We have been adopting Chow-mix rescues for 18 years now.  I'm a firm believer in adoption rather than purchase from a breeder (or mill, god forbid).  Used to work with a guy who bred Boxers on the side (in his yard) and sold them for $800.  Never gave the poor female a break.  Not much apart from a mill like that asshat JP O'Neil on Route 1 near Quakerbridge Mall.

 

No Particular reason for the preference, but when we adopted our first, the shelter worker mentioned that nobody wants the fuzzy dogs because of the shedding.  We did and took him home, and he lived with us for 12 years.  70 pound lap dog.

 

Since then, we are on #4, one getting old and one a giant puppy.  What we learned is how badly these dogs are treated down south...nothing but yard dogs.  All of the Chow rescue orgs around here (PA, NY, etc) truck them up from the Carolinas and try to find homes.  Sometimes they mean well and try to place a stray who just is not suited for it, and I have the scars to prove it.  Most of them though were raised in an abusive environment and are happy just to have a normal home with a bit of training.

 

Here is the puppy we got from S. Carolina - a stray with heartworm issues that the owners (when found) could not afford.  The rescue org paid for the vet treatment and other issues before we adopted him for a donation of $300.  Not a show dog, of course, but he guards the house and family, and you can put a saddle on him and go for a ride if you want (he grew after this photo).

 

Go to a city shelter and see what these poor animals live through in their sterile cages waiting for death.  They may not be pretty in many cases, but as far as I'm concerned, to hell with your designer Labradoodles and other designer breeds and go adopt a pet who needs you.

 

Sorry for my high horse.

 

 

 

Edit, that last line is not intended at the OP, just a general opinion for the world at large.

I'm also a lifelong rescuer. We're mostly a cat family, but we did have one dog. She was a total mutt and not the brightest, but she was the sweetest dog ever (I'm biased of course). Nothing but love and warmth from her.

 

If you need a dog for security, hunting, or any other specific purpose, then I totally understand wanting a specific breed that is best-suited to that purpose. But if you're looking for a four-legged family member, please consider adopting from a shelter.

 

These animals feel love, so they miss it when they don't receive it. This is one of the best and easiest ways to have more love in your life

When you're ready to bring a pup home, PM me. We introduced a new (1-1/2 yr old) dog to our spoiled homeboy this past May, and it went reallyl well. I'll describe how we did it.

Sounds good man I appreciate it!  We may be moving to a different place in jersey soon.  Nothing written in stone but this move would save me a TON of money plus theres a TON of land for the dog (dogS soon) to run and theres horses so I am kinda hoping this all goes through.  But when we get to that point I will def hit you up.  I am VEY glad I didnt drop that much money on a dog seeing as how the Gov is paying me with IOUs until further notice!!