Why not a rescue?

I touched on the path I took and that I did look at PetFinder for a few months looking at potentials on there.  I had a pull to go that direction, and as I looked at the dogs that paraded across my computer screen, I started to get more and more specific as to what I wanted in our next family member.  I knew I wanted small, but with good knees.  I knew I wanted an aussie - it's my breed.  And I knew that I wanted a dog with some drive and need to party. 

Asha was my rescue that started "it" all.  Started me in agility and started me in rescue.  She taught me more than any "push a button and I'm 'on'" kind of dog could have ever taught me.  But, to be honest, it was quite a challenge.  Plus, she wasn't into doing all the things I wanted to do with her - and we arrived at a mutual understanding that I won't make her do things she isn't comfortable with, and in return, she'd give me unconditional love and be my heart dog.  When I got Treo, it was because I wanted to have some of the variability, the unknowns, minimized.  Doesn't mean there isn't going to be some, there's always "some" but structure, drive, and size were more predictable than any given rescue dog - then, the rest, is up to me.

I looked hard at the dogs in rescue from February til just a week or so ago, but what worried me was that there are so many things that are up in the air.  Well, quite frankly, all of it is up in the air when it comes to a rescue.  I did find one, a red boy, only 8 months old and small in KS and even as I was talking to the 2 breeders that I had narrowed down to, I still took a day and drove to KC, KS and met him.  Within 30 seconds, I knew he was not my dog.  His structure was somewhat weird, he was very, very, very withdrawn, and even though I know he'd warm up over time, it was more obvious to me that he was not going to meet up with the expectations I have.  Plus, often times, if the structure isn't quite right, it's game over.  Then there's temperament, overcoming their lack of foundation, and any other baggage type stuff that they may or may not have.  Even being a rescuer myself, one would think that I only would want to get a rescue - but unlike some people out there - I do not believe that breeders as a collective group are our sole problem with the pet population problems, shelter issues or the volumes in rescue.  I firmly believe that the problem lies with irresponsible owners and commercial breeders.  Sure there's the occasional hobby breeder who's got too many dogs, making too many babies etc.  Just like there's the occasional family where giving up the dog is absolutely the right thing to do given whatever circumstances their in.  However, the vast majority of our issues is irresponsible dog ownership - not spaying/neutering, not fulfilling their end of the bargain when they got the dog, getting the dog for all the wrong reasons, not doing their research, not training the dog...listen, this list is long.  Fact is, the hobby breeders that I've known over the years try their darnest to create the best representatives of the breed they can.  They get "into" puppy foundation, and try to create the best environment for their puppies to thrive.  They get to know their personalities so they can make the best match possible for the interested families.  The really good ones have contracts that say if the dog isn't working out, that the dog comes back to the breeder regardless of age and they will find a home for that adult dog.  There are some really good breeders out there, folks, and their dogs are family dogs, just like ours.  Unfortunately, it only takes one bad apple to kill a perception...and that's what the breeders fight against with USDA regulations and the like - so, I get it.  But, unfortunately, the USDA needs to do what they need to do because of the exceptions to the norms, and for those dogs that are suffering, it's always the right thing to do.

If I were not interested in performance sports as I am, none of this would be a big deal and I would go with a rescue 100% of the time. Why not?  Saves a dog who got a rough start.  But there are other options, and a small, hobby breeder is an excellent way to go for many reasons.  Firstly, they should know a little about an estimated size, structure and personality.  They know if they are breeding show quality, pet quality or performance quality.  They should be willing to demonstrate to you what they are ultimately trying to achieve.  Some are well versed in flyball, Agility etc.  Some are less so, and some are wannbees - but, it's the dialogue that matters, what they pride themselves on, and what they say about their breeding goals and aspirations. 

Ultimately, it comes down to what kind of training journey did I want to have?  I know many, many people who have taken in a rescue and did some amazing things.  In fact, they pride themselves on the fact that their agility dog is a rescue, and they definitely should take pride in that.  Its a different training experience than getting a puppy.  And I don't know that one or the other is the "higher" decision.  I think the higher decision comes at that moment when you feel in your heart, "That's my dog."  Which is what I felt, strongly, when I saw Pixel's puppy pics and saw her in action on videos.  Her breeder told me about all her dogs, including a ready now female that could hit the ground running.  But, I kept going back to Pixel's picture, and I just felt that connection.  Once I made the decision, contacted Karla, and we finalized it all - I never had a moment of regret, or buyers remorse.  My dog was coming to us, and we (Ami, Pixel and I) are going to have amazing adventures together!