How to Get a Deal on the Obamas' Dog Choice

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I agree the Obama’s have set a great example by choosing a rescued animal. I hope that more and more people will think rescue first when considering a new pet but even more I hope that people more carefully conceder pets. Since we live in rural area bordering a city we constantly see “dumped” animals. The shelters and rescue groups in the area are overtaxed and doing all they can. Don’t think about whither you can get a dog on a deal make sure that you have the funds, time and energy to truly care for the animal before you commit to it.
For those of you who are in a position to commit to a new animal companion or have been thinking about it. Please visit your local shelter or find a nearby rescue group there has been a huge influx of animals and a reduction in donations recently due in part to the economic downturns. The adoption fees that they get are critical to helping them continue saving animals.
If you don’t know how to contact local rescues check petfinder.com, adopt a pet, your local animal control shelter.

Tabitha of TX 3:35PM March 03, 2009

wow - that is really surprising. I was all about the Labradoodle - guess I just lost $20. I had to do a little more research on why they picked the PWD, and found an OK description of it: http://obamadogadoption.com/Dog_breeds/portuguese-water-dog.html. It seems like a good choice the more I think about it, wish I had my $20 back though.

maggie of ID 7:40PM March 01, 2009

With 4 to 6 million dogs being euthenized in the US every year for lack of good homes, breeding more dogs whether for money, for "hobby", or because of ignorance in refusing to spay and neuter, is simply a CRIME. I am glad that the Obamas are enlightened enough to be an example to the nation and adopt a dog. Were Malia not allergic they would have probably gone to a shelter and taken a mutt. I love the Obamas. People need to be aware of the dog and cat overpopulation tragedy in this country and stop going to pet stores or breeders to spend a thounsand dollars to buy a dog because they saw one like on a movie or it's the new "fad", like the designer dogs.
Opt to Adopt.

Diana of FL 4:18PM February 28, 2009

Such great points- thanks a lot for sharing them.

Kimberly Palmer of DC 11:34AM February 26, 2009

I'm a show breeder (not of PWDs, though I know several wonderful people who breed them) and I have to say that saving money on a dog purchase is the EXACT wrong way to go about it.
Rescue is a fabulous way to get a dog, but you should never, ever rescue--especially a purebred--to save money. Rescue dogs have zero health history and require just as much of an investment in training and care as well-bred dogs do. In a breed like PWDs, where there are some serious health issues in the breed, if you don't buy from health-tested parents you should count on paying for issues later. Rescue is beyond a doubt worth it, but it is NOT a way to save money.
Craigslist is not supposed to "sell" dogs, period. They are only there for adoption, and in my experience (I keep track of craigslist so I can help people find appropriate purebred rescue options for their dogs, if possible) there are very few purebred dogs without serious issues being advertised. The chance of finding a healthy, sane PWD on craigslist is virtually nil.
Remember that anytime you are looking at a purebred that is not coming from a responsible breeder that puts her money where her mouth is in terms of showing, health testing, a written contract, and lifetime support for any puppy (and in PWDs she should also be involved in the working aspects of the breed) she produces, you're not actually getting the breed "as advertised." The description of the PWD as a happy, energetic, extremely trainable dog is based on well-bred dogs who meet the temperamental standard for the breed. Rescue dogs and craigslist dogs are NOT well-bred and their breeders didn't care two bits about the proper health, conformation, temperament or ability that the dog should have. In effect, you're looking at "counterfeit" purebreds.
So please DO rescue. In addition to our show dogs we do a substantial amount of rescue and two of our permanent residents are rescues--I could not support it more. But do it because you want to rescue a dog, because you have the time and money and energy to devote to the dog, because you connect with that specific dog (not its breed--remember that it may not be anything close to what its breed is supposed to be) not to get a purebred on the cheap and NOT to save money over the life of the dog.
One more thing: Mixed-breed dogs are not healthier than well-bred purebreds. That only kicks in when the mixed-breed is allowed to breed randomly and natural selection is applied. Carolina Dogs, for example, are probably healthier than the background population. But allowing a poorly bred Lab make puppies with a poorly bred Poodle, or any one of the thousands of possible mixes, won't make healthy puppies.
I don't know ANY good (show/responsible) breeders who make money on puppies. Even at normal puppy prices we lose thousands on each litter. If you're going to buy from a breeder, make sure he or she is investing that much into their dogs. Anyone making money is cutting corners.

Joanna of NH 11:05AM February 26, 2009

Veronica, if your boyfriend's sister has a purebred German Shepherd with lousy hips, then the breeder or whomever he got the dog from is a lousy breeder. My husband and I got a portie precisely for the reasons the Obamas are getting one (allergies) and the breeder gave us all the histories of the parents and grandparents of the dog, including the rating of their hips and elbows, as well as the tests and certifications taken for the eyes, heart and other areas that have been known/tested to be passed on genetically. This doesn't, of course, rule out other health issues in the future but it at least insures that you are not breeding bad genes together with other bad genes. The breeder we used is notorious for turning down other breeders because she is very strict with who she breeds her dogs with. If the other breeder can't provide the right health records going back a few generations, then she won't breed her dogs with theirs.
I'm not saying that mutts can't be genetically superior because of the mixing of genes from various breeds, but you can't generalize like that regarding purebreeds because someone bought a purebred from a lousy breeder. There are backyard breeders, too, and then there are those who are in it because they want to improve/preserve the breed and raise healthy dogs.

Beth of MD 6:55PM February 25, 2009

They tell me that responsible breeders spend lots of money on health tests, "obstetrical care," premium food, etc. I'm not a breeder, but a few.
I wouldn't begrudge them their fees.
Anyone who carps about spending $1500 on a carefully bred companion who will be at their side for 10-15 years might not be willing to spend $700-1000 for vet bills to fix fractures or other illnesses, or for routine vaccinations, heart worm prevention, grooming, etc. The price of a puppy
Most breeders aren't rolling in dough. It's a hobby for folks who love the particular qualilties of their breeds. Many conscientious breeders seem to be pretty lousy business people.
I do know that a well bred Water Dog will be an outstanding companion for our president. He's going to need all the true friends he can get and deserves a good dog.
Just my $0.02 worth of kibble.

Faux Paws of NC 5:04PM February 25, 2009

Also, it's important to realize that mutts are genetically superior to purebreds. Purebred dogs are prone to all sorts of problems because of their breeding. My aunt and uncle got a purebred dog that had to be sent back to the breeder because it had skin problems that are related to the breed. My sister's boyfriend's dog is a purebred German Shepard that has horrible hip problems.
Whereas our mutts have outlived the breeds they are made of.

Veronica of NY 4:49PM February 25, 2009

Thanks, Rosemary - yes, you are right, there is sometimes a fee but I just meant you don't have to "buy" the animal - sorry for the confusion!
And of course, one should always tread carefully when using Craigslist, but there are many legit sellers who use it.

Kimberly Palmer of DC 3:01PM February 25, 2009

I don't think you know what you're talking about. Adopting an animal usually involves a fee. This includes vetting and spay/neuter of the animal. This is still a bargain. A good rescue is also concerned about where the dog is going and might do a home visit. This is primarily to make sure the dog doesn't end up chained to a dog house in your backyard.
Craigslist often has backyard breeders or puppy millers looking to make a quick buck on questionably bred animals. These dogs will cost you a lot more in congenital defects. You get what you pay for.
The Obamas are going for a Portugese Water Dog. These are pretty rare and very pricey. Luckily the breeders in this country take it seriously. Very few true PWDs end up in shelters because the rescue is excellent.

Rosemary Kelly of MI 2:40PM February 25, 2009