Pros and cons of adopting a dog from dog breed rescue. Finding rescue groups, the typical adoption process, and how to evaluate a rescue dog to make sure he'll be a safe, reliable pet.

How To Buy a Good Dog
by Michele Welton
Read this book BEFORE you get a dog. You'll learn how to choose the right dog and the right place to get your dog -- while avoiding all the wrong dogs and the wrong sources.

My dog buying book

Dog breed rescue group are dedicated dog lovers who maintain a network of temporary foster homes for adoptable dogs.

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Some rescue groups specialize in one breed, like Jack Russell Terrier Rescue. Other rescue groups accept related breeds (Terrier Rescue), while others (like Hearts United For Animals) take in all breeds, crosses, and mixes.

Bill Ford:
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Adopting a Dog From Dog Breed Rescue

By Michele Welton, Copyright © 2008. May not be reprinted without permission.

Rescue groups, unlike animal shelters and humane societies, usually don't have a central location where dogs are housed for the public to come see.

Instead, a rescue group is a small group of dedicated dog lovers who maintain a network of temporary foster homes. When a dog is turned over to a rescue group, he is placed into a foster home for an evaluation period. The foster family provides health care and basic training while the rescue group searches for the right permanent home.

Some rescue groups specialize in one breed (like Pug Rescue of Sacramento). Others offer several related breeds (Northeast All Retriever Rescue). Still others offer all breeds, crosses, and mixes.

Advantages of rescue groups over animal shelters

A rescue dog, as opposed to an animal shelter dog, has been evaluated in a home setting, so the foster family can usually tell you quite a bit about the dog's habits and behaviors. They know if he's housebroken, if he barks a lot, if he likes children, if he gets along with other dogs and cats.
A rescue dog has usually received some housebreaking, socialization, and training from the foster family.
A rescue dog will always be spayed or neutered, and has had any health problems treated (or at least diagnosed and treatment begun).

Disadvantages of rescue groups

It can be DIFFICULT to adopt a dog from a rescue group. You have to fill out a lengthy questionnaire, submit to an interview, provide references, and often allow a visit to your home, as though you were trying to adopt a child. Rescue people try to be very careful with their dogs, so their adoption requirements are often strict.
It's usually more expensive ($100 to $400) to adopt a dog from a rescue group than from an animal shelter or humane society. But keep in mind that the rescue group has neutered the dog, treated health problems, started a flea and heartworm preventative program, provided grooming, and invested time and effort in basic training. Rescue groups do NOT make money -- indeed, their adoptions fees don't even begin to cover their costs.

Everything you need to know about adopting from dog breed rescue

How to find rescue groups

The typical adoption process -- what to expect

Questions you'll be asked by a rescue group

The adoption contract -- what to expect -- and what to watch out for

How to use a simple walk-on-a-leash test to evaluate a dog's suitability as a pet

The four types of handling tests you should do

What you can learn about a dog by simply playing with him for a few minutes

How to test for possessiveness and aggression in a seemingly friendly dog

What to look for in a simple check of the dog's eyes, ears, nose, teeth, coat and skin, gait, and more

How To Buy a Good Dog!

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