There are many places to look for dogs. You can go through reputable breeders, rescue organizations, pet stores, and animal shelters. Some of these choices are better than others. So, let’s talk about breeder vs rescue dogs and how you can make the right choice.
Where Can You Adopt Dogs?
First, let’s talk about a few different places where you can get dogs. But, of course, it’s always best to adopt and not shop, and some places are better than others when it comes to following that statement.
Breeders
One place you can get dogs is through a dog breeder. You can find breeders that crossbreed dogs or that produce purebreds. Usually, that has a champion bloodline. Also, if you have your heart set on getting a puppy, then a breeder will have early litters ready.
However, you need to be careful about going through breeders. Ethical breeders will care for the dogs and puppies as their own. They’ll vaccinate them, get them health screened, and won’t allow the puppies to leave their mothers until at least eight weeks old.
Also, they’ll have a vast knowledge about the breed they work with and will want to meet with you in person so you can meet them and the dogs.
On the other hand, there are backyard breeders and puppy mills that you need to stay away from.
Backyard breeders are dog breeders who may be inexperienced or are simply looking to profit from the puppies. They don’t get them vaccinated or socialize them. Also, they don’t care who they sell to, as long as they get their money.
Puppy mills are similar, but they typically have many dogs and breed them all at once. So, they have many litters produced at the same time. They often keep the dogs in kennels.
Puppy mills and backyard breeders will sell the puppies to pet stores, making a profit.
Pet Stores
Next, we have pet stores. But, again, this is one place you’ll want to stay away from if you’re going to get a dog or puppy.
They don’t treat the dogs well. Also, now you know they get their dogs from puppy mills and backyard breeders. So, the puppies aren’t treated well, and neither are their parents.
These are places you do not want to support.
Rescues And Animal Shelters
Animal Shelters are often funded by the government but aim to help as many animals as possible. Rescues are similar, often being run by volunteers.
Also, some rescues focus on saving specific breeds. So, if you’re looking for a Golden Retriever puppy, you don’t need to find a breeder that raises Golden Retrievers. Instead, you can look for breed-specific organizations that help Golden Retrievers.
Breeder Vs Rescue Dogs: Which Is Better?
Rescues and animal shelters are the way to go when you want to adopt a dog. There are so many dogs of all ages who are homeless and need a loving family.
You can find many purebreds or crossbreeds. Also, you can find a puppy, adult dog, or senior dog to save. The possibilities are endless when it comes to going through a rescue.
Also, you can trust rescues because they have the dogs’ best interests at heart. But unfortunately, not all breeders treat the dogs well and mostly care about the money they’ll receive.
For example, you might spend thousands of dollars on a dog from a breeder. However, a rescue will only have you pay a small adoption fee that may be $100 or $200, depending on the dog’s age.
A Note About The Dog’s Personality And Temperament
How are the dogs when you get them through a breeder vs rescue dogs? While you should adopt a dog through a rescue, you might not know the dog’s background.
For example, if you go through a breeder, you’ll know the puppy’s parents and where the pup came from. Most likely, you’ll get them at such as young age that they don’t have too much history.
Depending on its age, a rescue dog might have a troubled past. Maybe they were abused or neglected by their previous owners, or perhaps they were born on the streets.
Before you adopt a dog, always research what breed of dog you think might be right for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
Rescues do their best to evaluate the dogs they take in for their overall health. They’ll look over the dog’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Also, they’ll socialize the dogs with the other dogs at the rescue to see how they react.
When adopting from a rescue, ask them what they know about the pup. For example, a breed may be friendly, but if the dog has had a bad experience with humans, they might be shy and stand-offish instead.
This is yet another reason why it’s best to go through a rescue. You can give a dog a loving, warm home and show them what it’s like to feel loved and cared for.
Breeder Vs. Rescue Dogs: Rescues Win
While you can get any breed and a dog of any age, rescuing them is always the way. The workers truly care for the dogs, and it helps keeps homeless dogs off the streets.
