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?

I looked at rescuing when I lost my old spaniel last year. I work from home, have several huge parks within a five minute drive and a forest/lake within a 10 minute walk. My ex husband and mum are on hand to cover any time I want to go out for more than a few hours. Experienced dog owner with no other pets or children at home.

But I was turned down for every dog I applied for. Why - because I live in a flat with no garden. Was never an issue with my old boy, we just went out several times a day for a walk. He had far more walks than most dogs who get a quick whizz round the block twice a day then are let out in the garden for a wee the rest of the day.

One rescue turned me down for a lovely little mongrel but offered me a huge crossbreed instead. When I pointed out that there was no way I had the space or experience for a dog of that size, they simply shrugged and said it was that or nothing. Needless to say I still don’t have a dog.

Dogs aside, perhaps everyone should have to buy "pre-loved" for everything they buy, rather than buying new:washing machines, TVs, cars, clothes, house decor, mobile phones...... you name it. It would save the planet, although it would trash world economy.

I wouldn't have a dog that's history I didn't know because I wouldn't want it to bite me/my child/anyone else

@wexone social services have been stripped to the extent that as a society we don't even take that good care of children. It's not going to happen for dogs.

I've had 2 rescues in the past. My 2nd and last one was a nightmare.

First one was from the RGT and 2nd was an older rescue dog from the breeder which was probably a mistake as no support with the immediate problems (dog bit dh within 5 mins of being home). Breeder ignored all emails and calls. Dog carried on attacking and biting and probably bit about 6 different people (and bit dh over 100x) in the next 2 years.

Would I have a rescue/older dog again? No. I'd have a puppy from a rescue but not a dog.

My cats would think so.

No. I understand why the rescue places have strict parameters however imo they are ridiculous and it's nigh on impossible to rehome a dog from one. Staff always seem to be determined to find a reason to not let you rather than work through stuff to make it happen.

Most rescues come with some baggage, some people want a puppy they can train from scratch etc, it's understandable. They also want to know background.

I don't understand why people are saying it won't work because they wouldn't qualify for a rescue.... under OPs theoretical scheme, in that case you'd be able to get a puppy wouldn't you?

I think it would be unworkable in practice sadly because I think the cost of admin would never be tolerated, and the ability to manage anything this connected up seems well beyond the UK gov...

For what it's worth, I'd be tempted to see it take taken further and have more stringent (or frankly any!) checks on those buying a puppy, more similar to what rescues do. So if you want a puppy you can train because you have kids, or other pets or whatever, fine. If it's because you live in a flat with no garden and work out of the house 40hrs a week with no plans to keep your dog company - you shouldn't be able to buy a puppy. If you have no inclination to do anything resembling training, you're not allowed a puppy. If you're yanking your poor trembling dog around by the neck like the arsewipe I saw outside waitrose yesterday, no puppy for you either. If you have a German shepherd but are not mobile enough to take it for more than a 10min walk 3 times a day like a woman in my village, no puppy for you.

There should be much higher expectation on all pet owners to think about whether their pet would have a decent quality of life. Yes, I know that people's circumstances change, but a lot of people just put their own desire for a fluffy companion above the needs of the animal.

Who is going to re-home an American bulldog / cane corso / lurcher of unknown origin.
I think most people would be worried about an American bulldog or a cane corso - but why a lurcher?

No, it does not sound good.
Because the neutered rescue lab has probably come from a backyard breeder/puppy farm not a top show kennel.
It's skewed logic that will encourage irresponsible overbreeding of pet dogs that have not been health checked whilst penalising responsible breeders who are largely not the ones causing the issues.

It wouldn't work because people who wanted a puppy would deliberately fail the rescue test. Given how hard it is to pass, it's going to be very easy to fail! What a waste of time and resources.
Not to mention the negative impact of forcing a choice on someone, taking on a rescue dog should be a positive thing for those who take on the challenge.

Your idea would work very well ... in a communist country.🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Look up 'Pissfingers'. I have known of so many rescue refusals. Need to be home all day, no children/grandchildren/small furries and 6ft fences required.

If people adopt from abroad, the results are very varied. Nervous dogs, untrained, can't be left etc.
Anyone following 'Sophie from Romania' will be familiar with the joys and difficulties.

Small furries. A lurcher will go after cats etc.

I'd be worried about any dog with an unknown background.
Maybe it's the size that concerns folk?
Maybe it's the thought they might be more likely to xhase cats etc?
Maybe they met one crazy lurcher?
Who knows?

Nope. We’ve had all our dogs from puppies and feel this has been better for our children (both when young and as teens) to bond with them. All of them have been loving, responsive and had gorgeous temperaments precisely because they have been raised by us. They have all been incredible with neighbours children and the ones I childminded for a few years.

As I am get older I may consider a rescue for the one if I can be 100% sure it does not come with behaviour issues that would make it an issue with current dogs or with the neighbours.

I actually think people should have to prove they have the facilities/time/funds to take care of any dog - rescue or puppy - before they are allowed to have one. I’d personally like to see the return of dog licences and very hefty fines for not having them, along with custodial sentences for animal cruelty and neglect.

Shelters are usually full of dangerous breeds that should simply be put down.

I’ve rescued and fostered - 12 dogs over many years. I’m concerned about the growing numbers of dogs in rescue, often aged 7-17 months. I ‘ve volunteered for a specific breed rescue for 12 years and like every other charity I know of, we are being asked to take dogs with resource guarding, reactivity, not house trained etc whose owners realise they can’t meet the dogs needs. These were much wanted puppies but sadly owners hadn’t realised how much work goes into rearing a pup and helping it become a happy confident young dog.

there are good reading rescues want well fenced gardens, no very young chikdren etc. Their experience is dogs get rejected -again and become very difficult to successfully rehome. Some dogs fro Romania etc do ok, many many just don’t. Transition from street dog to domestic pet not always successful

if we were going to go all Stalinist on dog ownership I wouldn’t start by insisting everyone be forced to apply to rescue - crazy idea. I’d start by expecting prospective owners to attend several group training exercises where the reality of getting a pup/dog can be spelled out. I’d have stooge dogs for them to handle. My boisterous young lab wiukd out many off 🐕

We’ve had rescues in the past but now show a specific breed so rescues aren’t an option.

@Killingoffmyflowersonebyone - @SunQueen24 didn't say she can't keep up with her husky - she says she can't play like a husky - that sounds very different to me.

@Abi86 - I'm going to ask you what I asked @Coffeealwayshot (without getting an answer) - if people have to have a rescue dog, and cannot have a puppy first, how are they going to learn the skills they may well need, in order to cope with a dog that has behavioural issues/anxieties/other problems?

As I said in my previous post, our first dog was a puppy (from a reputable, KC registered breeder), and without the skills we learned, and the confidence we gained from owning her, I would not have felt I had the necessary knowledge or skills to take on a potentially difficult rescue dog.

Since then we have had two rescue dogs - one from the Dogs Trust, and one from Cyprus, and have rehomed a dog whose owner couldn't give her the life she felt the dog deserved, so gave her to us (she knew us and our dogs, and that we would love, cherish and care for her dog just as much as she did).

It is very probable that we will have more rescue dogs in the future - but if we had had to have rescue dogs from the start, we probably would never have had dogs, and (to date) three dogs would not have had a secure, loving home with us.

rubbish.

Evidence for that statement, @Abi86? And an answer for me?

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius "if people have to have a rescue dog, and cannot have a puppy first, how are they going to learn the skills they may well need, in order to cope with a dog that has behavioural issues/anxieties/other problems?"

I'm not going to profess to be an expert in the intricacies of dog shelters, but I have an association with one. Firstly, you do know shelters rehome puppies? Secondly, the premise that dogs in shelters are universally damaged or eternally angry seems to be a common trope here. Some dogs may be, just as some puppy farms would produce aberrant behavioured dogs. Each dog should be carefully selected on their specific merits. Many dog shelters allow for fostering. Something not discussed here.

i strongly advocate ricky Gervais view on rehomed dogs.

@Coffeealwayshot
I don't think you've actually said whether you have a rescue dog yourself...
Do you have a dog?

I ask because one thing we've noticed this year is an increase in people telling us we should have got a rescue instead of buying our puppy from a breeder. The weird thing is that none of the people (family members, friend, neighbour) who voice this opinion has ever actually had a dog of any sort...

I didn’t make the claim. Until evidence of the claim is provided, its conjecture or speculation…or rubbish.