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?

@PyreneanAubrie apologies. I didn’t want to be patronising, just wanted to dispel the notion rescues are all problematic, you are of course at liberty to buy a puppy and that’s your choice entirely.

Rescues often have puppies. I volunteer at one.

It's fine. I've known of rescues that have worked out well. It's just I've had the same breed for 47 years and I just can't envisage having something else. If I had the space I'd consider a dog from the breed rescue; they do crop up occasionally, but as it is, with elderly cats in the house, I'm safer with a puppy.

I’d actually say firstly we should stop importing any dogs that are not coming over as part of a whole family move.

Secondary we need to openly and honestly admit that actually being put down isn’t the worst thing in the world for these dogs that are often left to rot in rescues. Not everyone wants a bloody a staffy / pit cross or a greyhound.

Its perfectly fine and actually should be the best way to get a dog is from a registered breeder who’s health testing. People should be getting dogs that they have researched and fits their life and the dogs interests not just well this is Ronnie and his ok with kids take him.

You need to stop the problem at the cause and its why are people abandoning their dogs at rescues and they mostly anit pedigree health tested dogs they of mutts purchased off a chap from the pub or a mate down the road.

@PyreneanAubrie I’ve had a puppy before - despite being a rescue enthusiast for similar reasons. There is nothing inherently wrong with buying puppies that are responsibly bred and have good homes to go to (IMO) but that’s probably something for a diff thread..!

We don’t live in a dictatorship. Perhaps random ‘rescue’ charities scooping up 1000’s of stray, untrained dogs with dubious medical backgrounds from abroad should be banned. Then maybe domestic rescue charities could reassess their criteria for homes adopting. It seems almost impossible so people go to breeders as they can train the pet from the get go. My area is full of reactive traumatised dogs who screech their way round the area for a walk as they are damaged in terms of socialising.

It is relevant to an extent, because as a lot of people on this thread are pointing out, it's about educating people to source puppies correctly. The majority of dogs in rescue are coming from backyard breeders or puppy farms either in the UK or abroad.

Having adopted more than 40 rescue dogs I can assure you that actually, the majority can be trained to live with cats and other dogs, they are not “broken” or “damaged” and they can safely live with children. IF and that is a big IF obviously, you are prepared to put the work in.
But what people do not seem to understand and this absolutely baffles me, is that you have to put the work in if you buy a puppy? You might “know its history” (sceptical about this because a lot of breeders lie) but you have to train it, socialise it, house train it, walk it, feed it, give it medical care. Oh and teach your children how to safely interact with it.

Rescue dogs are the same. Honestly I have adopted both puppies and adult dogs. Adult dogs are way easier in my experience. And no, I’ve never been bitten and whilst we have had the very occasional squabble, none of my dogs have ever bitten each other (or anyone or anything!) to the point where they need medical attention.

The opportunity to take a dog that has been let down by people and show it that hands can be kind and that the world will forever more be safe for them is an absolute joy and an enormous privilege.

I feel quite repellant about even officially reputable breeders tbh.

Pregnancy and birth is hard on a bitch. The post above saying their puppy was all fine because the breeder was only allowing the bitch to have three litters made me sad and angry. That is still someone profiteering from their dog, making it go through the misery three times to make them cash.

We are so entitled in this country. If we want a puppy of a certain size and shape and hair type then that is what we get.

Rescue dogs are still bred just often poorly and only for the cash.

Much rather a health checked, regularly seen the vet pedigree than a for some beer money bitch bred. Or because all dogs should have a litter once hehe types.

No. Firstly because it would be logistically impossible - we can't even clamp down on illegal puppy farming, how on earth would be implement the sort of system you're talking about?

The reasons rescues are full isn't because of responsible, ethical breeders, or responsible, ethical dog owners. It's because of puppy farm/backyard breeders, and ill informed, inexperienced or unprepared dog owners taking on dogs which they don't have the capacity to look after properly.

Tackling both of those things i.e. clamping down on irresponsible breeding and upping the standards required for dog ownership would be a much better starting point - and even then, difficult to achieve.

I own two dogs. One is a purebred working line, and one is a rescue street dog. Both are wonderful, but very different. One does not equate with the other, in terms of their needs, or what they add/contribute to my experience as a dog owner. They are not interchangeable.

My own beautiful, calm, placid dog who recently passed her Therapy Dog test had 6 puppies which were all taken off her at the time and put into shelter.

There are loads of great puppies in shelters. I’m not sure where people get the idea that there aren’t?

Breed type preferences often have little to do with appearance (beyond size, as people vary in strength).

Different breeds have different instincts and requirements, having been intensely artificially selected by humans to fill certain roles.

It's actually very important to think carefully about breed type (not necessarily purebred breeds, this includes crosses) before you commit to a dog.

Someone who can offer a good home to a Westie may be completely unequipped for a Border Collie.

Nobody should get just any old dog (and many should not have a dog at all).

I applied to a rescue , unfortunately as we both worked full time we were rejected .
Fast forward several years, my dog is currently asleep in my lap , He's been out with his amazing dog walker today so is tired .
He's loved beyond words, spoilt rotten , has the best of everything , food wise & vet care if needed , but unfortunately does spend several hours a week on his own due to me having to work.
But would I say he's happy ... well I certainly hope so .

Clearly we will never agree then.

I don't consider it "entitled" to want a dog that fits your lifestyle and suits your personality rather than one you can't adequately house or exercise just because it's what the rescue offers you.

People who choose the right dog to suit their lifestyle aren't the ones dumping their dog in rescue six months later because it's grown too big, isn't cute any more and the kids can't walk it.

My whole family has had rescue dogs with kids from very young. That’s at least 3 generations from the 70’s onwards. Not one incident or bite! Families use this as an excuse not to explore the rescue option further because many are used to having their idealised version of something. Also the lack of imagination, not all cockerpoo owners can have allergies!
The whole ‘well what if I want a puppy’ grates on me also, well, guess what, you can’t/shouldn’t always have what you want in life.
I agree with you OP, not sure if that’s exactly the right approach but I certainly think that there’s a case for banning all breeding except verified/certified breeders with a track record of decades of responsible breeding until the rescue centres can cope again!

You know you can wait until a dog of the right size and type turns up in rescue don’t you? You don’t have to have the first dog in the pen when you walk past? You do have to patient and open minded though.

When we got our last one there were loads of different breeds and types. Granted a few more of the classic badly managed big dogs but plenty of terriers, cross breeds, whippets etc.

Just what I thought too

Don't be patronising.

When I bought my puppy, my cousin started on the Adopt Don't Shop stuff so I asked her why she had chosen to reproduce instead of adopting her children.

😂😂😂😂

Yes never pick anything brand new for yourself based on your requirements.

Just always wait for someone else’s unwanted cast offs that ticks one or two boxes maybe.

These are animals we are considering, not crockery

Indeed to pick the right one not just a cast off because someone else was a poor owner.

Yes. They are animals. And I want to be able to pick the breed I love and that best suits my family and I. I don’t want a bull breed or a terrier or any dog that can’t be trusted with my cats.