Shelter adoption vs Breeder purchase

Thought and opinions on adopting vs purchasing.
Will you always adopt a rescue, buy a puppy from a reputable breeder or are you swayed by a pair of puppy dog eyes and have no consideration either way?

I've always bought a puppy, and apart from my first dog, I've done a mountain of research first. But that's mainly because I like to train from a pup, and rescue centres don't like where I am now!

I know of many very good homes that have been rejected by recues because of some silly rule: Not in their area, yard not perfect, there's a bull terrier breed already in the home, they won't allow a third dog or won't allow 2 males.
I think more personal attention should be placed on the individual, their knowledge and capabilities.
Many, many dogs are returned for silly reasons (as per Eleanor's post) that are deemed the 'right' home.

For me both, depends what I'm looking for. Harvey we bought and chance is a rescue so both

I do both. I have had dogs from shelters, ones who have been rehomed for free, prdigree pups and pups of unknown breeding. I've never had a bad dog they're all the same really.

I would rescue if I could but because of where I live I can't. I would have thought that a permanent home, even though there is no garden, is better than maybe spending months/years in a kennel at a rescue or being pts

Puppy every time I'm afraid. I know myself and that I can't love a dog whole-heartedly unless I have had him/her since a puppy.

I've done both.  I like to rescue if I can, but I've really enjoyed my puppies.  Now the decision rests solely with the incumbent dogs. I've had private rescues in the past, Aslan was from the Blue Cross, but many rescue organisations would not consider me suitable. With puppies, especially with my preferred breed, research has to be key.

Caroline wrote:I would rescue if I could but because of where I live I can't. I would have thought that a permanent home, even though there is no garden, is better than maybe spending months/years in a kennel at a rescue or being pts

Absolutely!

LyndaW wrote:Puppy every time I'm afraid.  I know myself and that I can't love a dog whole-heartedly unless I have had him/her since a puppy.

I know what you mean - many people feel the same. I prefer to have a dog from a pup, but I wouldn't say that I'd never get a rescue.

Oreo is a rescue. We had her from a rescue because we made a decision that it wasn't fair to have a puppy and leave it for a few hours a day while it was growing. I thought we were very honest with ourselves at the time and still believe it was the correct decision.

Since we've had Oreo she's had no end of medical issues, some of which we think the rescue had kept from us. Now you cannot guarentee that a pup will be healthy but you can minimise the risks by having the correct tests done with the parents etc.

I think as long as the person does the reasearch properly then a decision will depend on a persons situation.

I would love love love a puppy but at the minute our life dictates we cannot.

Basicially, what everybody else has said! Depends on what you're looking for in that particular dog, I guess!

I have dogs bought for a purpose (Xan, Axel), that I just wanted because I adore the breed (Missy, Bruno) and that ended up with me (Sheba, Spike, Pugsley, Lequita) ... probably through divine intervention