Rescue or Breeder?
Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:04 pm
PurpleKisses wrote:
Honestly, it begins with the prospective buyer doing their homework. I know I may get pilloried but I am of the opinion that individuals should reasonably take responsibility for their choices and being reasonable in their expectations.
Personally, I don’t think that there is a single right way. I do not follow the “you are either with us or against us” philosophy. It is a choice each person must make for themselves. Yet it should be an informed choice.
One very important thing to keep in mind, whether you go with a rescue or a breeder – Mother Nature makes NO guarantees - not with dogs, cats, HUMANS or any other animal – therefore, no breeder or rescuer can make a guarantee. Nevertheless, both the rescuer and the breeder should do the best they can to ensure that any animal they place is as healthy (physically and mentally) as possible and that the human providing the home is as knowledgeable about the animal and the animal's requirements as is possible.
SERIOUS VS NOT SO SERIOUS PROBLEMS
Please keep in mind that while some of the conditions mentioned that would preclude the animal being a “great” dog and would affect it’s overall health, some don’t. There was mention of an underbite or an overbite (or a drop ear or drop tail or spotted tongue or incorrect coat colour) – these are not serious or health threatening conditions and while a good breeder wouldn’t want to carry any one of them forward in a breeding program, it can and does happen and any puppy with any of these should have no problem growing into a great companion dog.
Entropion/Ectropion – there is a great deal of debate about this condition (which is NOT a disease but rather a conformation disorder of the eyelid muscle that can and will lead to eye diseases) – if it occurs in a baby puppy, that is one thing and is probably congenital and hereditary. If it happens in an older dog, it may well be due to other factors and while certainly not ideal can be remedied with relatively minor surgery (plastic surgery – and ask yourself how many humans have minor cosmetic corrections made albeit mostly voluntary and from vanity).
Dysplastic – No breeder is going to knowingly go out and breed a severely dysplastic dog. There are gradiations in dysplasia and a very very mild, non-affective form in one dog may be used by a breeder to a completely non-dysplastic dog. Is this an ideal mating – no. Should a breeder disclose this course of action – yes. In some countries, a breeder is not allowed to breed a dysplastic dog at all or with a dog with a score above a particular benchmard, so it depends entirely on where you live as to what is allowable and what constitutes dysplastic.
RESCUE/REHOMING
I often recommend that people seriously consider rehoming an older dog. It is a myth that you MUST have a dog from the time it is a puppy in order to forge a bond with that dog. While it does mean that you have to have patience early on in creating a bond with an older dog, the plusses are great:
1. You avoid all the chaos – chewing, digging, house breaking, etc. that you must go through with a baby puppy.
2. You avoid all the basic training requirements.
3. You spend time building trust but your return is a dog that will be devoted to you for life.
4. You will have a pretty good understanding of any health and temperament issues as the dog will have been vetted before it is made available to a new home.
5. You are giving a Chow another chance, one they might not get otherwise.
BREEDERS
There are a number of reasons that people approach breeders for puppies and these reasons are specific to the individual.
When going to the breeder, it is really important that you do your research. And for goodness sake, don’t be in a hurry to get a pup, take your time learning what you can about a variety of breeders. Check them out; check out their dogs.
What constitutes a “good breeder” is a very broad question and it differs from person to person. However, you do want someone who is willing to spend time talking to you about Chows in general and their Chows in the specific.
You want someone who invests time in their dogs, who health tests, who is aware of possible problems in their lines - and there is not a single breeder (if they are honest with themselves never mind the puppy buyer) who has NO problems whatsoever. You want someone who will ask you as many questions as you may ask them. They are genuinely interested in what you can offer in terms of a good home for a puppy they have bred.
If you will go to this webpage: http://www.sengechows.com– then scroll towards the bottom of the page until you get to the link to The Reading Room – click there and then take a look under the heading of Before You Buy – there you will find links to some articles and a website that should give you some pointers about finding the right breeder: These include:
Buying a Puppy - Some questions to ask.
Choosing Your Chow Puppy - another must read!
Where to buy a Puppy - A Consumer's guide
And now, I would invite the assorted rescuers to provide advice as to what someone seeking to offer a new home to a rescue should do and know. And I would invite other breeders to offer their advice regarding what a potential puppy buyer should do and know.
Cheers,
Judith-Ann
I have gotten dogs from the shelters, some had MAJOR health and genetic issues. I have my sweet Chi-Ching from a "breeder" who has so many problems, also health and genetic. We have ZERO plans on any dogs while we have Chi-Ching but after he is gone I think I will want another chow.
My question then being (as many many people have questioned before me) what is the right way to go, rescue or breeder?
From what I am reading...... of course there is no guarantee with rescues, and obviousely I would never go back to Chi-Chings maker, but honestly, how much higher would my chances be to get a healthy dog by going to a GOOD breeder? I ask that because I am seeing dysplastic dogs bred, dogs with over/under bites bred, entropian etc....... So, while I see the thought of "lets breed poor dog A with Great dog B and get good dog C" but would it not make more sense to take Great dog B and find a different Great dog A and hopefully get Great dog C??? Why try to "fix" problem lines vs. finding good ones to begin with??? I understand that there are always little things that you can "mix and match" to try and improve on, but I do not see where breeding ANY dysplastic dogs or dogs with bites can help at all?
When it comes time for me to find another dog, I need a healthy dog. I cannot go through this again. And while I am definitely an advocate for rescue, I would choose a healthy dog over anything be it from rescue or a breeder.
So, can one of the breeders on here answer any of my questions please?
Honestly, it begins with the prospective buyer doing their homework. I know I may get pilloried but I am of the opinion that individuals should reasonably take responsibility for their choices and being reasonable in their expectations.
Personally, I don’t think that there is a single right way. I do not follow the “you are either with us or against us” philosophy. It is a choice each person must make for themselves. Yet it should be an informed choice.
One very important thing to keep in mind, whether you go with a rescue or a breeder – Mother Nature makes NO guarantees - not with dogs, cats, HUMANS or any other animal – therefore, no breeder or rescuer can make a guarantee. Nevertheless, both the rescuer and the breeder should do the best they can to ensure that any animal they place is as healthy (physically and mentally) as possible and that the human providing the home is as knowledgeable about the animal and the animal's requirements as is possible.
SERIOUS VS NOT SO SERIOUS PROBLEMS
Please keep in mind that while some of the conditions mentioned that would preclude the animal being a “great” dog and would affect it’s overall health, some don’t. There was mention of an underbite or an overbite (or a drop ear or drop tail or spotted tongue or incorrect coat colour) – these are not serious or health threatening conditions and while a good breeder wouldn’t want to carry any one of them forward in a breeding program, it can and does happen and any puppy with any of these should have no problem growing into a great companion dog.
Entropion/Ectropion – there is a great deal of debate about this condition (which is NOT a disease but rather a conformation disorder of the eyelid muscle that can and will lead to eye diseases) – if it occurs in a baby puppy, that is one thing and is probably congenital and hereditary. If it happens in an older dog, it may well be due to other factors and while certainly not ideal can be remedied with relatively minor surgery (plastic surgery – and ask yourself how many humans have minor cosmetic corrections made albeit mostly voluntary and from vanity).
Dysplastic – No breeder is going to knowingly go out and breed a severely dysplastic dog. There are gradiations in dysplasia and a very very mild, non-affective form in one dog may be used by a breeder to a completely non-dysplastic dog. Is this an ideal mating – no. Should a breeder disclose this course of action – yes. In some countries, a breeder is not allowed to breed a dysplastic dog at all or with a dog with a score above a particular benchmard, so it depends entirely on where you live as to what is allowable and what constitutes dysplastic.
RESCUE/REHOMING
I often recommend that people seriously consider rehoming an older dog. It is a myth that you MUST have a dog from the time it is a puppy in order to forge a bond with that dog. While it does mean that you have to have patience early on in creating a bond with an older dog, the plusses are great:
1. You avoid all the chaos – chewing, digging, house breaking, etc. that you must go through with a baby puppy.
2. You avoid all the basic training requirements.
3. You spend time building trust but your return is a dog that will be devoted to you for life.
4. You will have a pretty good understanding of any health and temperament issues as the dog will have been vetted before it is made available to a new home.
5. You are giving a Chow another chance, one they might not get otherwise.
BREEDERS
There are a number of reasons that people approach breeders for puppies and these reasons are specific to the individual.
When going to the breeder, it is really important that you do your research. And for goodness sake, don’t be in a hurry to get a pup, take your time learning what you can about a variety of breeders. Check them out; check out their dogs.
What constitutes a “good breeder” is a very broad question and it differs from person to person. However, you do want someone who is willing to spend time talking to you about Chows in general and their Chows in the specific.
You want someone who invests time in their dogs, who health tests, who is aware of possible problems in their lines - and there is not a single breeder (if they are honest with themselves never mind the puppy buyer) who has NO problems whatsoever. You want someone who will ask you as many questions as you may ask them. They are genuinely interested in what you can offer in terms of a good home for a puppy they have bred.
If you will go to this webpage: http://www.sengechows.com– then scroll towards the bottom of the page until you get to the link to The Reading Room – click there and then take a look under the heading of Before You Buy – there you will find links to some articles and a website that should give you some pointers about finding the right breeder: These include:
Buying a Puppy - Some questions to ask.
Choosing Your Chow Puppy - another must read!
Where to buy a Puppy - A Consumer's guide
And now, I would invite the assorted rescuers to provide advice as to what someone seeking to offer a new home to a rescue should do and know. And I would invite other breeders to offer their advice regarding what a potential puppy buyer should do and know.
Cheers,
Judith-Ann