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Why choose a pure bred dog anyway? Everyone has their own reasons for choosing a particular dog, whether it is a mixed breed rescue or purebred dog from a breeder. The hottest issue with purposely creating purebred dogs is that they deprive rescue and shelter dogs of a much needed home. If they don’t get that home, then the dogs are euthanized. It is a sad situation and can be argued till the end of time, along with politics and religion. You can have your opinions either way and be correct. Mixed breed dogs: A common expectation favoring mixed breed dogs is that they have “hybrid vigor”, meaning they do not exhibit the genetic disorders that can affect more inbred pure breed dogs. To some degree this may be true. However, since the mixed breed dog will be part shepherd, rottweiler, lab, etc., genetic disorders associated with those breeds can still be expressed in mixed breed offspring. We know individuals who selected mixed breed puppies not only because they were much cheaper to obtain than a pure bred, but also because they expected the dog to possess robust “hybrid” health. Unfortunately for the disappointed owner, many of these pets do develop disorders ranging from food and inhaled allergies to crippling hip dysplasia. Treating the more serious health issues instead of putting the dog down can end up being much more costly than what a good breeder would charge for a dog. With a mixed breed puppy you don’t have important information about the parents’ or grandparents’ health history, size, shape. With older dogs, you generally don’t know how they have been raised, socialized, whether they have been loved and well cared for. Generally, if a dog is surrendered to a shelter or rescue organization, it may be unwanted because of an (irresponsible and inexcusable) unplanned breeding, or the dog itself may be a problem because of behavioral issues resulting from neglect. All puppies are difficult to train and socialize properly, but you have the opportunity to get started on it while they are small. Adult dogs, especially Weimaraner sized dogs that have been neglected can be difficult to train not only because of their size, but because of the degree to which these very sensitive and intelligent animals can be damaged by neglect. In many cases, caring people adopt Weimaraners from shelters and rescue believing that saving the animal’s life and providing love, food and shelter will be enough. They are not prepared for the degree of training, socialization, exercise, veterinarian/behaviorist bills and dedicated time that may be required for the dog to become an acceptable pet. The high cost of living in Colorado often requires two-income households and smaller and smaller yards making large, energetic, fence jumping, barking, digging dogs like Weimaraners more and more difficult to manage without any other issues to deal with. The good news is there are so many resources available now—including classes with the local humane society, professional animal behaviorists, veterinarians and rescue volunteers—all are crucial in ensuring an adopted dog has every chance to become happy, healthy and socialized. ‘Socialized’ is just an over-used term that simply means controlled. We recently had our first experience with a surrendered dog we kept over night before she went into foster care. I had always been under the impression that an adult dog would be difficult to bond with, and that behavioral issues were ingrained at that point. I was surprised to see the almost immediate change in her behavior once she knew she was not going to be left alone and was in a caring, secure place. She was not an example of a dog that has been severely neglected or abused, but the transition from a frantic, stressed girl to a member of our pack snuggling in my lap made me realize that dogs somehow know when they are being taken care of and are safe. This experience made me realize why rescue and breeder referral
volunteers advise a person insisting on a puppy adopt a more mature
dog first; the work required to modify behavior is probably, in
most cases, easier and faster than starting with a puppy. Unless
you have the ideal situation, experience and at least two years
of dedicated time needed to raise a large-breed hunting dog from
a puppy, you will probably make the same mistakes the owner of
the surrendered dog did. These dogs reach their mature size in
about nine months. Once you get your cute, manageable pup he will
only be cute and manageable for a few months unless he is promptly
and properly trained. |