To ask honestly where you got your dog from

[wowowwow]

Ours came from an ad on Pets4homes. Had no idea this wasn’t good. Dog has been fine though.

Mine was the same - something along the lines of gumtree.
He's absolutely perfect nearly 10 years on, but I'd not be that (young and) stupid again

An actual pet shop. He was literally in a cage in the window. Awful... he's 14 now and thankfully that pet shop is gone

A friend need3d to rehome their dog. Now she is all mine.

often, if you get a dog from an online ad, the pup you get might be fine, initially at least. The bit you don't see is that the pup's parents are farm breeding stock who live their entire shortened, miserable, lonely lives in a dark barn somewhere. Sometimes, if they're lucky, a rescue will get the opportunity to take the poor souls and try to give them some quality of life before they die, sometimes they die before they get the chance.

Whether it's from a farm or a 'greeder' hobbyist - you will be giving your money to someone who isn't a dog-lover and they will continue to exploit the dogs for cash.

That's why you should rescue. Somewhere in the UK, there will be the perfect dog or pup for you.

We got ours 15 years ago from a lovely lady who had one litter from her dog. We were on a waiting list with a registered breeder who wasn't expecting any litters for a while and she put us in touch. Lovely lady and we are still in touch now.

A breeder. I wanted a golden retriever. On MN you’re only supposed to get your dog from a rescue
My dog is a joy!

The gamekeeper of a stately home. Bil is a farmer and knows everyone.
He has been out to stud a couple of times too, but retired now (and neutered). He is fantastic, obedient, intelligent. Recall is great. He's from real working stock.

From an extremely carefully researched breeder. They vetted us as much as we them. We started down the rescue route, but our children are too small and rescues wouldn’t. I will get from a rescue next time.

When I was a child, my parents accidentally bought from a puppy farm (their first dog). So I was well aware of them and very, very careful.

Kennel Club registered breeder.

I specifically wanted a full show Labrador and we searched all over the UK for him.

When he goes, we will search again for a breeder through the kennel club as our breeder has now retired.

However if I had land and money I'd open my own rescue centre and have all the unwanted dogs.

First dog: rescue centre; second dog: friend who was a breeder; third dog: elderly lady who moved into a home that didn’t allow dogs; fourth dog: rescue; fifth dog: breeder after lots of research; last dog: breeder after lots of research. Last two as I had young children and wanted a specific dog. Still have them.

My neighbour.

Her bitch was having a litter and I bought one.

(Yes should say was kennel club registered, but we visited them beforehand - before we even got put on the list.)

Rescues won’t rehome to a lot of people.

I volunteer at a rescue kennel, so it's kind of inevitable I should have collected a couple along the way...!

Online ad but local registered breeder. We saw the mum and their other dogs. We visited three times before taking pup home. She is 3 now and has been an absolute delight.

A stranger I met for five minutes asked if I wanted her for free (really). I said ok. Dog was eleven at the time and is lovely.

Always a KC registered breeder.

What if you want a mongrel? Our family dog came from a friend's bitch who had pups. I wouldnt want a pure breed really. Not sure how to find a nice mutt now!

The older 2: the Blue Cross

The youngest: a (great) breeder

I think any future ones will be rehomed adults as I don't much fancy the puppy months again!

Greyhound rescue in the Scottish Borders.

Rescue, local one. He’s a bastard 😂

Separately from a friend and then a customer who couldn’t look after them anymore. They’re short faced “accessory” breeds so I avoid some judgement by telling people they are rescue dogs which they are, kind of.

What's wrong with Pah? I adopted my guinea pigs from there and they have been perfect

Both are from a local rescue charity that also rehomes cats, which we've also had from them.

I tend to be a little "why not?" about pets and the woman in charge of the charity knows this and emails me every so often with new arrivals and I text DH that we're getting a new cat/dog/lizard and he just rolls his eyes and shrugs.

What if you want a mongrel?

I know. My best dog was a real Heinz 57 and was an absolute sweetheart. The least trouble of any of our dogs. I'd have another like him again in a heartbeat...