| When it comes time to bring a new dog into the | | | | urns or pet headstones to remember them by, so |
| home, one of the first questions people generally | | | | you can feel good about saving an animal from this |
| have is where that dog should come from. There are | | | | fate. |
| staunch advocates for both buying from a | | | | Buying from a breeder can be the most expensive |
| responsible breeder and for rescuing a dog from | | | | option, because you are paying both for the |
| either a shelter or a Pet Rescue. Each option has | | | | guarantee that the dog is a purebred and generally |
| pros and cons that have to be considered. | | | | for the fact that the dog is a puppy and puppies are |
| One of the first issues in determining whether to buy | | | | more in demand. |
| from a breeder or rescue is whether you want a | | | | Finally, the age and temperament of the dog is an |
| purebred dog or a mixed breed dog. If you want a | | | | important factor to consider. Most breeders only sell |
| purebred dog and you purchase a dog from a | | | | puppies- dogs 12 weeks of age and under- although |
| breeder, you will be guaranteed to get a purebred | | | | there are some exceptions to this rule if a breeder |
| dog. You may be able to meet the parents and see | | | | wishes to sell an older dog that was returned or that |
| siblings and talk to others who have owned dogs | | | | they used to breed but that they don't wish to |
| from that breeder or from the specific parents. | | | | breed any longer. Puppies are very high in energy and |
| However, you are not limited to purchasing from a | | | | require extensive amounts of training on everything |
| breeder if you want a purebred dog. Many breed | | | | from where to go to the bathroom to how to |
| specific rescues exist that allow you to get an older | | | | behave properly in a home setting. A puppy's |
| purebred dog, or rescue a purebred puppy that is | | | | temperament is also an unknown as it is impossible to |
| unwanted for whatever reason. Older purebred dogs | | | | know how the dog will change and evolve as it |
| are prevalent in rescues, and even in shelter | | | | grows. |
| environments, but puppies are a bit more rare. | | | | A rescue dog or a shelter dog, especially an older |
| The cost of the dog is also a factor, when choosing | | | | dog, may be more of a known quantity. Since the |
| whether to rescue or buy from a breeder. Rescuing | | | | dog is older, ideally the dog will already be |
| a dog from an animal shelter is generally the most | | | | housetrained and past the high energy puppy stage |
| cost effective option. You will generally pay a nominal | | | | where it needs to be watched constantly. Many |
| amount depending on the shelter, and the cost of | | | | rescue dogs live with their rescuers as "foster dogs" |
| adopting the dog will include spaying or neutering and | | | | prior to being adopted, so the rescue can tell you a |
| any vaccines the dog needed. | | | | great deal about the temperament of the dog |
| Rescuing from a rescue may be less expensive than | | | | before you bring it home. |
| buying from a breeder, but it is typically more costly | | | | These factors are important things to consider when |
| than rescuing from a shelter. The increased cost | | | | deciding whether to adopt or buy from a breeder. |
| helps to support the fundraising efforts of the | | | | Both decisions have pros and cons. However, it is |
| rescue, and since rescues typically know more about | | | | clear from pet memorials that whether you raise a |
| the dogs they are adopting out, the added expense | | | | dog from infancy or adopt an older dog, the most |
| may buy you further insight into the animal you are | | | | important thing is the bond you develop with that |
| bringing home. Furthermore, rescues save many | | | | dog once it comes into your home. |
| animals from dying alone in shelters, without even pet | | | | |