Pedigree or mutt?/ breeder or rescue?

Question

Just wondering as when i have asked questions about dog breeds on here i always get answers saying i should get a rescue?
Whenever i see programmes etc on rescue dogs my heart melts and i could take each and every one! i have considered getting one, but when it came down to it i got a pedigree lab from a breeder, my family have always had pedigree dogs.
I think that owning a dog is such a huge responsibility and you should make the decision that is right for u, i like the fact that there is predictive qualities to a pedigree so you are more likely to get a dog that suits your lifestyle what do you think?

Answer 1

I personally prefer what you term "mutt" These breeds generally are healthier, have better temperment, and live longer than purebred dogs. As for part 2 of your question RESCUE definitely. So many hundreds of thousands of dogs are put down throughout the US each week, and breeders are doing nothing to help with this problem. Being a foster home for rescue pets or even just adopting one and encouraging others to adopt more is really the best thing you could do for our furry friends.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d135/shelli77/dontbreedorbuybj5.jpg

Answer 2

Rescue or Shelters. If you have a favorite breed and the breed fits your lifestyle, go to a breed rescue. I strongly disagree that most breeders are unethical and contribute to the over population of shelters. It is the backyard breeders that do this. These people put no thought into breeding, they just do it for the money. Ethical breeders will back their dog for life and take it back when the owner who bought it has an issue that can't be resolved. Shelter dogs are awesome. Just because it is a mutt doesn't mean that it doesn't have the same qualities a purebred does. People in general are the reason the shelters are over run. Most people don't put any thought into how a dog may fit within the family. They don't learn about dog behavior. Then when the dog snaps or bites a child then they run to put it down or take it to the shelter. It is never the dogs fault. It is the owner's responsibilty to keep everyone safe, not the dog's. People are too lax when it comes to dogs being around kids. I think everyone who wants a dog,or wants to dump a dog on a shelter or rescue, should have to watch 50 hours of Cesar Milan on dog psychology before they can do that. Dogs are not accessories, they can't just be dumped when they don't fit anymore.

Answer 3

Absolutely! Dogs live a long time, it's worth it to find the right one for you.

That being said, there are so many purebreds in shelters, and if you take a look around and do your research, you can often predict how a shelter dog will be.

I have a shepherd mix, but I noticed she has an affinity for birds, for example. This leads me to think she's also got some retriever in her. I'm looking into all the breeds the vet, humane society, and I have thought she could be so I can get a better picture of what she's like.

My family has always had pound puppies, so I understand that "old habits die hard." Absolutely, whatever works for you and the dog is best for all involved!

EDIT: if you were to ask what you should do (i.e. "I want a lab puppy - where should I get it?") I'd advise you to check local rescues, shelters, and humane societies FIRST, then go to breeders, and make sure the breeder isn't out to make a quick buck.

Answer 4

It really depends on you. There are pros and cons to both sides...i.e. breeders or rescue. Just because a dog has a Pedigree doesn't mean that it's a good pedigree and there are responsible breeders out there who breed for the love of that particular breed and have rehome policies for ALL of the puppies that are purchased from them. The cons to rescues is that many of the purebred dogs you find in a shelter have come from puppy mills and have genetic and temperament problems. If you are going to choose a rescue dog I would definitely opt for a mixed breed over a purebred. It bascially boils down to the fact that you need to do lots of research first so you will be able to make an informed decision. Good luck to you!

Answer 5

I am all about rescue dogs. You can still find pure breed dogs from rescue places. I just rescued a greyhound from a retired racers adoption group. The temperment of the dog is great and it is still pure breed (but that doesn't matter to me) Mutts are great.

I think it is hard to say that there are predicitive qualities to a pedigree. That is kind of like saying there are predicitive qualities to what race you are. Its culture and how you are brought up. Its the same way with dogs. Nothing against pure breed dogs (other than they are overpopulating), but those rescues just need a loving home more than anything, I've had 4 dogs that have all been rescue mutts and they are all excellent dogs and I wouldn't trade them for the world.

Answer 6

Despite the fact that right now I have 3 rescued greyhounds, I totally agree with you.

I've never had anything but purebreds, and all of them except the greyhounds were show dogs. My dogs are first and foremost, companions - 365 days a year. However, they're also a form of recreation - I show them, do obedience, I've done herding, some pulling, lure coursing.

The number of dogs being killed in shelters every day is appalling, but I'm not going to get some dog I don't want and can't do anything with just because of some irresponsible, ignorant backyard breeder continuously putting out unwanted dogs, and then sending them off to totally unsuitable homes where they get dumped in a few months.

Answer 7

I say a pedigreed Rescued dog. I am the founder of a lab rescue organization and trust me, the dogs we pull from the high kill animal shelters are purebred. some are bred to death, they look terrible but that is because of backyard breeding and puppy millers who are just out to make a buck. we get in purebred puppies all the time because the breeder can not sell them and they don't want to deal with them anymore. we have taken in 4 different sets of litters this year alone from the area kill shelters because they didn't want to deal with them anymore....
labs are America's #1 dog and the highest euthanized due the their vast numbers. our rescue can not keep up with the demands at the shelters and have to constantly turn down absolutely gorgeous and great tempermanted labs away due to lack of foster space...so i would encourage anyone in the future to think rescue vs a breeder. at least you know the dog is fully vetted, spay/neutered (stopping the pet over population probrem), up to date on shots, etc....

please do not get me wrong I know of a small handful of lab breeders that do a great job but i do not trust anyone else! i've seen it all and contacted breeders of the dogs that come into our program about return and everyone one of them said NO, they can not be returned or I couldn't reach them.

also, please note beform i'm slammed on this issue, this is from a TEXAS Rescue's point of view vs any other state they may not have the lab pet overpopulation problems......

Answer 8

I've had both. I grew up with both pedigreed dogs and mutts. As an adult, I've raised a mixed-breed puppy who showed up at our door at about 10 weeks of age and had her until she was 14 years old. My dog now is a rescue (terrier mix) I've had for four years. He was 3-4 years old when I got him. Other than personality differences, there is no difference. I've loved them all and wouldn't change a second of the time I've spent with any of my dogs.

Answer 9

Or you could rescue a pedigreed dog. That's what I did. Kind of unintenionally, but that's not the point.

Labs, especially. There are hundreds of thousands of pure pred, papered dogs in rescues and shelters accross the country. I think that's the best thing to do.

Answer 10

Rescue a dog - breeders contribute to the over population of dogs in this country. THOUSANDS of unwanted, homeless, PAPERED animals die in shelters every year because breeders (most) are irresponsible and do not follow the moral code of only breeding the VERY BEST of the best (ie show quality dogs). Most will breed anything - not good for the dog, the breed or the buyer.

Look at it this way. Adopting a shelter dog saves not only that dogs life, it makes room in the shelter for another life to be saved.
Buying from a breeder only contributes to the problem and makes more dogs (less room in shelters) and MORE dogs have to be put to sleep.