Puppy or Rescue Dog

[activate]

which?

Not if you give me your address he won't be mulled! Oh, I could run away with him! :o

My rescue babes are on my profile pics too.

sorry val can't see your pics..

rescues have puppies too ! and there are breed-sppecific rescues, contactable via the breed club

although i don't agree that every breeder is in it for money - i do think the huge majority of people that buy puppies could equally have homed a rescue and saved that dogs life in doing so.

You can't see my pics because I'm a fool SeaGreen! I thought that as they are visable under the name of Vallhala they'd be visable under my Christmas name too.

D'oh!

They are now though if you want to try again. :)

nope.. sorry your profile isn't clicky..
no luck!

Always rescue, they have puppies too like others have said. Personally I'm always drawn to the mankiest oldest looking animal

Works now! :)

My rescue hound's on my profile (which I think is clickable!) She's gorgeous, gentle and just blinkin' brilliant!

Go rescue dogs!

I have had a nosey at some lovely dog photos. So many smiling dogs you have!

(Also lovely children and attractive cats)

Yep, some very photogenic pooches indeed!

BTW, my cats, rabbits, guineapigs and hamsters are all rescues too (Battersea, RSPCA and local small one-man-band rescue place). There's no reason to go to a breeder for any furry friend. :)

(My rescue dog loves chomping on dd1s high heels. Luckily she never spends more than a fiver on shoes!)

i have already given my opinion that i think you should try to rescue a dog. but would just like to point out that not all breeders are just in it for the money like pastaplease stated. And I'm sure tehr would eb one or two on here that would be very offended to be told that they were.

what gorgeous dogs, val and OKComputer !!
i love the pic of your two smiling val.
and okcomp your moggies are so very handsome too.

[emerges from haze of dogginess]

I have had "rehomed" dogs in the past and have been very lucky and got wonderful dogs, but a while back I got one from the RSPCA and they said it was great with kids, great with other dogs etc. We had her just under a week as she attacked my son and also snarled and growled at my daughter. I informed the centre and they took her back. A couple of weeks later she was advertised in the local paper, again it said she was good with kids, but not good with other dogs. I don't trust the RSPCA particularly after that.
I now have a puppy, albeit a rehomed puppy (owner's dp was allergic to the dog) and it's hard work, but at least I know we can train him how we want him to behave, know he has no history of aggression etc.

Aunty, it's okay. Other rescues don't trust the RSPCA either! Normally it's because of the way they treat their dogs rather than prospective or adoptive owners. IME they tend to be on the over-cautious side when rehoming to families which is why I generally suggest to those with young children that they check out the policies of and approach smaller, independent rescues, who will often go on a case by case basis and not have a blanket policy on such matters as bigger rescue tends to.

The Blue Cross was very thorough when we re-homed our dog. Having a toddler (and many other animals)was posing an issue for many rescue centres, so they met with the whole family twice, were very realistic in their approach, and found us the perfect dog. She loves being part of the family. Well, it wouldn't be our family without her.

Our dog has an issue with re-call (when she's out on a scent she's too distracted to come back), but The Blue Cross behaviourists have spent hours with us, at our request, over the past few months (free of charge - all part of the service) helping us to work with her. This would have cost us a small fortune if we'd gone to a breeder and then a private behaviourist of this calibre.

Of course, I'd always advise to check-out a local independent rescue. Whereabouts are you, OP? I know a few very good ones, although Vallhala will know more than me, I'm sure.

My doggy was a rescue and we're currently looking for another rescue dog. There is only one rescue centre locally that will rehome with young children so it will take a while for the right dog to come up. I ethically couldn't choose a dog from a breeder when there are so many dogs already in rescue centres. Gables Farm is a brilliant rescue and I would trust their judgement and it is good to know that we have their ongoing support if we needed it.
www.gablesfarm.org.uk/dogalogue.html we're going to meet Holly next week :)

A carefully researched and matched rescue every time - don't pay a breeder and encourage more puppies when there are loads of fantastic dogs with loads of love to give already waiting out there.

The two aren't mutually exclusive, you can get a puppy that is also a rescue dog, although if you want a specific breed then it's less likely you'd get a puppy, but not impossible.

Puppies are hard work and older dogs really can have their benefits. A good rescue will match the right dog to you and also offer long term support and back up and be there if you can for whatever reason at any time no longer keep the dog. (not ideal obviously, but sometimes things are beyond our control)

I get so annoyed though when people tar all breeders with the same brush. There's a world of difference between good and bad breeders and although it is foolish of anyone to think they would never contribute to the rescue situation, good breeders go to great lengths to ensure puppies they breed don't end up in rescue at any time in their lives and also help out with breed rescues where they can. They also don't make any money out of breeding as it's purely a bi-product of their hobby, not their aim and they do not breed often and no expense is spared on raising litters properly.