What is it that people have against buying from breeders?

Question

I mean, it seems to me, if you wanna buy from a breeder, so that you know its lineage, and its exact breed(sometimes pet shelters don't even know what Dog they're seeling) what's so bad about that? I mean, if it's in a shelter, if it's a good dog, someone else will pick it up, if it's a bad dog, as sad as I am to say it, no one else wants it. If it has health problems, most people don't wanna deal with that. I mean, I believe that you should check the shelters for a healthy, sweet dog. But... are you gonna harass me if I wanna buy a dog from a breeder? I mean... geez.

I never said I'm designer obsessed! And I check the pound, I'm not stuck up AT ALL about purebreds, but I mean, if I wanna see a dogs parents, and see that they're healthy, then what's wrong with that? I just don't like people going and saying to breeders "You are the population problem! You're the reason so many dogs are in the pound." that's not really the reason at all, although they may be the source. But there are so many unintentional puppy litters, and there are the people who put their dogs in the pound because they have stupid little problems with the dog, it's not the people that buy from the breeders, or the breeder.

And I do consider adopting first, in fact, I would very doubtfully get a dog that's from a breeder, it just bothers me how many people harass people online on Yahoo Answers to get a dog from a shelter, and telling breeders, and people who buy from breeders that they are the problem, because they're only a small part of the problem.

Answer 1

You have asked a very interesting question that has also brought a number of good answers from other posters. Yes, I agree that part of the issue has to do with the number of people who claim to be breeders simply because they have a litter of puppies that they don't want. While, technically, they ARE the breeder, they are really not breeder in the sense that they know what they are doing or even care. For the pet buying public, the distinction is difficult to make.

I also think that a major part of the problem is a pet buying public that really buys on impulse. Many prospective puppy buyers get an initial impression and will just buy a puppy if they think it is cute, clean, and the seller will let it go that day. Respected breeders do not operate this way. They screen their buyers, ask for references, do background checks for police or animal control contacts regarding animal abuse, neglect, or failure to comply with local ordinances. Because these checks take time, the impulse buyer buys elsewhere because they feel they are getting the run around, but solid breeders will look for good homes--not just any home.

I also feel another issue that has fueled this fire is spawned by animal rights activists who have taken on the dog breeders of the country to declare them as public enemy number one. They have convinced many people that millions of dogs are needlessly euthanized in shelters each year. This highly charged emotional campaign has not only been based on a number of misconceptions but has also greatly turned the unsuspecting public against the reputable breeder.

The dogs in shelters are there because their owners did not properly care for them. Many are vicious because they have been trained by drug dealers to fight to kill. Some are there because their "breeder" could not find them a home and does not care to socialize them and care for them. Many are sickly because owners were unwilling to pay for their care and would rather just surrender them to the local shelter. Some are very old and near death, but their owners cannot bear to care for them or put them down. Some are also there because they escaped their yard, but this latter group is usually claimed by the owner--unless it is a recurrent issue that will now lead to higher fines when the dog is claimed. Yes, it is true that there is an occassional shelter dog that is healthy and just needs a better home than its last one, but this is not the most common type of dog. It is because of the often irresponsible previous owners of shelter dogs that most responsible breeders now take so much time to screen buyers.

I also believe that the animal activists have convinced the public that pure bred breeding is undesirable because it is unnatural. I believe this in turn has contributed to the present day obsession with buying mongrels who are labeled "designer dogs" for a buying public who is easily impressed by the word but is clueless about the actual breeding of dogs. They are willing to pay $1800 for a dog of mixed breed because they actually believe that they are getting something that has had traits "bred out" and others "bred in". Such changes do not take place in one litter--it usually takes 3-5 generations, but in the meantime other issues that are recessive are "bred in" the line as well. Bottom line is that even if you wish to create a new breed, it takes generations to accomplish --not just one or two litters. To do so well, you have to study genetics and become a serious dog breeder--not just someone looking to make a fast buck off an easily misled buying public.

I have met several people who have bought mixed mongrels and thought they would have a tiny dog and later disappointed that it grew to 30 pounds! Hardly a "pocket puppy". They claim they love it, for now, but I wonder how long it will be before that continuously barking dog in the yard that was supposed to be cute and small and wear dresses will end up the the shelter.

We live in a society that only lives in the moment and sees everthing as disposable and almost nothing as permanent .

Answer 2

It is a personal choice to buy from breeders or shelters. Some people just want a nice companion. And other want a purebred for a pet, and others want to show. I am glad that there are people who find pets at their local shelters. They are wonderful pet. Most come from the streets or were abused. They need loving homes too. It is just a matter of choice is all. You go get your pet from where you feel most comfortable with.

If you want to buy from a breeder go ahead,. Check them out. See which breeder you like . Ask questions. Ask for references. Good breeders will tell you.

To Melissa........ Good breeders DO NOT breed one heat after another. I breed my poms once a year. And my smaller ones I only breed them every year and a half. No in-breeding here either. There is no need to put my momma dogs in any danger, or run the risk of having poorly bred pups.

I think you are talking about puppy mills where they breed for greed. But ya know what? By time they pay for their food and what vet bills they have. They will be lucky to break even.

As for in-breeding that is how some people get their imperials ( very small puppies). Others let nature take its course (no in-breeding) and if they get an imperial so be it.

Answer 3

I have a 17 year old Sheltie, purebred with AKC papers.
I also have 3 and 4 year old Shelties adopted from the humane society. They had papers from a breeder when surrendered. I worked at this shelter and over half the dogs surrendered were pure bred with papers. The paper means nothing, being pure bred means nothing. The only reason my old girl came from a breeder was because I showed in obedience, was involved in a Sheltie club and the breeder sold her with a spay contract. I don't knock all breeders but I realize lots of them are still using dogs to make a buck. Look at the new designer dogs, these are mixed breed dogs being sold with a huge price-tag. If anyone wants to pay such a high price for a mixed breed who am I to stop them.

It's a personal choice, for me I have 3 pure bred Shelties, all from breeders, one I got at 8 weeks from a breeder I knew very well, the 2 boys were both adopted by me when they were 9 months old. So see you can get a pure bred dog from the shelter and you will know as much about them as you could from a breeder. How do you know you can trust the breeder to be caring and honest about the dogs, you never know for sure but still the choice is yours and I won't harass you.

Answer 4

I think it's personal choice. I always tell people to check the shelters & rescues, even if they are looking for a specific breed. They might find one that needs a home, and could be a wonderful companion. But, some people are stuck on the idea of getting them as a puppy, and all that jazz, and are willing to pay the price. If so, good for them. I feel if they can afford a dog from a breeder, then they can probably afford all the vet fees that may occur in the future.

Again, personal choice. I'd choose a pound puppy over a purebred, any day.

Answer 5

It is a personal choice and no one should be looked down on for any choice they make. Knowing a dog's lineage can be important. Knowing their health history can be great too. I have adopted from the shelter and bought from a breeder and I can tell you at least the one I have that came as a puppy from the breeder, at least I know he is raised with my kids and I am the only one who has ever trained him and he has no abuse issues. You never know with one from the shelter. I love all the shelter dogs, I volunteer there but it's true. If you don't have the patience, right environment, etc... a shelter dog can be hard to take in. It's hard to tell in the kennel what their real personality is. They act much different in there than they do once in a home.

Answer 6

I have nothing against buying from *reputable* breeders. (I do have a problem with puppy mills.)

I currently own a papillon. I bought her from a reputable breeder. It is nearly impossible to find paps at shelters or even local breed rescues. (I live in a larger city, Kansas City, and even here I have people, even at the petstore at the vet's office, say "where around here did you find a papillon?!". I actually didn't find her locally, had to drive 5 hrs 1-way, clear down to Oklahoma, to get her.)

I prefer buying from a reputable breeder because I know I'm getting a quality animal.
- I know the parents have had health checks for both current health and genetic disorders.
- I can see that the breeder is breeding for the breed standards and for temperament.
- I can see the pedigree of the animal to see what the lineage is.
- I know the dog has been to the vet and checked for health issues before I take it home.
- I know the animal was well taken care of and can see the conditions it was raised in prior to my owning it.
- I have a health guarantee on the dog should it have anything wrong with it when I take it to the vet for it's initial checkup.

I have nothing at all against shelter animals, my cat came from the animal shelter. It's a personal preference, but I definitely don't see a reputable breeder as a bad choice, I see it as a good choice. The animal shelter is a good choice too. Petstores, puppymills, and backyard breeders are bad choices.

Answer 7

BYB are people who breed their dog indiscriminately to any dog who looks the same in order to reproduce more dogs either for money or because their dog is cute and somehow this is going to make a great litter.Although all dogs have certain features of their own breed that doesn't mean it will carry over with a non pure breed dog.Hence our shelters are full these animals have no forever homes and are destroyed every single day,just so someone could get a 'CUTE" puppy never mind the other 2,3,or more that are unwanted.Pure breeds are only breed to be sold.It costs alot to bring puppy to adulthood,they don't do it for free.You can still get a dog with problems even a pure breed.I own one.My personal opinion is dogs have a right to life in a good loving home,they are not cars to be traded if you don't like the color.I think all breeding should be suspended for a full five years.That would be a responsible thing to do.

Answer 8

Because People have their own ideas on what a breeder should be when they really don't have a clue. They won't either until they become a breeder themself.

There was an answer here that a good breeder don't advertise their puppies on the internet..I don't know if you consider AKC website on the internet or not but I do advertise my puppies there. I am in good standing with AKC so why not advertise my puppies on their website.

To make a comment on you fisher it is not because of breeders that there are trillion of dogs roaming all over the place. It is from people not getting their dog fixed..either they just couldn't afford it or thought maybe it wouldn't happen to them..Just not breeders.

As for the person who said you don't know how many litters the mother dog was force to have. That is easy to check out on the AKC website as for the living conditions if the owner don't let you see where the puppies were born or their home you do not buy from them.

I do agree with Monica and golden.

The person has to do their home work when buying a dog. make a list and if a breeder doesn't answer everything on the list do not buy. If they won't let you see their home the mom and dad of the puppy ..do not buy...If they are not AKC reg... do not buy.. if they don't hand you the litter papers when you buy the puppy..do not buy.. If you think the puppy looks sickly ..do not buy.. if this puppy doesn't have its shot or wormed do not buy. Watch how the puppies are with the owner.. if you see the puppies not to friendly with its owner do not buy..No contract...do not buy. Don't be afraid to ask question, see records.

I am not what you all say is a professional breeders, don't even get me started on that, but all my dogs are DNA tested all in a care program and in very good standard with AKC. They are not show dogs, I don't sale them as show dogs. They are sold as pets only.

What I am saying here is it is very ok to buy off of a breeder, but be just as smart as the breeder when it come to asking questions, be aware of the surroundings. You need to know what to look for when buying a puppy.

I wish I could tell you how many peopole who called me after the fact about their dog and what breeders told them to sale the puppy for more money. It is up to you to catch that.

There are a lot of good breeders out there all they need is a chance with out someone calling them a puppy mill or a back yard breeder.

Answer 9

First, please let me explain to you how shelters work. There are shelters that euthanize and shelters that do not. Many of the animals that are brought to these shelters are unwanted. They are unwanted for many reasons. A big reason for animals being signed over is: person/family purchase pet; do not see a need, don't have the money, or are against spaying/neutering; pet has litter of puppies/kittens; family doesn't want the litter and tries to give them away; some are taken by friends of family, others are signed over to shelters. Then the cycle begins again. Some people purchase animals without realizing how much owning an animal costs. They simply cannot afford it, so the animal is turned over to a shelter. Let me assure you that both "good" and "bad" pets (as you classify them) will be euthanized. The "no kill" shelters that refuse to euthanize are often full of animals who have, in a sense, lost their minds from being confined for so long.

Let me also say that many people provide excellent, loving/caring homes.

No one is going to berate you for purchasing a pet from a breeder. But, please take the time to check local shelters and rescue groups if you are looking for a specific breed. You might be surprised at what you'd find. Regardless of whether you adopt an animal or purchase it, you should spay and neuter.

Answer 10

There is nothing wrong with buying from a breeder at all as long as they are responsible breeders...this means no dog bred before 2 years of age (males included), no dogs bred before they have had and passed genetic testing, no dogs bred that don't meet breed standard and have proven it by either being shown and pointed/championed or evalauted by at least 3 breed knowledgable people/judges,no dogs bred that haven't had careful pedigree research done for health, temperament, longevity,breed standard, no more then one litter produced per female per year, no breeding of females over the age of 6-7.. It also means all parents are well socialized and well mannered. It means the puppies are clean, healthy, well socialized..all paperwork is in order and pups are registered with a legit registry such as AKC, UKC (United Kennel Club) or CKC (Canadian Kennel Club), all pet puppies are sold with limited registration and spay/neuter agreements. The breeder is also very knowledgable of the breed and will offer help after the sale.

A responsible breeder should also NOT breed for "pet quality" only.They need to be breeding to add back to the breed, to bring advancement to the breed not just another litter of puppies or more "pets". In every litter there will always be puppies taht are "pet only" so there is no reason (nor should there be) to breed only for pets.

The reason so many people are put off by breeders is because of the irresponsible breeders..those that don't care and breed just because they can without regard to health, longevity, temperament, breed standard etc. It is unfortunate taht people tend to lump all breeders together and all purebreds as well.