Annoying people who 'rescue' dogs.

Uh… But when you ask them outright what breed it is, how could they possibly know since they rescued it? If you hadn’t asked what breed it is, I seriously doubt they would have come up to you and said, “Hey! Guess what? I rescued this dog!”...

Edit: Besides, rescuing an animal is something to be proud of, more so than what breed a dog actually is. I don’t think people are proud of rescuing animals (for the most part) simply so they can be like, “Look at me! I did a good thing!”. I think it’s more of the fact that it makes them feel good to know that they helped an animal.

Personally, I think people who put so much emphasis on “breed” are annoying. All of our dogs have been “rescued” but only two have had an actual “breed.” Nonetheless, we have loved them all equally, and they have paid no attention to the differences between each other (except that one female went into heat – that caused a kerfluffle).

They’re telling you they don’t know the breed, which is the question you asked. Maybe they anticipate that your next question if they simply say “I don’t know” will be “Why not?” so they just answer before you ask it.

P.S. – I’m glad you don’t have a problem with people rescuing animals, otherwise I’d have a problem with you. =] Welcome to Fluther.

it doesn’t sound like they announced anything until you asked. if they went around yelling this out regardless of who was listening, this would be annoying. however, they said nothing about it until you asked, and that was only in the context of answering your question.

I’m guilty of saying it all the time. When I say it, I mean it to constitute a warning that my dog was abused and is still skittish and not dependable. I only say it in a response to a question. I had no idea I was being rude, and in fact, I am not convinced that I should stop announcing this important fact.

I’m cak and I rescue dogs. In fact, I love to rescue dogs and when asked about a bred, I might say something like you hate…not to annoy, just because I may or may not know the breed. I don’t want a pat on the back or a medal, I’m just saying he came to us, because he had no where else to go and I’m not sure, I just know he’s a good dog and we’re fostering him until we can find a suitable home for him.

When speaking to people about pets i have / had i always mention the fact they were rescued , i don’t do it to big myself up to these people . Its what happens in a conversation when people ask about your pets , it kind of gives them a little background on the animal .

Unless you get a pure bred, or know exactly where the dog came from..you usually don’t know the breed, especially mixed breeds.
I would rescue a million dogs if I had the money. I think people who rescue animals are great people, and helping society.

Um. Perhaps I missed the rules, but shouldn’t this be an actual question?

I just wish it weren’t so common to have to rescue dogs or cats. People should take care of their pets properly so every pet goes to a loving and life-long home.

Unfortunately, too many people see them as objects to be cast aside whenever they become inconvenient.

@jeanna There is a question. “This really bothers me a LOT. It is really annoying. What’s the deal with these people?”

i used to feed the cats in my yard, then i would trap them, get them spayed, vaccinated and flea dipped (if necessary) through an animal rescue organization, then release them into the yard, as they were feral. the few that were not feral, i got adopted through the organization. when i moved from that house, there was one cat who i wanted to take, because although she was feral, she trusted me, and i could not bear the thought of her waiting for me to come feed her and nobody would come. so i trapped her, got her flea dipped, and she became my pet (tho never totally friendly like a domestic cat). i would tell anybody who asked about her, just to explain why she was so skittish, not to annoy them.

now i have a friend who breeds cats under the delusion that she’s a professional cat breeder. that, to me, is terrible. all these cats and dogs in the pound, and she’s breeding them on purpose. and people actually pay money for them. how dumb.

So wait, you ask someone a question and then get annoyed when they answer it?

I would have posed the question as “why do people feel obligated to tell me their dogs were rescued when i did not ask?”

and Ivan is right on the money with his answer. GA to Ivan.

Sounds like insecurity on your part. If you don’t want the answer, don’t ask the question.

@Allie Indeed, in the details, but the beginning is simply a statement. I guess I’ll go back and reread the rules since I missed something.

@jessegavin – So you would prefer someone simply answer the question “What breed is your dog?” with “I dunno.”? Then you have to ask “Why don’t you know?” And then they have to say “We don’t know where it came from.” And then you say “Why don’t you know where it came from?” And then they say…

They are really saving you a lot of time and energy as well as answering your original question.

@jeanna Your title doesn’t have to be a question as long as it reflects what your question is about. There have been plenty of “questions” on Fluther without question marks at the end.

I like the idea that I rescued my dogs so I always answer in the manner that you say annoys you. My dogs were on death row in Sydney Australia when I adopted them. I think it is an interesting story. People are always amazed that a pure bred akita was on death row, then I tell them we are the 5th owners the dog had and he was only 3 years at that point. He was an emotional wreck, now he is 12 and a good stable dog, well more like a cranky old man, but we love him. I tell them that being pure bred doesn’t mean a dog will not be abandoned, pounds and rescues are full of pure bred dogs. Then depending on my mood I may launch into the spay and neuter spiel or the puppies are a 12–15 year commitment.

Hope that didn’t annoy you too much.

It didn’t annoy me. I tend to do the same.

And Akitas, while lovely dogs, are a bit challenging if you don’t bother to train them early and often.

The deal with these people is they are tryig to get the word out that you don’t have to get a breed dog or go to a pet store for a dog. I can’t imagine why you would get annoyed at people doing the right thing and doing all they can to encourage others to do the same.

If you get annoyed by people being friendly, stop bothering them with your annoying questions.

If someone asks me what breed my dog is, I say “Well, I’m not entirely sure, since we got him from the pound. We think he’s some kind of setter mix.”

I really don’t see why that is annoying. You say that you are “convinced that these ‘dog rescuers’ care more about letting people know that they rescue dogs than they do about the dogs they rescue.” I think you are wrong. I don’t say that we got him from the pound in order to brag; it is merely the answer to the question.

I have had 3 rescue dogs and I always answer in that manner, that I have a rescue dog. I want people to be aware of rescue animals. I have also been asked the name, address and number of where I rescued my dog so they can check into getting one for themselves. Maybe you shouldn’t be so critical of how people answer the question or try to find a deeper meaning that isn’t there.

I don’t see anything annoying about your quoted scenario. The people are informing you that they do not know the breed because it was rescued. They are not trying to flaunt their abilities, they’re just pre-empting a follow up question from you such as if they had simply said “we don’t know”.

I believe you have a prejudice against dog rescuers and it has tainted the way you view people’s comments about them.

I only bring it up if they ask where I got him (which is often because he has great genes). I have a 90lbs purebred pit bull. He’s beautiful inside and out, and people are always amazed when I tell them he is a rescue. I don’t say it just because I’m proud of what I did, I say it because I want people to see that they can get a beautiful, friendly, and loving pet without having to spend hundreds of dollars on a breeder.

I’m totally with you (the author of this post). I get annoyed by people who make a point to tell me that they rescued their dog(s). I don’t see parents who adopt kids going around saying, “Oh, they’re adopted.” Or, “we rescued them from China.” If pets are like children, then show them some respect.

Again, Berry Lips, the point is to make people aware of rescue sites/services that are available, especially people that are admiring my dog. I only tell them that my dog is a rescue dog after they have asked about her. My dog is very much respected by me and my family.

@berry_lips – If you persist in wanting to know where my daughter got her curly hair, then you will be told that she was adopted. It is the same thing with dogs. If you insist in knowing what breed a dog is, and the owner does not know because the dog is a rescue, you will be told that.

If you don’t want to know, don’t ask the question. If you ask the question accept the answer. It isn’t like these folks are running up to you and starting up the conversation by announcing out of the blue that their dog is a rescue. We don’t start the conversation – you folks do.

I get tired of folks telling me their dog is a registered AKC whatchamacallit, and I am truly amazed that folks are laying out big bucks for designer dogs like the Pomapoo or any of these other crosses, yet for $30 you can go to a rescue shelter and get the same exact cross. It just won’t cost enough to be a status symbol.

You should respect your dog enough to love the dog for who it is, not display it so all can see how great you are that you can buy a dog that looks a certain way.

Feh!

@Darwin I would lurve you a million times if I could.

@Darwin – I had to google “feh” now that I know what it means, I’m right there with you!

@jessegavin So you don’t like people announcing that they have done something wonderful when they have? Is this b/c you don’t do it yourself so you feel guilty? Believe me (I’m one of those people who annoy you so much… I rescue dogs) it is not something people do for bragging rights. A lot of dogs that are rescued need medical treatment, extensive training, etc. (basically time and money) and there are a lot of other things someone could do if all they care about is bragging rights. Thankfully they are not discouraged by people like you.

@YARNLADY LURVE your answer! Ha ha

The only problem I ever have with people who rescue dogs are people who “rescue” so many that they can’t provide proper health care for any of them.

A lot of dogs that are rescued need medical treatment, extensive training, etc. (basically time and money)

@BBSDTfamily – You got THAT right.

@Darwin @BBSDTfamily Yes, I have spent more on vet bills than I have on my own medical bills. I don’t mind, I want my dog to be healthy.

From experience, it doesn’t always take a question like, “what breed is your dog?” for the big annoucement. Sometimes all it takes is a comment like, “Oh, your dog is so cute.” As for the latter, I’ve gotten responses such as: “Oh, yes, he is. We rescued him from the pound last year.” “Thanks. (sad face) He’s a rescue dog.” “Thanks. He almost didn’t make it. Poor little guy!” When I’m asked what breed my dogs are, I answer, “I’m not sure, but they sure are cute!” When someone tells me my dogs are cute, I simply say, “Thanks!” I don’t need a pat on the back.

@berry_lips I’m not looking for a pat on the back. Most people that rescue dogs are not looking for a pat on the back.

@berry_lips Also, my dog obviously has given birth many times, and recently before being dumped. Most people that ask me about her ask about her puppies, and if they can get one. It puts me in the position of explaining that she was dumped after giving birth.

@berry_lips: Honestly and truly, I have no desire whatsoever for anyone to pat me on the back because I got my dog from the pound. First of all, I couldn’t have gotten a better dog if I paid $1,000,000,000 for him. Second, living with him and seeing the look of joy on his face when I get his leash out of the closet to take him for a walk is all the reward (and more) that I need.

I am in LOVE with dogs and I have a lot and I also think it’s awesome when people rescue dogs and I think Im one of those people,when I see a loose dog around,I comfort it and entertain the dog =]
Yeah! They should give more detail and they shouldnt just be proud that they saved a dog,they should be give the person more information.They should learn about the dog they saved and still be proud =]

@berry_lips – I don’t want a pat on the back either for having gotten my dog from a shelter, the pound, or the street. What I do want is for every dog owner to love and respect their dog and give them a good and comfortable life until death comes, as it does to all of us.

What I don’t want are folks like my neighbors and their “AKC registered Chihuahuas” that run loose in the street because the man won’t buy a cedar board to fix the fence. Instead, when folks complain enough, he ties a bucket on a rope to the dogs’ collars so they can’t get all the way out of the yard.

What I don’t want are people who never bother to give their pets the once a month treatment for heartworms so I have to watch and listen as their dogs die when their hearts are blocked. Or when I have to pay $600 to treat a dog I have rescued that has heartworm.

What I don’t want are people like my neighbor who never minded that her male dog invariably ate the puppies produced by her female dog, because “It’s just God’s way.” She didn’t particularly want puppies, but she firmly believed that neutering an animal is going against the will of God.

What I don’t want is paying $2500 to repair the leg of a dog whose original owner (who paid about $3000 to a breeder for her) never got her leg treated when she was a puppy, so as she grew it became deformed to such a point that amputation was a possibility. She is a wonderful, sweet dog, but her leg, while functional, is not what it should have been.

What I don’t want is to find any more skeletal dogs tied up in someone’s yard with no water and flies attacking its eyes.

There are many, many more examples of what I don’t want.

@berrylips: back to your first answer: i don’t see how mentioning that the dog is a rescue dog shows any kind of disrespect to the dog. this has nothing to do with respect. rescuing a dog, paying the vet bill, making the dog part of the family and being proud of this fact is not disrespectful at all. where is the disrespect in that? because the person says it’s a rescue dog? that’s disrespect? you use the word “respect” a little too loosely.

@Darwin I lurve you.

Sorry all, but this is one of my soapbox issues.

@Darwin Mine too…. I take it a step further (or maybe you take it just as far) and immensely dislike people neglecting to spay and neuter their dogs. I see it as animal abuse, negligence, you name it. We have such a sad situation of pet overpopulation in shelters, and I think backyard breeders should leave it strictly up to the professionals

<Not directed at Darwin>
Anyone reading this thinking they are a pro, just b/c it’s your source of income doesn’t make you a pro. A professional breeder only breeds dogs who are at the very top of the breed standard, has been thoroughly screened and tested for any medical conditions, and shows a perfect temperament. These dogs are shown against other dogs and are not bred until they have a Champion title, and their puppies are bought with a strict contract. NOT someone who picks two “good looking” dogs and thinks they know what the heck they’re doing and sells the puppies to anyone who pays cash…. these dogs or their future offspring end up in shelters, thus leading to more overpopulation problems. Be responsible and spay your freakin’ dog, and if it’s too expensive for you then having a dog is too expensive for you too.

@jessegavin And why is rescue in quotation marks in the question as if it’s something these people just think they are doing? I find your question very disturbing and it makes me wonder how you treat your own animals. I hope very well, but I’ve never known someone with that outlook to be kind to animals.

Rescue dogs are not inferior in any way to expensive dogs. They were just unluckier at first in not having a permanent home, and now luckier to have found someone who likes them for what they actually are.

And just because a dog is rescued doesn’t mean it can’t be an expensive purebred. Two of my rescued dogs were AKC-registered pure-bred dogs, a Shar-Pei who was used for breeding until she developed heartworm and was dumped on the streets, and an American Bulldog who was dumped into the back yard and, when she injured her leg, was then dumped at a rescue facility so the owner wouldn’t have to fix it.

And @BBSDTfamily – just like Bob Barker, I, too, believe that folks should spay and neuter their animals.

We have both “rescue” dogs and dogs that we have had since birth (My Aunt breeds Flatcoated Retrievers) and so, depending on the dog in conversation sometimes it does come up that they are “rescue” dogs. However, I can’t remember ever actually saying to someone “we rescued this dog”. Usually we just say that the dog came from kennels (ie: shelter) if asked questions because this is why we don’t know their EXACT breeds or ages or why (the collie cross in particular) has certain issues!!!

Funny, I’m just the opposite. I get annoyed when people ask what breed a dog is.

To quote you,
This really bothers me a LOT. It is really annoying. What’s the deal with those people?

I volunteer with an animal rescue group, and therefore I see and interact with lots of dogs. I couldn’t even tell you the difference between most breeds. Guess why. Because it doesn’t matter. All dogs need love.

I have cats. i have never paid for one of my cats. To me, fate put us together. I think it’s just plain wrong to pay for a cat or a dog, and it’s just plain wrong fthese bullshit amateur breeders who call themselves professional are breeding more animals when there are thousands euthanized every day, or sitting in shelters waiting for homes, or running loose on city streets trying to survive. Be Proud Rescue Dogs and Cats Rule!! —ahem-hope that wasn’t too annoying for you

@jca – I’ve never paid for a cat either, but somehow I have paid at least a basic shelter fee for most of my dogs. I think there is a sign in our front yard that says “Sucker!” in cat language. Either dogs can’t read cat language or they know I will come get them.

@darwin-oh yeah, when i said i never paid for one, i meant paid as in bought one at a pet store or from a breeder.

@jca – Actually, I did sort of buy one cat from a pet store. The store sold pet care supplies, fish, reptiles and small furry rodents of various sorts, but not cats or dogs. However, one of the clerks found a kitten in a ditch and brought it to the store. The owner paid for the kitten’s shots and let it wander the store in case some sucker kind person came along and wanted it. I paid them $10 to cover the shots and took her home, where she lived with me for the next 17 years.

@jca: It’s not wrong to have to pay for a cat/dog from an animal rescue organization, considering that you’re actually saving money by doing so… If you take in a cat/dog from outdoors (as I have done and fully support), you are going to need to pay several hundred dollars to have the cat/dog spayed/neutered and get his/her shots. My animal rescue group charges $100 to adopt a fully vaccinated spayed/neutered cat, even though we spent much more than that on the animal. I don’t think that’s wrong at all.

@darwin and @girlofscience – i meant solely paying as in from a pet store or breeder, not from an animal rescue organization or a shelter. i am all for adopting animals from both and paying their fees – that’s to a good cause!!

Hmmm, next time I get a ‘rescued dog’ and someone asks me what breed it is, I’ll just make up a name. “Why it’s a Peruvian Scrubbler Mini-Hound.” I’ll say with a smile.

That’ll leave ‘em scratching their head long enough for me to get away. =)

My family just rescued this pup today. In case you’re wondering, he’s a 1 year old Australian Cattle Dog. His name is Jack (I gave him the middle name Daniels).

@Allie he is soooo cute!!!

@Allie He is adorable! Congrats on giving this guy a home.

um. i think it’s a lot better than people who are like “oh, this is a pure so-and-so. we paid like (enter outrageous amount of money here) for her.”

i think it’s great to hear that people rescued dogs. it’s something to be proud of, and happy about. someone adopting a dog that could have just been put to sleep is not something that should simply be disregarded. also, maybe they think that if they mention it, it’ll influence the other person’s decision if they decide to get another dog? some people think it’s better to adopt a dog in need of a home than get a dog churned out by the puppy mill when we already have so many dogs that are put to sleep….
besides, it’s a topic of interest for some people. if you adopted a dog, chances are, you wouldn’t mind talking about it, and a conversation about the dog is quite the place to mention it.

fyi i totally ‘rescued’ every animal in my house, and i have quite a full house. (;

edit: totally agree with @girlofscience. i’ve gotten some questioning looks when i can’t tell someone the breed of my dog.

@tiffyandthewall – You can always make up a breed. That seems to be fashionable these days. We have a Bassechow, a Doxweiler, a Pit-Lab, and a Golden Pei right now. In the good old days these would be mutts, but in this brave new world of designer dogs they have actual status!

In addition, they are also all rescued dogs, even our “pure-bred American Bulldog.”

@Darwin I hate this whole designer breed craze. I don’t understand why people are paying loads of money for cross breeds when they can go to a shelter and choose a perfectly good cross breed for less cost! if it makes them feel better they could always get a shelter dog and then give it a fancy name

they could always get a shelter dog and then give it a fancy name

Precisely.