Should everyone be forced to show they aren’t able to rescue a dog before they can buy a puppy?

[Coffeealwayshot]

Just that really

I see my local shelter is full again and saying they will need to euthanise if they can’t find homes.

Everyone I know (bar 2 or 3) who has a dog has bought from a breeder.

Im not rude enough to ask people if they considered a rescue. I know some say they were turned down but some that they just wanted a puppy or a specific breed.

So my question is as above?
I get we can’t say no breeding at all but should taking on a rescue be the only option for those who are suitable and reduce the breeding to just cater for those who can’t have a rescue dog?

Rescue dogs aren't always suitable as family pets, unfortunately.

Hence my question.

Should everyone be assessed to see if a rescue could be placed with them before they are permitted to buy a bred puppy?

If your setup is suitable for a rescue then a rescue you need to have if you want a dog

Tricky.
Whilst I get the principal I am allergic to many dogs and therefore need to stick to specific breeds.
Also I have dgc and would not get a ddog whose history was incomplete.

Perhaps those buying from breeders should have to pay a rescue tax to go to a local shelter.

What if you want a puppy?

You obviously haven’t seen how picky rescue charities are about who’s permitted to adopt a dog.

No, because rescues place ridiculous parameters. I agreed that everyone should TRY to rescue before buying, but I think it's unlikely...

It’s not just about your set up though, it’s about understanding the needs of a rescue dog and being able to accommodate these in terms of training, behavioural support etc. Not everyone has the time, skill or experience to rehome a rescue dog.

We wanted the experience of having a puppy, where we'd raise it and train it how we wanted to and knew it's full history.

Perhaps stricter controls on who is allowed to breed dogs would be better?

I am not sure how that would work. Rescue centres and breeders are not linked up and have nothing to do with each other.

No. There are legitimate reasons for buying puppies from reputable breeders. Rescue dogs aren’t suitable for everyone, and nobody is mandated to adopt.

Many many rescues say they won't rehome if there are children under 11 in the house or cats in the house.

I looked into it at one point.

That cuts out an awful lot if households.

First time dog owners should probably not have a rescue either. Ideally you do need an owner with dog experience.

I think it should be a carrot approach, as opposed to stick approach, when asking people to consider a rescue pet.

Should anyone trying for a baby also be asked to explain why they won't adopt?

Don’t be ridiculous.

It’s apparently impossible to have dog licenses, there’s absolutely no capacity for the kind of intrusive checks you’re talking about. Frankly I’d start by preventing anyone owning a dog that can’t pass a basic exam on dog welfare, prove they have somewhere suitable for it to live and can financially afford it - but it’ll never happen.

And why limit it to dogs - should you be allowed a sports horse foal if you could in fact cope with an ex-racehorse? How about asking if you should be allowed to buy a seven seat car if you only have two kids?

The most important consideration is that you, your home and lifestyle are a good fit with your dog. Better for someone to research carefully and choose a breed of dog whose needs they know they can meet, than take a chance on a rescue that might end up being returned, especially if they are a first time dog owner. Rescue dogs are better with experienced owners.

It’s not impossible for people to wait until a specific dog/breed/character etc comes into a rescue or try various rescues or wait for a better time in life etc.

Maybe if we want a dog we should be prepared to work with a rescue or be flexible about the type of dog.

Not all rescue dogs have no history. Not all of them are traumatised or untrained. Many rescues will state the dog is ok to be with other animals etc.

Maybe those wanting a dog should show a six month effort to engage with a few different rescues and prove why their household isn’t suitable and no rescue dog would work and then be allowed to buy a bred puppy.

We are such a cruel society to keep breeding dogs whilst we are full of unwanted dogs in kennels and some being euthanised.

I was about to ask if anyone considering IVF should be forced to adopt instead, but then thought it a similar draconian measure, and also a bit of a jump.

I wondered how long it'd be before dogs were compared with humans

I've grown up with dogs, fully WFH, have a secure garden and no young children in the house.

I have the time, willingness and money to sort proper training and dont necessarily want a puppy, but would prefer a younger dog.

Three rescue centres near me wont let me have a dog from them for reasons that they have not been able to explain, so what am I to do.

I know I don't "have" to have a dog, but why do I have to be forced towards risking buying from a puppy farm, and/or paying over the odds for a puppy when I would happily rescue.

Pretty horrible analogy

I always recommend getting a rescue dog but I don't use the big shelters we go through breed specific rescue charities (sight hounds). They Foster the dogs so get a more thorough assessment and match the dog to the family not the other way around.

But the dog has to be right for the family and some aren't suitable. I also find many people who want a puppy don't have a clue about the reality of looking after and training a puppy or the amount of work some breeds require.

Although mine needed some socialisation help and still has some rescue quirks (she's a food thief if given half the chance) I wouldn't change my skinny coach potatoes or watching her do zoomies for a puppy.

I'm all for rescuing but rescues often want experienced owners, and most people would get experience from having previously had a dog from a puppy, surely? At least that was the case for us. We had our older dog that we got from a breeder and then a few years later that 'qualified' us for a rescue. Not the case for all rescue dogs but I'd imagine most.

Absolutely this.

Who is going to perform this assessment? Who gets to decide?

Yes, there are too many dogs ending up in rescues. There are too many dogs adopted from abroad who are not suitable to be rehomed. You can allocate them to me all you like. I won’t be taking them.

My dogs ( one of whom is a rescue) are loved, trained, healthy and cared for. I managed that without oversight.

Nice idea however, many rescues aren’t suitable for a family home.

Having tried rescuing in the past, we were rejected due to having two children under 11, and also working. From home!

We are experienced dog owners. We now have two fantastic dogs - one was rehomed from a friend and other came from a reputable breeder. We provide a great home and lived for our dogs.

Also, and this is probably unpopular, but euthanasia isn't a cruel process in terms of how it's carried out, and might actually be a kinder option for some dogs, instead a potential unhapoy lifetime in kennels. Some dogs are just not re-homeable.