How to Buy A Breed

[JaneSays]

Fantastic info. I'm curious how this translates to rescues and adopting. I have two rescues and am constantly amazed by how lucky I am. Their temperaments are exactly suited to our lifestyle. However, breed is often unknown or somewhat "guesswork." Even when they know the breed, sometimes the mix of breeds makes for a new personality. You would think that my new puppy would be incredibly high energy because he's a border collie German shepherd mix--but daily walks and playing with our other dog plus some clicker training is plenty to keep him physically and mentally stimulated.

I guess I'm wondering if there's a way to evaluate temperament for rescues (particularly puppies) before people get them home. I see so many people taking their newly adopted dogs back to the rescue because of temperament issues.

[Twinderella]

Awesome thread. Thank you for posting this.

[alice04]

Fantastic info. I'm curious how this translates to rescues and adopting. I have two rescues and am constantly amazed by how lucky I am. Their temperaments are exactly suited to our lifestyle. However, breed is often unknown or somewhat "guesswork." Even when they know the breed, sometimes the mix of breeds makes for a new personality. You would think that my new puppy would be incredibly high energy because he's a border collie German shepherd mix--but daily walks and playing with our other dog plus some clicker training is plenty to keep him physically and mentally stimulated.

I guess I'm wondering if there's a way to evaluate temperament for rescues (particularly puppies) before people get them home. I see so many people taking their newly adopted dogs back to the rescue because of temperament issues.

Most good shelters/rescues will temperament test the dogs. That way they can tell potential adopters "good with kids" "must be only pet in home" "territorial" etc. That's how I've always seen it, so you know exactly what you are getting into (for the most part). Only types of places that I see that don't really do this are animal control type facilities.

[Dr.VinoVet]

Last time I will be bumping this bad boy for a few months, just so more people can see

[Jess_Dani]

Love this Great information but another thing that might be good to add in about the good breeders you want to get your new FURRY friend from is that some will want to come to your home. Making sure it is safe and they will come by every once in a while. A breeder I know (she breeds Great Danes) goes to the homes of the owners she sold her dogs to until the dogs lived out their years. She keeps in close contacts and if any abnormality or illness that may have a genetic background she wants all the information. But those breeders are hard to come by.

[dannbarbery]

Great post! I have some really good rescue near me, who do lifestyle and personality checks, then marry up the suitable dog to the people, rather then the other way round.

[Guynavywife]

One correction. DON'T buy a dog from a breeder. Go to your local rescue or kill shelter and rescue one of those poor souls that need a good home! Mutts can be wonderful friends.

[Dr.VinoVet]

One correction. DON'T buy a dog from a breeder. Go to your local rescue or kill shelter and rescue one of those poor souls that need a good home! Mutts can be wonderful friends.

[katiebee]

One correction. DON'T buy a dog from a breeder. Go to your local rescue or kill shelter and rescue one of those poor souls that need a good home! Mutts can be wonderful friends.

I agree! Mutts are awesome dogs! But if you have your heart set on a specific breed of dog it can be hard to find them in a shelter or local rescue group. I think its perfectly fine to get a dog from a breeder as long as that person breeds in an ethical and responsible way.

[villanelle]

I didn't see this before. As someone currently struggling with even considering a non-rescue dog, it was super informative. I don't know that I'll bring myself to buy a dog, but if I do, I'll definitely refer back to this.