Do you agree with private dog breeders, and where did you get your dog?

Question

How many people agree that breeding an animal is a good way to keep the population of all the many different breeds of dogs going? Or do you think private breeders are just adding to the number of dogs in rescues?
Some breeds of dog are now becoming very rare. Do you think this is because a particular breed is now not that popular, or is it because most people have their animal neutered?
I have 2 terriers, and they are both bought from private breeders. However i would never buy another puppy from a private breeder, i want to rescue from now on.

Answer 1

I don't really like the idea of getting a dog for its looks. Size I can understand, but I think going after a particular breed is a bit picky. You're supposed to be loving your animal for who they are, not what they are. I don't like the idea of designer animals - just seems like the wrong reason to have an animal to me.

Breed fads come and go. And usually, breeders tend to sell puppies already fixed because they don't want an irresponsible owner breeding the dog with something else and muddling its breeding.

My dog is a mutt, and I love him to pieces. My dad's friend gave him to us when he was a puppy, so he wasn't rescued or anything, but in the future I'm not going to support people breeding dogs when there are so many wonderful animals in shelters. It doesn't make sense.

Answer 2

What is adding to the number of dogs in rescue is the irresponsible breeder. The one who doesn't screen their buyer to ensure that the dog is going to a prepared, well-researched home. The one whose only two questions for the buyer are, "Do you have cash?" and, "Will you give the dog a good home? You will? Good. It's yours." The one who doesn't take that dog (or any dog they breed) back if things don't work out 3 or 5 or even 10 years down the road. The one who doesn't keep in contact or sell puppies on a spay/neuter contract to ensure that the dog is nothing more than a beloved pet (i.e. not a puppy machine or a "side business").

Purebred dogs in rescue don't come from responsible breeders. And a responsible breeder's puppies do not "take homes away from" shelter dogs, because chances are the buyer doesn't want a shelter dog in the first place, and would not give one a home.

Breeds that are rare become so because they aren't popular, or are unknown (which is how many breeders prefer to keep them, actually). I don't think it has much to do with people neutering their pets. I would much rather see a breed with low numbers, but a high percentage of healthy, typey, functional dogs versus a high number of poorly bred, genetically crippled dogs. Responsible breeders of less common breeds are not generally looking for popularity. I honestly wish my breed was less popular, actually. There are too many people out there buying them on looks, without knowing anything about the breed -- people who actually have no business owning one of these dogs. THESE are the dogs that end up in my rescue.

I believe that anyone just looking for a wonderful companion should look at a shelter or rescue dog. There are plenty of wonderful companions sitting in shelters. But if they are looking for a specific breed for a specific reason, they shouldn't be made to feel guilty about going to a responsible breeder.

Answer 3

There are 2 very different private breeders one that breeds for the purpose of bettering a breed, most of the pups will go to homes that will show and they do no breed just to produce pets, due to the costs of health testing and showing the parents, only breeding occasionally they do not make profit on their pups, and pups are sold under a very strict contract so as to prevent them from ending up in shelter or pounds

then there is the private breeder who does so strictly for profit, they do not care what happens to the pups once they get their cash, and to me no better than a puppy mill other than the fact the living condition might be better.

2 of my dogs are from breeders like the first , and 2 are rescues When I want a puppy I go to a reputable breeder and when I want an adult I look for a rescue to adopt, that way I know what I am getting.

Answer 4

I have always bought from private breeders . You can get a feel if they are a good private breeder or not . If they have the interests of the breed at heart they will have had all the tests done on both parents ie hip scored , eye tests etc . You will get a good grilling to find out if YOU are suitable as an owner to one of their puppies , you will be asked to sign that if for some unexpected reason you can no longer keep the puppy that you return it to the breeder and not rehome yourself . It will have been wormed etc and as well as full papers you will get full diet sheet and care instructions . My last 2 puppies I got from the same breeder 12 months apart I was given food , grooming brushes combs and even a blanket that all puppies and mum had been sleeping on to save them fretting . A Kennel Club ban on my breeding from these was put on only to be lifted if I got all tests done and satisfied the breeder that I was a good home to her puppies and would make a suitable breeder myself . Cant get better than that . Also think rescue great if you dont want a paticular breed .

Answer 5

as the daughter of a breeder, i have to say that if u are going to breed for show then its ok, i don't agree that u should breed just for the money,(some people do that)and if the breeding gets a dog that is not up to standard then it should be fixed and given to a good home,of course the popular dogs are the ones that are breed, so the rare ones kinda get lost in the greed. just remember when u rescue that u are not getting a dog that will live up to the pure breed ideal, i have had 3 lab greyhound rescues because i like the temperament of both breeds, and a rot border collie that wasn't quite my style. but please do rescue just choose a mix or a rescue that fits u.

Answer 6

I think both are good options. Why would people judge the choices of others regarding this topic? Professional, responsible breeders do not give their dogs to anyone who is interested, and most people buying pure bred puppies from breeders have done their homework regarding the breed and the breeder. I decided to buy a golden retriever (not a 'designer' dog) from a private breeder. I chose not to rescue because I wanted to ensure my dog would have certain characteristics. I have a very young child and I didn't want a dog with a possible abusive background. These dogs can sometimes have aggressive or defensive tendencies that could put my child in danger. I researched several breeders before choosing and my breeder researched me and met my family before allowing us to purchase the dog. Rescuing is a great option for most people, but not necessarily for others.

Answer 7

A lot depends on what type of dog you are looking for. There are way too many great dogs in shelters etc waiting to be rescued. However there can be health problems at shelters as evidenced by Lied Animal shelter in Las Vegas having to put down several hundred animals due to illness.
Most private breeders that actually care IE: NO PUPPY MILLS, actually take the time to have the puppies checked out usually by a vet they have used for many years. The parents of the pups are regularly checked by a vet especially when the female is pregnant.
I think people who actually rescue dogs from shelters are great and should be appreciated for what they have done. I have seen people who will spend upwards of $500.00 for a dog and then ignore it. Biggest thing to remember is are you capable of caring for the animal. This includes not only food and water but exercise, play time and most importantly returning the animals love.
If you had a bad experience with a breeder there are registering bodies you can report them to. Always when you get an animal have it checked by your vet irregardless of where it comes from

Answer 8

Got our family pet from a rescue centre when he was two years old. He a jack russell cross and none of us would be without him now as he is definitely part of the family. We picked him for various reasons on of which was he was the only dog that didnt jump up at the cage door he just sat there looking sorry for himself. Some private breeders are ok it depends on the breeders to be fair. But i think breeding should be maintained as there is a risk that some breeds will go extinct

Answer 9

I do think private breeders are needed but they should be registered, the way things are anyone can get 2 pedigree dogs and breed them this i think is wrong.
I have 2 dogs both rescue, i would never purchase a pedigree dog.
I fostered dogs for just over a year and it was wonderful some were mongrels some were pure breeds, they had nearly all been mistreated.
To see them now in there new homes is fantastic, happy and healthy.

Answer 10

My Bobtails have had a couple of litters over the years, the people who buy them are all checked out, and if I don't think they are suitable then they don't get a pup from me. I don't have to advertise as I get people phoning a lot to see if I have any puppies. I also keep in touch with the people who do get one, and I am always on hand for advice or help 24 / 7. I have occasionally had to take a pup back and re home as the buyers found they couldn't manage. Most Breeders are responsible people, its the idiots who don't get their b***h spayed and then have unplanned and unwanted litters who are the cause of most of the problems. 2 of my dogs are from rescues and have both been spayed so will never have pups.

Answer 11

i do agree with private breeders in the right circumstances i have 3 shihzus all came from the same lady this lady has been breeding shih zus for 40 years and Ive seen the mum and dad of my shih zus and this lady has bred them for so long that from what Ive seen shes breeding sound dogs .this lady does not advertise them in papers or the Internet she uses the kennel club to sell the puppies and checks the homes and people the dogs are going to at 500 pounds a dog shes not in it for the money each puppy is vet checked vaccinated and registered with the kennel club before going to a new home i would say that is a responsible breeder i do think that some breeders are in it just for the money and breed a particular dog because of the lack of that breed and that is how come we have so many puppy mills to breed for the demand there needs to be tighter regulations on breeding dogs to prevent so many puppy mills and people breeding dogs with major faults