Adopting a Bichon is a great way to rescue a puppy or dog that has had a hard life so far. It is rewarding to know that you have saved a puppy and that you now have a special dog to raise as your own. Unfortunately there are some drawbacks to Bichon adoption and rescue. These include certain behaviour and health problems. In this article we will look at the adoption process and talk about steps you can take to find a great puppy for you and your family.

The first decision to make is whether you want to adopt from an animal shelter, a general dog rescue group, or a breed-specific rescue group. Bichon breed specific rescue groups tend to be few and far between, but they are the best place to adopt from. If you have a Bichon rescue group in your area we highly recommend this route. At the same time, most areas have some sort of animal shelter or general dog rescue group. These places can be just as good to adopt from, but since they are not breed specific you may have to wait a long time before they have a Bichon for you.

Once you have found a Bichon (whether it's at a shelter through a rescue group) you should research the facility to ensure that it is not a puppy mill disguised as a shelter. Buying from a puppy mill can have very negative outcomes. Many times the mother dogs are over bred and the puppies are not very well cared for. This can lead to many problems for you once you bring your puppy home.

There are a couple of ways to decide if the facility is a puppy mill. The first thing you should do is a little Internet research about the organisation. They should have a website with some basic information. Look for adoption fees ($100-$200 is normal, over $300 is a little shady), any signs of memberships to professional associations, and anything that can speak to their reputation as a quality group. Also, find out if the shelter is a not-for-profit organisation. This is one of the best ways to ensure that it is a quality site who operates to rescue dogs and isn't just out to make money.

Next, you should ask to tour the facility and see all of the dogs. This is a great way for you to get a feel for the atmosphere and general conditions, and most shelters would be happy to show you around a bit. If you see something that doesn't seem right to you, ask about it. Sometimes they may have a reason for denying this, but if they flat out refuse and offer no excuse then this should set off alarms.

At this point you should have a good gauge of the quality of the group. If things do not feel right, don't buy from them. It may be tempting to purchase a dog from them because you feel like you should try to "rescue" the dog from the poor conditions of the "rescue centre." Don't! Although you may be rescuing one dog, you will also be supporting this illegal operation by paying them. The best thing you can do at this point is contact local authorities and humane societies and alert them to the problem.

The hassle of dealing with illegal and unethical puppy mills is tragic. Fortunately there are many high quality rescue groups and animal shelters out there that will be glad to work with you in finding a Bichon. Rescuing a dog like this is a great experience that you will remember forever. Just remember to use the guidelines above when adopting from a rescue centre and you and your Bichon will certainly have a happy life together.

Kyle Lambert is a writer and Bichon owner. After years of raising Bichons, he decided to create a website dedicated to the breed. Focusing on all Bichon related issues, Kyle hopes to educated people interested in the breed. Find his full article dedicated to Bichon Adoption by following the link.