DanBar Ranch
Basic Puppy Buying Info - A Survivor's Guide!
How To Recognize Ethical Breeders Or Rescues:
BREEDERS
Breeders not only love dogs, as individuals, but they have a deep love and commitment for specific breeds of dogs. Here are the pretty universally accepted minimum standards of care for ethical breeders:
1) MICROCHIPS ALL DOGS AND PUPS & keep themselves as a contact on the chip for the life of the dog.
2) DOES ALL HEALTH TESTING RECOMMENDED BY BREED PARENT CLUB OR OFA - the best do more.
3) TRAINS AND TITLES BREEDING STOCK IN PERFORMANCE OR WORK TITLES APPLICAPABLE TO THE BREED
4) NEVER SELLS PUPS OR DOGS TO PET STORES
5) NEVER SELLS ON "IMPULSE BUYER SITES" LIKE: "Puppy Spot", "Good Dog" "Puppies.com"
6) DISCOURAGES IMPULSE BUYING - MAKES SURE BUYER DOES THEIR RESEARCH INTO BREED TRAITS
7) REQUIRES APPROPRIATE HOUSING SITUATION FOR THE SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THEIR BREED; REQUIRES PROOF OF FENCING OR OTHER RESTRICTIONS FOR THE SAFETY OF THE ANIMAL
RESCUES/SHELTERS
I have been involved in rescue since 1985 and worked in an animal shelter for over 20 years. It is disappointing what "rescue" has become in the past few decades. If you think a rescued dog is the right choice for you, please make sure the rescue you choose to buy your dog from meets these minimum standards:
1) SPECIALIZES IN A SINGLE BREED - "ALL BREED" RESCUES ARE A POOR CHOICE DUE TO LACK OF SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY TO MENTOR ON HEALTH AND TEMPERAMENT CHARACTERISTICS.
2) SO CALLED 'NO KILL' SHELTERS QUICKLY FILL UP WITH UNSOUND AND DANGEROUS DOGS (SINCE THEY DON'T EUTHANIZE THEM) SO THEY ARE NOTORIOUS FOR SELLING DANGEROUS AND UNSOUND DOGS
3) MICROCHIP ALL ANIMALS THEY PLACE AND KEEP THEMSELVES AS CONTACT FOR LIFE
4) ALTER ALL ANIMALS BEFORE THEY PLACE THEM
5) ABSOLUTELY DO HOME CHECKS IF POSSIBLE AND REQUIRE FENCED YARDS AND LANDLORD CHECKS
6) HAVE STAFF THAT ARE EXPERIENCED WITH THE BREED THEY SPECIALIZE IN ALLOWING THEM TO OFFER MENTORING AFTER THE SALE
7) NEVER RESORT TO SCARE TACTICS OR ENCOURAGING IMPULSE BUYING BY USING STATEMENTS ABOUT A DOG'S EUTHANASIA STATUS
8) NEVER HAND OUT DOGS FOR FREE OR VERY LOW PRICES JUST TO "MOVE STOCK"
FOR INFORATION ON PUPPY MILLS, CLICK HERE.
The practices of today's "rescues" are often those which put a premium of "moving stock" rather than finding an appropriate home for each dog. One such practice is trucking in "street dogs" from third world countries, or moving dogs from state to state in trucks; a practice which makes it very difficult for owners of lost dogs to locate them.
I find it highly unethical to promote practices which encourage "impulse buying". These include taking animals to shopping malls and other high traffic areas to try and sell dogs out of trucks. Can you imagine if a dog breeder did this?!
"Most famous bloodlines in Europe!" "Shelter dogs are your best choice!"
"Don't breed or buy while shelter dogs die!"
Wild claims, insane prices, outright fraud, shaming you over your choice of where to buy a dog - welcome to the world of buying a new puppy!
Your choices actually either help or hinder dogs. Does your choice enable puppy mills and backyard breeders - or does is support responsible breeders helping keep pure breeds healthy and sound? What YOU do matters.
The truth is a solid, reputable kennel doesn't need to talk in superlatives, and a responsible rescue organization won't flay you alive for considering a well-bred pup from a breeder. Breeder or rescue, they will let their ethics, their health records, their dogs and their customers do the talking for them. During my 20 years in animal control I have done a lot of rescue. I understand the pros and cons of both "worlds". For some, a rescue dog is a good choice - and for others a well-bred purebred is the best choice. I hope to answer some questions you may have.
Dogs in "no kill" facilities face months, even, unbelievably, years in stressful long-term boarding situations. If something happened to you, would you want YOUR beloved dog to live like this? Please don't support this.
