You may be surprised to hear that animal shelters do take in purebred dogs from time to time. It’s much more likely to find a mixed-breed dog at your local pound, but it’s not unheard of to find the occasional boxer, bulldog, or the like! Adopting from an animal shelter is a great way to find a loving and gracious companion, but a lot of people are swayed because they’ve had their hearts set on that particular breed of dog for a long time. Don’t give up hope. With some patience and diligence, you may still be able to find the dog you want up for adoption.
Why Choose a Purebred Dog
This is a question that many people (surprisingly) don’t know the answer to. Some people will say they want a good watchdog or a dog that is obedient and loyal. This can pertain to any dog, not just purebreds. The best reason to get a purebred dog is for show. If you plan to get into the show circuit, you will not get far unless you have a pedigree dog. Another valid reason to choose a purebred is for love of the breed. Some families have had a particular breed of dog for generation upon generation. Some are serious breeders who are committed to bettering the breed through a responsible and vigorous breeding program. One final reason to choose a purebred dog over a mixed-breed is because you absolutely have to know what to expect. Some people need to be sure that their dog will have a certain coat or not exceed a certain size because of medical reasons or where they live. Although nothing is written in stone, purebreds have a much more solid picture of future generations than mixed-breeds do.
How to Find a Purebred in a Shelter
This is tricky since most purebreds that are surrendered are done so to specialty rescues which are devoted to a particular breed. However, some purebreds do show up at shelters. Some are rescued from bad situations, and some are simply turned over to them. If you have a certain breed in mind and are willing to travel to get him, the best thing to do is to contact shelters within your range and let them know what you are looking for. Explain to them that you are willing to wait or to do whatever it takes to get him and that you’ve made it your mission to obtain him through adoption rather than through a breeder.
This is a noble effort and says a lot about your character. Most shelters will do whatever they can to help you find the dog that you are looking for.
