Dog Breed Rescue

Much of the focus in the world of dog rescue and dog adoption involves finding new homes for dogs of assorted lineage, affectionately known as mutts.

Yet there are many folks who would love to adopt a favorite breed of dog, if only they could find just the pooch they have always wanted.

I have had dogs since the age of 6 and I am only aware of one of them being a purebred and that being an Irish Terrier my father brought home, from where I know not. I only recall the thrill of the chat at dinner time that we had a great dog with “papers” that would be a pal for me and would alert my mother to any unwelcome visitors when dad was at work.

My dog Skippy was a great dog, and I will always have a warm spot in my heart for him. So, it doesn’t surprise me that a family might have their heart set on a specific breed. Perhaps they want one that they had as a youngster or became familiar with through friends and family.

How to Find and Adopt a Purebred Dog

Dog shelters and dog rescues have every breed of dog available. Golden Retrievers to mutts all have representatives waiting for a new home.

But what if your shelter or rescue doesn’t have any breed members of your preferred variety? Don’t despair…you can still find the breed of dog that you have your heart set on at a dog breed rescue that only rescues pure bred dogs for later adoption.

A wonderful aspect of all dog rescues, including purebred rescues, is that they will go  the distance for a handicapped dog, a senior dog or a dog with health issues that a dog shelter simply does not have the time or resources to pursue. 

Many wonderful purebred dogs that might otherwise be euthanized at the dog shelter find a safe harbor and help with the purebred rescue for as long as it takes to place them in a new home. I know of some instances when  dog rescues have kept a  dog permanently in their “sanctuary”, who, for health , age or other issues had become effectively unadoptable.

In cities and towns everywhere, dog rescue organizations exist that work to place specific breeds of dogs in new homes. Many of these specific breed dogs have a similar history to dogs of the not so pure variety. They may have been strays, abused, abandoned, given up due to a death in the family, a move to a new location, change in family circumstance or just a loss of interest.

When dog shelters find their cages populated with dogs of a purebred variety they will often call the representative of the rescue group and let them know that they have a dog available. The reason they do this is to make room for another dog and to accomplish what is their primary goal, which is to move the dog out of the shelter and toward a new home.

So the purebred rescue group is part of a dog adoption funnel. The dog goes to the pound and is siphoned off to the rescue, where you can find him.

The advantages of adopting a purebred dog through a dog breed rescue are many.  These rescue groups are familiar with the temperment of that particular dog breed, the health challenges that may exist, nutritional needs, behavioral problems, and longevity. They can answer all of your questions and help you to determine if that breed of dog is right for you and your family.

Be prepared to answer their questions and expect a pre adoption home inspection visit. Dog rescue groups of all kinds frequently require these visits to make certain that the adoption is one that will work well for the dog as well as you.

The cost to adopt a dog from a rescue may also be a bit higher than from a dog shelter. That is because these private groups are self supporting as opposed to taxpayer funded dog shelters. Additionally, dogs that require veterinary and other care will receive it from the rescue whereas a dog shelter won’t make an investment for specialized care.

A successful purebred adoption is the goal of the rescue!

If you think that a purebred dog adoption is for you, read as much as you can about the breed of dog that you are interested in. You can find information about almost any dog breed at http://www.canismajor.com/dog/tprofile.html

Next you’ll want to find a dog breed rescue in your area and tell them what kind of dog you are looking for. Ask them every question you have about that breed of dog before making a final decision. And tell them about your lifestyle, family dynamics and living arrangements. If you live in an apartment, a Saint Bernard is not a good fit. But a Chihuahua or Lhasa Apso might be perfect.

Once you have done your research and are ready to start searching for your perfect purebred rescue dog, there  are excellent resources to help.

You’ll find a list of purebred rescues from the American Kennel Club (AKC) at http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm

 And don’t forget your local shelter dog. Not all purebred dogs are rescue dogs. Some will be found at dog shelters because they just arrived or the local rescue may be full.   You can start with an online check of shelter dogs at the Dogs-4Life Petfinder

Good Luck in your search !