Why do people get pure-bred dogs when 100s die everyday in the pound??

Answer 1

I have owned many "pound puppies" in my life. Some of them have been the best dogs in the world. Others have not. I have also had many pure bred dogs. Now I breed Shih Tzus.

The reason that many people want pure bred dogs, is because they are looking for a specific activity level, size, coat, and temperament. People are able to research, and see for themselves, what they can expect for a certain type. Then they can go to a breeder and get exactly what they are looking for. (However, because of the "I want it now!" attitudes, there are too many BYB's and puppy mills out there!)

When you get a dog from the pound, pure bred or mutt, you don't know its history, if it is predisposed to genetic issues, or even, what mixes it has in it. You have no way of knowing if it was abused and if it may hate children, or men, or women with long, curly brown hair with light blonde highlights!

With out knowing the breeds that it may be mixed with, you would not easily be able to tell how intelligent it would be, how much exercise it would need, what its temperament is, nothing. You would have to guess, and if it weren't a good fit, it wouldn't be fair to the person or the dog.

Answer 2

1. Actually, it's more like *thousands* dying every day.

2. It's very simple: Some people want a dog with predictable traits. Predictable exercise requirements, predictable adult size, predictable behaviors. These traits exist in the purebred (especially the well-bred purebred), and not often in the mixed breed.

3. I'm all for rescuing a mix, if you just want a good buddy. If, however, you are looking for specific traits, get a well-bred purebred.

4. Others made an excellent point: 25% of the dogs in shelters are purebred. Many more are still alive due only to the fact that they were rescued by a purebred or all-breed rescue organization. Which begs the question, why do people go to pet stores for poorly bred purebreds when they could save one from the shelter or rescue group?

Several other people have posted equally good questions...for example, why do the ignorant INSIST on breeding their pets while several more of the same breed are sitting in shelters, due to someone who BRED THEIR PET?

Why don't people spay and neuter? Why don't they take some responsibility and ensure that their dog isn't bred by the neighborhood stray, and then come into this forum begging for information on whelping?

You're going to demonize the purebred buyers, the responsible breeders, when the mixes sitting in the shelters came from irresponsible morons?

5. God, I'm tired of hearing the, "mutts are healthier and smarter and less neurotic" bullsh*t. Are the people of the world really THAT uneducated? If they took any time to study the situation, they would realize the fallacy of these concepts. Mixes don't just automatically "get the good qualities" from their purebred ancestors -- you don't know *what* they'll get! That's the point!

Of course, these same people also believe in designer mix "hybrid vigor" and "hypoallergenic hair", so I guess I shouldn't wonder. Basic genetics, people. High school biology. What a concept!

Off the soapbox.

Answer 3

Many people are under the impression that a pure bred dog is better. Walkinglady seems to think that just because it is a pure bred dog it will always meet their reputation or traits. WRONG. Just because say a cocker spaniel is said to be good with children, not all are... Or Irish Setters are said to be good with kids, not all are. You can get pure breds from shelters and rescues. I have this absolutely wonderful Shih-Tzu I got from a rescue. He is a pure bred, and if I wanted to spend the time, I could get papers for him. I am not interested in that.
And there are thousands of pound/shelter/puppy mill, unwanted dogs dying everyday, and most of them are not a decent way to die. Starvation and beat to death or just left to die. Euthenazia costs money..

Answer 4

I have owned mixed & purebred dogs & loved them all. However, my true favorite breed is the Boxer - they suit me so well. Mixed breeds can be great, but most are a gamble on the mix - it is not fair to expect 'one size fits all', that everyone should get a mixed breed. I have even taken purebred dogs second-hand, which still helps give a dog a 2nd chance. As long as someone gives a dog a good home & does NOT support puppy mills & backyard breeders, they are doing good. I will not feel guilty about my choices.

p.s to some above answerers: my dog is not a 'status symbol', I love his personality. I have even owned a couple white Boxers that may have been 'culled' (killed as newborns) by some other breeders - most people didn't know what they were, and they certainly weren't handsome like a traditional fawn or brindle Boxer. As for the 'healthier, longer living' myth about purebreds, it is just that: a myth. I saw first hand working for vets: Mixed breeds can & do have heart problems, bad hips, diabetes, epilepsy, on & on. And some of the longest living dogs on record are purebreds: Schipperkes.

Answer 5

If they are getting them from reputable breeders who are out to better the breed then it shouldn't matter. Yes, it is good to rescue but some people want a certain dog and if they go about it the right way, then there's nothing wrong with that (just as long as they aren't buying from byb's and petstores)

Also, there are MANY MANY purebreds in the shelters and pounds (not to mention breed rescues). My Rottie is a purebred and she was in the pound and every time I look at the site I see at least one purebred. So just because someone has a purebred, doesnt mean that they bought it, they could have rescued it.

Answer 6

i don't think this is a terrible question, I think it's very legitimate. I think people have every right to buy dogs from a breeder, but I think that unless you have your heart absolutely set on one kind of breed, then the pound is a good consideration. They need homes and love just like those purebreds. And no, not all dogs are vicious when they come out of the pound. Usually the people who work there will be able to tell you what kind of temperament the animal has. I got my dog from the pound and he is the most loving animal I ever met. I personally would rather pay 100 dollars for a dog than several hundred. I also believe in the right to choose, though.

Answer 7

I have gotten pups from shelters, breeders, and just from people that advertise them, (during the course of my life, never ever have I gotten rid of a dog) I know that my next dog when the time comes will be a pure breed dog, I want a party cocker or a black cocker, though I still like the thought of a little Maltese or mini Yorkie my husbands dog will more than likely be a mix breed two or three combo of dogs that he loves, these will be dogs we will get in the hopefully very distant future and more than likely be the last dogs we will ever get the pleasure of sharing our lives with, I love all dogs, small, tall, long hair, short hair, pure or not I just love em! My one sis has 4 pure bread, brother has 2 pure bread, other 2 sisters have mix breeds, they are all family and all get along and are treated and loved the same

Answer 8

With me and my family, we are currently looking for a dog. We have been to many of the pounds in our area but can not find something that is suitable. Many people have specific needs and cant always find that in a pound dog. In particular - we need something small that doesnt need a lot of room or exercise, something that will get along with other dogs, and something that does not need a lot of grooming. We could always just get a dog from the pound that doesnt meet our needs, but that is not really going to be good for either us or the dog. We will keep looking at the pounds, but if we find a suitable dog before hand from a breeder, that is what we will get.

Answer 9

I got my pure Jack Russell from the pound.

America is a free country...for now...
people will do whatever they want.
It would be nice if everyone checked the pound before getting a dog. The reality is people have kids and there are plenty to adopt
also.
Some people shouldn't breed dogs or people.

Answer 10

because some people want to know exactly what they are getting concerning temperment, size, instincts, exercise requirements, health, trainability, etc. others just really love the look of certain purebreds. some want to work their dogs (hunting, tracking, showing, etc). some just want them as status symbols.

5 of the 6 dogs that i have owned in my life were mixed breed pound puppies. the one purebred was from a pet store (that was before my family knew about pupy mills). now i'm active with the AKC and i work with professional breeders. i know exactly what i want in my next dog, and i will not get it from a mixed breed or a rescue.

for the casual dog owner i would always recommend looking at shelters or rescues for their next dog. but if someone has very strict requirements concerning what they want in their dog, i recommend getting a purebred that fits their needs that was bred by a quality breeder.