Welcome to Paws and Effect, a pet expert advice column penned by longtime Rover contributor and award-winning pet writer, Jen Reeder. From navigating squishy social scenarios and murky ethical territory to burning behavioral or moral questions about cats and dogs, Jen uses her years of experience and hard-earned instincts to find real solutions for real pet people. Got a question for Jen? Email: pawsandeffect@rover.com
Hey Jen,
After many years my family is finally, seriously, ready to adopt a dog. The timing is perfect—we just bought our first home, are stable(ish) financially, and everyone has agreed to be responsible for an aspect of our dog’s care (my son and husband will take the dog for walks, I’ll do the housetraining, etc). We are all excited and have done a lot of research and planning to make our home (and our hearts) ready to welcome a pet.
However, my husband and I have stalled on where to find our soon-to-be-pet. He really wants to buy from a breeder—specifically a Yellow Lab or Golden Retriever, which he says are the most family friendly breeds—but I’m deeply conflicted about buying from a breeder and dog breeding in general. I grew up in a home where we just got our pets from the Humane Society and loved our mutts and tabby cats. How do you suggest we talk about this so that we can (thoughtfully) bring a pet into our lives?
Signed, To Breed or Not To Breed
Dear To Breed or Not To Breed,
Over 13 years ago, my husband Bryan and I decided we were ready to adopt our first dog. I started perusing Petfinder.com and saw there was a litter of unwanted Labrador Retriever puppies at Farmington Regional Animal Shelter in New Mexico, which was an hour drive from our home at the time. Bryan grew up with Labrador Retrievers (I grew up with cats), so I showed him the post and asked if we could head to the shelter the next morning.
That’s how we met Rio, a yellow Lab mix who changed our lives. He’s smart, friendly, learns quickly and has a taste for adventure — he’s an all-around awesome dog.
I started narrowing my focus as a journalist to pets, and now write a column for Just Labs Magazine about Labrador Retrievers helping make the world a better place. Bryan and I also sponsor The Rio Award for the Dog Writers Association of America’s annual writing competition for the best article or book about a dog who “changed someone’s life in a profoundly positive way.”
So I understand your husband’s interest in Labs, as well as your eagerness to adopt from a shelter. Most dog lovers will agree that no one should purchase a dog from a puppy mill or unscrupulous backyard breeder who prioritizes profit over the health and happiness of their dogs.
However, during my tenure as president of the Dog Writers Association of America, I met preservation breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs. These folks love a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club so much that they want to preserve it. They perform health testing and typically their dogs only produce one litter a year to be gentle on the mothers. They’re not in it for the money (and sometimes lose money). The AKC offers detailed suggestions for finding a reputable breeder.
All this said, besides strictly adopting from a shelter or working with a breeder, I believe you have a third choice, and it’s a scenario where you both get what you want! There are purebred Labrador Retrievers (and charming mixes like Rio) in shelters across the country. The same goes for Golden Retrievers and other purebred dogs.
In fact, the AKC Rescue Network has rescue groups throughout the United States representing 160 breeds, including Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. Plus, there are often local rescue organizations that pull specific breeds from shelters. For instance, here in the Denver area, we have Mile High Labrador Retriever Mission, Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue and Safe Harbor Lab Rescue.
One of my friends adopted her heart dog from Golden Retriever Freedom Rescue—which incidentally hosts an adorable alumni swim party every year—plus there’s Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies and a rescue for either type: Retriever Rescue of Colorado. Lots of possibilities, right?
When I called the president of Safe Harbor Lab Rescue, Jacky Eckard, to ask for her insights about your situation, she happened to be driving to pick up a Lab to foster for the nonprofit. The foster-based group has rescued and rehomed over 4,500 Labs—mostly purebreds—since May of 2002.
“There are many wonderful Labs waiting for forever homes in rescues and shelters,” she confirmed. “Some well-loved Labs of all ages come from families who cannot keep them for a variety of reasons such as financial hardship, owner health issues, or family changes.”
She noted that puppies are little “dogs to be” who require a lot of patience and work. So if your family decides to go that route, be sure you can commit substantial time to socialization, positive training, exercise, and care.
In the meantime, I suggest you visit websites of local shelters and rescue organizations or simply search by breed for adoptable Labs and Goldens on sites like Petfinder.com and AdoptAPet.com, which also features dogs being rehomed directly by their owners. Find a few examples of Labs or Goldens who might be a good fit for your family, and show them to your husband and son —possibly after you’ve just enjoyed a relaxing hike or a particularly delicious meal so that everyone’s in a good mood.
You can also share that animal shelters are overflowing right now, so it would feel really great to save a life.
If your husband is still resistant, consider bribing him with dessert and asking him to join you and your son (definitely bring your son!) at an adoption event. If he’s anything like most dog lovers I know, it will be hard to resist bringing one home — perhaps he’ll even surprise himself by connecting with a mutt!
I sure hope things go well, and that your rescue dog fills your home with as much happiness as Rio and our other rescues have brought to ours!
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