If you are going to consider adopting a rescued dog, consider these words of wisdom. Make sure you have enough money for the vet bills, these dogs need special care, are almost always poorly bred either in puppy mills or backyard paperless programs, and very susceptible to dog allergies. (and the health of the animals is not something that people like this take into account when the matches are made.) Make sure you also have experience with troubled dogs, and can help one with any behavior issues that may come up. Try to adopt animals that will get along with other dogs, your current pet may be the best help you have for bringing your new friend into the home. You will have adjustment problems if your new pet will have to stay at home alone for hours at a time.

These dogs are nature’s optimist, and can bounce back from a lot of tragic situations.  Try www.GGREAT.org for information on adopting one of these beautiful forgiving creatures.

This reality of this shocked the pants off me, but it is a fact without room for refusal.  People do not want big black dogs.  Period.  All sorts of reasons are debated, theories explored but the why is unimportant.  Large, black male dogs are going to sit in that shelter longer than any other type of dog, and are more likely to be surrendered by owners.  Try to think of that knowing that cute yellow guy won’t spend a week in that cage, but that four year old with the little bit of grey on that black muzzle may never make it out of his.

These dogs take abandonment especially poorly; they have no concept for why they failed to be good enough.  They go through a substantial grieving period and it takes a lot of patience to bring these guys back.  But the result is well worth it.

How many of these guys end up in rescue is a flat crime.  They are great dogs, and if you can make a hunter out of any of them this is my pick.  But do be warned, they shed like crazy with that short coat.  www.mdgsprescue.org sports a wide selection of adoptable dogs at any given time.

Not too many of these guys kicking around, but the ones that need help need it badly.  They look awful by the time they finally end up in rescue, and quality grooming skill is a must for those looking into this breed of rescue.   www.saveoursetters.org is a good place to start.