To ask you to read this before buying a puppy?

[hibbledibble]

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/01/rescue-me-why-britains-beautiful-lockdown-pets-are-being-abandoned

I warned of the dangers of the huge demand for puppies over the lockdowns, and many told me I was wrong.

Here it is from the horse's mouth: all those cute puppies are being abandoned now they are stubborn adolescents.

Rescues are currently brimming at the seams: if you are looking for a dog or other pet, please look there first (and don't limit yourself to a puppy)

These threads are so annoying. We're another family with a lockdown puppy because no rescue would consider us with a 10 year old and a cat. I'm glad actually, our girl is wonderful and we have been able to train her since day one. I would do the same again next time without bothering to try and rescue.

**meant lightheartedly

We got a dog with realistic expectations of how much she would cost financially and responsibility wise. She got parvo as a pup, spent 4 nights in the animal hospital and now has allergies which require a special diet and additional treatment for flare ups. Our budget for her care increased and she's high maintenance but I'd rather have her than an annual holiday anyway. It amazes me how many people don't insure their dog(s).

@GodIsAVegan

Another was no because my husband works away a lot.

Again, I don’t know of any rescues that would say no due to this. Which rescues are you talking about?

The big ones, including 2 sets of RSPCA.

Two very local ones, mainly because of issues they'd had homing other dogs in this market town.

And 3 or 4 specific dog breed ones, Spanish rescue etc.

We lived in 3 houses with large, well secured gardens and got a range of too isolated, not home all of the time, husband away, no experience with the breeds we have 'becauses'.

One was a flat out no because the man vetting us couldn't find the house and his phone had no signal. So he drove away without making any further attempt at contact.

I'm not making it up. It has been ludicrous. Hence the decision to buy a puppy, who is now 3 years old and has just popped himself into his crate because we are about to eat our tea!

That’s fair enough but in that case, don’t slate families for buying a puppy. You can’t have it both ways!

The issue is that often people buy a puppy from breeders in it for the money. There are some extremely bad ‘breeders’. They’ll sell to anyone who has the cash. So whilst your puppy will go to a loving home, the others in the litter may not. They may be ill treated or eventually end up in a rescue with issues making homing difficult. The dogs used for breeding are often treated badly and got rid of once they’re no longer any use, again ending up in rescues. It’s heartbreaking. Unfortunately, many people buying puppies from these ‘breeders’ are often indirectly causing suffering to other dogs.

@lynntheyresexpeople

You can't rescue any animal now unless you live away from a main road, with 30000 acres of land, no children, no other pets, wfh or not at all and have a degree in animal psychology. It's frankly ridiculous- that's why rescues are overflowing.

The most pointless "I told you so" thread ever.

This, 100%

And many of us do our homework and vet the breeder, walk away if the breeder does not vet us, etc.

More education is needed at point of contact. But there is also a need for greater transparency from the centres about the reasons for their refusals.

Ours was not from a rescue and bought long before covid because I am sahm, if I had been working I would have said no to a dog.

Criticise the big rescues by all means with their paid staff.

But my small breed specific rescue is entirely volunteer run. Whining will get you nowhere.

HoardingSamphireSaurus

I’m not saying you are making it up. But in general the main rules I’ve commonly seen are, must have secure garden, no young children and the dog mustn’t be left for long periods. They’re usually fine with daycare, walkers etc once the dog has settled. We have had people argue with us when they’ve been refused based on them telling us the dog will be fine being left for 6 hours or the dog will be in a crate whilst they’re at work.

I need to over feed ddog before I read the article. Who I have owned from puppy for 7 years so not even a lockdown pet!!

When we lived in the uk we tried to adopt a dog. They gave us ridiculous reasons why we arent suitable to own a dog.. we already had a dog at that time and were looking for a second (similar age/size etc). We ended up adopting from abroad in the end because we didnt want to support backyard breeders, but that would probably have been our last option 🤷🏻‍♀️

The reasons i remember were:

• We were too young and not responsible enough (early 20s)
• we couldnt possibly afford a high vet bill if it came to it because we were still studying
• we would probably travel after studies and get rid of the dog again
• we didnt have a house with a garden

We still have both our dogs now 15 years later.

@GodIsAVegan

That’s fair enough but in that case, don’t slate families for buying a puppy. You can’t have it both ways!

The issue is that often people buy a puppy from breeders in it for the money. There are some extremely bad ‘breeders’. They’ll sell to anyone who has the cash. So whilst your puppy will go to a loving home, the others in the litter may not. They may be ill treated or eventually end up in a rescue with issues making homing difficult. The dogs used for breeding are often treated badly and got rid of once they’re no longer any use, again ending up in rescues. It’s heartbreaking. Unfortunately, many people buying puppies from these ‘breeders’ are often indirectly causing suffering to other dogs.

Then warn people off bad breeders. Don't tell people to adopt instead of buy like it's an equal choice between the two. Again this isn't directed at you personally but more of the narrative created by rescue centres

@GodIsAVegan and also related to articles like the one in the OP
I have seen lots.. all saying rescues overflowing etc please adopt

Tbh, if I had known 4 years ago that we would never meet the required standard for a rescue animal, we would have bought a puppy then and had the pleasure of a dog for a lot longer.
As it is, we got a Westie pup in January. Perfect in every way.

Then warn people off bad breeders.
Don't tell people to adopt instead of buy like it's an equal choice between the two.
Again this isn't directed at you personally but more of the narrative created by rescue centres

There’s lots of info out there warning people of irresponsible breeders. Theres laws to try and stop it. People are constantly campaigning to improve things and get better welfare laws. There’s just so many irresponsible breeders though and people want a dog so it’s really hard. Irresponsible breeders lie about how/where their dogs are kept and aren’t going to admit to bad practice. And lots of people get so caught up in the ‘I want a cute puppy’ thing, that they’re not thinking about the wider issues. That’s why the message from so many is ‘adopt don’t shop’.

I think we all have a responsibility to make sure animals have good lives and if that means we don’t get to personally have a dog, because our circumstances make us unsuitable for rescue and breeding causes indirect suffering to other dogs, then we should accept that. But people won’t, because they put their own wants above anything else. I’m sympathetic because I really love dogs and I’d hate to not have my own but sometimes people need to accept that it’s not the right thing to do.

@Minceandonions

We want a second dog next year. We've been dog owners for 11 years. We will be buying a puppy for two reasons:

• We want a specific breed, based on our research into, and experience of, the exercise requirements and personality types of different breeds. This breed is rarely available in rescue centres.
• It's imperative that the dog we choose works with our lifestyle and alongside our current dog. So we need a 'blank slate' that we can mould to our requirements - not a dog with psychological damage or separation anxiety.

It's THIS kind of planning and thought that prevents dogs from being rehomed in the first place. Millions of idiots got puppies they couldn't commit to last year, but it's not the responsibility of other, more responsible, dog owners to fix that problem for them.

Exactly this

I've got two rescue dogs from abroad. I wanted proper heinz 57 dogs like you used to get in this country. It was the right decision for us but next time I would buy a pedigree puppy from a reputable breeder. Rescue dogs can come with a whole raft of issues so will try something different if there is a next time.

Not interested in wrangling with UK rehoming centres - plus in most cases its not a rescue in the true sense of the word, and we wanted to give a home to a dog that had no chance of a decent life otherwise.

If you want a staffy x, a greyhound, a lurcher, some sort of terrier, a husky or a German Shepherd x, have no kids, no other pets, don’t work, have a 6ft fenced garden, and have no real preference on age/sex and don’t mind behavioural problems then the adoption world is your oyster.

However, most people get a dog for themselves not to do something altruistic at the expense of what they want.
To enhance their lives, to give them enjoyment. And often they want to choose the breed that suits their lifestyle, have one they can leave for a bit, have around their kids in relative safety.

I think the lockdown influx of dogs into rescue is a myth, personally. I look online at The Dogs Trust periodically and I don’t see any of the millions of cockapoos on there that I know people bought, or French Bulldogs, or any golden retrievers, or purebred labs. They’re just not there.

I know lots of people who have adopted from rescues, without difficulty, or indeed big gardens. Rescues will work with adopters to find a dog that's right for them.

The retired greyhound trust, for example, will also rehome to families with children.

I just looked at the Dogs Trust rehoming again, there’s a lovely looking Golden Retriever boy, 5-7 years old so not a lockdown puppy, looks lovely. I thought I was about to be proved wrong until I read his write-up.

Must be muzzled outside the home and at the vets.
Must not live in an open plan house.
Must be in a house with no children and minimal visitors.
Must have his own room to go in if other people are in the house.
May have to stay on lifelong medication for his behaviour.
Must have a secure garden, presumably in case he escapes and mauls someone.

I feel very, very sorry for him, but who would want him in their house?

And I guarantee that every single one of that poor dogs issues have been caused by twatty owners.

Rescues are currently brimming at the seams

Yet Dogs' Trust only have 14 dogs in the whole of the UK that can live with cats, according to the search I have just done.

I’m tired of the rescue v puppy preaching. Some people, including myself, meticulously research a breed to make sure that it is the right temperament, guarding instinct, trainability, friendliness, size, independence, energy levels, shedding, health etc etc etc etc levels before then carefully researching a breeder, making multiple visits, seeing health check certifications, waiting six months, visiting the puppies and then finally taking one home.

It is NOT as clear as buying a random dog from gumtree versus choosing a poor unloved rescue dog.

My job means other people’s children visit my home. I can’t just adopt a dog without a full knowledge of its history.

I tried to rescue six dogs and was turned down. Really getting irritated now by the sanctimonious posting about getting a rescue. A rescue with an unknown background or mixed non-pedigree traits is NOT for everyone.

Part of the issue is people going on looks and coming home with a springer or springer mix, for example that they have absolutely no idea how to occupy.

Rather than ‘adopt don’t shop’ sermons, how about ‘buy ONLY from a reputable breeder who will ask the right questions and check you’ve done your research and are the right fit.’ Not as catchy, I suppose.

@JayAlfredPrufrock I don’t disagree at all.
I’m sure he didn’t start off like that, or maybe he did and he’s just a really badly bred Golden who is genetically predisposed to nervous aggression. But who is going to want him?

My point is, I don’t think the narrative should be ‘adopt don’t shop’.
It should be more like, consider of having a dog is right for you and the dog, research it properly then get an appropriate breed for your lifestyle and experience. Whether that’s through a rescue, or by buying a well bred puppy from two fully health tested parents of good temperament and soundness and from a carefully researched and reputable breeder.
But that’s not as catchy as ‘adopt don’t shop’.