Why did YOU get your dog from a breeder/pet shop?

Question

Are you aware of what goes on behind the pet shop scene? Breeders seem alright to me... I don't know what to think about them.
I refused to get my dog from a breeder/shop, I got mine from the pound. He's already trained, and much cheaper!

Answer 1

A breeder is not the same as a pet shop.

In fact, a reputable breeder typically has the healthiest dogs around.

http://www.geocities.com/bluegracepwd/wheretobuy.html

I've been looking at a breeder dog. But, it's a breeder that health checks, has health checks on numerous generations, breeds mostly CH or SCH dogs - many of whom have CGC, she has more questions for me than I do for her, and she wont' even be having another litter for 2+ years. While I feel a little guilty over it, the type of dog I want is prone to hip and behavior problems and I can't risk that.

Answer 2

First, you can get a GOOD dog anywhere even from pounds, pet shops, puppymills, etc. I have two purebred dogs rescued from the pound that now have AKC obedience titles. And no Jenny, they don't pee or bark or have health problems.

Second, what you are getting when you go to a reputable breeder are ODDS. The odds are very good that your dog will be healthy, well adjusted, etc. You get a help line if things go wrong, you've got questions, etc., etc. The odds drop with the backyard amateur breeder since they don't really know what they're doing. The odds drop further for puppy mills since the dogs are not handled, socialized or receive adequate veterinary care. The odds drop further with pound puppies because they could have been from a puppy mill (big drop) but they now also have problems that put them in there in the first place.

Playing the odds means you pay $1000 for a very well bred puppy with full medical testing, vaccinations, etc. vs. paying $200 for the sickly puppy that's going to cost you $3000 in medical bills or make you dump it at the pound.

That said if you don't rush and wait for the right healthy dog to show up at your local pound they can be a pure blessing of companionship.

Answer 3

I've never gotten a dog from a breeder/pet shop, and I most likely never will! Pet shops don't always have pro breeders or people who know what they're doing, unless you can really tell that they have good service and stuff like that. So just never buy a dog from a petshop. If it's a breeder that keeps the dogs in like a metal, fenced in cage, you shouldn't buy a dog from them, because they might be angry and messed up.

Answer 4

I would never buy any puppy from pet stores. I purchased mine from a reputable breeder for show purposes. You have to be very cautious to buy puppies from breeders also. You need to screen through the breeder to make sure that the breeder is a responsible breeder. I will adopt from the pound if I want a mixed breed companion.

Answer 5

I received mine from a private breeder. It is a friend of mine and I received one dog from the first litter. I wanted to make sure my dog was a true breed and did not having any health problems. I have adopted many dogs in the past from the pound and had nothing but health problems and even had them pass away on me from heart failure. I just couldn't take the heart break anymore and made sure this one was perfect. The longest owning dog I have ever had. Perfect health and sweet as can be

Answer 6

my English Mastiff we got from a reputable breeder who really does it for the love of the dogs (they have a few mastiffs themselves and keep them indoors, that's true love having those big droolers in your house heh) We got him because we love big dogs and have always had a particular fascination with the breed

the other dog, a St Bernard/Newfie mix we got for 100 dollars, the owners of the 2 parents accidentally had them breed or some BS like that... and again, we love big dogs and knew we could offer it a loving home.

All my cats were rescue cats.

I agree, pet shops are horrible. The only reason I'd buy a dog from a pet shop is to save it from such pitiful conditions

Answer 7

There's a world of difference between pet shops and breeders. Just as there is a world of difference between puppy mills/backyard breeders (the only difference between those is scale!), and quality breeders.

I got mine from breeders because I wanted a quality dog with a predictable health history. Goldens are prone to issues since they're so overbred... and BYBs love Goldens as they're easy to sell. So I didn't want a puppy from the shelter or rescue, as the vast majority of those are dumped BYB litters!

Answer 8

my sis got a dog from a breeder shes a wee yorkie i think my sis gort it from a breeder because she wanted a good looking dog and couldnt find a nice yorkie from the pound. if ther was a suttible dog in the pound id get that but if not the breeders are good.gotta make sure u know tbit about em tho. some are bad. i stay clear of pet shops every pet iv had from a pet shop died well quick =/

Answer 9

I would NEVER in a MILLION years buy from a pet shop. I have gotten dogs from GOOD breeders, and have been a GOOD breeder for years.
There is a difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have two pound/rescue dogs as well.

I go to breeders or breed my own dogs because I do working things with my dogs and like to have them from an early age. I also show, so having a dog or a specific quality is important for that.

Answer 10

I got mine from a reputable breeder, because I wanted something specific. I wanted a hairless Chinese Crested. At the time I was looking for a Crested.. there were not many in rescue.


I did research tho and found a reputable breeder. There are many breeders I would NOT buy from. And I would NEVER buy from a petshop.