If you have decided to bring a bichon frise into your family, one of the many things you will have to consider is how you are going to obtain the dog. In practice there are three basic options: adoption from an animal shelter, buying from a breeder, or rescuing from an animal rescue center.
Each method has its pros and cons. While buying from a breeder guarantees that the puppy will be well bred and come from healthy parents, it is also quite expensive. On the other hand, adopting from a shelter may be much cheaper, but you may not be able to know if the dog is pure bred or if there are any behavioral problems.
Your final option is to rescue a dog from a rescue center. Rescue centers come in many forms. General animal rescue shelters will rescue many different breeds of dogs, and possibly many different species of animals. At the same time, it is also possible to find bichon breed specific rescue facilities. The type of rescue center will vary based on location as some areas may have a breed specific shelter, while others do not. In this article we will address some common questions about rescuing a bichon from a shelter.
The Pure Bred Question
Many times people are looking for a pure bred bichon. Their intentions may vary, but one major reason is that bichons are great dogs for people who suffer from dog allergies. Unfortunately, many times it is impossible to know if the dog in question is one hundred percent pure, and this can affect a person's allergies. This is not to say that it is impossible to rescue a pure bred bichon because there are times when a puppy will come with "papers" proving they are. If your intentions are to find a pure bred dog, it is recommended that you rescue from a breed specific bichon rescue facility.
Owner Expectations
Most rescue centers will require that prospective owners go through an interview and screening process. This is to ensure that the dog is going to a good home. The reason they make such an effort to place dogs in good homes is that many times rescued bichons have health or behavioral problems. These are things that owners should expect. If you are looking for a "perfect" dog (which never really exists under any circumstances!), you should look at buying from a respected breeder so you can raise the puppy to meet your expectations, because rescued dogs often come from harsh backgrounds and have developed certain issues.
Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Most times rescued bichons will be adult dogs. It is not impossible but very rare to find a puppy at a rescue facility. Also, a large number of rescue bichons will be male.
Where the Dogs Come From
The situations that bichons are rescued from are wide ranging. Some are strays that were picked up by an animal control unit and never claimed. Others were rescued from puppy mills or other animal shelters that were shut down. Still more may have been given up or abandoned by previous owners. As you can see, this is what makes it difficult to know the pureness of the breed.
Final Thoughts
Bichon rescue is not for everyone. There are many factors to consider before beginning this process. These include, but are not limited to: desirability of the pureness of the breed; ability to care for a dog that may have health of behavioral issues; willingness to rescue an adult dog as opposed to a puppy.
That being said, rescuing a dog can be a rewarding experience. If you feel you are up to the challenge then this route can be a great way to find a loving and caring dog.
Kyle Lambert is a writer and bichon owner. After years of raising bichons, he decided to create a website dedicated to the breed. Focusing on all bichon related issues, Kyle hopes to educated people interested in the breed. Find his full website dedicated to Bichon Rescue by following the link.
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