Purebred Dogs: Where to Find Yours

If you are looking for a purebred pooch, then you have probably considered local breeders and you might have checked with local animal shelters. In addition to getting a pup directly from a breeder, there are organizations that help find homes for purebreds. Before you pay the big bucks for a pooch, check out rescue organizations in and around your area. Not only do rescue organizations house purebreds, they can also provide you with essential behavioral and medical information that breeders or shelters sometimes cannot.

Rescue groups are normally non-profit organizations that have some sort of ties to their specific breed club (breed club information can be found through the American Kennel Club). Not all groups specialize in one specific breed; some take on a wide range of animals. The animals are taken from shelters, acquired from owners that are unable to continue providing care, found as strays, or obtained through rescue efforts (i.e. busted puppy mill operations).

Rescue groups are not like traditional shelters. They rarely have a centralized place for potential adopters to visit. Instead, the animals are placed in foster homes where experienced owners provide any care that the animal may need. Sometimes the animals arrive at the foster home with behavioral or medical problems. The foster owners start training and nurturing the animal until it is ready for adoption.

There are many advantages to adopting from a rescue group. First, it is a way to obtain a purebred that needs a home. Second, since the animal has lived with a foster family, you can find out specifics about him. For instance, you can find out information on how he behaves around children or strangers, his likes and dislikes, and how he handles other animals in the home. Third, the foster family has provided care for the pooch. In most cases, he has been neutered, vaccinated, house trained, socialized, and taught basic obedience commands. Fourth, adopting from a rescue group is normally not as expensive as buying from a breeder; although, it is not as cheap or as easy as adopting from a shelter.

If you are considering adopting from a rescue group, then you should first decide what kind of pup you are looking for. Once you have an idea, contact the appropriate breed club (once again, the AKC can help with this information). The club can help you locate a group near you. You can also seek help from the phonebook, the Internet, and the Humane Society of the United States.

Adopting from a rescue group is not an easy process. In most cases, you will first be required to fill out an application. The application will include items such as other members in the household, financial information, and your previous experience with animals. A team of volunteers will review the application to decide whether or not you can proceed to the next step: the at-home interview. A volunteer may schedule a time to meet with you at your home. The volunteer will evaluate the situation (housing, family, other pets, etc.) to determine whether you are willing and able to take care of the pet. If you have owned pets in the past, the volunteer may even ask to see records from your veterinarian, making sure past animals were properly cared for. If you are approved to own the pet, then you can proceed with the financial aspect of adopting the animal.

Adopting from a rescue organization may seem like a lot of work, but it is worth it. Keep in mind that the volunteers love and care for the animals that they house. Why would they put so much time and effort into the care if they planned on giving the animal away to just anyone? The application process is an important and necessary step.

If you are looking for a purebred pooch, then consider all your options. Rescue groups are a great alternative to a breeder; you can find out more information about the animal and provide a needy animal with a loving home. To find rescue groups in your area, contact the appropriate breed club or the Humane Society. Realize that the application process can be lengthy, but it is necessary in order to find a loving home for a deserving pooch! Once you have found your new purebred pooch, dog crates can provide the perfect safe place for them to relax in and keep your home in one piece.