the shelters, but we currently have 10 dogs, so I can't go adopt anymore. Well, maybe one more won't hurt.
Same here all the Dogs that I have had always picked me it seems, the last two dashhounds I found were running down the middle of a highway going on 4 years ago this summer the older one was really old so took care of her untill this past july 5th I had to have her put to sleep with a heavy heart, I miss that old dog a whole lot she was blind but was a sweet old thing and the younger one I still have.. I either find them running down a highway or they come to me, lol thats ok someone's got to love these dogs.. The two dashhounds are such cute little dogs and who ever dumped them should be so ashamed of themselves. I wish I could find out who they were.. | |
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 Peecans
| I have both and will always have both.
I really prefer to know where my working dogs come from as I need very specific genetic traits and have strong preferences to the style of dog, and you can not access that without knowing its family history.
Our kids dog is from the same shelter we foster for, if a working breed dog came through there I would not be apposed to a trial but on the whole im pickier about my cattle dogs than horses to be very honest lol. | |
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 Independent Cuss
Posts: 3977
Location: Dearing, GA | I have had three Heinz 57 adopted dogs and two purebreds. My Aussies are purebred, and I LOVE them for their smarts and farm abilities, but do not plan to breed or buy again until these two go (They are super young still, one 2 years and the other 8 months). I do have plans to continue adopting as my budget allows. I don't prefer one over the other, I always match my personality to the dog and have never regretted it. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 127
Location: Nebraska | My first dog I got from a shelter. He was a fantastic dog, and if I could find another just like him I would. but he was one in a million. My second one is coming from a reputable breeder. I've been pretty persnickety in my search for a good breeder- my friends all think I'm too picky but I want to make sure I'm supporting good practices. This puppy has had health tested parents and is from proven show lines- he's going to a pet home because, while he fits the breed standard, he has a tiny white stripe on his back that is usually frowned upon in the conformation. He's being sold to me on a neuter contract with a 3-year genetic guarantee. | |
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