|
|
 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
   
Location: Arkansas | All of ours are rescues--1 found starving to death in the woods behind our house, 1 dumped at my parent's house when they flooded in '16 (starving and mangy) and a purebred Siberian Husky that the owner was taking to the shelter when we went and got him. Since 1989 all of mine and my parent's animals have been rescues/throwaways. Even had someone dump 5 in my yard--but they were kind enough to also leave half a bag of food and a tinfoil pan 
And there's NO reproducing around here!!!
Edited by Chandler's Mom 2018-08-23 7:48 PM
| |
| | |
Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
| 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.
This irritates the living CRAP out of me! Why in the world are some rescues like this?? I TOTALLY get that they want to find them good, forever homes, but this sounds crazy! | |
| | |
 Poor Cracker Girl
Posts: 12150
Location: Feeding mosquitos, FL | It depends on the dog. When I go looking for another heeler, I'll likely buy a puppy. It is so important to instill boundaries in high-drive herding breeds from day one and expose them to everything. I have high standards for the behaviour of my dogs and it's just easier when you can start from scratch.
For my husband's next dog, we'll probably adopt. He likes a dog to snuggle with and ride in the car and take hiking. That's pretty easy to find. IF we can find a shelter/rescue that will adopt to us. We've been turned down before. Heaven forbid you go to work for eight hours a day, live on the farm without a fenced yard and livestock, and don't agree to have the dog leashed at all times. Never mind that they'll have acres and acres to roam on, I install **** good recall on all my dogs, and they're practically guaranteed a spot in the bed next to my husband every night. #bitter   | |
| | |
 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Our past few dogs have come from what I call "do-gooders" lol! Not a breeder or a rescue, but just someone who found a litter of puppies dumped on the side of the road and rather than take them to the shelter they tried to find them all homes.
Unfortunately it happens a lot where I live, and I appreciate the people who go out of their way to help dogs that aren't even their responsibility.
We've had all kinds, strays/rescues/purebreds. They all make good pets. You end up loving every one of them. | |
| | |
 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | Four of my five dogs came from a shelter. I prefer older dogs so I can skip the puppy stage, and so I know about how big they'll be. I definitely have breed preferences, so I always look for a dog that is obviously at least half of that breed.
I don't even consider going through rescues. I feel like you have to jump through hoops with their super long applications and crazy adoption fees (I've seen $300-500 fees). I get that they have expenses, but I may as well get a purebred dog from a breeder if I'm shelling out that kind of money. I've seen rescues that will only let you look at certain dogs based on your application, require a home visit and then a trial, and then they reserve the right to show up at anytime to check on the dog and can take if back if they feel it's necessary. No thanks, once I have a dog, that's it, I don't want to have to answer to anyone about it. Not that I'm doing anything wrong, but if someone is having a bad day and they for whatever reason don't agree with what I'm doing, I don't want them to be able to confiscate my dog.
I don't have anything against people wanting purebred dogs even if they're just pets and not a "working" animal. | |
| | |
Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | DLV - 2018-08-23 3:25 PM
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.
There's a huge difference between a shelter and rescue. Shelters are run by the city/county and usually just want to rehome animals and don't have a ton of requirements. Rescues sometimes act like they're the end-all, be-all of dog saviors and no one can possibly care for a dog anywhere near as well as they can. | |
| | |
Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | TrackinBubba - 2018-08-24 8:32 AM It depends on the dog. When I go looking for another heeler, I'll likely buy a puppy. It is so important to instill boundaries in high-drive herding breeds from day one and expose them to everything. I have high standards for the behaviour of my dogs and it's just easier when you can start from scratch.
For my husband's next dog, we'll probably adopt. He likes a dog to snuggle with and ride in the car and take hiking. That's pretty easy to find. IF we can find a shelter/rescue that will adopt to us. We've been turned down before. Heaven forbid you go to work for eight hours a day, live on the farm without a fenced yard and livestock, and don't agree to have the dog leashed at all times. Never mind that they'll have acres and acres to roam on, I install **** good recall on all my dogs, and they're practically guaranteed a spot in the bed next to my husband every night. #bitter
Ha ha, right?? I can have all five of my dogs out and if they see a rabbit or something and go after it, I just have to whistle or holler and they stop and come back.
My sister's two German Shepherds on the other hand are holy terrors. They bark non-stop and have zero discipline. I can seriously be standing next to her having a conversation and they're barking their heads off at something and she compeltely ignores it. I just have to give them the death stare and they go hiding, lol. Anyways, if they get out of her yard, she literally has to chase them down, they have zero recall. It's so annoying. | |
| | |
  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | Gunner11 - 2018-08-24 10:00 AM DLV - 2018-08-23 3:25 PM 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. There's a huge difference between a shelter and rescue. Shelters are run by the city/county and usually just want to rehome animals and don't have a ton of requirements. Rescues sometimes act like they're the end-all, be-all of dog saviors and no one can possibly care for a dog anywhere near as well as they can.
and this is what I encountered. I have a friend from HS that rescues dogs and keeps them, trains them to rehome. She does a phenominal job and she has my full respect. If I have a critter here, it stays until it dies. She has the dogs best interest at heart and makes sure they go to homes that understand that particular breed.
With shelter and rescue dogs I do worry about all the genetic crap they can have, at least in purebreeds. It seems a mutt is like a grade horse. As sound as they come. But for some things a mix breed isn't always what we need. I like to hunt pheasants and wanted a lab that appeared to be as full lab as there is. It really limited it to a couple of pups in a 4 hr radius when I was looking at shelters. And then they wouldn't talk to you via phone. It all had to be done via email. And it took forever for them to respond and they would only answer about 2 of my 10 questions. Payment and pick up was some mysterious business and that is when I went to looking at their reviews to find that several people had to get in a bidding war when they went to the "1 day a month" adoption event. The pups already cost $150 and if I was going to end up paying much more than that, I would just get a purebred. I got my lab from a lady 2 hrs away and paid $350. The extra $150 for knowing his parents were clear of hip and eye issues was worth it. THAT is the problem with some rescues. They charge so stinking much for something that might be a mental case and have a ton of health issues.
With that said, I will always look in a shelter for a pet kind of dog. I have owned several and my first lab cross bird dog was from the Cheyenne WY shelter. Also the smartest dog I ever owned was a heeler/Kelpie cross from that shelter.
Edited by wyoming barrel racer 2018-08-24 11:43 AM
| |
| | |
Veteran
Posts: 225
Location: Montgomery TX | We have a purebred lab that is technically an "employee" of my husbands company, he's a hunting guide and our Brute does what he is bred to do. He minds better than most kids these days. However, when its not hunting season he follows me on trail rides, goes to barrel races, sleeps in the house and generally runs all the extra energy out of the kids. I honestly think we have the best of both worlds as far as working dog and family dog in him. But he definately knows when its time to work.
If we were looking for another working dog, then we would probably go with another from a reputable breeder, but if I was looking for a pet, I would look for one at a shelter or rescue that is a little older that is past the puppy stage. One that is finished growing so I know how big he/she is and whether or not it would fit our lifestyle. I do not want a puppy!! I have in the past, gotten a few older dogs from a rescue that just needed a good home for their final days. My mom fosters and does a lot for a rescue, so they may or may not bend the rules a little bit for me, but they know that their last days will be happy and comfortable with me. | |
| | |
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Duvall, WA | Well that depends on what you expect and want from your dog. I have been breeding Labradors for 35 years, and have some of the top show dogs in the world. At the same time I demand a very specific type of temperament from dogs in my breeding program because I want to enjoy living with them and appreciate the great puppy buyers I've developed over the years simply via reputation of producing nice dogs. I want my dogs biddable, calm, and to have no temperament extremes like nervousness, high energy, ANY aggression (they're Labradors) or spookiness. They need to be cleared of all the important genetic diseases via DNA or radiograph, show good working ability and fit the AKC written standard as closely as possible. None of this is easy, of course, and is a responsible breeder's life's work. We travel and read and learn from each other all the time. It is just like getting a barrel horse that is bred to the hilt, typically everything about it is a pleasure over and above the talent for running barrels.
If none of this matters to you, get your dog anywhere. But I agree with all of those who say how frustrating it is people these days are guilted into "rescuing" dogs that are homeless basically because some other person was totally irresponsible. And these days half the shelter dogs are imported from other countries! And I guarantee you none of my dogs have ever ended of in a shelter, they are expensive and are sold with binding contracts that they will always be returned to me should the owner be unable to care for them. And that has happened twice in 35 years. I love a beautiful dog. Pet people love a beautiful dog who is healthy and easy to live with and train to do what they want. To take that option off the table would be a shame.
 (Jesssnow.jpg)
 (GamblehdReich copy.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 Jesssnow.jpg (47KB - 191 downloads)
GamblehdReich copy.jpg (88KB - 199 downloads)
| |
| | |
Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | NipntuckLR - 2018-08-24 11:22 AM Well that depends on what you expect and want from your dog. I have been breeding Labradors for 35 years, and have some of the top show dogs in the world. At the same time I demand a very specific type of temperament from dogs in my breeding program because I want to enjoy living with them and appreciate the great puppy buyers I've developed over the years simply via reputation of producing nice dogs. I want my dogs biddable, calm, and to have no temperament extremes like nervousness, high energy, ANY aggression (they're Labradors) or spookiness. They need to be cleared of all the important genetic diseases via DNA or radiograph, show good working ability and fit the AKC written standard as closely as possible. None of this is easy, of course, and is a responsible breeder's life's work. We travel and read and learn from each other all the time. It is just like getting a barrel horse that is bred to the hilt, typically everything about it is a pleasure over and above the talent for running barrels. If none of this matters to you, get your dog anywhere. But I agree with all of those who say how frustrating it is people these days are guilted into "rescuing" dogs that are homeless basically because some other person was totally irresponsible. And these days half the shelter dogs are imported from other countries! And I guarantee you none of my dogs have ever ended of in a shelter, they are expensive and are sold with binding contracts that they will always be returned to me should the owner be unable to care for them. And that has happened twice in 35 years. I love a beautiful dog. Pet people love a beautiful dog who is healthy and easy to live with and train to do what they want. To take that option off the table would be a shame.
You have beautiful dogs! My friend that fosters, says most of the dogs she picks up at rescues to train and rehome have never been taught even simple obedience. She sticks with mainly bird dog breeds-German Shorthairs, Labs and sometimes others. They are wild and crazy, but after she is done with them they know all the basic commands and are something a person wouldn't mind having in their home. I am no dog trainer and even less a bird dog trainer. But I teach them all simple obedience from the minute I get them home. My previous 2 labs were all natural and I hope this new one is too. If not, they make excellent family dogs. | |
| | |
 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | I've gotten them, 'here, there & everywhere'. Picked up one at a team roping - she'd been left there when the fair went thru 3 wks earlier. She was the coolest mutt, we dearly loved her for many many years. Picked up another stray at a jackpot, she was the best watch dog, I was lucky enough to have her for lots of years. Had a couple that were dumped and living with the cows - started feeding them and gradually tamed them. My parents bought me a mini aussie that went everywhere with me for 14 years, I still cry when I think about that dog. I've had 3 other purebred aussies given to me because they needed to be rehomed because of circumstances. My parents have one and I currently have 1. I'll pick up dogs off the side of the road (there's a special place in hell for those that dump them). It seems like I never 'plan' to get another dog, but one shows up and I just have to keep them. | |
| | |
Veteran
Posts: 217
| Honestly, I'll more than likely never get a dog from a rescue/shelter. We tried from both and multiple locations when I was younger, and it was unbearable. I wanted a small dog and as soon as they heard rottweiler they pushed us away. We had a pond and that was the second no. Running loose on the farm and that was the final thing to deny us.
We bought a purebred German Shorthair. Never registered (she's black so couldn't show her anyways) and had her fixed. I'd love to have had one litter from her though. Natural bird stalking, rat/mole hunter, big boned, outrageously smart, not cracked out hyper all the time and she's really big for the breed (pushing 70 lbs and not fat). There can be a nest of baby rabbits, bring her over say no and point at the rabbits, say no again, she won't touch them ever.
We "rescued" a supposed shorthair from a co-worker two years ago. He gave me three copies of three different papers saying it was the dogs parents?? I still don't understand that part. This dog chases birds all day, won't gain weight well because of his running and has to be grain and gluten free, was hard to house break, was never taught a thing as a pup, can't be reprimanded because he simply doesn't understand it and he's sneaky. If he knows you're not outside, he'll try to sneak across the road (we tested this theory). He hasn't been fixed because he's already been hit by a car twice (once previous owner he got a broken leg, second time he just wasn't where we saw him last and it was more of a tap). He can't be tied up or he'll cut the circulation off his legs. He really is a sweet dog in the house, but will make me go grey early lol. | |
| | |
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Duvall, WA | Yep. and that is one of the big influences of a responsible breeder: I push hard that they enroll in puppy class. I also stay in touch, and do boarding. I like to see them back, and tell people if I see their dog is a brat at four months it's not too late, at eight months that dog will likely remain a brat. Early training is important, but an easy, biddable temperament is the biggest factor, IMO.
These puppies were sired by a dog from Poland we had standing at our kennel this spring.
Edited by NipntuckLR 2018-08-24 2:55 PM
 (DSC_1583 copy.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
DSC_1583 copy.jpg (96KB - 186 downloads)
| |
| | |
Expert
Posts: 1432
| Mine are rescues from either the Rez, where I live, or shelters.. | |
| | |
 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | We have 2 purebred dogs from good breeders and one mutt that was a rescue (he belongs to my son). I'm a genetics snob and dogs are no different than barrel horses in my mind--when I get a dog, I have a specific purpose I need them to fulfill and the right genetics give me a better chance they will end up being what I want. What I don't want is someone's ill bred AKC papered train wreck. I have never met an ethical breeder who wouldn't take back a dog that needed a new zipcode, so that tells me that the vast majority of rescue/shelter dogs were not from the type of program I want. I'm sure there is the occaional dog that was lost somehow and ends up in these places, but those are unicorns. | |
| | |
Regular
Posts: 89
| We have 2 one we got from the shelter b/c a friend of mine worked there and her time was up and she called me and said I needed to save her and I had just put down my jack Russell. I love the dog and take good care of her but she has lots and lots of issues... but I guess being a stray in my city is enough to give anyone issues. She is not allowed off a rope at all, not even in a fenced yard she's a runner lol I mean a hard and fast runner. We have taken her to obedience school, had trainers work with her she's just a runner. Our trainer said keep her on a rope, I hate it but it's all we can do to keep her safe.
Now my other little guy is a 2yr old heeler that we bought from a girl at a barrel race. Who actually does keep up with all her puppies:) he has a strong working drive and is the 2nd best dog I've ever own. stays right by you, you holler he comes running. We got him because we had to put down our heeler mix who dug up a yellow jacket nest. Would I get another one from the shelter? probably not after this one just because of her running issue I have never seen one so bad. I mean last saturday night we came in from the horseshow and she bolted so we're out looking for this dog at 1 am. | |
| | |
 Expert
Posts: 1611
Location: bring on the heat, NV | Well depends. A hunting dog or working cow dog for trials I'd say from a breeder. I generally only do puppies as we have cats, chickens, etc and its really hard to bring an older dog into that mix with out some real growing pains... Also my dog(s) tend to be great on the road but slighlty territorial out here at the ranch (hello watch dog ;) ) puppies are just easier to bring in and can be trained to our specifications. Rescues dont like how far out we live or that our dogs are more outside than in (I do have a fenced yard though). The ones that do generally fall in the you-get-what-you-get category with no temperment testing etc.... Cats I'll rescue in a heart beat. BUT I tend to get a lot of our kitties and dogs (over the years) from backyard folks. They generally have a high turn over to shelter rates unfortunately so I just catch it at the gate so to speak. Absolutely spay and neuter!! As well as chipping. I generally end up with a border collie or lately border collie/shag mix from local ranchers. | |
| | |
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Rescues are way to hard to deal with if you live on a farm/ranch. I have gotten dogs from the pound, my sister, who breeds nice quality Australian Shepards, and straight off the street. | |
| | |
My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | GLP - 2018-08-26 4:00 PM
Rescues are way to hard to deal with if you live on a farm/ranch. I have gotten dogs from the pound, my sister, who breeds nice quality Australian Shepards, and straight off the street.
When Chris and I first started dating, I tried to get a dog from the humane society--absolutely would not let us have one because it would be outside and he didn't have a fenced yard. All I could think was "how is it better to kill them rather than at least let them have a chance at life with an adoptee, even outside". . . . So all of ours except my first Husky have come from the roadside or been kindly dumped in our yards. | |
| |
| |
Folks on-line