Rescue or breeder?

Rescue dog every time for me. A reputable centre will match the dog to the prospective owner. I have three dogs two are rescues. The eldest one is now 13 and we have had him from three months. He is a laid back delight. Our latest rescue is a Yorkie /Fox Terrier cross
who was so cruelly treated by gypsies. She is the kindest, gentlest little dog you could wish for. Some people say that the harder a life your dog has had initially the more they will love you. Talk to a reputable centre, you will not regret it.

We bought a puppy from a breeder for the reason you mention. He has grown into a delightful companion BUT we were both energetic and fit because the training was hard work and required a lot of commitment from us. Our dedication has paid off in now having a very well behaved dog who is a pleasure to take anywhere, but if I was older and not so energetic I would go to a good rescue place that takes trouble to find you a dog who is the right match for what you want.

Rescue dog every time.

We adopted Mya (aged 4) from local dog rescue centre 7 months ago.

They ensured Mya and us were well suited and our home too. She is a mix of collie, husky and german shepherd.

Just enjoyed a 2 hour walk with her. She's needed a lot of training but she's so intelligent and super super affectionate.

Meant to say that Mya had been kept in a small garden, tied up alot and we suspect kicked. She'd growl when DH (with his work boots on) walked up to her.

She was taken in with a very bad ear infection but the centre kept her there until she was fit. They will know most of the dog's problems/ issues. They would not let you adopt unless they were sure you'd enjoy giving the dog a new and better life.

We're both 70 and Mya now can't wait for DH to appear around the corner. He's always got a treat in his pocket.

Definitely rescue, but from a reputable place.

Here in Devon there is a centre that specialises in dogs rescued from Spain.

They spend quite a long time at the centre, so that they can be assessed for suitability with regard to the sort of home they would be best suited to (do they get on with other dogs/cats/children etc)just

A friend has 2 dogs from there, along with 6 year old twins and a rescue cat!

PS The twins (children) didn't come from the rescue centre

Phoenix that made me laugh

Hilarious phoenix! I'd say a rescue centre should be your first port of call. Why encourage (even responsible) breeders when there are so many homeless dogs?

Another way to think about it is that a dog's character can change as they mature. They can be two years old before they show some traits.

Then, the puppy stage, although delightful, can include ruined (chewed) furniture (door frames and stairs too here), wet carpets and little accidents. It was quite a trial rushing outside when my present dog was being house trained. She also had digestive problems and vomited yellow bile every morning! Replacing flooring cost a fortune!

As the author Jilly Cooper says, 'You will never be loved as much as you will by a dog you have rescued.'

Another one on the side of rescue. A good centre will spend time to match the correct dog with you. Be honest with them about your expectations and commitment and you will get a friend for life. Here is my rescue staffy she is a beautiful dog with a great personality, she is a fun loving dog and still in training 6 years on, they are an ongoing commitment either rescue or breeder.

Always a rescue for me. We have had three Great Danes, first from a breeder, she had stomach problems all her life which made her a bit of an awkward character. When had to be pts we got Millie a big black girl who was a rescue after the new partner arrived with two smaller dogs who ganged up on her. She was a wonderful companion for seven and a half years. After her came Abby who was another black girl who had been dumped in Aberdeen. She was about two when we got her and she gave us nine and a half years of utter devotion. There are so many lovely dogs there who need a second chance. Make sure its a reputable rescue and not one of those "pre-loved" dog sites.

Rescue dogs for me every time

A rescue dog from a reputable place but perhaps one that is not too old.

We have friends who had huge problems with an older rescue dog.
DD's have always been fine as they were younger rescue dogs or puppies, the last one was 6 months old at the time and very loving.

I've rescued and fostered for over 40 years and never had a problem with any of the dogs. They all arrive with their own anxieties, never had one who'd been well cared for, or given even the most basic training. Our last rescue was skin and bones, despite having been in our local dog shelter for six weeks. He had awful gastric problems, the vet thought he may have had untreated Parvo and would never be entirely healthy. Once he relaxed, stopped being terrified and stealing any food he could get his paws on, we were gradually able to introduce a normal diet. He gave us 15 very happy years.
If you are going to rescue, my advice would be to go to a rescue that places dogs in foster homes, rather than a shelter, if you can find one. I volunteer for a specific breed charity. Our dogs go into foster homes for a minimum of two weeks, I've had them as long as 12 weeks if it's a dog/bitch who has to be spayed or castrated before being adopted. The foster carers can assess the dog and hope to match that dog with people best able to meet the dogs needs.
We have four very young grandchildren and didn't feel bringing a rescue in to a home where children visit but don't live here was right for the children or the dog. I bought my current youngest dog at nine months old. She'd been kept by the breeder as a potential show champ but that didn't work out. The pup had been well loved and cared for, mixed with other dogs and their own grandchildren so we could be confident about temperament.
If you decide to buy, please research and find a registered breeder. There's a website called Champ where good breeders are registered.
I know some people are totally opposed to any dog breeding and I believe it should be much more regulated to avoid puppy farms.

Thanks all very useful comments. I've always believed that I would adopt a rescue dog, it does go against my principles buying one, and I would rather an adult dog to a puppy. Now I will have to convince DH!

As everyone says, make sure it’s a reputable rescue centre. Some just want the dog gone and the fee, probably so they can afford to keep going, but they lack expert knowledge.

well I just love Shelties.. can`t afford to buy one now, never found any rescue...

btw... no guaranteed on "behaviour" etc whether rescue of breeder bought.... we never know what our precious pets will develop into

similarly adoption and our birth (?) our natural born child(?) could turn out much worse than an adopted child..

just saying

We have rescued and have now pets from breeders quite frankly as long as you do your homework both will be fine

Rescue dog. Visit the DogsTrust -they also have puppies

Definitely rescue. I no longer have a dog due to health issues but have always been thrilled with my previous rescue dogs. Should you decide to go the breeder route anyway then I would suggest that you visit The Kennel Club site which will give you a list of registered breeders for any breed you choose. This will avoid the possibility of ending up with a dog from a puppy farm.

Have you considered fostering for a local rescue or for the Cinnamon Trust?
The dogs coming to the Cinnamon Trust are beloved pets whose owners can no longer care for them due to severe poor health or infirmity, or owners have died. The dogs ( or cats! ) can be of any age, not necessarily old themselves.

I am a volunteer with a local animal charity and would urge EVERYONE to consider - and legally formalise - what would happen to your pet if you were no longer to care for them properly or what would happen to them when you die. My charity gets so many calls after a funeral: 'grandma had a cat, what do we do with it?' NEVER assume that family members will look after your pet if something happens to you ( hospital/care home/ death.) An animal is YOUR responsibility, no-one else, and YOU should make proper provision for them for the rest of THEIR lives, not just yours.

My little dog dies in August from Dementia,she wsn't exactly a rescue but i did rehome her from a couple who said they were going to put her to sleep,she was a wonderful dog
If i decide to get another dog it will be a rescue, but must be ok with cats,
If you decide to recue as others have said,go to a reputable rescue,
My sister got a lovely little dog from local to her rescue within a couple of months he ripped her skin off her hand to the bone,for no apparent reason,she was only stroking him,
She reluctantly returned him, very upset,but when she rang 3 days later to aplogise again and asked after him he had already been rehomed again,poor little dog, and obviously no checking to see why he did this

Died

Another vote for a rescue dog. My little lady and I have been together 8 months now, she had been in kennels for over a year due to her age - approx. 8 - 9. Initially she had a stomach upset for the first week at home here, but now she is the most loving affectionate dog I could wish for. Be aware though, of doing certain actions that the new dog may react to - I remember I was opening a gate to a field, and her lead got caught round my legs, I lifted my leg to extract myself and she flattened herself to the floor, leading me to believe she could have been kicked in a previous situation. Also, once I grabbed her collar, and again the ears went flat to her head, and she again flattened herself to the floor. It will just take time and patience, as these situations will not show themselves until you (unknowingly) make certain actions.

ALL my animals have been rescue. I have never had a bad dog or cat. Animals respond to kindness & if you give them that is spades they will be fine.
I know a badly treated animal may have 'issues' but a good rescue centre will have dealt with that before homing them.
When I saw the list of things that one of our beloved cats had wrong with him when he was brought to the rescue centre I wept- how anyone can treat an animal like that I do not know.-I can't tell you as it would upset me again to list them.
Now he is a handsome much loved cat in fantastic condition & so loving & affectionate- he knows he has landed on his feet here.
One of our dogs had been badly treated too- but not as badly as this cat- she lived to be 18 &never gave us a minutes trouble. She was a wonderful dog & we adored her. I miss her every day but not ready to get another just yet.
We just have 4 cats at the moment- all rescued & all so much loved- let's be honest the household revolves around them!