 |
 |
 |
 |
| Sources For Your PBGV A Rescue dog deserves to be adopted because that's what you want, because you want to play a vital role in restoring health, happiness, and security to a dog who has been displaced from his original home. Rescue dogs should never be chosen as "second best." If you've come to the PBGV Lifeline because you're having trouble finding other sources for a PBGV, perhaps the following information will be helpful to you. There are basically three possible sources for obtaining a PBGV: Reputable Breeders -- Maintain an ongoing breeding program, with a specific goal and vision, breeding only mature adult dogs who have been screened for possible genetic probllems. -- One or both parents of most litters are show and/or performance champions and title-holders -- Never sell their puppies before they are old enough to be safely separated from their mothers and littermates -- Take care to socialize their puppies, to teach them to adapt to new people, new surroundings, and new experiences -- Provide support and advice to the new owners for the life of the dog. Provide health guarantees, are willing to take the puppy back if ever you cannot keep it for any reason -- Make absolute provisions for the reproductive future of their puppies, require spaying/neutering on non-show puppies -- Express a keen interest in you and the type of home you can provide for their puppy -- Detail all terms of sale and all guarantees in writing -- Can provide solid references from others who have acquired puppies from them Backyard Breeders -- Have little to no knowledge about the Breed Standard or genetic issues concerning the breed -- Have little to no knowledge of the dogs they're breeding, bloodlines, familial health issues -- Usually do not screen their breeding pairs for possible genetic problems -- Frequently offer "purebred puppies with no papers," or elect to register their dogs through a "mill" type registry -- Neither parent has been shown or independently evaluated by someone familiar with the breed's characteristics, although there may be champions listed several generations back in the pedigree -- Has little to no interest in the new owners beyond their ability to pay the price asked for the puppy -- Shows little to no interest in the new owners future plans for the puppy, reproductively or otherwise -- Provide no health guarantees or guarantees of support for new owners -- Are unwilling to take the puppy back, if needed Pet Stores and Puppy Mills -- Due to vigilance, intensive buyer screening methods and followup policies employed by reputable breeders, at this point in time, PBGVs are not yet available through these outlets Rescue Groups Rescue groups are as varied as the breeds they endeavor to save. Some providing rescue resources for all breeds, while others prefer to focus on one or two breeds only. A good group keeps each rescued dog in foster care for thorough assessment of his health, temperament, and training status prior to offering the dog for placement. Good rescue groups also seek out informed adopters who will provide permanent homes for the dogs they adopt. Good rescue groups will always provide ongoing advice and support to new owners and are willing to take the dog back if for any reason the new owner cannot keep the dog. A key component for successful adoptions is having foster homes and rescue facilitators who have a thorough understanding of any possible problems associated with a particular dog, knowledge best acquired by living with the dog. |
 |
 |