Adopt OR Shop

Start a conversation about dog breeding, and inevitably you’ll get the “adopt don’t shop” crowd coming out of the woodwork.

Before I was a dog trainer and behaviour consultant, I was heavily involved in dog rescue. Fostering, helping run the behind the scenes, picking dogs up from all manner of awful situations and finding them great new homes. I still foster here and there when it’s the right fit. So I get the emotion behind wanting to save them all. But that doesn’t make the “adopt don’t shop” rhetoric any less harmful.

Because the truth is, guilting people into adoption hurts both dogs and people.

There are some phenomenal dogs who end up in rescue due to no fault of their own. They can suit a wide variety of different homes, thriving as pets, working dogs and more. But they’re not right for everyone, and that’s actually okay.

Maybe you’re after a specific type of dog which is less common in rescue. Most do tend to be bully mixes, herding mixes or hunting dog mixes of some form, and with that comes genetic traits that won’t be a good match for every home - because it’s not all in how they’re raised.

When we did get small, cute or easy dogs the demand inevitably outstripped supply and we were wading through piles of applications for them. That’s not a fault of people looking for that easier dog to suit their lifestyle or pretences. That’s a societal mismatched supply issue that we cannot force-adopt our way out of.

That’s an issue that needs to be addressed at the source with better welfare laws & enforcement - not by guilt-tripping dogs into homes that aren’t going to be the right match for them and will likely end in tears when that dog starts maturing. Leaving the dog in a worse situation with even more obstacles to finding a new home. Owners heartbroken because they can’t provide what that dog needs. And every person watching that play out forming a view on what having a “rescue dog” can look like - putting many off adopting in future. No one wins when getting dogs adopted at all costs is prioritised over fit.

Or maybe you’re after a dog to do a specific task or job and want to stack the odds in your favour for success. As much as we would like to ignore it, genetics, epigenetics (impacted by things like mum being stressed during pregnancy) and early socialisation DOES play a massive role in how dogs turn out. Once we have the dog it is up to us to do the hard yards to train and raise that dog into the best version of them they can be, but if we’re investing time and finances into getting a dog for a specific job it is not unreasonable to look for the best raw materials we can get to work with and give them the best chance at success.

Maybe knowing your puppies parents were health tested & suited the lifestyle that you are providing is important to you. Maybe you want the option to desex once your dog is mature and fully grown, not prior to adoption at under 16 weeks old. Maybe it’s a specific breed that you’re passionate about and want to see preserved. Or maybe you want to support ethical breeding to ensure that healthy, functional dogs are available long into the future - not leaving the fate of the gene pool of dog-kind to whatever oopsie litter someone had & dumped at the pound.

There are some wonderful dogs waiting for homes in rescues and shelters. I’d encourage people to consider one, and see whether their personalities and type would be the right fit for you - you might just find your new best mate. I’ve had some cracking working dogs out of rescue too, that have gone on to succeed in stock work, search and rescue, sports and detection.

But provided you are making the choice that is the best for you and the dog you are bringing into your home. Provided you are being responsible and doing everything you can to set that dog up for a life of success in your home (understanding that life isn’t perfect and responsible rehoming is also okay).

Then whether you adopt or shop from an ethical breeder is 100% up to you. As your dog trainer, I’ll support you in making that dog the best they can be either way.

Ft my rescue foster puppy with my bred-for-purpose dog from a breeder. Because supporting one doesn’t mean excluding the other.