Daily Dog Question 10/10/07?

Question

Sorry for skipping a day, I just needed a break.

I'm shifting gears a bit due to some of the controversy I'm seeing, not that any of it is new, but it's really hot & heavy right now.

Here's the question - Where did you get your dog(s)? Adopted, found? Purchased from a neighbor, friend or family member? From a breeder? Did you swipe it out of a yard where it was chained to tree? Other?

Just curious. No Judgements here. We all love our dogs. I'm just curious as to where you got your beloved dog(s)

As for me, since I can't answer my own question, I'll tell you where my fiance got HIS dogs.

1 was inherited from his fiance - a gift & free to a good home in a box of pups at a convenience store over 14 years ago.

1 researched extensively, waited for & purchased from wonderful breeder.

2 are rescues from the same purebred lab rescue. Funny, both of those dogs were considered biters.

1 is a Katrina dog pulled from under a house in New Orleans.

All kinds huh

Answer 1

One was given to me from a breeder because they didn't want her breed, poor quality and knew I would spay her. One was going to a rescue and needed a place to stay for the weekend, never left. The other had been a breeder, lost her pups and was being kicked out of her home so I took her.

That is what I have now. Others have been from neighbors who didn't spay so we would take them in. All have been lovely dogs.



I agree Cindy: it doesn't matter where you get your animal, what matters that it is loved. If you got it from an ad, if you didn't take it it would go to a shelter. If it needs a home, it needs a home. I just hope people try not to but from the pet stores that sell pups as not to support puppy mills, although I'd love to scoop them all up too. The pet stores that help rescues are a good place! Sorry didn't mean to preach there, oops

Answer 2

My first dog was a mongrel from a small one-man-band rescue near to my Grandparents' home when I was 13. He had been found as a stray so no background on him. However, he was EXTREMELY timid at first. Terrified of men, or anyone carrying anything that looked like a stick (eg. walking stick, folded up newspaper etc). He eventually became a great pet, and was very well-behaved.



He joined a cat and a gerbil that we inherited when my mother met (then married) a bloke who had those pets.



9 years later he was diagnosed with cancer, and the cat was hit by a car and killed shortly afterwards (April 2000 was not a fun month) but a few months before he died we got a couple of Yorkshire Terriers.



We hadn't intended to get another pet, but my sister was buying a house from an elderly couple who were moving into a retirement flat and could not take their pets with them. We took their dogs on.



Those dogs brought about an upturn in the mood of our first dog, who we don't doubt was lonely after the cat died (we'd originally put his demeanour down to the cancer). He was definitely happier for the company of those two dogs.



The two Yorkshire Terriers stayed with my parents when I left home.



I now have a greyhound. We got him from Dogs Trust (a large, nationwide dog rescue in the UK). He was an ex-racer who had one pet home that hadn't worked out. He's been fantastic with us.

Answer 3

I waited for sixteen years to get the dog I have now. During that time I researched via books and online resources, talked to vets, and met other people with the breed I thought I wanted to be sure I'd be a good match for this type of dog.



When I was at last in the situation I wanted to be - in a stable home with six-plus acres of farmland, working no more than 10 hours a week, and still very physically active, I got my dream dog from a dream breeder: Gentle Shepherd Farms in Franklinville, New York. Misha is almost four and a half months old, a blue merle Border Collie, and she is even more than I hoped she could be. All that waiting and care has more than paid off, and I look forward all the time to each new day with her.

Answer 4

Every morning my dogs (2) get walked. Sometime an hour sometimes more depending on the weather, this depends also on who or what we bump into along the way! :). I have a set pattern of where I walk but I do varie it from time to time just to satisfy my self not the dogs. Sometimes I will let them off leash too just to run in the fields too. Then it back home again usually before 7 am. Oh good point Bassetnut! I have little blinkers on the dogs collars so I can see them when we go out also so they can be seen by others too. I also carry a small but powerful flash light just in case and some pepper spray too! I have run into coyotes on morning walks before. A bottle of water for them too with a collapsible bowl. My dogs also get a ton of exercises just from running and playing in the yard too. So I think my dogs are good! :)

Answer 5

First one was a Chow mix and was abandoned on the streets with his mom and the rest of the litter in the middle of the winter.



Second, a Keeshond, from a reputable breeder but, since I got the runt and he was sick, he pretty much cost nothing.



Third, a Boxer, a gift from hubby from reputable breeder for my birthday.



Last, a Golden mix just found a couple weeks ago out in the woods either abandoned or lost (hopefully not lost since I'd have a very hard time giving him up now!)

Answer 6

My dogs are brothers. and lab xxxxxx's. A friend of mine called one day and said she seen the nieghbor dog with pups once again. it was a really bad winter 8-10 degrees at night and the next day I stopped at the guys house. told him i was driving by and seen he had pups. I said i wanted them all...LOL. WTH was i going to do with 11 puppies!??? He didn't care he was just happy to see them go.

he helped me round them up...most hidden under an open porch for shelter...not even a dog house! 1 had died....others he threw cat food on the ground and they came out of hiding.....i asked for momma but he wouldn't give her up. I told fine but that he should get her fixed....he must have cause she has not seen puppies for 5 years....(amazingly only one made a mess in my car!)



I kept 2 pups who really i didn't think would make in the shelter one was a skinny runt brad and the other was a bit bigger hunter. The rest had to go to the shelter. They all got adopted.



Thats how I got my dogs I have now. however my daughters birthday coming up I think we will be adding another from a shelter or rescue.

Answer 7

My boyfriend brought home our dog, as kind of a suprise. He got him (Zeke) from someone that he knew that had puppies to get rid of. My mom has 4 dogs (Betty, Frank, Zip-Zap & Jack) Betty was my dog that I brought home when I lived there. Another "free" one, that one of my friends had. Then I just let her stay there when I moved out. They have such a nice place for a dog to live! Frank followed my sister up the lane and nobody ever claimed him. Zip-Zap was kind of a funny story... he showed up there and my mom put an ad in the paper and the people that owned him came from a town about 10-15 miles away. They took him back, but later had to move to a place where he wasn't allowed, SO they brought him back and asked if my parents would keep him... and they did. My mom rescued Jack from a shelter, sometimes she goes there, just to see the animals and she fell in love with Jack. He sure got lucky! He's the only one that gets to stay inside and gets soft food everyday.

Answer 8

I got my one dog from the local humane society: the person dropped him off because (and I literally quote!) "just can't have him anymore".



My other two were found tied to a fence post in 100 degree heat at 4 months old. We found a home for the girl but kept the boy. The home fell through and guess what - we TOOK HER BACK. Shouldn't all people be that responsible for the lives of animals??!!

Answer 9

1. The Setter was bought from a responsible breeder.



2. The Border Collie mix was an unclaimed stray adopted from the county pound.

Answer 10

I got my beautiful boy from the Humane Society here in Jax. I had always wanted a Siberian Husky so bad, and was never allowed to have one. Once I moved out and away from home my then future husband and I started looking for a dog.

I had gone several times with no luck, then one day we were strolling through the kennels and my husband was distracted by one dog. I walked on and came across my boy. He was sitting there so nicely just looking at me like "take me home!" I started yelling for my husband and he came to look.

It was between him and another dog that my husband really liked. We took both dogs to an outside meet and greet and my boy loved on us and the other dog completely ignored us! Thank heavens. So we adopted him and took him to his furever home.

You can see my gorgeous boy here:

http://www.dogster.com/dogs/583546



Addition:

Oh, some people have to turn everything into an argument around here! And what's up with all the thumbs down? People are so silly around here.

Answer 11

people get thumbs down for their opinions if it doesnt agree with the poeple who are giving thumbs down's opinions which is sad cause then some people just woudn't answer even if their opinions might actually help.. ill prolly get a thumbs down for this.. LoL.



Anyway, I got my dog from a friend of a friend. she's free. One night my friend told me, my friend is giving away 8 shih tzus. I said oh I want one, the next day I had a shih tzu. I'm glad I got her though, she had worms and was very unenergetic, i wasnt sure how long that has been going on but I got her treated the next day.



She's active and playful now.. love her!

Answer 12

I am very active in Large/Giant breed rescue, foster, and re-homing. With that said, I adopted both my Saint Bernard and my Newfoundland out of rescue and would not have it any other way!!!



I am however purchasing a puppy (Bernese Mountain Dog) from a breeder for the first time this winter. My husband and I spent over one year researching breeders, joining the Berner breed club, attending dog shows, attending local Bernese events, and getting to know different breeders, owners, and Berners. We have been friends with and have been working with this particular breeder for over three years and are very excited to bring home our little one!! And a male this time! :)



Great question!! Enjoy your day! :)

Answer 13

My current dogs:

2 were purchased from reputable breeders

1 was given to me as a retired Champion

3 were rescued by me, 2 of which were dumped by my house, the other was an owner surrender due to moving.

All of my Rottweilers in the past were purchased from reputable breeders.

Answer 14

I bought my cocker, Zoe, from a friend. She became a friend after she bought one of my puppies sired out of my late dog, Tailor. She bought "Hannah" from me in '97 as her first show dog. She showed her and then bred her a few times. When she bred her for the last time, she asked if I wanted a dog from her last litter...at the time, it was a good time for me to have a new dog, and I thought it would be so nice to have an offspring from one of Tailor's kids, so I said yes. I got Zoe in 2004.



An old friend of mine who used to own cockers and is now into miniature dachshunds had her first miniature dachshund litter in 2005. At the time, I was working at her grooming shop and she would bring the puppies in. I got to know the puppies and her new breed and I fell in love. It was at that time I decided I could see myself owning a miniature dachshund. A year later, she repeated the breeding. Since I loved the pick of the litter from the litter a year before, (who just recently finished her championship) I thought it would be fun to have something just like her. So, that is when I bought my mini dachshund, Hannah.



My friend is now showing a wired haired mini dachshund who I just adore. I am thinking that when it's time for my friend to breed her, I may take one of her puppies too. :)

Answer 15

I found my APBT at a rescue through petfinder.com

she was 2.5 years old and they had her for a little over a year. She is very shy and scared and they thought that they would never find a home for her.

Glad to say that she is coming along just fine. It will take time, but she is slowly coming out of her shell. I take her everywhere i go and... well... she has no choice!

Answer 16

have a 3yo male mini dachshund

I took a quiz - http://www.petnet.com.au/selectadog.asp

after going through the answers, and doing some investigation into the breeds i decided a mini short haired dachshund was the breed for me. i started looking on line for the breed in shelters and was lucky enough to find exactly what i was looking for (male, black and tan mini short haired) in about a month later i found my little man but he was in an interstate shelter/ rescue so after a few phone calls i was able to arrange transport and in a week everything was organized and my dog was on his way. 3 weeks later i am so happy and can't imagine what might of happened if i hadn't taken that test. and the bonus of getting a pound puppy is that he come desexed, wormed vaccinated, micro chipped, vet checked, flead, house broken,and know his basic commands such as sit

Answer 17

Dogs in my house:

1 bought from responsible, reputable breeders

1 gift from a responsible, reputable breeder

2 I bred myself



Dogs my daughter or I co-own that do not live with us:

2 gifts from a responsible reputable breeder (in exchange for handling and/or assistance whelping)

13 bred or co-bred (6 actively being shown/bred, 7 in nice pet homes and may be shown but probably not bred).



EDIT: Gee.. wonder who the jerk is passing out thumb's down... it would be nice if someone commented as to why my answer is a poor one.

Answer 18

The collies we have now were purchased from a breeder. I wanted to go through Houston Collie Rescue but my husband insisted that they had to be puppies.



Our Golden/Chow came from the Animal Shelter - we lost him 2 years ago. He was 9.



Our Coonhound was a reserach dog at the Vet School. I worked for them and they were put up for adoption when their program was finished. She died last year from cancer at the age of 12.



Our first dog together was a Catahoula mix that we picked up at the Animal Shelter. She escaped our house and was hit by a car 8 years ago at the age of 3. I still miss her.

Answer 19

Currently own three dogs:

1- got as a puppy from the city pound. mixed breed, sole survivor of a litter thrown from a car. She was about 4 mos. old (Aussie mix) Now almost seven yrs old.



2-got as a puppy from the city pound, was one of two throw aways from an unwanted litter. She was about three and a half mos. old. (Golden Retriever mix) Now almost six yrs old



3- got as a puppy- 2 1/2 wks old rescued from assured euthanization as owner was tired of the pups and was taking them to the SPCA. I bottle fed her. She's now 2 1/2 yrs old, APBT.



All three are GREAT dogs! Thanks for asking.

Answer 20

2 are rescues and 1 I got from a breeder.

Answer 21

I have three shelties. I get them all from my mentor and breeder next door, whom has been showing for over 30 years. My first one is a pet/practice to show dogs. She's an excellent show dog, but she doesn't grow up as what we expect. My other two are full sisters (same sire and dam). As of now, they both AKC pointed (one has one major).

I agree with you about the thumbs. I get thumbs down about telling people to confine their dogs (crate train). That's ridiculous.

Answer 22

First dog = adopted from a terrier rescue colleague



Second dog = adopted after a search on Petfinder.com -- turns out the organization was run by another rescue colleague of mine



Both dogs were rescued from high kill shelters, first dog was on death row

Answer 23

I got my girl from a really nice no-kill shelter that I found when looking through dog profiles on petfinder.



My dog who just passed away a year ago was found walking along a back road by a fellow employee who was going to take him to the pound but I wouldn't allow it because he just latched onto me when I met him.

Answer 24

First two i got from people that at six months had no vetting and couldn't handle them any more.



Third I kept was my first Parvo.



Fourth Neurotic fruitloop that is scared of her shadow. But she fits fine in my house so I kept her.



Fifth HW survivor hit by car ancient old hates other dogs and stubborn as an ox. Couldn't help it. I love her brute a$$. Even though I had to pull her off a foster Monday morning with blood everywhere.

Answer 25

I got Sarge (half lab/half rottie) from a legit breeder. His female Rottie was accidently let out by a child, at which point she was knocked up by a Choc. lab in the neighborhood.



The mutts he had were treated just as well as the purebreed litter he had at the same time. He charged nothing for our mutt (dont know if he charged others), but he did insist that the dog never be bred.

Answer 26

One is a shelter dog from the local humane society he was found roaming the streets



One was researched and waited for from a line of agility dogs she is a rat terrier.

Answer 27

Got my sibe from a breeder after doing lots of research on them and went to a dog show and found out she had some for sale.

Answer 28

I got mine from a breeder after months of waiting and visiting several litters. She's my first dog ever and I love her to piece's, my next dog/cat will be a rescue.

We were going to rescue a Samoyed, but she was not suitable unfortunately.

Answer 29

someone brought an entire litter of pups to the vets office where my cousin worked. the lady just said "here ya go" and basically dumped them. they were about a week old.



our family took 3 of them to foster. one didnt make it past a couple days. the other two we raised till about 2 months. i was so attached to one that we decided to keep him (we found a home for the other one).

its ten years later and he's still my baby :)



3 of our other dogs were from a local shelter where we volunteered.



and one (a whippet) was from a house full of dogs where she was bullied by the other dogs.

Answer 30

My dog was the runt of the litter, and no one wanted her, so one of my sisters took her in knowing she didn't really have any room for her. About this time last year I was thinking of going to the pound to pick up a dog, and my sis asked me to take Betty ( I renamed her when I brought her home), so I did. Couldn 't imagine life without her now, the little wagon!!

Answer 31

I got my dog from a breeder, who I was referred to by another breeder.



Ok, that sounds complicated... I'll explain it better:



I contacted the woman who was my 4-H dog project leader when I was young. I knew she showed and bred papillons. She did not have any litters, but one of her dogs had just sired a litter, so she referred me to the breeder that had those puppies.



I keep in touch with both breeders. I think it's a somewhat unique situation to keep in touch with both the owners of the dame and the sire, but I am pleased with it, and if I have questions or concerns, it gives me two reputable, reliable people to go to instead of just one.

Answer 32

I got my current dog from my local animal shelter.

My three previous dogs (all euthanized due to health/age related problems): one bought from a probable BYB (I had no clue - 17 years ago, but he was just a teenager and only had his own 2 dogs on the property, plus my pup), one from local shelter and one found (no one claimed).

Answer 33

I rescued my Boston Terrier. He was living near my brother's house and his owner did not take good care of him and he kept getting loose. Since my brother already had 2 Bostons, he called me (after consulting with the owner) and we got him!



He is the greatest doggie in the world and I don't know how anyone could have given him up!

Answer 34

I got my dog from a friend of a friend. His dog had 7 puppies and I had to have one. He is so cute! He's a lab/Pit mix. He is the sweetest dog. I got him when he was 7 weeks old and he will be 3 next week!

Answer 35

1. adopted from the animal shelter.



2. adopted from rescue after his "breeder" wanted him put to sleep because he's missing a toe on one foot.



3. adopted from my sister who was going to dump her because she just didn't want her anymore.



4. was a dog I fostered for rescue and ended up adopting.

Answer 36

both were from the Humane Society of Utah

http://www.utahhumane.org/



Kristy was about 9-10 months old when we adopted her:

http://www.dogster.com/dogs/629507



Missy was 18 months old when I adopted her:

http://www.dogster.com/dogs/549766



And now they're spoiled and loved and ... Kristy's not as fat any more. They both went from being scrawny pound dogs into huge foodies.

Answer 37

http://www.sugarloot.com/photoentry/511982555

this explains it all. i wasnt really looking for a great show dog or a working dog. i was looking for a pet. that is y i went the place i did. so please dont like scold me for going to a REALLY bad backyard breeder. i knew the woman so that is partly y i went there. i took one look at him and knew he needed a home. and that is y i got him.

Answer 38

My first dog I got when I read a sign stapled to a telephone poll on 82nd ave in portland, OR.



Second one I picked from a litter I had.

Answer 39

I got my two brother and sister (Cosmo & wanda) bull dogs from a shelter in Denver Colorado.

Answer 40

My boyfriend worked at a petstore. I know everyone hates buying dogs from petstores. But since he worked their he knew all the breeders cuz he was the one that had to do the dog buying, and selling, and cleaning. So he ordered her, and I bought her when she came in. She is a little Dapple Dachshund.

Answer 41

If you aren't partial to purebreeds or puppies, I would recommend adopting from a shelter. If you are partial (as I was), then I would recommend staying away from the Industrial Breeders with their huge kennels or the puppy mills, and instead go to what most y/a people snobbishly call backyard breeders (meaning: local part-time breeder who has another occupation and breeds every few years). If you chose correctly, using my following list of qualifications, you will often wind up with a better quality of dog than at one of these McDonald's like mega breeder/puppy chains. A good breeder should:

Have healthy, happy dogs; provide the inital vaccines; not let the pups go before 8 weeks; breed dogs based on what will better the breed, not just whatever b itch/sire is available; have a clause in the contract stating that if you no longer want the pup, she will take it back; offer proof of testing for genetic diseases; offer references from satisfied customers. Today, and on y/a, it seems to be popular to belittle the regular breeder as a "backyard" aka non-professional breeder, and this is a sad misconception. Those people who mate their dogs for profit are NOT breeders of any kind, they are charlitans and hustlers. This false belief about local breeders is like saying the local mom and pop hardware store is somehow less professional than Home Depot. Often times, you will receive better, more personal service, and a better quality dog! The breeding of animals should NEVER be mass produced or over professionalized, it is ALWAYS better to support your local, educated dog lover who breeds out of love for the breed!

Answer 42

I got my dog from the pet store I was working with. A litter of 11 mix black labs came in and he was the cutest and smallest. I had to have him. He's eight years old now.

Answer 43

Most of my dogs are from breeders. Some of them are rescues. I believe breeders should participate in rescues!!!!

Answer 44

I adpoted my dog from craigslist.com. They were moving into a condo and couldn't have such a large dog in addition to their other small dog, so we gladly took her off his hands. :-)

Answer 45

Breeders or I bred them myself. I also have one shepherd/lab mutt that was dumped off on me a few years ago.

Answer 46

I got my dog from the pound. Walked in saw her and I was sold

Answer 47

I have a lab/boxer mix. I payed 25 dollars for her, found her in an ad in the paper.

Answer 48

I got mine from a rescue centre.

Answer 49

adopted froma high kill shelter the day before scheduled euthanization date.

(he was the office dog for 3 weeks and they got into trouble!!)

Answer 50

I was going to get a dog along time ago, but the day I was going to get it, someone broke in the shop and stole all the dogs... :(

Answer 51

beauceron mix from camp pendleton animal shelter. he was found running around base and my mom happened to see him and liked his quiet manner

Answer 52

I got my first dog from petfinder and my second dog from the newspaper ad

Answer 53

two of my dogs are rescue dogs and i bred the rest myself and don't worry i have kennels and am a certified in dog breeding.

Answer 54

breeder

Answer 55

my german shepherd pup is from an EXCELLENT breeder in east london

Answer 56

Breeders, or bred them myself.

Answer 57

no dogs but my cat was given to me by my friend as a birthday gift