Puppy vs. Rescue

valkyrie · 07-02-2009, 04:56 PM

I'm not sure I am posting this in the right section... But here it goes:

I have been planning to get a puppy next summer. I have the breeder all picked out and everything. The waiting is hard. I plan on doing some conformation(maybe- as in I don't know if I will enjoy this avenue or not) and definitely agility and obedience with this pup. Schutzhund has crossed my mind but is most likely not for me.
However, there was a recent thread on here about leaving a pup in a crate for extended hours and this got me to thinking. I work. I live alone. There is no way for me to avoid having to crate a puppy for eight hours. I work at night so the odds of getting someone to walk the pup at 1am is slim to none. My house is not set up in a way that I can leave a pup in one room while I am out because it is such an open floor plan. Also I live with a 7yr old female American Pit Bull Terrier. She has free run of the house while I am at work but I would definitely never leave both dogs out unsupervised.
So I am wondering if maybe I should look into a rescue? A dog that is a little older? I worry that my APBT will not take to an older dog and I really don't want to find out the hard way. Also another problem with rescue is that I don't have a fenced in yard. I hope to remedy that this summer but there is no guarantee. I live in CT and notice that most rescues don't adopt outside their area and I haven't been able to find a rescue locally. I really have my heart set on doing agility with my next dog and I really do not want to compromise on that. I know a rescue will do just as well with agility as a purebred- Valkyrie didn't start agility till she was 4.5yrs old.
I feel selfish that I really want a puppy. I would like to see what I can accomplish with a clean slate. I have rescued dogs before and it can be difficult but immensely rewarding. Where do I go from here?
Thanks
~Jen

bleh60 · 07-02-2009, 05:00 PM

Why do you feel your dog wont get along with an adult?

It couldnt hurt to contact the rescues and ask if they will adopt to someone in your location.

Dont feel selfish. You are making an informed decision, have adopted before and are looking at good breeders.

valkyrie · 07-02-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bleh60

Why do you feel your dog wont get along with an adult?

It couldnt hurt to contact the rescues and ask if they will adopt to someone in your location.

Dont feel selfish. You are making an informed decision, have adopted before and are looking at good breeders.

I am a worrier. I'll be honest- I don't think that Valkyrie would hurt another dog... But she doesn't always get along with other dogs. Some dogs just rub her the wrong way. She did live with my older pit bull boxer mix (Valkyrie was a puppy when I got her and I lost my older girl when Valkyrie was 4.)
Thanks for the suggestion about contacting the rescues. Can't hurt to ask, right?
~Jen

bleh60 · 07-02-2009, 05:26 PM

I understand. If she doesnt do well in the initial meeting then you dont have to follow through. Look for a male who has lived well with other dogs.

KenyaARaineCD · 07-02-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Where do I go from here?

Hi Jen and thanks for posting. My advice is to return to your original thoughts on why you want a Doberman.

If you really want to show a dog in conformation classes, then talk to the breeder about your living situation and work schedule. Can you devote the time and money to training and conditioning the Doberman for conformation shows? I've worked nights and I know how difficult it is to have to work nights during the week but then have to be up during the day on weekends to run errands.

If you feel you can't make the daytime schedule for dog shows, then maybe an adult rescued Dobe would suit you better. Whether your APBT gets along with a new dog is going to depend on each dog's personality, but it is quite common for adult dogs to accept a new adult in the household.

As for fences, if you are active and can give the dogs the excercise they need, having an unfenced yard is not an automatic disqualification for some rescue groups. If there are no rescues in your area, ask your vet if s/he has any clients who need to re-home a Dobe.

Check out Internet free ad sites such as CraigsList, Hoobly, Kijiji. I'm not saying you should buy pups from a BYB advertising on those lists, but look for adults who need a new home. (Keep in mind that those adults might need all their vetting--ask the advertiser about the dog's HW status!)

Just a few random thoughts...hope you find them useful!

**Lexxsmom** · 07-02-2009, 05:58 PM

I know that for our rescue, we stand solid by our MUST have a fence rule.

This being said, I think that anything is workable if you really want to do it enough. Either way, goodluck in your decision!

valkyrie · 07-02-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenyaARaineCD

Hi Jen and thanks for posting. My advice is to return to your original thoughts on why you want a Doberman.

Why I want a doberman... The love and devotion. Their workability. Their stamina and drive. The look. The short hair. I would love to dabble in conformation- but is it really something I want to pursue seriously? I don't know. Everything else I can do with either a purebred puppy or a rescue.

Quote:

If you really want to show a dog in conformation classes, then talk to the breeder about your living situation and work schedule. Can you devote the time and money to training and conditioning the Doberman for conformation shows? I've worked nights and I know how difficult it is to have to work nights during the week but then have to be up during the day on weekends to run errands.

I have been working nights for 5 yrs now and have adapted a fairly normal lifestyle. I do agility with my APBT now on the weekends. I'd definitely be willing to devote the time and money to showing this doberman. I can't say whether or not I would have the passion for conformation showing like I do with the agility. Agility is something I love and it doesn't feel like a burden to get up early and train or trial.

Quote:

If you feel you can't make the daytime schedule for dog shows, then maybe an adult rescued Dobe would suit you better. Whether your APBT gets along with a new dog is going to depend on each dog's personality, but it is quite common for adult dogs to accept a new adult in the household.

I don't know why this is such a concern for me. I know people adopt adult dogs into their homes all the time.

[QUOTEJust a few random thoughts...hope you find them useful!

[/quote]

Thank you so much for the random thoughts.
~Jen

valkyrie · 07-02-2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lexxsmom

I know that for our rescue, we stand solid by our MUST have a fence rule.

This being said, I think that anything is workable if you really want to do it enough. Either way, goodluck in your decision!

I really am going to get a second dog... It is just a matter of which way to go with the situation now. I tend to believe fencing is the best way to go. And if I am not willing to put some money into fencing my yard then I probably shouldn't get another dog. It's not like I have to fence the whole yard. Thanks for the good wishes.
~Jen

EmilyB · 07-02-2009, 11:41 PM

With the pitbull, I wonder why you have not fenced the yard?

**greenkouki** · 07-03-2009, 12:01 AM

I think you should consider your current dog's needs as much as your own in your search for a doberman. Is your dog really going to be happy living with another dog and sharing her time with you? If she has socialization or dog aggression issues then will it really matter if the future dog is a pup or rescue? Those questions aside, I think a well matched rescue male or adult rehome dog (from a reputable breeder) is probably the best option in your situation. If you really want a doberman you can make it work. Perhaps you and your girl need a little more training before you bring home a brother for her.