Quote:
Originally Posted by deonk1  I have friends that still to this day (9 months later) hassel me for not getting a rescue. It really hurts me because I feel selfish, and mad that they are not recognizing the fact that I've rescued many horses over the past 10 years... There are many reasons I bought Harley...
First he was a gift from my boyfriend. He knew I wanted one, and could not afford the breeder fees. all I could handle were care costs. So my boyfriend had a bit of say in it, and he wanted a young dog (under a year old so we could train it)
Second I could not afford extra vet fees for a rescue. All rescues run the risk of severe special needs, I want to rescue, and will when I'm out of school.
Third, I called every shelter in Nova Scotia, They had nothing under 50lbs, let alone a Yorkie. And we live in an apartment, and all our friends have allergies, so hypo allergenic is a must.
Fourth, My stepfather who loves dogs, is a big man with a deep voice... Even Harley who has no reason to be scared, is scared of him... why would I subject a rescue to being petrified... of my giant teddy bear step dad.
Sorry for that rant, I've been hasseled a lot about that, and needed an opportunity to rant about it...
So in conclusion, if you truely want a Yorkie, and can't get one via rescue, a reputable breeder is a great place to go. You shouldn't feel bad, You've saved other dogs already, and I'm sure by the end of your lifetime you will save another one.
Good luck. |
You've got your reasons for going with a breeder instead of a rescue, but for anyone else reading this who might be interested:
Some dogs are placed in rescues because of medical issues. But many more are placed there because owners have either gotten tired of being a dog owner, had behavioral issues, or because they couldn't afford the upkeep of a dog. I've yet to have one of my rescue dogs run up more in vet bills than any of my others. Getting from a breeder isn't a guarantee of good health.
Younger dogs, and even puppies, are available with reputable rescues here in the U.S.. My latest came to me at just 8 weeks. Oliver was 3 months and Emmalee was 10 weeks. It may take a little more time to find one, but it can be done.
Are some rescues more skittish? I'm sure they are, as some may have come from horrific conditions. But temperament can be as much of an issue with a breeder dog, too. (ask me about my purebred golden from a breeder who had such anxiety issues that he tried to burrow through the subfloor of my bathroom!)
Bottom line, there are no guarantees in life, either with yourself of your pet. Whether you decide to go with a (good) breeder or a rescue is a matter of personal choice and conscience.