Dog adoption question?

Question

Why would someone buy a dog instead of adopting one? I understand the situation when it comes to adopting a human baby...but what about dogs?

Answer 1

In the case of dogs, when you adopt you ARE buying them. I'm assuming you mean why wouldn't they get one from a shelter instead of a pet store? But they all need homes - shelter or pet store. The issue should be, why do the shelters have to kill dogs that don't get adopted quickly? Well, supposedly they are non-profit and can't afford it, but there are plenty of no-kill shelters and groups that would take these dogs instead of them killing them.

More to the point, many people feel sorry for the shelter dogs but when it comes time to get a dog they want a perfect one. They figure since it comes with a piece of paper that must mean it's a better dog than the ones that don't. Case in point, I adopted a 3 legged dog from a no-kill foster organization. She was on the chopping block at a shelter when they took her in. She was with her foster dad for 1 whole year before I found her. She is the sweetest dog you will ever meet, and honestly I'm glad someone didn't just adopt her out of guilt or pity when they would have much preferred a physically perfect dog. Then she wouldn't have the loving home she deserves here with us! However, she is a pure breed dog, just doesn't have her papers anymore and is one leg short. So she was overlooked, even though she has a sweet disposition and is healthy in all other ways!

For a lot of folks, the breed of dog is some sort of status symbol, or they claim that they have less health problems and are better behaved but that is just their way of explaining why they spend thousands of dollars for that specific dog. Often Pure Bred dogs have more problems then mutts because of too much in-breeding as well as personality quirks. If that's what someone prefers, then more power to them - I say!

Answer 2

In our case, we adopted our 2 year old Bichon-Poodle from a rescue a year ago, but found that he was really lonely. (He had come from a home with lots of dogs.) Our boy would cry whenever he saw another dog walk by our yard, was a whole different, happier dog when we went to the dog park and was noticibly depressed after we would leave. No amount of love and attention from my bf and I could get that same reaction. We decided to get a second dog, but found that none of our local rescues had a younger, small dog that would be compatible with our dog or other pets or kids. We waited more than 5 months hoping that the right dog would come along, with no luck. We finally decided to buy a puppy so that we could pick the breed ourselves, carefully research the breeing line and health history of both parents, train the pup ourselves, maybe show once he's a little older - and get a great companion for our older dog. We are so pleased with our choice - he is a sweet little pup and he and our dog bonded instantly. That being said - we would not hesitate to adopt another shelter dog - if the right animal came along.

Answer 3

Since i was little my parents and i have resued 57 dogs from shelters, because we did'nt agree with the pet sores selling the animals because they leave the animals over night in the shop by them self anything can happen and at a shelter there is always someone at the shelter to look after them dogs are exactly the same as a human baby they are mans best friend and companion. Maybe people don't want the risk of getting a dog from a shelter because of the higher risk of attacking someone and because maybe of what the animals past has been some animals are very severely traumatised that it will take alot to get the dog threw it and to get back trusting humans because some dogs might have been abused or maltreated some people actually dedicated buying dogs from shelters to help them get back on the right track and to trust humans again. i always have a place in my heart for animals from shelters they have been treated wrong in the past and deserve a second chance.

Answer 4

I think it all depends on the person and their preferences. Some people buy dogs because they like the look or personality of certain breeds, others buy working dogs to actually do the jobs that they were bred for. When you buy a purebred puppy, you have some idea of what you can expect out of an adult dog of that type based on breed knowledge and history. Also, when you buy a purebred dog from a reputable breeder, most will have done genetic testing and may have had the parents' hips, elbows and/or eyes certified. It doesn't ensure a healthy puppy, but it increases the chances a lot. With a mixed breed, you don't have that luxury. It doesn't mean you won't get a great dog but you won't be able to have as good of an idea of what traits (physical and behavioral) that may come out or what health issues you could face.

Answer 5

Well, in my area, it's hard to find a puppy in a shelter. If I was looking for a full grown dog, I would take a shelter dog. As a matter of fact, I did do that once several years ago. But it really depends on what you're looking for. Also, sometimes the requirements from the shelters make it hard for some people to adopt. Some of them are more stringent than adopting a child for some reason (or at least it seems like it).

Answer 6

If you want a dog that was specifically bred for a purpose and you want to know everything possible was done to ensure the dog would not have genetically-inherited problems than I understand people buying from a REAL breeder.

Buying a dog as a status symbol from a puppymill or backyard breeder when the dog carries no guarantee it'll be a good example of what the dog was bred to do, and may have tonnes of genetic problems- I do not understand.

Adopting carries more risk of health problems than buying a well-bred purebred dog. I was willing to take that risk and adopt my dog. If I had had $750 I would not have done that- I would have bought a 7 year old cavalier from a great breeder I was interested in. Now that I have my baby I wouldn't trade him for the world- but I can see wanting to know your dog has the best genes possible.

Answer 7

Some people just don't think. All they want is a purebred, or "teacup" puppy, which doesn't even stay small or a puppy. They think the more that they spend on a dog, the more they can brag about it. Like instead of getting a good deal cheap H&M handbag, people would rather carry a Louis Vuitton bag that has LV written all over it. It's more appealing to others. But dogs are dogs, many millions of dogs are euthanized yearly. You are right, some people just need to just stop thinking about the "Cha-ching" and "Bling-Bling" less and think more into saving lifes.

Answer 8

Lots of people are misinformed about dogs in rescues and pounds: they believe they have behavior problems. This is true sometimes but good rescue groups work with their animals to make sure they are safe, healthy and appropriate. After all that, some people want a specific breed, want to breed dogs and want AKC so they can charge high prices. Many people think a litter of pedigreed puppies will bring in big bucks. Not usually true.
Why buy a dog? I think it's an ego thing. Who wants a mutt from the pound? Guess what. Probably 20% + of dogs in pounds are purebred and the rescue organizations usually limit themselves to a specific breed. Long story short... no good reason.

Answer 9

We have 4 dogs, 3 are adopted and one we bought from a breeder, purely because we couldn't find any Great Dane puppies at shelters. We also wanted the dogs parents screened for life threatening problems down the road that only come with owning a giant breed dog. As for our other babies, we have all purebreed shelter dogs, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I only wish more people would look to their local animal shelter or pound, or even petfinder.com to see all the lovely animals that are waiting to be loved.

Answer 10

Ok Ok OK BTW Mutts? Give me a freaking break, if it wasn't for the idiots who didn't spay or neuter their pets, these so called "mutts" wouldn't exist. And as for mixed breeds not being up to parr with purebreds, this is a line or crock, in most circumstances, purebreds are the ones with the defects, as they were inbred over and over again to develop the traits that they have. I own both purebreds, and "muts", and my german shepherd/lab mix, potty trained faster, is more gentle and intelligent than my purebreds. And ALSO, as for purebreds not being in the shelter, that is also incorrect, many many many of the animals left in the shelters are purebreds. People have to have "registered" animals or their not worth it. What a bunch of crap, those people are the ones who are not getting an animal for the right reasons. I totally understand where you are coming from. Unfortunately the shelters do kill some of these dogs, I hate it just as much as the next person, BUT WE ARE DOING IT TO OURSELVES by not having our loved ones fixed. That is why so many make it mandatory to have this done when the ones that are in there are adopted. Wanna solve the problem, adopt your next pet, AND SPAY OR NEUTER YOU ANIMALS!!!