Title: Breeders vs. Rescue Adoptions - Which Method Is Better?
Author: Avrum Elmakis
Every year around the time of the Westminster Dog Show, the
debate of adopting dogs from shelters versus purchasing one
through a breeder is brought up. Each side has their argument,
but for somebody looking to bring a dog into their life for the
first time, it's a question that needs answering. Which way of
finding a dog is better? Rescue adoptions or breeders?
The first question that you have to ask yourself before even
considering to adopt a dog using either method is what kind of
dog do you want? This doesn't always mean which breed to you
want (though that can certainly help), but what kind of
temperament are you looking for in your dog. Are you looking for
a guard dog or one that will cuddle up next to you in bed at
night? Do you want a dog you can carry around in a bag or one
that small children can ride? With these things in mind, here
are the arguments for both the breeder and the rescue adoption.
Breeders
Breeders tend to get a bad reputation because of puppy mills
that have gained notoriety for turning out puppies en masse that
are often less than healthy. While a certified breeder is very
different from a puppy mill, looking into a breeder's
credentials is a crucial first step when looking to get a dog
from a breeder.
One advantage to going to a breeder is that they can give you
the dog that you're looking for, usually with documentation to
prove the health of the dog. If you're looking for a Boston
Terrier or a Poodle, you can find them at breeders that
specialize in these particular breeds, and you can even find
breeders that specialize in mixed breed dogs such as
Labradoodles (Labrador and Poodle) or Puggles (Pug and Beagle).
The dogs purchased through a breeder tend to have fewer
surprises for the new owner, and often come with guarantees to
their health and temperament.
The disadvantages to a breeder are the price (some dogs can
cost you more than $1000), and the chances of finding yourself
getting a dog not from a quality, licensed breeder but a puppy
mill, which is why it's imperative that you do your homework on
where you're getting the dog from.
Rescue Shelters
Rescue shelters are a great place to find a dog that's just
looking for a new home. That being said, there a few things to
keep in mind before you visit a rescue shelter to adopt a dog.
See if the shelter is sponsored by the state or county you live
in, is recognized by the SPCA, or is an independent shelter.
Those that are recognized by the SPCA and are sponsored by the
state or county tend to have stricter standards by which they
operate, and while many independent shelters are well run, there
are enough bad apples to cause concern.
Many shelters will show their dogs on their website, and this
is a great way to see what dogs they have available for
adoption, as well as find out what their fees and standards for
adoption are. While most shelters can't vouch for the bloodlines
of the dogs they have available for adoption, the better
shelters will spend time with the dogs to see if they're good
with children, other dogs, like a particular type of dog treats,
or have bad habits like chewing that will need to be curbed with
chews like bully sticks.
The downside to rescue shelters is that there are no guarantees
about the dog you'll be adopting. You may get a great dog that
somebody spent a lot of time with, is well trained, and is in
the shelter because it ran away or the previous owner couldn't
keep it, or you may get a dog that has been abused and had to be
taken away from its previous owner. While most shelters will
take a dog back if you discover a trait that you can't live with
(like being destructive or biting your small children), it can
still be a frustrating process for a first time dog owner.
So What's the Answer?
The answer is that there is no answer. While getting a dog from
a breeder or a rescue shelter has both pros and cons, the
decision ultimately comes down to what you want in a dog. If
you're looking for a purebred dog, a breeder is probably your
best option, whereas you're just looking to bring a dog into
your life without concern for the breed, then a rescue shelter
is the best way to go.
Whichever you choose, be sure to do your homework on the
breeder or shelter you're adopting from to make sure they are a
quality location so that you know the dog you're getting is one
that will be with you for years. Whichever you choose, you can
never go wrong by bringing a dog that needs a home into your
life and showering it with love and dog treats.
About The Author: Avrum Elmakis is the owner of Best Bully
Sticks, a leading provider of dog treats, bully sticks, antlerz,
Sam's Yams, and other dog chews and treats. They can be found
online at: http://www.bestbull
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