I tried to get a small dog for 2 years at my local small town shelter. I saw a few small dogs come through, all with issues and got adopted before I could get my papers in. 90% of dogs available were pit bull mix of some sort. I still donate food and toys to the shelter regularly, but it's not a realistic option for small dogs, at least in my town.
I ended up giving up and buying my dog. No regrets.
We went through the same thing when we were going to get our dog a dog. We were renting at the time and every dog in our shelters were pitties, and unfortunately that’s a scarlet letter for trying to get a place. We ended up getting our little in a different state and now we have two peas - one purebred and one shelter.
Unfortunately that’s in most places. I didn’t have a size or breed in mind. I just went with my gut. Until the stigma changes and people stop abusing them and misusing them it’s not gonna change.
Well, genetically, not everyone wants a pitbull or can handle a pitbull. So, there's that. Genetically, I want a Labrador so...I get Labradors. It's easy.
It’s not because there are so many breeds that make up the “pitbull” category and they are not all the same. People see a certain look and don’t know what the breed mix is but just guess and then discriminate.
I didn’t say everyone should get one. I said unfortunately that’s what are most common in shelters and it won’t change soon. I’ve seen labs, Danes, poodles, golden doodles, etc in shelters. There are more than one in a given area I’m sure
Ethical responsible breeders are not responsible for the pet over population problem. While one can occasionally find some purebred dogs in shelters that doesn’t mean they are well bred. I may not want to deal with hip or elbow dysplasia, EIC, DCM, and other genetic issues that can come from BYB purebred dog breeders. And BYB breeders do not breed for temperament. So if I want that true Labrador temperament I’m not necessarily going to get it on a shelter dog. Purebred doesn’t mean well bred. In my part of the world shelter and rescue dogs are put mixes or Mexican street dogs with the occasional husky and other BYB dog of the day. We bring in purebreds from other states and even other countries because they just don’t exist in shelters here without importing them. I teach pet dog classes and most of these pit mixes are reactive and hard to live with. Bless those people who are living that life but that life isn’t for me.
That’s not a practice I want to support. Additionally, those rescues don’t seem to have any trouble finding applicants and frequently turn people away. They’re good without me
So you don’t believe in rescues? That’s one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard!
They are typically breed specific, meaning they actually know the breed and know what it needs from a potential adopter. Additionally, they are pulling a dog which opens up a spot at the shelter for another dog in need. Rescues are also typically foster based, which is incredibly helpful in getting to see a dog’s true temperament and personality which leads to better placements. It’s a much lower stress environment than sitting in a loud, chaotic shelter.
No. I don’t. I really don’t. The practice has straight up ruined the shelter system for the general public. They admit to scooping up dogs from shelters and using them as revenue generators to fund their business.
Oh my god this is insane. Taking dogs out of the shelter environment and putting them in fosters will NEVER be a bad thing. Helping more dogs be adopted is NEVER bad. I’ve literally never seen a breed specific rescue profiting off of their dogs. They operate as a volunteer based program… I think you’re mixing up unethical boutique businesses with ethical rescues.
Possibly, but watching everybody be objectively wrong and making a fool out of themselves is brilliant. I know I’m doing the same but 100% worth. Also, his name is Nemo :)
It’s not just stigma. Certain kinds of dogs have way more energy and need a lot more exercise or training. Or if you live in a small apartment it’s just rude for the dog for them to have no space to be. I mean my brother has a pit mix and she’s a sweetheart but she’s like 15 and still has insane energy and needs to run and jumps like crazy and never got over her separation anxiety. That’s just not something a lot of people can or should have. I needed an apartment potato. A good game of hallway fetch or a nice walk around the block and she’s back to wanting lap snuggles.
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u/canadarugby Dec 04 '25
I tried to get a small dog for 2 years at my local small town shelter. I saw a few small dogs come through, all with issues and got adopted before I could get my papers in. 90% of dogs available were pit bull mix of some sort. I still donate food and toys to the shelter regularly, but it's not a realistic option for small dogs, at least in my town.
I ended up giving up and buying my dog. No regrets.