Well look at these three !
Tara, I bought as a pup.
Casper I bought at 19 months and gave him a forever home full of love, and....
Tammy I bought at 3years after a terrible life - I think she was in a shed all her life, she was pungenlty stinking, and had terrible untreated mite infested skin with a yeast infection on top of that. She wasn't toilet trained, and was all timid, had never seen a TV, or a carpet, etc. She had been shaved, with red raw skin on top, and black skin underneath. Her ears were in tatters after she had to fight other dogs for food - the hair is coming in well now, and covers them mostly, though you can still see one ear is kinked as there is nothing left ! She spent weeks nibbling her skin. She had
never been to a vet, as told to me by her owner. Yet this is a dog with a top pedigree full of Ozmillion Champions ! She was 3lbs when I brought her home, and her normal weight is 4lbs....we spent hundreds at the vet, and got her into tip top condition before Christmas - she is a different dog, and soooo greatful !
I would always do a rescue if I could ! 
1. Tara, Casper, Tammy
2. Tara
3. Casper - Look at this wee mannie - who could resist !
4. Tammy - 6 months later - I bought her last Oct....look at her now !