For the love of god please consider a rescue.
Here is my story on my plight to get a rescue, some of it is bad but hear me out because the bottom line is, I got the dog I wanted.
Our Choc Lab passed away in 2014. It was a Puppy mill dog that costs us thousands in medical bills and had lots of issues its entire life. She was a sweetheart and we still miss her to this day, she was great with kids but hated other dogs.
We took a break from dog ownership for a couple of years. Then in 2016 we decided to adopt a rescue.
First came Fred, Fred was a terrier mix with a wild story, he was a tripod missing one front leg. He was from Jamaica, he was found with his leg cut off by a machete being left for dead. He was nursed back to health and was super nice and loving. We fostered him for a week to see if he fit in with our family. He had some really bad habits and while we were sure we could break them, we just did not have the time being we both work. Habits were no knowing his boundaries and thinking people beds were for him and then the deal breaker, he pissed and marked everything. Inside the house and out, we just did not have the patience for this. Fred went back to the rescue.
Then came Jack, or Jackass as we later named him. He was timid and sweet, we hoped once he got into our home with us he would feel safe and open up, after 2 days he decided my wife the asset and started to protect her from me and my 12 year old (at the time) son. Attacking us and in one occasion drawing blood.
We took Jack to the Vet to have him checked out so see if there was some sort of pain he was in, after encountering Jack at his worst the Vet told us to get that dog out of our house. He was mad at the rescue for not detecting this dogs horrible disposition. Jack went back to the rescue.
Enter Lucy a potcake mutt (Caribbean Mutt) my wife went to go check her out initially. At this point we are now being very cautious and picky.
My wife met Lucy, she pulled on all of Lucy's paws, her ears, her tail, looking for a negative reaction from her, nothing but excitement from her. We have had Lucy for just over a year now and she is the happiest dog I have ever met. She LOVES everyone, and every dog she meets. (Except a loose pit bull we met on our walk one morning that was the first time I ever saw her put her head down and submit)
Kids adults no matter what she is in love with them the moment she meets them.
Lucy, as best we could tell was 1 year old when we adopted, she is 2 now. We have toyed with getting a second dog, and it will be a rescue for sure.
The best part about a rescue is you can foster one for a week or so and see if it is the right dog. I highly recommend doing the things my wife did, pulling on feet tails ears etc to make sure the dog has a good calm temperament.
This her surveying the Hurricane Irma damage with a friends dog who evacuated from Tampa. She is the little one.
