do u agree with the phrase adopt don’t shop ?
I don’t tend to agree with any simple hashtag/blanket statements in topics regarding animal welfare.
I disagree with the premise of shaming people for where they got their dog from. Because it doesn’t actually help the dog or put backyard breeders and puppy farms out of business.
It can also make well meaning people adopt a dog they were not ready for, thinking that they’re doing the Right Thing by adopting from a shelter but being matched poorly or taken advantage of by an irresponsible rescue.
Good, responsible breeders will always have a policy of taking back a puppy or dog so that the dog they bred doesn’t end up in a shelter.
Genetics plays a massive role in dog behaviour- we have genetically selected for specific traits over thousands of years to ensure that. Yet there was this bizarre movement that came up in the early 2010’s that, in response to breed specific legislation, the message of “it’s all in how you raise them” got pushed and suddenly people decided genetics didn’t matter and it was all about training.
Nature-nurture debates always ends with the same answer: it’s both. And if you want the best chance of getting predictable behaviour in a dog to fit a specific role - whether that’s a working dog, sports or just a good pet, a good breeder who is health testing and breeding good dogs is your best bet.
A rescue will be less likely to be as predictable. That doesn’t mean the dog is immediately going to have lots of issues and be aggressive - but your expectations need to be far more tempered and reasonable.
Getting a rescue can be absolutely amazing - my rescue greyhound is a joy and I’d never change a thing. But there were certain expectations I had to lower for him. He wasn’t overly cuddly to start, very little food drive (he had to learn how to eat food on walks), he had some resource guarding issues, he’s extremely environment focused so it can be difficult to do off leash work with him and he wasn’t very interested in doing lots of training or sports. We’ve worked through a lot of that together and I’m a better dog guardian for it.
But when I got Myx, who was initially a puppy the breeder kept but then decided to find a home for, it was so different. She loves to train all the time, she loves sports, she snuggles in bed with me. All my needs were met and they both give each other confidence in different areas.
I’ve had clients take on rescues in a very well meaning way but are disappointed when the dog is far too anxious to be the cafe dog of their dreams and they have to lower their expectations. It might be a goal they can work towards over time but it’s going to be an ongoing process and needs patience.
In contrast, a friend of mine is doing puppy raising for an assistance dog program. She had this 14 week old puppy already settling on a mat in the middle of a busy cafe, relaxed and resting - with hardly any training at all.
That’s genetics - training only gets you so far.
I don’t want to discourage people from rescue either - but picking the right rescue who will match you with the right dog and provide transition support is just as important as finding a responsible breeder.
You shouldn’t bring a rescue dog into your home because you felt pressured or guilty or have some sort of moral obligation. You should bring a rescue dog into your home because you found the right match and you are able to provide for that dog’s needs. Some dogs transition just fine with no issues, others need more support. As does a puppy from a breeder, mind you.
Anyway, adopt don’t shop does very little to stop the source of the problem (puppy mills, whoops litters, backyard breeders, shitty landlords and no pets policies for rentals) - it doesn’t stop shelters and rescues filling up and can lead to well meaning people adopting a rescue they were not prepared for.
If you want to “shop” you have the responsibility to source a puppy from a responsible registered breeder who is ensuring the longevity, health and behavioural soundness of the breed.
If you want to “adopt”, ensure you are going through a rescue who is matching you to the right dog. Any rescue that lets you go in and pick a dog without any sort of matching criteria and/or home visit is a red flag. And if you do want to adopt, do it because you have the capacity to have a rescue dog and not just because it sounds nice. Make sure you have the resources to get help or have the skills required to do any sort of behaviour rehabilitation work.
That doesn’t mean there aren’t rescue dogs that immediately transition into home life with no issues, but you shouldn’t immediately be expecting that because not every dog is quite so resilient.
Basically… Get the dog that’s right for you and your home and not based on some moral superiority complex.
