Moon's Graden

by **Carla Ha** » Thu, 16 Jul 1998 04:00:00

Quote:

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>Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs.breeds
>Subject: Reputable Sheltie Breeder with pups near Austin?
>Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 13:46:34 GMT
>Organization: Deja News - The Leader in Internet Discussion
>Lines: 17

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>We've been striking out every time we look for a Sheltie puppy...all the
>folks who advertise in the local classifieds have turned out to be puppy
>mills.
>Our local SSA president (and other officers) have been looking out for us,
>too. We don't want to go out of state, but the kids are getting extremely
>anxious. Anyone out there know of a good breeder within 50 or so miles of
>Austin?
>Sue
>who has broken her promise to the kids several times now :-(

Hi Sue -

Sounds like you are taking the right approach. Remember, you will have your
sheltie for _many_ years, so even if the kids are anxious, it is better to
wait for the "right" dog. I don't know how long it takes to drive between
Texas cities, but this coming weekend there is a big cluster of shows in
Houston (the Astrohall shows). That would be a great place to meet breeders
and see their dogs. If that isn't possible, check the AKC web site
(www.akc.org) - under events - for shows in your area.

Good luck.

Carla Hass
State College, PA

by **John Joseph Russe** » Thu, 16 Jul 1998 04:00:00

: We've been striking out every time we look for a Sheltie puppy...all the
: folks who advertise in the local classifieds have turned out to be puppy
: mills. None of them have OFA ratings on the parents (some hadn't even heard
: of OFA!) The last group that was selling puppies had 11-week-old ones kept
: on their porch...with no attempt at housebreaking and only 1 set of shots so
: far.
:
If you are so anxious to get a dog why don't you go to an animal shelter
or rescue group?

J

by **Lisa Bair** » Thu, 16 Jul 1998 04:00:00

Quote:

> : We've been striking out every time we look for a Sheltie puppy...all the
> : folks who advertise in the local classifieds have turned out to be puppy
> : mills. None of them have OFA ratings on the parents (some hadn't even heard
> : of OFA!) The last group that was selling puppies had 11-week-old ones kept
> : on their porch...with no attempt at housebreaking and only 1 set of shots so
> : far.
> :
> If you are so anxious to get a dog why don't you go to an animal shelter
> or rescue group?

If they were willing to rescue, they probably wouldn't be quite so adamant (reasonably
so, IMO) about qualifications of a breeder. Rescue is a risk, which many wonderful
people are willing to take. Others aren't. An *** rescue dog comes with some fore
knowledge, but pups don't.

Lisa Baird
Haleakala PWDs

by **Mary Heale** » Thu, 16 Jul 1998 04:00:00

Quote:

>:

>:
>: > If you are so anxious to get a dog why don't you go to an animal shelter
>: > or rescue group?
>:
>: If they were willing to rescue, they probably wouldn't be quite so adamant (reasonably
>: so, IMO) about qualifications of a breeder. Rescue is a risk, which many wonderful
>: people are willing to take. Others aren't. An *** rescue dog comes with some fore
>: knowledge, but pups don't.

>That's a good way to perpetuate a risk.

Sorry? How does one "perpetuate" a risk?

Quote:

> Getting a dog from a rescue
>group is no more of a risk "IMO" than buying a puppy.

From a backyard or irresponsible breeder.

Quote:

> Dogs from rescues
>are vetted and spayed/neutered before you get them, and the dog's
>temperment is known. So to what risk are you referring?

The risks of genetic problems - an untested rescue is as much at risk as
a puppy from untested parents, but a considerably greater risk than a
puppy from tested and screened parent. The behavi***risk - some breed
rescues do a marvelous job of providing training information and m***
support when one of their placements goes awry. But many, many more
rescued dogs are from pounds and shelters and the knowledge, support, and
encouragement that is de rigeur from a responsible breeder is unavailable
to those who adopt these rescued dogs.

I'd like to also point out that the dog's temperament is NOT "known". A
foster home can check for inappropriate behavior in many (but not all)
circumstances. A shelter, pound, or kennel will not be able to provide
even that much information.

I have rescued dogs, and I adore them. But I was aware of the health and
behavi***risks inherent in adopting "dumped" dogs, and was willing to
forego the mentoring resource an experienced and responsible breeder
provides.

Rescue is a terrific resource for those who can afford to take a few
risks, and a much better resource than puppy mills or irresponsible
breeders. But taking those risks without the support of a knowledgeable
and responsible breeder isn't for everyone - which means that rescue isn't
always the best or most appropriate avenue for acquiring a pet.

M.

by **Lisa Bair** » Thu, 16 Jul 1998 04:00:00

Quote:

> That's a good way to perpetuate a risk. Getting a dog from a rescue
> group is no more of a risk "IMO" than buying a puppy. Dogs from rescues
> are vetted and spayed/neutered before you get them, and the dog's
> temperment is known. So to what risk are you referring?

One of the things they mentioned was wanting a breeder who did OFA, sometimes, but not often
the OFA history on a rescue pup is known. I would assume they have familiarized themselves
with the problems particular to the breed, and desire proof testing on the ancestors. As I
said, for many people, rescue is a super option, but should not be the only one.

--

Lisa Baird
Haleakala PWDs
Dublin, Oh.

http://home.columbus.rr.com/bairds/lisa/index.html