Rescue or Pure Bred

[JGuitaristR]

Although, we'd all love to rescue homeless dogs, does anyone absolutely *want* a pure bred dog?

[mugsy]

If you HAVE to have a pure breed why not rescue one?

[ramanth]

I'd get a pure breed from a rescue if I really had to have one.

[wolf_Q]

For my next dog I'd like a purebred siberian husky, but I'd also like to go the rescue route.....I know there's several husky rescues.

[Karen]

As the others have mentioned, it's not an "either or" situation. Purebreds often end up in shelters, and most breeds have a "breed rescue" organization, so you can have it both ways - a rescued purebred!

[JGuitaristR]

My second Rottweiler, I'd say we rescued her. We bought her from the breeder. She was kept in a very small pen, not big enough for two big rottweiler puppies. It was all dirt and had one dog house. Rescued purebred.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

I like both, mutts and purebreds, i just happen to have 2 purebreds! I would like to rescue from a shelter or a rescue:)

[oodlesofpoodles]

All of mine are purebred. but I guess I would say that three are rescued. Two were left to me when their owner died. and one was found in the highway. the other three were purchased. and the one that i claim but is not mine was abused, blinded and ears cut off, rescued.

[JGuitaristR]

Blinded and ears cut off?! :mad: :mad: :mad: What the hell?!

[oodlesofpoodles]

Yes, someone abused her very badly, But today she is a very healthy and well adjusted baby. Her name is Noel and she is the poster dog of our city. She has to billboards, her own website and her own seeing eye person. (Me!!) I even named her. She is a very beautiful dog and she and I teach pet safety and pet care in the elementary schools here in GA. I will attach a few pics of her. http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p5703779fbbf2a2f74ed387a06eef9235/fc8e50ce.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p97a7554b25994aef6c04b20eaa6a2bc7/fc8e5f4d.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid54/p154b02b891a7945a6504cfa679123288/fc8750ba.jpg
These are just a few of her pictures and you can see she is very well loved now. She will never have to worry about anything the rest of her life.

[Cheshirekatt]

Nope. In my heart of hearts, knowing that over 12 million animals are put to sleep every year simply because there aren't enough homes for them I could never purchase a dog. All of my dogs are rescues and I think they are all the best ever! :D

[Rachel]

At this time in my life, I would want to rescue, but I have had purebred dogs which I raised up from puppies, and I don't begrudge others the chance to have that experience as well. There is an expectation with a purebred dog that one can in some way know more of what the dog and/or the experience of having this dog will be like. In a way that is true and sometimes it way off base. In our zeal and advocacy for *adoption*, which is noble and altruistic, I think we have to have open minds that those who go the other route have their reasons.

[JGuitaristR]

I'm so glad that she's got such a great home. She's adorable!!!!!!!! :D :D :D Have you ever been to Locust Grove Elementary?

[moosmom]

Oodlesofpoodles,

Noel is a beautiful dog!! I'm so glad you gave her a forever home. Too many times, animals with "limitations" (blind, limbs missing, deaf, etc.) are overlooked. It's sad because they actually turn out to be the best pet ever! Give Noel a huge hug and kiss from me!

JGuitaristR,

There are plenty purebred rescue organizations. Just go into Yahoo and do a search for Purebred Canine Rescue.

MooShoo is a purebred Sphynx rescue who is partially blind because the breeder failed to treat his herpes virus in his eyes. Her neglect caused scar tissue to form over his corneas. He is blind in his right eye and sees shadows in his left. He is the best cat EVER and I wouldn't trade him for all the money in the world. :D

[primabella]

Purebreds and mutts can both be very loving and unique dogs. Mick's a pure but I call him a mutt. He isn't like a Sheltie at all. I love him anyway.

I prefer rescue but in my case, I don't regret going to a breeder for a first time dog. Someimtes it depends how things go. For me, no shelters had what I was looking for and what I was looking for happened to be a pure comming from a breeder. It's how things play out. I would like to rescue all my future dogs though. :)

[oodlesofpoodles]

Pure breeds or rescues (Mutts, as I prefer not to call them) all are special. I have recently changed jobs. With long considerations and thoughts into doing this. I will be working for our citys Animal care and control center. I hope that I will be able to make a difference. So everyone on Pet Talk get ready I will posting pictures of the homeless pets that will be in need of forever homes. There are some aspects of the job that i will not like but I know that I will be able to help as many as I can. I was not looking for a new job, someone from the city contacted me and asked if I would apply that with all the work I do with Noel and going into the schools teaching about pet care and safety, and working with P.A.W.S. that they would like to see me there, The best benefit of my new job is that I will get to work with Noel every day. and she will be able to come home with me everynight so now I guess Noel will be resident in my house always. I think the P.A.W.S. committee had a big effect on me getting the job. So Monday morning I start, I am a little nervous. Working for a vet for 9yrs this is going to be a change.

I will say one more thing. Rescueing or buying -- A pet is for Life!!

[JGuitaristR]

That's cool that you've switched jobs and will be working at the humane society. Just today I printed out an application for a Saint Louis Humane Society and will be applying for a job as a caretaker of the animals. It says, "experience preferred." Well let's see... I've been taking care of cats for approximately 12 years, I've been caring for dogs for about 10 years, right now I am caring for a guinea pig, for the past 3 years, a hamster, 3 rats and an iguana for 3-4 years. Do you think all of that can be considered as "experience?" I certainly hope so. What does P.A.W.S. stand for? Hey, I'm being forced to get off the computer, I'll write back later - Tell me how the job is going on Monday.

[binka_nugget]

Kai (my first dog) is a purebred but I really wanted to rescue a dog from a local border collie rescue. My mom said no..cuz BC's are generally really tough dogs to own for a first time owner. I really wanted to rescue a sheltie from here also, but it was to no avail. Not many rescue PB shelties are around here...(we wanted a PB because we would kinda expect things from the breed). I will absolutely adopt and foster many rescues when I'm older.

[Logan]

I am the proud owner of three purebred dogs....Two Golden Retrievers, and one Lab. But I love rescue dogs, mutts, all types, and I do anything possible to assist in the rescue efforts for all of them. In the future, I will probably only take in rescue dogs, whether they be purebred or "mutt". I figure our next dog will need me more than I need him/her. :)

[marysmerrycats]

Nope. In my heart of hearts, knowing that over 12 million animals are put to sleep every year simply because there aren't enough homes for them I could never purchase a dog. All of my dogs are rescues and I think they are all the best ever!

If you HAVE to have a pure breed why not rescue one?

I so totally agree!!:D :D :D

[shais_mom]

Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
I like both, mutts and purebreds, i just happen to have 2 purebreds! I would like to rescue from a shelter or a rescue:)
My first dog came from the H.S and was a pure bred greyhound.
And Keegan came from a girl at work whose dog was the father of a litter of goldens. If she wouldn't have offered her to me after finding out my greyhound died, I would have went to the pound or shelter and ended up with????
But I try to think of it that If I hadn't taken Keegan and with as ornery as she is and bull headed it is quite possible she would have ended up in the shelter, so I saved her from that b/c I love her to much to ever do that regardless of how ornery she is!

My sister went to the humane society and got their 6 mos old puppy there 4 years ago and he is the perfect dog for their family.
Lab/English Springer mix, tolerant of the kids. His only problem is he isn't quite housebroken after 4 years. :rolleyes:
But he is very sweet! And my sister hasn't given up on him!

[shais_mom]

Originally posted by JGuitaristR
That's cool that you've switched jobs and will be working at the humane society. Just today I printed out an application for a Saint Louis Humane Society and will be applying for a job as a caretaker of the animals. It says, "experience preferred." Well let's see... I've been taking care of cats for approximately 12 years, I've been caring for dogs for about 10 years, right now I am caring for a guinea pig, for the past 3 years, a hamster, 3 rats and an iguana for 3-4 years. Do you think all of that can be considered as "experience?" I certainly hope so. What does P.A.W.S. stand for? Hey, I'm being forced to get off the computer, I'll write back later - Tell me how the job is going on Monday.
Sorry to burst your bubble but usually that kind of experience doesn't mean diddly squat to employers.
It is like you can't say you have been working at your current profession for 10 years when you have only been there 6 just b/c you had 4 years of hands on college experience.
I have been at my job for 5 years and was in school for 2 and was in the hospital training the 2nd week of classes. But they don't count that. So I can't say that I have been doing this for 7 years. I have to say I have been doing this for 5.
Sooooo just b/c you have been been 'taking care of the cats for 10 years' that means you would have started when you were 10-11. Chances are that isn't going to count. But that IS NOT saying that you won't nail the interview and they will give you a chance!
I do hope you get the job and good luck!!!

[AngelZoo]

I don't really care, an aweful lot of mutts out there have better personalitys and look better then a lot of the purebreds out there!!

Whatever dog just "feels right" is the one I go for :)

[marysmerrycats]

volunterring at a humane society or shelter could count as experience, maybe...