Pets
In reply to the discussion: Please, please, please do not breed or buy while shelter pets die. [View all]Coyote_Bandit
(6,783 posts)I have also started training them to show, to do competition obedience, to do agility work and to do therapy work.
It is one thing to take in a rescue animal as a companion and family pet. It is quite another to take in a rescue animal with uncertain genetics, breeding and experiences and invest that kind of time, effort and expense into training.
I have had dogs with uncertain pasts. I am well acquainted with the problems of caring for dogs with serious lifelong health problems and with multiple genetic and behavioral issues. It is expensive, its takes an emotional toll and it does impact other animals that share the same household. It certainly isn't for everyone - and no one should be made to feel obligated to take on such a challenge.
There are good breeders. You have to seek them out and know how to identify them. And if you want one of their animals then you need to be prepared to pay a premium.
If you want an animal companion and family pet and are willing and able to assume the costs and responsibility of caring for an animal with lifelong health and behavioral issues than by all means get a rescue or shelter dog. I'll applaud you for doing so - as long as you don't proselytize me to do the same and infer that I am somehow inferior should I make a different choice.
If you are not willing and able to assume that responsibility, then find a responsible breeder and negotiate contract terms that include health guarantees. Many responsible breeders guarantee that their animals will not have or develop certain health problems during their lifetime and will assume financial responsibility should those occur.
I adopted a dog from a traditional rescue organization once. Less than 24 hours after taking possession of the dog I had him examined by my vet because it appeared to me that his health was not as represented. My vet advised that the dog likely was considerably older than represented, had severe heart problems and likely would not survive for a year. The dog's physical condition was either intentionally misrepresented to me or the rescue organization was unaware of his condition. Either way, the dog did not meet my requirements and expectations and I immediately surrendered him back to that rescue group.
I have not taken in an animal since then without first having my own veterianarian examine the animal and do a variety of tests. It is well worth the expense.
I'm not lookng for a dog at the moment. If I were looking for a dog that I expected to invest considerable time and effort and expense in training I would likely look for a dog through a responsible breeder. And I would make the placement conditional on the results of a physical exam by my vet.