Why we do not adopt to homes with intact dogs

Dear Ms. Doe,

I received your inquiry asking why our rescue organization won’t usually adopt to homes that already have an intact dog in residence. I'll try to answer that in the best way I can.

I think all of us on the adoption committee have pretty strong opinions about this issue since we see the many, many wonderful dogs that are basically discarded by the public because the awareness of and level of resources for the time, attention and financial commitment a dog requires is so abysmally low.

No one says we should stop breeding dogs. However, we are firm advocates for responsible breeding. I would define a responsible breeder as someone who continually educates themselves about all the potential health problems poodles are prone to. The responsible breeder makes an on-going effort to study pedigrees long and hard to avoid taking a chance of having a litter with problems before ever planning a breeding. The responsible breeder tries to breed better and better examples of the poodle, because they love the breed. They want a dog that lives a long, healthy life and has a solid temperament.

They then put their dogs to the test by regularly placing their dogs side-by-side with others in the industry so their dogs may be evaluated by their peers, no matter what venue they choose to use to evaluate their dogs. Responsible breeders not only breed - they show what they have bred, they are open about problems they encounter and they jump up to take responsibility when warranted.

When finding homes for their puppies, a responsible breeder not only researches, tests, and verifies that they are breeding the truest and healthiest dogs possible, but they guarantee their dogs and place them only into screened and qualified homes. They encourage their puppy buyers to try obedience, rally, tracking, agility, therapy or other work because they know a poodle that uses both brain and body regularly is a happier poodle. They are a support when the owner wants to find trainers in their area, has questions about the best food to feed or wants help learning about how to best keep their pup healthy.

A responsible breeder makes a lifelong commitment to every puppy. That means when someone who bought a dog from them 5 years ago calls to say they're moving and can't find a home and will take Shaggy to the shelter, they take Shaggy back and keep him or find him a screened, appropriate home. If they say little Pepe developed luxating patellas, Addisons or cataracts at age two and they can't afford to treat him, responsible breeders take Pepe back and take care of him. If they say the new baby isn't getting along w/their 10 year old Angel, they take Angel back, knowing they’ll probably have her the rest of her life since not many people want a senior dog, especially one who isn't good with kids. It's a lot of time, effort and expense on their part, but it's the only responsible thing to do.

We feel this way because we're exposed to the results of less than responsible breeders every day. The dogs who develop health problems and aren't wanted, the ones who develop behavioral problems because they weren't given the right attention, the ones who ended up being too much trouble, or too much expense or who made the boyfriend jealous. They come in sick, scared, scarred and even sometimes sweet and well trained. We are the ones who shave out the mats, take them to the vets, teach them how to play for maybe the first time. We teach them how to trust and what it feels like to be loved. We are the ones who help them find the right, forever home this time around, the ones who spend hours of our own time, (time taken away from our own dogs, families and jobs) to make many phone calls, send letters, talk to potential applicants, check references, do home visits and provide follow-up support.

We are the ones who step into the gap that irresponsible breeders leave empty. The breeders who think how much fun it would be to have the offspring of a dog they love, forgetting the rest of the litter may not have such good luck finding a home. The ones who haven't done the research and don't realize they're breeding two carriers of Addisons and are guaranteeing a shortened and sometimes miserable life for both puppies and grief and financial hardship for owners. They aren't savvy enough to realize that bringing a puppy into a home where there are three toddlers is often a recipe for disaster. We wish there were enough responsible breeders out there to put us all out of a job. None of us are doing this because it's fun, happy and easy work (it can be, but often isn't). We feel and see the anguish these unwanted dogs go through every day and we hope to alleviate it. Every single one of us has shed tears over the stories we have been involved with, both happy and sad. We hope to bring happiness into the life of a person who is in a position to care for one of our dogs. We have the satisfaction of seeing the results of a thrilled human and their new, funny, happy and loving poodle. Or the hearts touched when a trembling, confused "breeder" dog cuddles on the lap of their own person for the first time.

I hope you have chosen to be a responsible breeder if you decide to let your dog reproduce. Please let us know if you are in that category. If you decide not to breed your dog after all, remember there are many, many wonderful poodles needing a home out there.

Wishing you the best,
Terry