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I'm a passionate proponent of shelter dog adoption. I have several mixed-breed rescue dogs and I honestly don't have a particular dog breed preference. I am, however, aware that some people do, so for this project, I shifted my focus to the realm of purebred dog adoption and what I uncovered in the process was alarming, to say the least.

Whilst mixed-breed dogs often find themselves unwanted and surrendered to shelters thanks to unchecked breeding, they have no intrinsic saleable value, which puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to adoptees wanting a dog of a specific breed and at a clear advantage because, unlike their pedigree counterparts, they can't be traded like commodities.

During the process of creating this series of work, Dogs Unleashed, I discovered that the previously unwanted pedigree dogs I photographed found themselves in need of rehoming for three main reasons: a lack of understanding of breed-specific requirements, no longer being of financial use to a breeder, and puppy mill breeders closing or offloading their pups.

More info: emmaobrien.com | Instagram

#1

Akela - Unwanted By Her Owners

Akela - Unwanted By Her Owners

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Firstly, it’s essential to research the dog breed you’re considering acquiring. One of my models, Leila the bluetick coonhound, is now in her seventh (and forever) home. Coonhounds are similar to German shorthaired pointers in that they are extremely active and need A LOT of physical and mental stimulation. As a result of originally being acquired by people who had no understanding of the breed, Leila scaled walls, escaped multiple times, and got herself caught in snares whilst out and about. Her unruly (and quite natural) behavior led to her being given up repeatedly. This is a common problem for active, busy, working breeds.

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    #2

    Milo - Confiscated From An Abusive Home

    Milo - Confiscated From An Abusive Home

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    #3

    Leo - Found Wandering The Streets Of Johannesburg As A Stray

    Leo - Found Wandering The Streets Of Johannesburg As A Stray

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    As well as making sure you choose the right breed for you and your family, choosing the right breeder is essential. Not all breeders have their dogs’ best interests at heart, many are simply motivated by the money they can earn from selling puppies with no care for the welfare of their breeding dogs.

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    Brooklyn-Stella the bulldog, Queenie the Chihuahua, and Lisa the schnauzer were all given up for adoption once they were no longer financially useful to their breeders. Brooklyn's breeder attempted to sell her off on Facebook and both Queenie and Lisa spent their lives caged in a backyard producing puppies. Getting adopted in their senior years is the first time they’ve been part of a family. When you, often unwittingly, financially support breeders like this by buying puppies from them, you’re supporting animal exploitation and cruelty.

    #4

    Riley - Left To Fend For Herself At A Rental Property

    Riley - Left To Fend For Herself At A Rental Property

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    #5

    Gunther - Now In His Fourth (And Final) Home He Was Passed Around From Place To Place By People Who Couldn't Cope With Him

    Gunther - Now In His Fourth (And Final) Home He Was Passed Around From Place To Place By People Who Couldn't Cope With Him

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    Liney Knotley
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh if that home doesn’t work out send him over to me!!!!! My golden would love him!!!!!

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    Kennel Club registration is meaningless when it comes to the welfare standards of a pedigree dog breeder, so doing your homework is essential.

    As a champion of the adopt don’t shop message, I will always encourage you to adopt your dog breed of choice. A quick Facebook or Google search will tell you that there’s a rescue organization for your favorite breed and sometimes they even have puppies available.

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    #7

    Jesse - Given To A Weimaraner Rescue After She Broke Her Leg And The Owners Couldn't Afford The Vet Bills

    Jesse - Given To A Weimaraner Rescue After She Broke Her Leg And The Owners Couldn't Afford The Vet Bills

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    Maura Aldrich
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel the owners did the responsible thing I this case. Circumstances changed and thy could no longer care foe her, so gave her to an organization that could provide the best home.

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    If you do have your heart set on a particular breed of puppy, there are plenty of responsible breeders out there, here’s how to spot one:- You’ll likely be added to a waitlist:

    - Visiting the mom and pups at their premises won’t be an issue

    - Pups will only be available from 8 weeks old (10 to 12 weeks is preferable)

    - You’ll be able to collect your puppy from them

    - The breeder will ask you to sign a contract that stipulates your pup being sterilized, that you can’t breed with your pup and that should you no longer be able to care for your pup, you’ll return the dog to them

    - They’ll ask you for references from your vet

    - You’ll receive proof that both the pup’s parents were screened and cleared of breed-specific genetic problems

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    - They won’t be selling a collection of different dog breeds

    #8

    Nova - Surrendered To A Shelter Because She Was Born Deaf So Of No Saleable Value To Her Breeder

    Nova - Surrendered To A Shelter Because She Was Born Deaf So Of No Saleable Value To Her Breeder

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    Blackheart
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have had two boxers others did not want. The two I had were perfectly healthy but too active or mischievous for their owners. The first I got as a puppy and kept her till she died. She loved me and loved her till the day she died in her old age. The other I got as an adult, and he is beautiful and fun. Know the breed before you buy. Dogs are champions of overcoming disabilities.

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    #9

    Twig - Left Behind When Her Owners Emigrated

    Twig - Left Behind When Her Owners Emigrated

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    As dog lovers, we have the power to protect the welfare of animals by making more informed and ethical choices and I hope this project promotes doing just that.

    I photographed 68 dogs for my Dogs Unleashed series (all of whom are now happily in their forever homes), you can see more images and find out about the individual dogs’ stories on my website and Instagram which you can find at the beginning of the post!

    #10

    Bonnie - Found Wandering The Streets After Escaping From A Backyard Breeder

    Bonnie - Found Wandering The Streets After Escaping From A Backyard Breeder

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    harpling
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ladies and gentlemen, Bonnie has left the building. Er, backyard.

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    #11

    Lisa - Used As A Puppymill Machine Until She Was Too Old

    Lisa - Used As A Puppymill Machine Until She Was Too Old

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    #12

    Luca - Surrendered Because Her Owners Couldn't Cope With Her

    Luca - Surrendered Because Her Owners Couldn't Cope With Her

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    #13

    Zapa - Surrendered To A Shelter, No Reason Given

    Zapa - Surrendered To A Shelter, No Reason Given

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    #14

    Chucky - Surrendered After His First Owners Couldn't Cope With His Energy Levels

    Chucky - Surrendered After His First Owners Couldn't Cope With His Energy Levels

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    Hyde and Seek
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is common- people don't know the energy levels or health requirements of a breed and thusly they are abandoned or surrendered.

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    #15

    Queenie - Used As A Puppymill Machine And Kept In A Cage For 8 Years

    Queenie - Used As A Puppymill Machine And Kept In A Cage For 8 Years

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    #16

    Bonsai - Part Of An Unwanted Litter Of Puppies

    Bonsai - Part Of An Unwanted Litter Of Puppies

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    #17

    Tyson - Unwanted Because He Was Too Energetic

    Tyson - Unwanted Because He Was Too Energetic

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    harpling
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He looks like my doggie! She was used for breeding and then abandoned or escaped. She definitely has loads of energy, though she's snoring on the sofa at the moment.

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    #18

    Eddie - Put Up For Adoption After The Family Who Bought Him Couldn't Cope With His Boisterous Behaviour

    Eddie - Put Up For Adoption After The Family Who Bought Him Couldn't Cope With His Boisterous Behaviour

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    #19

    Hunter - Surrendered Because The Other Dog Kept Attacking Him

    Hunter - Surrendered Because The Other Dog Kept Attacking Him

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    #20

    Maddy - Rehomed After She Was No Longer Of Use To Her Breeder

    Maddy - Rehomed After She Was No Longer Of Use To Her Breeder

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    #21

    Nova - Surrendered Because His Owner Could No Longer Care For Him

    Nova - Surrendered Because His Owner Could No Longer Care For Him

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    Carol Emory
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one I will not judge because some elderly patients have dogs that they can no longer care for once medical issues kick in. It would be great if they could stay in the family.

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    #22

    Brooklyn-Stella - Sold On Facebook After She Was No Longer Useful To Her Breeder

    Brooklyn-Stella - Sold On Facebook After She Was No Longer Useful To Her Breeder

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    Ruby Burningham
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who would do something like that that is just cruel!! and that's coming from a junior!!

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    #23

    Enzo - Left Behind When His Owners Emigrated

    Enzo - Left Behind When His Owners Emigrated

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    harpling
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And Enzo would like to know what the owners have to say for themselves, thankyewverrahmuch!

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    #24

    Leila - Now In Her 7th Home (Please Read The Article For Her Story)

    Leila - Now In Her 7th Home (Please Read The Article For Her Story)

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    #26

    Luca - Surrendered To A Shelter Because He Chased The Cat

    Luca - Surrendered To A Shelter Because He Chased The Cat

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