My Bassett Hound, LuLu came to us through a rescue organization. Apparantly this sweet soul was rescued from a puppy mill, who, within her first short year on earth, had been forced to have a litter of puppies, and always contained to a crate. When we got her, she was VERY skittish. But as we have gradually socialized her at the dog parks, and with people, she has turned into the sweetest, sassiest most loveable dog. Sure, she barks. But she's a hound. They are bred for that. So before you go forking out loads of dough for a papered breeder dog, try out a rescue dog. Unless you are going to be showing your dog, does it really matter where they came from? You would not only saving one life, but enriching two. Plus, all that money you save can be spent SPOILING your rescue dog!