Let's See Your Dogs!!

I would have liked to have kept him except for two things: I already have three dogs and he was chipped. I went back to the shelter three days later and found out he was on a 7-day hold while they tried to contact the owners.

Tomorrow will be seven days. I'm going to check back again to see if he's still there. Maybe my mom needs a second dog.

 

Four dogs can be a handful. Pickles wasn't chipped and not neutered so I assumed he was used for breeding. Not terribly big: when I took him to the vet initially they said he was about 3 years old and ~50 lbs. Been on the streets for at least a week since his nails were terribly long and he was filthy. Right now he is ~67 pounds with a lot of puppy play in him.

 

I figure my next dog will either be a found dog or a shelter dog. There aren't many better stories or feelings than rescuing a dog from the streets.

 

When I was in my 20s, I always told myself I would get a Doberman when I could afford it. Having adopted two dogs (one about 10 months and the other about 4 yrs at the time) from our city shelter three years ago and "adopting" one from a man at Harbor Freight back in May, I no longer understand the need to buy a purebred dog. The exception would be for competition or work (hunting, protection, Schützen, etc.).

 

Agreed. I told myself that I would definitely get a standard poodle. Now my only requirement for an animal is that they get along with my dog.

 

agreed, however, it requires a lot of patience and understanding. especially if dogs are raised without being socialized to other people/dogs it can be a tough transition. in the long run I think it is worth it.

 

Every dog I've ever owned was either a stray, left on my door step, or adopted from the pound or rescue. Some have some crazy backstories others we no nothing about their past at all. And each one of them is amazing and you can tell that they are happy to have a home. That feeling of rescuing a dog is what gets me up in the morning. That or the fact that I have four dogs standing on me licking my face.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suh2ggzLm_U
Not my dog, but pretty cool

 

For me, I wouldn't be a good person to rescue a dog. I think it's great there are people that do and I'm all for it, but it isn't for everyone. I'm totally against puppy mills, improper breeding.. pet store puppies. I wish there wasn't as much need for rescues, but that probably won't ever change.

I expect my dog to behave a certain way. I'd rather setup the rules out of the gate, rather than spend a bunch of time figuring out how to get rid of built in habits. My dog has to be friendly with all dogs, can have a 3 year old pull its ears and lay on it without worrying it'll get bit, can't have any potty accidents, can't beg for people food, can't jump on people, can't jump on my counters, doors, must be easy to exercise... Etc, etc. Can you get this with a rescue dog? Absolutely.. But I'm the type that has to control the variables as much as possible.

 

Clearly, adopting a dog is not for you.

Why did you bold that part of my post?

 

And that's o.k.

I've never adopted a dog. I have the same mindset. That's not to say I won't ever adopt. If I had the space, and I went to the Rescue, I'd probably come home with about 10 dogs. Man, would my wife be pissed.

 

It seemed like an attack on anyone that doesn't rescue. I was highlighting what spurred my response.

 

Not adopting is fine. Someone has to keep the breeders in business.

Ditto on the 10 dogs. If I had the time, land, and money, I'd probably run a shelter/rescue.

FWIW - Shelters often have puppies for those who have to "control the variables as much as possible."

 

I got my dog at 10 weeks old from the shelter. My girlfriend volunteers at the same shelter my dog came from and they get puppies every couple of months. They go fast though.

 

Not an attack at all. Just expressing my opinion. Saying I don't understand the need to buy a purebred dog is not an attack. It's just my perspective. If you took it as an attack, that's on you.

 

I apologize. I took it that way when you laid out the times that are acceptable for getting a purebred dog.

 

For the record, I don't have a problem with people buying purebreed dogs. Up until a little over three years ago, I was planning to buy an American Bulldog. Had a close friend that was breeding them about 10 years ago and I fell in love with the breed. Wanted one of his, but the timing wasn't right. My outlook changed when I adopted Jake, who I believe is part Lab and part AB. He's a great dog. Didn't do any of those things you mentioned.

 

No worries. Tone and intent get screwed up when it's just text.

I didn't mean to say those were the only times it is acceptable, just that those are instances where it makes sense to me because certain breeds perform well in certain arenas; for example, GSDs and Malinois in protection sport.

 

Both my dogs are hunting dogs. They both came from Breeders. But I met both breeders. Got to tour their sites. And meet other dogs and their owners/handlers.

That being said, I'll probably still own a rescue. Pure bred, or not. Hell, mutts are healthier dogs, for the most part.

 

It's cool man. I like this thread because everyone shares the common love for dogs. We'll lighten it up with a picture of my dog.