I wrote a similar article to this when I first joined Steemit months ago, but I didn’t really understand the concept of steemit so well and the mechanics behind post visibility, so I didn’t reach the masses like I was hoping to.
Now I have been on here a while, I understand how I can better spread the message to choose rescuing a dog rather than buying a new puppy, using the tools available to me on Steemit. This is such a great way to be able to do some good in the world and get this message seen by many from all walks of life! I really hope it helps some of the poor pooches out there to find their forever sofa!
So, the question was Puppy or Rescue? There really is no contest! RESCUE, RESCUE, RESCUE! Even though I am an English Bulldog breeder (and it probably sounds hypocritical if you don’t understand the reasons behind my breeding program), I will always say to anyone that asks me this question that if you are in a position to rescue a dog from a shelter, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE choose to Rescue rather than buy a puppy! There are way too many dogs in shelters around the world and they all deserve a loving home, every single one.
If you would like to understand why and how I breed English Bulldogs, you can read my earlier post here... https://steemit.com/life/@beautifulbullies/bulldog-breeding-reverse-the-damage-done-by-bad-breeders
Not everyone is in a position to rescue a dog from a shelter...
OK, I understand that not everyone is in a position to rescue. Why would you choose a puppy when there are so many dogs waiting for a home in a shelter? For one, you may have small children and not be allowed to adopt a rescue dog.
Not many of the dog shelters in the UK will allow a rescue dog to be placed in a home with small children as they are not certain of the background of the dog and its full temperament. Usually, rescues specify over 8’s or older children only.
You may also be looking for a specific breed which is not available in a rescue. But there are specific breed rescues, so you should check and contact these first if you are looking for a particular type of pooch.
At the moment in the UK, we specifically have a problem with too many SBT (Staffordshire Bull Terriers) and Staffy crosses in rescue shelters. They were named a status dog and bred en mass to make money, then when people don’t want them anymore because they realize they aren’t what they expected , can’t cope with the chewing stage or just ‘want a new one’, they get rid of the poor souls without a second thought.
But staffies are so misunderstood. They are the ultimate 'nanny dog'. They are amazing family pets and love a good snuggle on your knee and just want to be loved.
How do we help to combat the situation as breeders?
I have a strict set of personal rules that I stick to. For example I will only sell a puppy to someone once I have researched their background in owning dogs, their lifestyles to make sure that they suit the personality of the dogs, time spent at home, eg if everyone is out all day and the dog is left alone, how does that benefit the dog? It doesn’t! So no thank you to that particular home.
Puppies should be sold with a puppy contract stating terms like “must not be sold on” or “must be returned to the breeder before re-homing” etc.
As for the breeding process, we should only breed from healthy dogs and never over breed a bitch. I only breed with the intention of bettering the future health of the breed and aim to improve with each litter by carefully selecting the mate. Health testing is absolutely imperative to help with this.
It is important for people to research their breeders before buying from them. Not everybody has a moral compass and wants the best for the puppies that they breed. I think we need to better regulate dog breeding with licensing laws, regular home checks and compulsory health testing for breeding dogs.
We also need to understand that without good, ethical breeders, we wouldn’t have the beautiful breeds that we have today. It is important to keep these breeds alive and to better them with every future litter, health being the primary concern over looks (IMO).
If you are in a position to rescue a dog from a shelter, PLEASE choose to do this over buying a puppy!
If you decide that you cannot rescue and wish to buy a puppy, research your breeder and only buy from reputable people. If you can get hold of former clients and ask about their experiences with the breeder, that is a pretty good way to suss out how you will be treated as a customer once the puppy comes home with you and how your puppy will be raised before you take them home.
NEVER buy a puppy because you feel sorry for it. You may think you are rescuing a puppy from a bad environment by taking it away from an awful breeder, however realistically all you are doing is lining their pockets and creating a space for them to breed and abuse more poor babies. Never buy a puppy out of sympathy no matter how hard it is to turn away. If you have concerns for their safety or health,call the RSPCA (or relevant body in your country) and tell them of the circumstances so that they can go in and help ALL of the animals there.
This subject is extremely close to my heart. I work with a few rescues and hope I have managed to reach far and wide with this post, not just my local neighborhood; and perhaps even have inspired a few people to look into rescuing a loving pet this winter.
Thank you for reading! Much love 
