What is your opinion on paying a lot of money for a pure breed dog while dogs in the pound are euthanized?

Answer 1

it's called different strokes.
Many people only want a pet, a rescue dog fits the bill nicely
Some people want to run field trials, it becomes nice to have a dog that they wil at leastl let you enter in a field trial,,,,, leaves out rescue dogs
Some people want a hunting companion, before spending thousands on training it's nice to know that the dog is sound first,,,,, leaves out rescue dogs
some people want a show dog
some people want a herding dog
some people want rescue dogs
dogs for the blind
bomb sniffing dogs
police dogs
the list goes on,,,, sometimes a rescue dog works, sometimes it does't

Answer 2

I think it's deplorable that there are so many unwanted dogs out there. I wish I could help them all. At the same time, I can understand why someone would want a specific breed. Many people want certain characteristics in the dogs they have as pets. They want to make sure this dog fits in with their lifestyle. Although, you can never be certain about what a dog's personality will be, you're more likely to come closer to what you want with a pure bred animal.
Of course, now, many shelters do extensive temperment testing on their animals. So, people aren't as clueless to what they're getting into anymore.
While it is commendable that people want to adopt homeless dogs, if everyone did that, the responsible breeders would suffer.
They shouldn't have to pay just because there are irresponsible pet owners out there.
I guess I'm not the one who can tell you what's right or wrong. I think it's different for each individual.

Answer 3

If you plan to show or breed the dog, then by all means invest in a pure bred. Otherwise, I think mutts are often nicer. Personally, I have long held that once I can have a dog, I want a Rottweiler. But I also know that there are certain cross-breeds that might be superior. If I lived somewhere that allowed dogs -- or when I get a place of my own, where I make the rules -- I will definitely get a good-sized dog and do what it takes to train it well. I love a large, well-disciplined dog.

Answer 4

I have done both, and while I always seem to have a "rescue dog', I do like a specific breed and will continue to breed,show,and buy that breed.
I want a specicif look,temperment,and a dog that does certain things. That is just how it is. I have also had a bad experience with a shelter dog that had to be euthanized due to aggression. The shelter never temperment tested the dogs and didn't know the dog's history. It was a bad situation. It is not like cats. If you adopt one that is aggressive, it is easier to deal with. Dogs, however are brought to shelter for a reason and many times people have done awful things to them or done nothing wtih them at all. It all has an effect on the dog and makes many of then unsuitable for many types of homes. Many shelters cannot screen proplerly and then rehome the dogs hoping for the best.

If you want to adopt a dog, great, if you want to buy a dog, great. No one should pretend that either solution is better for everyone.

Answer 5

Its a waste of money. I have seen so many pure breed dogs in the pound, yes I visit regularly. People go for the hype of a pure breed but dont realize the nature of the particular breed. Like all the Jack Russell terriers bought because of Eddie on Frazier. When the folks got home with the pups, had no idea it takes years of training for them to behave that way. The nature of these dogs is to be 100% hyper 24/7. They cant handle it, and end up dumping them at the animal shelter. Its easier to just toss your check in the trash.

Save yourself money & heart break. Every animal I ever owned as an adult, I got at the pound. You have to be careful there too, but you can SEE something about the nature of the dog a little better when you check them out. I look in the eyes. A puppy is cute and cuddly but if they have that vacant duh stare, they arent very bright. You will have trouble training them. You can tell if they are yelpers, yappers, or just a basic pain in the rear by watching and interacting with them for a few minutes.

Cats are the same way. I'm a dog person and when helping a friend find a cat at the pound, I was chosen to take a beautiful young lady named Sheba home with me. I explained to her that I was a dog person, and had 3 at home, but she convinced me that she would be a perfect little lady. That was 5 years ago and Im so glad she chose me. The dogs love her too.

Answer 6

my first opinion is to have all pets spayed or neutered unless your a professional breeder. which is a breeder who is responsible for
their breeding, breeds only to improve the breed and not trying to make money. as a good breeder knows, there is no money in
breeding puppies for the right reasons. pure bred puppies/dogs
are euthanized everyday at pounds due to over population and
pet owners who find every excuse they can to get rid of their pets.
not to mention mix breeds. where do you think pure bred dogs came from? designer dogs are showing up more and more at the pounds also, which by the way are mix breed dogs. be responsible and spay/neuter your pets to prevent overpopulation.
Just because it's akc or "purebred" doen't mean it's quality breeding, it just says the dog has been registered as purebred.
so rescue a dog from the pound and do the right thing and have
it spayed/neutered.

Answer 7

Some of the best dogs are mixed breeds. The reason behind this I think is that when a pure bred dog has, lets call it the stupid gene, it can't be bred out of them. In a mixed breed you may find a few stupid here and there but they are generally all different. Hope that made sense.

Answer 8

I think that for the average family that wants just a loving pet the shelters and pounds should be the first option. For those who show or have an interest in that then I guess that is fine. There are so many breed rescues out there too that someone has the options to get whatever they want. I think we as humans need to become more responsible for what we do and what situations we cause.

Answer 9

I was always for pure breed dogs until I got my newist dog. She is so much stronger and heathier! (She's a mutt) I think I will go for mutts and mixed breeds! Why pay $500 when you could get a great dog for like $60 at the animal shelter!
~Froggie

Answer 10

For myself, I would not do it. I live in a country where dogs are not treated well, rarely fed and have to fend for themselves. If they are injured, they heal on their own, or die. Only after Americans created a free spay and neuter clinic was this eventually accepted by the locals. An expensive pure breed dog here would not only be dangerous for its health, but would appear obscene in this setting.