Does anyone else think it's wrong when someone wants to buy a pure bred dog rather than just adopt a dog?

Question

Actually, that is true. I'd love to have children but I think there are too many unwanted ones in the world. So yes, me and my partner have already agreed to adopt when we're a little older and more finacially stable.

I just think it's wrong to go out and buy a pure bred because it encourages back yard breeders and puppy mills. If there were a way to fix that problem, I wouldn't care so much if people went out of their way to get a pure bred.

Wiiters:
Grow up? I have little understanding?

Seems like you're too defensive. I never said I was against people who have pure bred dogs, but I do think it's wrong to go out of your way to buy them.

And I have perfect understanding. Close friends of the family used to breed dachshunds so I know professional breeders aren't trying to do the world any wrong. However, I do know that most people who would try and buy them would think they were expensive and instead go to places like flea markets to buy their pure bred pups.

The only reason I think it's wrong because I know that it encourages others, not intentionally mind you, to become back yard breeders and run puppy mills because those people know there's a market for it and that they'd sell their dogs cheaper than actual professional breeders.

Answer 1

Not WRONG per-se but to participate in a market for purebred dogs by purchasing them only encourages the back yard breeders and puppy mills to continue their practices of indescrimate breeding. They wouldn't do it if there were no market for their wares.

I've owned purebred dogs and mutts. I've found the mutts are most often the better pets. PS. I've only ever bought one dog from a breeder, she was the stupidest dog I ever had. I've adopted or rescued all the other dogs I've had or have.

Answer 2

I would have loved to rescue a dog. Unfortunately, I needed a specific breed (allergies, my abilities to care for it, etc.) and pure bred was the best way to go. Now, could I have gone to the pound every weekend for a year until I got my breed - maybe. But I also wanted a puppy that I could train and love from the start - for me, being the "mom" so early in her life made me feel more of a bond and less stressed when she doesn't behave because I just love her so much. I think back to when she weighed 2.5 pounds and needed me so much. Turns out I did "rescue" her as she had two different kinds of parasites that needed treatment ASAP 2 days after I got her. Last, it could be argued the mills and crappy breeders would do it anyway and someone has to save the poor things from sitting in a box in someone's backyard in the hot Arizona heat, etc. Unless everyone made an effort to not buy from them, they won't stop breeding them but that would never happen. That's my take.

Answer 3

I think it depends on why you are getting a dogs. If it's for some purpose, then yea, a pure bred is probably a better choice. But if you're looking for an all around good family dog I've found that mutts seem to be the best. I'm looking into getting a great dane for myself...mostly because I like the temperment and appearance of the breed. However, i'm not searching for a puppy, i'm adopting from a rescue.

Answer 4

You know it really depends on the reason the person is buyign the dog. If it is just for fun then I would say go get a shelter pouppy or dog. If you are full heartidly a trainer and want to show the dog in dog shows then I would say go to a breeder. There are a lot of reputable breeders that want to breed their dogs for the good of the breed. There are also a lot of puppy mills that breed for the money. It is really a catch 22 because there are so many unwanted dogs in the world. People see a puppy and are too quick to act and do not think about the type of dog they buy and what requirements are needed for their care. I wish I could rescue more dogs, but my house will only hold so many! I am glad you are goign with a shelter dog, be careful to pick the right size and energy level for your needs. Good luck!

Answer 5

It is not wrong if it is done for the right reasons and through impeccable breeders that watch bloodlines, temperaments, do genetic testing, etc.
If they are bought from puppy mills and unethical back yard breeders, then yes, it is wrong.
Pure bred does not mean well bred, but the people who buy top quality dogs know this.
Otherwise, adoption and rescue is the way to go.
25% of shelter dogs are pure bred.

Answer 6

I assume that with this attitude you are planning never to have any children of your own but to only adopt.

Just because you choice to address a problem that you perceive by choosing not only adopt dogs of unknown parentage, That don't mean that I am wrong to choice the have they type of dog that I choice to live with me.

My Pure Breed dogs are trained well cared for and not part of any problem of over population. As they are carefully supervised with other dogs both before and after being neutered. The problem is not that people chose to have pure bred dogs - but that some irresponsible, and or greedy people choice to breed dogs, or let them breed when they can not be assured that they have quality homes for each and every puppy, for monetary reasons, and not considering the breeding for the best interest of the breed.

Answer 7

Not at all. With a pure bread dog you know exactly what you're getting yourself into. In an adopted dog (always mixes) you never know what you're gonna get. I have a pure bread and he was worth every penny. He's fantastic. The next dog I get(within a couple months) will be adopted. And I'm more nervous about adopting.

But don't look down on people who buy pure breads. You never know what they are going to use them for. Maybe they want to be a breeder themselves. It's a good business, really. And those who don't should have theirs fixed. I got mine neutered as soon as I could and I think it was the best thing I could have done. I will never have to worry about him getting another dog pregnant and leaving more unwanted pups in the world.

Answer 8

No, I don't think its wrong, I think it depends upon your needs and goals.

I breed and train AKC dogs that are Mobility Assistance Service Dogs. It is crucial that I know EXACTLY what the:
temperament. size, disposition, ability and desire to work, genetics, structure are going to be as an adult in the pup that I choose. When I breed or I buy dogs I use only show stock that I've spent a ton of time evaluating for those traits. Show dogs generally have a long trace-able history as well as breeders who do not mind when I phone them and say "I'm looking at a puppy that is your XXXX's great grandson, tell me about him." Good breeders know not only the pedigree, genetics and general traits of their dogs, but they too have been researching to produce the best dog of their breed.

Some people want a specific breed of dog, not all breeds are going to be found in a rescue or shelter.. and not all people want to wait 8 mos until one comes in and then find out its a great dog, just not good with kids.

Some people want pups and feel if they are going to invest the time and $$ a pup costs to raise (beyond purchase price) they would prefer to spend it on a dog whose heritage they know.

Some people do not wish to take the time to work with a dog who has some issues and a lot of rescues/shelter dogs come with issues. Heck, a lot of people LIVE WITH issues their dog has but are tolerant of them because they raised the dog from the time it was a baby. I had a dog who stole food off the counter, never did manage to train her not to, I simply learned to not leave food on the counter! Someone who had not raised her may not have dealt with it as well.

I've placed a lot of purebred rescues. When I grow up (ie become too old to want to deal with the activity level of a pup) my goal is to take in older rescues that noone will adopt because of their age and old retired show dogs... the 10 and 12 year olds.

Answer 9

Why would you be against someone buying a purebred dog?
* Some people know what traits they want, and a purebred is the best chance for getting those specific traits.
* Some people want to compete in AKC events like tracking, agility, obedience, etc..

I have a purebred, but I am not opposed to mutts. I am, however, opposed to people purposely breeding them. (I am also opposed to people purposely breeding pet-quality purebreds.) Don't get me wrong, dogs from the pound, whether they be purebred or mutts (25% of dogs in shelters are purebred), can make great pets. Just some people have different preferences on what they want.

I chose a purebred from a reputable breeder for several reasons, some of which are:
* I knew what look & temperament I wanted in a dog.
* I knew I was getting a healthy dog because the dog's parents had been health tested and my puppy had already made several visits to the vet to get started on vaccinations.
* I want to compete in AKC agility.
* I know what health issues to watch more closely for as my dog ages.

Answer 10

No I don't think so. If you are looking for a particular dog because of it's temperment or traits I think it is ok to buy from a breeder if you know they are reliable. I think it is better to get dogs from shelters but some people just don't like to take the risk of not knowing how big they will be full grown etc. I don't look down on people who prefer breeders or shelter dogs. However I think the whole cockapoo thing is really stupid they should for sure just get a mutt from a shelter rather than breeding mutts and slapping high prices on them.

Answer 11

Nope- their loss- My baby is a mutt and he's perfect.
http://groups.msn.com/WeightWatchers-caAwesome20-year-olds/darlyngirlspics.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=3847
(next two are of him too- I am such a proud mommy :P)

They want that that's their business.

What makes me angry is when they buy a 'purebred' from a puppymill, petstore, or backyard breeder and say they are doing it because they want a healthy dog, or a dog that will behave like a certain breed. Then they're better off to get a mutt from the pound. I bet my mutt is healthier than a purebred beagle from a missouri puppymill. I bet he'll have less problems down the road.

I would have loved to buy from a breeder- I talked to a woman about a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She was an excellent breeder- I could tell. But she wanted $750 for a 6 year old, unspayed dog- I couldn't afford it. It would have been a wonderful pet- very healthy. I would buy a purebred for the health aspect only and possibly to support reputable breeders.

Some people want a purebred as a status symbol but can't afford to buy one from a reputable breeder so they support puppymills and then strut around looking down on me and my 'mutt'- that makes me angry.

keezymama- as silly as it sounds I am choosing to selectively breed myself down the road. 4/4 of my mothers sibling died of cystic fibrosis- she is the only one left- I bet anything she is a carrier. She may have passed this gene onto me. When I am ready to reproduce my spouse and I will both undergo genetic testing- if we are both carrier of CF or some other awful disease we will adopt and not reproduce. I am Canadian- I do not want to be a drain on our health-care system by producing children with an awful disease. I do not want to watch my children suffer and live short lives because I was too selfish and knowingly produced a sick child. I think if more people were less selfish diseases like CF wouldn't exist anymore- we could breed them out of our species.