Teds Talks.....: Adopt don't shop?

When it comes to the age old debate about whether it is best to acquire a new dog by rehoming or getting a puppy, we have experience from both sides. I was rehomed by 'Them Indoors' three years ago whereas my predecessor, the Boss, and now my new apprentice, Bear, were bought as puppies. People sometimes have strong views about this issue, seeing it as immoral to get a pup when there are older dogs looking for a home, but I reckon there are pros and cons on both sides.

Now clearly, as rehomed fur, I am going to extol the benefits of a pre-owned dog. Taking on a fur who is without a home of their own, for whatever reason, is clearly a very good thing to do. In my case, it was not only good for me, it was also good for my poorly owner, who knew when she was dying, that her much loved dog was going to be taken good care of, which was a huge weight off her mind. Also, when you rehome a dog via a reputable charity, you should have a fair idea of what you are getting in terms of personality and behavioral traits. Some of the basics such as house training and mastery of the fundamental commands, may already have been covered. Rehoming is also a cheaper option than buying a puppy, which at the present time, when puppies cost thousands of pounds, is a significant consideration. An adult dog may also have already been neutered or spayed and hopefully any significant health issues will be apparent.

However, there are some disadvantages with rehoming, and one of the most apparent is that you don't have a dog for the whole of their life. As our lives our relatively sort compared to people, this is something of an issue. I was almost six when I came to 'Them Indoors', which, depending on how long I live, is at least a third of my life already gone.'Them Indoors' will never know me as a puppy or a young dog. Whilst 'Them Indoors' did have a lot of information about me before they took me on, not all charities are as thorough as perhaps they should be and people can take on a fur in good faith, only to find that they have got more than they bargained for. Many rehomed dogs, myself included, come with some significant issues. I have bad separation anxiety and this was at fever pitch when I first arrived. I used to get upset if I was left in a room let alone in the house, by myself. I'm also reactive with other dogs and not good with children. I had been allowed on the beds and furniture in my previous home, which isn't allowed by 'Them Indoors', although they have compromised and allowed me to sleep in their bedroom, but in my own bed. Whilst some of these issues, with love and effort, have improved, they have not gone away and are likely to remain for the rest of my life. I was also very unsettled when I first arrived. I cried at night, refused to eat, peed in the house and required a lot of patience and kindness. There can also be problems in getting a dog to rehome, particularly if you want a specific type, breed, gender or age. Rehoming charities are rightly quite particular about where their dogs go so there could be restrictions on things like location and how long potential owners spend away from home on a daily basis. There are cases of people waiting years for a dog.

On the other hand, puppies, depending on the breed, are often easier to find, although you might have to travel to get what you want. And you can get exactly what you want in terms of breed, gender and colour. You even get to chose their name. A puppy, from a reputable breeder, is a blank page in terms of behavioral issues, and you have the opportunity to bring them up according to your own rules. If you have children, the puppy will grow up with them, and both will learn about each other. You also get the dog for their entire lifespan. And perhaps the main reason for getting a puppy is they are fun. They are joyous, loving and needy, irresitably cute and, apparently, the nearest thing to having a baby other than having a baby.

Yet puppies have disadvantages. Finding a reputable breeder can be tricky and, as puppies fetch big money, there are some unscrupulous people out there. Even with good breeders, puppies are expensive. There are also some hidden costs. Puppies can be quite destructive. They explore the world partly by taking things in their mouth and chewing on them. Bear has already destroyed numerous toys, her soft crate, slippers and the lounge rug will never be the same again! They go through a phase of mouthing, affectionately known as 'sharks teeth' in our household, when they bite at everything including people. Bear has drawn blood on more than one occasion. Puppies also have to learn to sleep through the night, wee and poo in socially acceptable places, and to do all the basic dog stuff like sit, stay, lie down, walk nicely on a lead and behave appropriately with other people and dogs in a whole range of circumstances. And they don't learn by magic. They have to be patiently taught, from scratch. As you chose a puppy when they are only a few weeks old, it is often difficult to accurately assess their personality. The Boss was a tour de force for the whole of his life but this wasn't apparent at the outset. All puppies are cute, but that little bundle of fluff will soon be a much bigger, stroppy adolescent, pushing the boundaries.

So do you adopt or do you shop? 'Them Indoors' are very happy with their decisions and would happily do either again. However, you need to think very hard about both options. A dog, under any circumstances is a big decision and 'Them Indoors' mulled over getting a second for about eighteen months before finally taking the plunge with Bear. And we are all very happy they did which, after all, is the right outcome whatever the decision over the source.