Should I adopt a debarked dog?

I would adopt the dog. The poor little one is in desperate need of a loving home after having someone treat it so cruelly. Puppy mills are notorious for abusing dogs and having a dog debarked is a horrible thing to do. I can't believe that a vet would even preform such an operation. With lots of love and proper care she could become a valuable member of your family. I would keep her inside unless supervised because, having her debarked is taking away the basic way she will communicate with other humans and animals. Since you will spend everyday with her communication will not be a problem for you. You will quickly learn to pick up her feelings through a tail wag or drooped ears. My heart goes out to this poor dog. I don't understand how people can be so cruel.

I consider it morally wrong, and it is illegal where I come from. In general, it is questionable when we start correcting behaviour problems surgically, and fair enough if there are some that do not consider debarking an invasive and unnecessary procedure, then we can take it from there, but the argument of "if the dog was not debarked it would not have a home" is a poor excuse for proper dog handling. Two wrongs do not make a right, and once we are down that slippery slope where does the limit go? Let's do a little experiment: - if the cats claws and first joints of its digits were not surgically removed, it would not have a home. - if the dog would not be kept confined in the yard 24 hours a day 365 days a year, 15 years of life, it would not have a home. - if the b**** was not bred during each heat, and the puppies sold, it would not have a home. - if the high-drive dog was not drugged to keep it calm, it would not have a home. People who cannot properly train and take care of an animal, should not own one. It all boils down to banning puppy mills, banning the sales of puppies and kittens from pet stores, focusing on educating the general public, so there will be no excuse for being ignorant.

Her being debarked would not be a reason not to adopt. If you like this puppy then by all means give her a home.

Definitely adopt her! How cruel to debark a dog.

Give her lots of love and she will be your friend for the rest of her life :o)

I would do it!

Know that "debarked" doesn't mean "silent" - I have a friend who rescued a debarked Collie and he makes a strange, raspy sound that passes for barking most of the time. Other than that, he's a completely normal, love-able dog.

Best of luck. (:

Could this dog be a Basenji? They are naturally "barkless" dogs.

http://www.basenji.org/learn/

In any case, even if the dog has been surgically altered so that it will not bark, that will not cause problems for the dog and sounds like you want to give it a great home. Consider what ever challenges there may be in adopting a dog that has been abused. I have three dogs, all were rescues. All are great dogs and I wouldn't sell them for a million dollars.

One of them had severe phobias due to a history of serious abuse and neglect. It took a lot of training and working with her to overcome her challenges, but she came through it all. I don't regret one second of time spent helping her as we are so rewarded by her affection and humorous antics.

definitely do it!

I would personally never debark a dog, but that would not stop me from adopting one!

By all means take her and give her the loving home she deserves. I have heard of debarking but didn't really think it was done. Good luck with that poor little girl.

If you really like her go for it. It doesn't really change the dog. I know many "reputable" breeders who debark their dogs and its just wrong in my opinion. I HATE going to dog shows and passing by crates full of dogs with inaudible barks.

Why not??? Just because she is debarked doesn't mean that she doesn't make any sound... it is just a lot quieter!!! This used to be a common practice for owners of herds of Shelties and Collies because they bark just to hear their own voices!

Go for it!!!