I just wanted to know all y'all's opinion on something.

A friend of mine is looking into getting a new dog, and I recommended going to the local humane society. That's where I've always gone for a pet in the past--all of like... three times--and I've had wonderful experiences.

She insisted that she wouldn't be able to do that, though, based on uncertainty of "triggers" that the animal might have, had it been abused in the past, or whatever. So she's planning to breed her parents' pedigree lab with another pedigree and take one of the puppies.

While I understand her argument, I believe, if you look through the dogs, not all of them are going to have frightening triggers, and if you speak with the workers at the shelter, they usually have a pretty good understanding of each of the animals there, and which ones might be better suited to homes with small children, such as the ones that my friend and I have.

What would you do in your situation? Would you forgo the humane society in favor of a new puppy? And if you would, would it be for those reasons, or just because you wanted the puppy?

See, that's my thought too! There are enough pets out there who need those homes, why breed a dog just to make more puppies, just so that you can make a few dollars and have a new puppy? Isn't that kind of compounding the problem?

I think that going thru the humane society, etc, is a great Idea, Not all of them have bad habits, most, are there, do to owners not being able to take them with them.. and yes it's cheaper, then buying a pet out right.. Plus it will have its first shots, I was lucky, while looking for my new Pup, a friend of my daughters, had a 4 mo. old Maltese Pup, that needed a home , and it's AKC. and I got him for Free, , because she did'nt want to take him to the shelter, Good Luck at finding the right pup..

The only other source I would purposely consider for a new dog (pet) would be a rescue.

I've been a volunteer for both a shelter and a rescue, and I know from first-hand experience that their number one priority is to place the animals in their care into the most appropriate homes possible.

Speaking for the organizations I was involved with, this meant evaluating the animals extensively (not just going on what the previous owners say), including: how do they get along with other dogs and other animals; are they ok with children; how do they respond to certain situations (any signs of food or toy aggression, etc.).

The volunteers and employees are more likely, in my opinion, to be brutally honest about the animal's past, their personality and whether or not they feel the person looking to adopt would be the right match for any particular animal.

Hope this helps some!

Stacey

Honestly I don't know. We've owned Rottweilers for the past 20 years so we go to a breeder because that is the breed we've been happy with. But on the other hand, I have nothing against adopting from the humane society and when I look at their websites with all those sweet little animals looking for homes, I wish I could adopt them all. If your focused on one type of breed, then go to a breeder, but if your not particular of the breed, then go to the humane society. I know so many people who have been very happy with pound puppies and have never heard a horror story.

It's a common misconception that shelter and rescue dogs are 'damaged goods'. The truth is, all dogs can be unpredictable. There are many different factors besides the dog's history that contribute to temperament.

I have adopted out many dogs with horrific pasts, from fighting to neglect to strays. I rescued one myself who was beaten daily and kept on a 2 foot chain for 18 months. She was the sweetest, most loyal and caring dog you'd ever meet. The foster I placed last week had his tail docked and ears copped when he was 7 months old by the owner, with no anesthetic. He is a doll.

She's likely to find dogs in rescues that were owner surrendered for reasons like a big move, birth of a new baby, divorce, etc - that were loved dearly - ESPECIALLY with retriever breeds because they are so common. And rescues take extra care to make sure that family is a good fit for the dog, from applications to home visits.

As far as pedigree - that's overrated. AKC [which is the only kennel club you should accept] papers can be easily forged, and are not indicative of the dogs health or behavioral tendencies. 'Champion bloodlines' mean nada in most cases - it's just something breeders will say to charge more. Even Westminster champs can produce less than sound specimens, and if the champion is more than 2 generations back, the odds of it's stature passing on to the pup in questions are dramatically reduced.