"rescue" dog

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a purebred dog who was, in fact, a shelter dog. I don't announce she's a rescue but I don't believe in breeding to increase the dog population when so many animals are homeless. Sorry.

+1

For every dog purchased from a breeder, a rescue dog who needs a home dies.

It is unethical to purchase dogs from breeders. IMO. I think less of people who do it.

Not really. I myself volunteer at shelters but got my own dog from a breeder. The fact that a person previously failed the rescue
Dog somehow does not lie on my shoulders.

OMG. Talk about a sense of entitlement and you are a piece.of.work.

She sounds a lot more level-headed than you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a purebred dog who was, in fact, a shelter dog. I don't announce she's a rescue but I don't believe in breeding to increase the dog population when so many animals are homeless. Sorry.

+1

For every dog purchased from a breeder, a rescue dog who needs a home dies.

It is unethical to purchase dogs from breeders. IMO. I think less of people who do it.

Not really. I myself volunteer at shelters but got my own dog from a breeder. The fact that a person previously failed the rescue
Dog somehow does not lie on my shoulders.

It lies on all our shoulders. The way we treat animals says a lot about us as human beings. Buying dogs from a breeder while another dog dies in a shelter is just wrong. Ignorance is not an excuse.

People like you make me want to go buy my next dog from a responsible breeder. I have a rescue dog, and I am sure I will continue to have rescue dogs in my life, but this attitude is ridiculous. One of the reasons I don't like calling my dog a rescue dog is because I don't want to get grouped with the blindly smug rescue people.

Out of curiosity, what kind of breeders do you think you're supporting and encouraging with your actions? Do you ever take a minute to wonder exactly why there are, for instance, puppies available via rescues? You think maybe they are born magically? Why do you think, exactly, that you're acting in an ethical manner? I don't kid myself about where my rescue dog came from. I have given a home, via an intermediary, to the result of crappy breeding, in effect rewarding a bad breeder by taking unwanted puppies. My dog is wonderful, but when I think about what was the most ethical thing to do, I don't think that I acted more ethically than somebody who took the time to find a responsible breeder, and maybe I even acted less ethically. It's not nearly as black and white as you make it out to be, and you are putting your own desire to feel like a good person ahead of the health of animals when you act like it is a black and white issue.

New poster: I'm lost. By adopting a dog from a shelter, I'm supporting breeders...how? Because puppies are available from rescue organizations?? Because you took in an unwanted breeder puppy you supported anti-breeder efforts??? How is that?

Reputable breeders only place their dogs in carefully vetted homes and have a lifelong takeback clause. If all breeders were reputable and ethical, there would be little need for the extensive number of rescue organizations and shelters that there are, because breeders would always take their dogs back if they needed a new home, and wouldn't breed more puppies than they could find good homes for in the first place.

But obviously, that's not the case. There are a lot of very bad breeders, who in effect get insulated from the consequences of their bad breeding practices by the existence of rescue organizations and shelters. Bad breeders know that unwanted puppies can get dropped off at the shelters, and they don't worry about taking back older dogs. It's somebody else's problem and they're insulated from it.

The dog I have now is a mutt who ended up in rescue because of the actions of a bad breeder. I provided a home to a dog who needed a home, and therefore for my individual dog, it's a good thing I went through rescue rather than a breeder because she's in a much better place than she'd be otherwise (and she's alive rather than euthanized). But in doing so, I also protected a bad breeder from having to take responsibility for his or her actions. I'm not convinced that my choice was any more ethical than the choice of a person who researches and pays for a good breeder. Maybe it would have been better to support the efforts of an ethical breeder because that could have broader impact than adopting one dog who needed a home. I'm not sure where that line falls, but I do know that it's not nearly as black and white as the original PP here.

I think there are some rescue people who don't really want to go to a world where people responsibly spay and neuter, and where all breeders are responsible, because they care more about feeling that they are rescuing animals than they do about the actual welfare of the animals.

[Anonymous]

I posted about this here too! I especially hate when they don't even say "dog." As in, "My rescue and I go everywhere together."

Our dog was quite literally in a "rescue" situation. I've never used that word for him though! It just sounds ridiculous to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a purebred dog who was, in fact, a shelter dog. I don't announce she's a rescue but I don't believe in breeding to increase the dog population when so many animals are homeless. Sorry.

+1

For every dog purchased from a breeder, a rescue dog who needs a home dies.

It is unethical to purchase dogs from breeders. IMO. I think less of people who do it.

Not really. I myself volunteer at shelters but got my own dog from a breeder. The fact that a person previously failed the rescue
Dog somehow does not lie on my shoulders.

It lies on all our shoulders. The way we treat animals says a lot about us as human beings. Buying dogs from a breeder while another dog dies in a shelter is just wrong. Ignorance is not an excuse.

People like you make me want to go buy my next dog from a responsible breeder. I have a rescue dog, and I am sure I will continue to have rescue dogs in my life, but this attitude is ridiculous. One of the reasons I don't like calling my dog a rescue dog is because I don't want to get grouped with the blindly smug rescue people.

Out of curiosity, what kind of breeders do you think you're supporting and encouraging with your actions? Do you ever take a minute to wonder exactly why there are, for instance, puppies available via rescues? You think maybe they are born magically? Why do you think, exactly, that you're acting in an ethical manner? I don't kid myself about where my rescue dog came from. I have given a home, via an intermediary, to the result of crappy breeding, in effect rewarding a bad breeder by taking unwanted puppies. My dog is wonderful, but when I think about what was the most ethical thing to do, I don't think that I acted more ethically than somebody who took the time to find a responsible breeder, and maybe I even acted less ethically. It's not nearly as black and white as you make it out to be, and you are putting your own desire to feel like a good person ahead of the health of animals when you act like it is a black and white issue.

New poster: I'm lost. By adopting a dog from a shelter, I'm supporting breeders...how? Because puppies are available from rescue organizations?? Because you took in an unwanted breeder puppy you supported anti-breeder efforts??? How is that?

Reputable breeders only place their dogs in carefully vetted homes and have a lifelong takeback clause. If all breeders were reputable and ethical, there would be little need for the extensive number of rescue organizations and shelters that there are, because breeders would always take their dogs back if they needed a new home, and wouldn't breed more puppies than they could find good homes for in the first place.

But obviously, that's not the case. There are a lot of very bad breeders, who in effect get insulated from the consequences of their bad breeding practices by the existence of rescue organizations and shelters. Bad breeders know that unwanted puppies can get dropped off at the shelters, and they don't worry about taking back older dogs. It's somebody else's problem and they're insulated from it.

The dog I have now is a mutt who ended up in rescue because of the actions of a bad breeder. I provided a home to a dog who needed a home, and therefore for my individual dog, it's a good thing I went through rescue rather than a breeder because she's in a much better place than she'd be otherwise (and she's alive rather than euthanized). But in doing so, I also protected a bad breeder from having to take responsibility for his or her actions. I'm not convinced that my choice was any more ethical than the choice of a person who researches and pays for a good breeder. Maybe it would have been better to support the efforts of an ethical breeder because that could have broader impact than adopting one dog who needed a home. I'm not sure where that line falls, but I do know that it's not nearly as black and white as the original PP here.

I think there are some rescue people who don't really want to go to a world where people responsibly spay and neuter, and where all breeders are responsible, because they care more about feeling that they are rescuing animals than they do about the actual welfare of the animals.

Even if all breeders were responsible and ethical, there would still be animals that need homes. I think you are fooling yourself. I also think that the idea that we can "take on" the bad breeders is pretty mythical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a purebred dog who was, in fact, a shelter dog. I don't announce she's a rescue but I don't believe in breeding to increase the dog population when so many animals are homeless. Sorry.

+1

For every dog purchased from a breeder, a rescue dog who needs a home dies.

It is unethical to purchase dogs from breeders. IMO. I think less of people who do it.

Not really. I myself volunteer at shelters but got my own dog from a breeder. The fact that a person previously failed the rescue
Dog somehow does not lie on my shoulders.

It lies on all our shoulders. The way we treat animals says a lot about us as human beings. Buying dogs from a breeder while another dog dies in a shelter is just wrong. Ignorance is not an excuse.

People like you make me want to go buy my next dog from a responsible breeder. I have a rescue dog, and I am sure I will continue to have rescue dogs in my life, but this attitude is ridiculous. One of the reasons I don't like calling my dog a rescue dog is because I don't want to get grouped with the blindly smug rescue people.

Out of curiosity, what kind of breeders do you think you're supporting and encouraging with your actions? Do you ever take a minute to wonder exactly why there are, for instance, puppies available via rescues? You think maybe they are born magically? Why do you think, exactly, that you're acting in an ethical manner? I don't kid myself about where my rescue dog came from. I have given a home, via an intermediary, to the result of crappy breeding, in effect rewarding a bad breeder by taking unwanted puppies. My dog is wonderful, but when I think about what was the most ethical thing to do, I don't think that I acted more ethically than somebody who took the time to find a responsible breeder, and maybe I even acted less ethically. It's not nearly as black and white as you make it out to be, and you are putting your own desire to feel like a good person ahead of the health of animals when you act like it is a black and white issue.

New poster: I'm lost. By adopting a dog from a shelter, I'm supporting breeders...how? Because puppies are available from rescue organizations?? Because you took in an unwanted breeder puppy you supported anti-breeder efforts??? How is that?

Reputable breeders only place their dogs in carefully vetted homes and have a lifelong takeback clause. If all breeders were reputable and ethical, there would be little need for the extensive number of rescue organizations and shelters that there are, because breeders would always take their dogs back if they needed a new home, and wouldn't breed more puppies than they could find good homes for in the first place.

But obviously, that's not the case. There are a lot of very bad breeders, who in effect get insulated from the consequences of their bad breeding practices by the existence of rescue organizations and shelters. Bad breeders know that unwanted puppies can get dropped off at the shelters, and they don't worry about taking back older dogs. It's somebody else's problem and they're insulated from it.

The dog I have now is a mutt who ended up in rescue because of the actions of a bad breeder. I provided a home to a dog who needed a home, and therefore for my individual dog, it's a good thing I went through rescue rather than a breeder because she's in a much better place than she'd be otherwise (and she's alive rather than euthanized). But in doing so, I also protected a bad breeder from having to take responsibility for his or her actions. I'm not convinced that my choice was any more ethical than the choice of a person who researches and pays for a good breeder. Maybe it would have been better to support the efforts of an ethical breeder because that could have broader impact than adopting one dog who needed a home. I'm not sure where that line falls, but I do know that it's not nearly as black and white as the original PP here.

I think there are some rescue people who don't really want to go to a world where people responsibly spay and neuter, and where all breeders are responsible, because they care more about feeling that they are rescuing animals than they do about the actual welfare of the animals.

Even if all breeders were responsible and ethical, there would still be animals that need homes. I think you are fooling yourself. I also think that the idea that we can "take on" the bad breeders is pretty mythical.

I didn't say that there wouldn't be animals that didn't need homes. If all breeders were responsible and ethical, though, there would be significantly less need for rescue organizations. I don't think that you can eliminate bad breeders, either, unfortunately, but I don't like the fact that the mythology of "rescue" tries to ignore the dependencies between rescue organizations and bad breeders. I object to is this blanket characterization that adopting a rescue is always the more ethical choice and that supporting good breeders is not an ethical choice. I don't think that's the case at all. In the end, inasmuch as there are bad breeders, I also think there are people who work in rescue who are more interested in their own self-image as a "rescuer" than they are in animal welfare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a purebred dog who was, in fact, a shelter dog. I don't announce she's a rescue but I don't believe in breeding to increase the dog population when so many animals are homeless. Sorry.

+1

For every dog purchased from a breeder, a rescue dog who needs a home dies.

It is unethical to purchase dogs from breeders. IMO. I think less of people who do it.

Not really. I myself volunteer at shelters but got my own dog from a breeder. The fact that a person previously failed the rescue
Dog somehow does not lie on my shoulders.

It lies on all our shoulders. The way we treat animals says a lot about us as human beings. Buying dogs from a breeder while another dog dies in a shelter is just wrong. Ignorance is not an excuse.

We tried to work with 2 different rescue organizations. Both turned us down because we have a child with autism. My kid is gentle and has never hit or hurt anyone. My kid is terrific with animals, including a very shy, older cat that we inherited from his grandmother. Despite that, the autism diagnosis was a total rule-out.

We've had two terrific dogs from responsible breeders since then. My kid is terrific with them.

Rescues are often too difficult for many families to work with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a purebred dog who was, in fact, a shelter dog. I don't announce she's a rescue but I don't believe in breeding to increase the dog population when so many animals are homeless. Sorry.

+1

For every dog purchased from a breeder, a rescue dog who needs a home dies.

It is unethical to purchase dogs from breeders. IMO. I think less of people who do it.

Not really. I myself volunteer at shelters but got my own dog from a breeder. The fact that a person previously failed the rescue
Dog somehow does not lie on my shoulders.

It lies on all our shoulders. The way we treat animals says a lot about us as human beings. Buying dogs from a breeder while another dog dies in a shelter is just wrong. Ignorance is not an excuse.

We tried to work with 2 different rescue organizations. Both turned us down because we have a child with autism. My kid is gentle and has never hit or hurt anyone. My kid is terrific with animals, including a very shy, older cat that we inherited from his grandmother. Despite that, the autism diagnosis was a total rule-out.

We've had two terrific dogs from responsible breeders since then. My kid is terrific with them.

Rescues are often too difficult for many families to work with.

I'm glad you found dogs for your family. I volunteer for a rescue and I don't judge how people welcome dogs into their families- breeder, rescue, shelter, whatever works.

That said, rescues are very wary of dogs being adopted and returned. I imagine that's why you were rejected. I'm sorry you were not given a chance because of a family member's autism. That's a missed opportunity for the rescue groups to learn about the bonds that can form between people with autism and their dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a purebred dog who was, in fact, a shelter dog. I don't announce she's a rescue but I don't believe in breeding to increase the dog population when so many animals are homeless. Sorry.

+1

For every dog purchased from a breeder, a rescue dog who needs a home dies.

It is unethical to purchase dogs from breeders. IMO. I think less of people who do it.

Not really. I myself volunteer at shelters but got my own dog from a breeder. The fact that a person previously failed the rescue
Dog somehow does not lie on my shoulders.

It lies on all our shoulders. The way we treat animals says a lot about us as human beings. Buying dogs from a breeder while another dog dies in a shelter is just wrong. Ignorance is not an excuse.

People like you make me want to go buy my next dog from a responsible breeder. I have a rescue dog, and I am sure I will continue to have rescue dogs in my life, but this attitude is ridiculous. One of the reasons I don't like calling my dog a rescue dog is because I don't want to get grouped with the blindly smug rescue people.

Out of curiosity, what kind of breeders do you think you're supporting and encouraging with your actions? Do you ever take a minute to wonder exactly why there are, for instance, puppies available via rescues? You think maybe they are born magically? Why do you think, exactly, that you're acting in an ethical manner? I don't kid myself about where my rescue dog came from. I have given a home, via an intermediary, to the result of crappy breeding, in effect rewarding a bad breeder by taking unwanted puppies. My dog is wonderful, but when I think about what was the most ethical thing to do, I don't think that I acted more ethically than somebody who took the time to find a responsible breeder, and maybe I even acted less ethically. It's not nearly as black and white as you make it out to be, and you are putting your own desire to feel like a good person ahead of the health of animals when you act like it is a black and white issue.

New poster: I'm lost. By adopting a dog from a shelter, I'm supporting breeders...how? Because puppies are available from rescue organizations?? Because you took in an unwanted breeder puppy you supported anti-breeder efforts??? How is that?

Reputable breeders only place their dogs in carefully vetted homes and have a lifelong takeback clause. If all breeders were reputable and ethical, there would be little need for the extensive number of rescue organizations and shelters that there are, because breeders would always take their dogs back if they needed a new home, and wouldn't breed more puppies than they could find good homes for in the first place.

But obviously, that's not the case. There are a lot of very bad breeders, who in effect get insulated from the consequences of their bad breeding practices by the existence of rescue organizations and shelters. Bad breeders know that unwanted puppies can get dropped off at the shelters, and they don't worry about taking back older dogs. It's somebody else's problem and they're insulated from it.

The dog I have now is a mutt who ended up in rescue because of the actions of a bad breeder. I provided a home to a dog who needed a home, and therefore for my individual dog, it's a good thing I went through rescue rather than a breeder because she's in a much better place than she'd be otherwise (and she's alive rather than euthanized). But in doing so, I also protected a bad breeder from having to take responsibility for his or her actions. I'm not convinced that my choice was any more ethical than the choice of a person who researches and pays for a good breeder. Maybe it would have been better to support the efforts of an ethical breeder because that could have broader impact than adopting one dog who needed a home. I'm not sure where that line falls, but I do know that it's not nearly as black and white as the original PP here.

I think there are some rescue people who don't really want to go to a world where people responsibly spay and neuter, and where all breeders are responsible, because they care more about feeling that they are rescuing animals than they do about the actual welfare of the animals.

Even if all breeders were responsible and ethical, there would still be animals that need homes. I think you are fooling yourself. I also think that the idea that we can "take on" the bad breeders is pretty mythical.

I didn't say that there wouldn't be animals that didn't need homes. If all breeders were responsible and ethical, though, there would be significantly less need for rescue organizations. I don't think that you can eliminate bad breeders, either, unfortunately, but I don't like the fact that the mythology of "rescue" tries to ignore the dependencies between rescue organizations and bad breeders. I object to is this blanket characterization that adopting a rescue is always the more ethical choice and that supporting good breeders is not an ethical choice. I don't think that's the case at all. In the end, inasmuch as there are bad breeders, I also think there are people who work in rescue who are more interested in their own self-image as a "rescuer" than they are in animal welfare.

PP hits the nail on the head.

There are many people out there who don't stop to think beyond: "I'm such a great person for having rescued a dog, and you're such a bad person for paying a breeder." Dumb and ignorant behavior.
It's not a myth that we need to shut down puppy mills (into which bad breeder fall). It's not a myth that we need to weed out heritable disorders with genetic testing and controlled breeding, which is what responsible breeders do. Those goals are difficult to reach, but it doesn't mean they're impossible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, it gets annoying. Right now I have a dog from rescue and I never describe her as a "rescue dog." People sometimes ask about her history, but it's pretty obvious because she's a mutt. I've also owned puppies from responsible breeders before and I will again some day. Sometimes people meet my dog and go on about how great it is that I "rescued" a dog, which I think is just silly. My dog is awesome and I'm lucky to have her regardless of how I got her.

The only time I think it's relevant is when you're talking about behavioral issues, because dogs that go through rescues may have issues that are different from puppies from good breeders. That's the only time when I bring up my dog's status as a "rescue dog" because I had to modify my training methods to account for some of her history.

Also, while I'm being grumpy and ranting, I think there are absolutely horrible rescue organizations out there that are basically just fronts for puppy mills and irresponsible breeders, and the idea that somebody should feel morally superior for getting a dog from one of these is laughable.

Can you be more specific?

I have worked in rescue organizations, including puppy mill busts for 20+ years and I have never heard of such a thing.

NP, but we adopted our first "rescue" dog from a rescue in rural Ohio that specialized in puppies from Amish breeders, backyard breeders, and puppy mills. I heard after that these types of groups are known to go to the puppy auctions and actually buy the dogs from the auction. I suspect my rescue group does this because they always have 20-30 2-ish month old puppies on their website, usually full litters, which would be really hard to maintain in a rural area if they were relying on owner surrenders. Yes, it saves the life of that dog from whatever fate the rescue has determined would be worse than my family, but it is also perpetuating the puppy mills/Amish breeders. Maybe we got scammed or maybe they were operating with good intentions. Either way, the dog is 5 years old now and we're glad to have her!

[Anonymous]

I have two rescue dogs, and unless someone asks about the breed/age/where I got them, I don't mention that they're rescues. Though they're mismatched mutts, so it's probably pretty obvious. For us, rescuing is the right thing to do. However, if you have health or physical limitations that restrict what breed you can get, or if you're not committed to dealing with the emotional issues that MANY rescues bring with them, then I'd much rather you buy from a responsible breeder than rescue a dog you're not able to manage safely and happily. I have friends with rescues with serious reactivity and aggression issues that are now having babies. It is so hard, but I wish they wouldn't have brought the dog into the house knowing they were planning on having kids in the next few years.

[Anonymous]

The nice thing about mentioning that I adopted my dog from the shelter is that usually people ask me a lot of questions about the experience, which then leads to a conversation about dog fostering (which I also do). It's basically an opportunity to encourage others to get involved with shelter/rescue dogs. If it's offensive to mention, I don't care, because if I get even one person to act on the thought that's been planted, I've saved a life.

I've saved 5 foster dogs so far and it's a GREAT feeling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two rescue dogs, and unless someone asks about the breed/age/where I got them, I don't mention that they're rescues. Though they're mismatched mutts, so it's probably pretty obvious. For us, rescuing is the right thing to do. However, if you have health or physical limitations that restrict what breed you can get, or if you're not committed to dealing with the emotional issues that MANY rescues bring with them, then I'd much rather you buy from a responsible breeder than rescue a dog you're not able to manage safely and happily. I have friends with rescues with serious reactivity and aggression issues that are now having babies. It is so hard, but I wish they wouldn't have brought the dog into the house knowing they were planning on having kids in the next few years.

We also have two rescue dogs and I don't judge people for how they get their dogs other than those that are supporting obvious puppy mill operations.

However, we're also among those people struggling to decide what to do with our younger rescue dog now that we are starting a family. His many issues only became apparent after we brought him home from the shelter, one of which is a terrible fear of children. We've worked with him for years now to help get him better but with only marginal success. There was truly no indication of what he would be like at the shelter, he appeared completely calm and relaxed. It was only after weeks at home that he came out of his shell and we realized he'd been completely shut down and practically catatonic at the shelter. Now we are starting a family and we are hoping and praying that he will adjust to the new family member but if he doesn't, yes we'll be responsibly rehoming him. I know some of our friends are judging us since we're open about the fact that we will not force this dog to live with a child if it's making him miserable or if he poses a danger to our child. It's easy to say we shouldn't have brought him into our home unless we were willing to deal with literally any possible behavior from him but it's not realistic in practice and we aren't willing to not have children because our dog may not tolerate it.

In response to OPs post about why people state they have rescues, I only do so when pertinent to the conversation. Often on this board when I see people stating that everyone should just adopt, I'll preface my response with the fact that I have rescues of my own before going on to state that rescue isn't the only option. If anything, all of the problems we've faced with our younger rescue have made me that much less judgemental of people choosing to use a breeder. Because the same people saying everyone should adopt are often the same ones that tell me I should have known my dog could be like this and I should be ashamed for admitting that we may need to find him a new home.

[Anonymous]

Yes it is a badge of honor in DC. I rescued this dog therefore I am such a good person. Way to go.

[Anonymous]

I am not even going to wade into the breeder discussion.

I will say this, however: the hackles that arise in people when they hear rescue is just more of the same old, same old. Sure, maybe some people are superior about it.

But I have noticed that if you say you have a rescue, or that you are a vegetarian, or you drive a prius, or whatever, there is a certain type of person who is automatically going to feel judged and that the speaker is smug.

It is as if you are supposed to stay completely quiet about your choices because the other person might feel judged or insecure about theirs.

I am kind over people who feel this prickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have two rescue dogs, and unless someone asks about the breed/age/where I got them, I don't mention that they're rescues. Though they're mismatched mutts, so it's probably pretty obvious. For us, rescuing is the right thing to do. However, if you have health or physical limitations that restrict what breed you can get, or if you're not committed to dealing with the emotional issues that MANY rescues bring with them, then I'd much rather you buy from a responsible breeder than rescue a dog you're not able to manage safely and happily. I have friends with rescues with serious reactivity and aggression issues that are now having babies. It is so hard, but I wish they wouldn't have brought the dog into the house knowing they were planning on having kids in the next few years.

We also have two rescue dogs and I don't judge people for how they get their dogs other than those that are supporting obvious puppy mill operations.

However, we're also among those people struggling to decide what to do with our younger rescue dog now that we are starting a family. His many issues only became apparent after we brought him home from the shelter, one of which is a terrible fear of children. We've worked with him for years now to help get him better but with only marginal success. There was truly no indication of what he would be like at the shelter, he appeared completely calm and relaxed. It was only after weeks at home that he came out of his shell and we realized he'd been completely shut down and practically catatonic at the shelter. Now we are starting a family and we are hoping and praying that he will adjust to the new family member but if he doesn't, yes we'll be responsibly rehoming him. I know some of our friends are judging us since we're open about the fact that we will not force this dog to live with a child if it's making him miserable or if he poses a danger to our child. It's easy to say we shouldn't have brought him into our home unless we were willing to deal with literally any possible behavior from him but it's not realistic in practice and we aren't willing to not have children because our dog may not tolerate it.

In response to OPs post about why people state they have rescues, I only do so when pertinent to the conversation. Often on this board when I see people stating that everyone should just adopt, I'll preface my response with the fact that I have rescues of my own before going on to state that rescue isn't the only option. If anything, all of the problems we've faced with our younger rescue have made me that much less judgemental of people choosing to use a breeder. Because the same people saying everyone should adopt are often the same ones that tell me I should have known my dog could be like this and I should be ashamed for admitting that we may need to find him a new home.

PP you quoted here. You're doing the right, responsible thing. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this, it is so hard. It took my adult rescue about a month to "open up" once we brought her home, and yes there were behavioral surprises we didn't expect. We were TTC when we got her, so I screened out any dogs that hadn't been fostered with children in the house. But seriously, hind sight is 20/20 and this is not your fault. I'm the OP of the cruising baby thread, and from the replies there, even the most even-tempered dogs have an adjustment to new babies in the home. It is not in the best interest of the dog to keep them in an environment where they are under constant stress and fear. You do the best thing for your family, and please try to ignore those judgmental friends. Good luck to you!