So, not to open a huge can of worms, but this is a topic I always find myself on the fence of.
How do you feel about people who spend thousands of dollars on purebred dogs when there are shelter dogs being euthanized daily purely due to lack of space?
Do you put value on the maintenance of breeds?
Do you think we will ever see certain breeds go “extinct?”
Discuss!
Apples and Oranges. My heart doesn’t break any less for the unwanted dogs in the world just because I have a well-bred dog.
Many breeds are on the brink of disappearing and the gene pools are becoming increasingly bottlenecked because there are so few breeders of quality left.
If everyone rescues then eventually breeds will collapse in on themselves because we will have no genetic diversity. Even in my breed which is relatively popular it can be a challenge to find quality dogs that don’t start crossing pedigrees within 4-5 generations.
I have very strong feelings about people who purchase mutts labeled as designer breeds. It is incredibly hypocritical and furthers the unwanted dog problem in the country.
trolling much?
mutts are great.
but when you buy a dog from a reputable breeder you get much more than just a dog.
you get a predictability on how the dog is most likely to grow up, behave. strong points weaknesses, along with the breeder’s accumulated experience.
from the shelter you get a dog, maybe fixed, what you see is what you get in most cases. At best an educated guess.
you can get purebreds, but those are most often the result of less than reputable breedings.
if you need nothing else but a companion, the mutt can do nicely.
for some other things you want a more specialized companion.
If you have a specific dog in mind, for a specific look or task, get that kind and you can find those from a good breeder of those kinds of dogs.
Do you want a companion to do little with, some walking, playing in the yard, going with you places, but not performance and competition or other such that takes a special breed, then it would be foolish to spend the kind of money well bred dogs require, plus leave all those very nice companion dogs out there already in shelters.
Both are fine choices for your purpose, be sensible and realistic and chose what will fit, within what is out there.
Today, also, you can compete with random bred dogs in many performance venues, even AKC, so even there, unless you are a high end competitor, many dogs in shelters could fit what you want.
At our performance dog club, many dogs the general public brings are random bred, even those they think are purebred and they make excellent dogs.
Dog club members generally tend to have both, registered dogs for competition, many times puppies from the same breeder for years and some they fostered for the shelter and ended keeping.
I don’t think there is a right answer for everyone, or a reason to demand that everyone only get a shelter dog or they are not caring enough for not doing so.
I have had a good share of rescue dogs. Being a farm and all, guess I just had the extra room. Plus I worked for a vet for most my life , you just tend to drag things home. That being said with all the rescues I have done, if I want a well bred dog of a certain breed, I go ahead and treat myself. I will most likely always have both. And I dont value one more than another, as far as they get what they need, vet wise or whatever.
[QUOTE=Bluey;6845378]
If you have a specific dog in mind, for a specific look or task, get that kind and you can find those from a good breeder of those kinds of dogs.
Do you want a companion to do little with, some walking, playing in the yard, going with you places, but not performance and competition or other such that takes a special breed, then it would be foolish to spend the kind of money well bred dogs require, plus leave all those very nice companion dogs out there already in shelters.
Both are fine choices for your purpose, be sensible and realistic and chose what will fit, within what is out there.
Dog club members generally tend to have both, registered dogs for competition, many times puppies from the same breeder for years and some they fostered for the shelter and ended keeping.
I don’t think there is a right answer for everyone, or a reason to demand that everyone only get a shelter dog or they are not caring enough for not doing so.[/QUOTE]
This does seem like trolling for a fight, btw.
Bluey said what I think. I have two rescue cats and one rescue doberman. My next (very carefully selected puppy) is from a breeder, because he is intended for mondio ring. Mind you, he is not born yet–I am waiting for the right dog. 
Most dogs (including my recently departed “purchased” purebred) are not suitable for this particular sport, but you can bring a rescue to competitive AKC events like agility and obedience–everything but conformation.
In addition to a mondio club, I am a member of the AKC kennel club–an all volunteer organization and my experience is also also what Bluey said about forsters–I would also point out that we volunteer to teach the public through classes how to care for and train their dogs, so hopefully they don’t end up as unwanted pets. It is a very big time committment. Many of the members are breeders, but many are just competitors or dog fanciers–all love dogs.
One more thought. I, personally, do put a value on the maitenance of the breeds I love, but I think they are largely ruined and have deviated from their original purpose. That’s a whole 'nuther can of worms, however. It’s kind of like a halter horse vs. a working-bred horse… (no further comment). Going back to your question about rescues, you can look at horses too. Take a rescue horse vs. a performance bred horse. If someone wants to casually trail ride, do we forbid them from paying for a purebred horse if that’s what they want to ride when there are so many rescues available?
I think we exercise responsibility for animals on a personal level (through care, training, & responsible breeding) and can also educate and volunteer on a broader level. That is how we are responsible animal lovers–by our actions.
[QUOTE=Alagirl;6845377]
trolling much?
mutts are great.
but when you buy a dog from a reputable breeder you get much more than just a dog.
you get a predictability on how the dog is most likely to grow up, behave. strong points weaknesses, along with the breeder’s accumulated experience.
from the shelter you get a dog, maybe fixed, what you see is what you get in most cases. At best an educated guess.
you can get purebreds, but those are most often the result of less than reputable breedings.
if you need nothing else but a companion, the mutt can do nicely.
for some other things you want a more specialized companion.[/QUOTE]
Trolling: Asking controversial questions that are likely to elicit strong responses from opposing sides and bring many bystanders with snacks and adult refreshments to watch.
tee-arr-oh-ell-ell-eye-en-gee: Trolling
[QUOTE=caballero;6845462]
Trolling: Asking controversial questions that are likely to elicit strong responses from opposing sides and bring many bystanders with snacks and adult refreshments to watch.
tee-arr-oh-ell-ell-eye-en-gee: Trolling[/QUOTE]
I get it.
However, I’m not trolling… simply posing a legitimate question to get viewpoints from others. I’m not bashing anyone for having an opinion either way, and I would hope that my fellow posters are mature enough to do the same.
Thanks, though.
Proceed.
[QUOTE=dappled;6845484]
I get it.
However, I’m not trolling… simply posing a legitimate question to get viewpoints from others. I’m not bashing anyone for having an opinion either way, and I would hope that my fellow posters are mature enough to do the same.
Thanks, though.
Proceed.[/QUOTE]
Oh Dappled…some of the greatest, most epic battles fought on COTH started with very interesting and legitimate topics…the care of hooves comes to mind…
[QUOTE=GraceLikeRain;6845353]
Apples and Oranges. My heart doesn’t break any less for the unwanted dogs in the world just because I have a well-bred dog. [/QUOTE]
Good post.
Unfortunately there are just too many bad owners out there - who don’t care whether their dog is purebred or not, or spayed or neutered, or fed…or anything. If more of those people actually CARED about dogs, there would be far fewer dogs in shelters.
My owning a purebred dog does not change those people - there will still be people who don’t spay/neuter; who will actually purposefully breed bad/unhealthy dogs because they think puppies are cute; who will abandon their dogs when it gets “too hard”, etc.
I, on the other hand, own a dog that was purposefully bred for a reason, with health checks to prevent congenital issues to the best of the breeder’s ability; that I can enjoy and compete with (if I choose), or just have a well-bred pet.
I don’t feel guilty. I do donate to our local shelter and to my breed rescue, though.
[QUOTE=TrotTrotPumpkn;6845496]
Oh Dappled…some of the greatest, most epic battles fought on COTH started with very interesting and legitimate topics…the care of hooves comes to mind…
:)[/QUOTE]
I must have missed that one! :lol:
But really though. I’m just curious whether or not people value breeds and the importance of preserving them, etc. or if it doesn’t matter to some people. The idea of extinction of breeds is pretty interesting.
[QUOTE=TrotTrotPumpkn;6845496]
Oh Dappled…some of the greatest, most epic battles fought on COTH started with very interesting and legitimate topics…the care of hooves comes to mind…
:)[/QUOTE]
:lol:
so I have been told…
[QUOTE=dappled;6845342]
So, not to open a huge can of worms, but this is a topic I always find myself on the fence of.
How do you feel about people who spend thousands of dollars on purebred dogs when there are shelter dogs being euthanized daily purely due to lack of space?
Do you put value on the maintenance of breeds?
Do you think we will ever see certain breeds go “extinct?”
Discuss![/QUOTE]
Do you chastise people for getting a well bred sporthorse prospect rather than a rescue?
There is NOTHING wrong with opting to buy a well bred puppy from a reputable breeder from health tested parents that have proven themselves in conformation or performance. The folks who want a GSP for hunting wouldn’t be getting a dog from a shelter if they weren’t coming to us or another breeder. The same for those who want a corgi. If I hadn’t bought my foundation bitch and current agility partner as a puppy, her spot in the household would not have been filled by a shelter dog.
Just because someone lives in an area where folks allow dogs to breed indiscriminately (this is based on what I see as the huge number of dogs from the south transported to New England) doesn’t mean they should guilty for going out and getting an intentionally bred dog which fits their household.
I spend more hours per year in dog school than I can count. I took my youngest starting at 9 weeks and she has continued straight through (now 13 months) and it is easy when going to puppy school to tell which dogs came from reputable breeders vs the shelter or pet store. The gap in socialization is huge. The practice where I work has a litter that was pulled from a high kill shelter at around 12 weeks. The staff has been working with them, but they are so delayed. My puppy was easy to train, she started clicker work at 5 weeks of age. Most of these ones are two fearful of the sound of the clicker to even be able to use it as a training tool.
[QUOTE=Marshfield;6845532]
Do you chastise people for getting a well bred sporthorse prospect rather than a rescue?
There is NOTHING wrong with opting to buy a well bred puppy from a reputable breeder from health tested parents that have proven themselves in conformation or performance. The folks who want a GSP for hunting wouldn’t be getting a dog from a shelter if they weren’t coming to us or another breeder. The same for those who want a corgi. If I hadn’t bought my foundation bitch and current agility partner as a puppy, her spot in the household would not have been filled by a shelter dog.
Just because someone lives in an area where folks allow dogs to breed indiscriminately (this is based on what I see as the huge number of dogs from the south transported to New England) doesn’t mean they should guilty for going out and getting an intentionally bred dog which fits their household.
I spend more hours per year in dog school than I can count. I took my youngest starting at 9 weeks and she has continued straight through (now 13 months) and it is easy when going to puppy school to tell which dogs came from reputable breeders vs the shelter or pet store. The gap in socialization is huge. The practice where I work has a litter that was pulled from a high kill shelter at around 12 weeks. The staff has been working with them, but they are so delayed. My puppy was easy to train, she started clicker work at 5 weeks of age. Most of these ones are two fearful of the sound of the clicker to even be able to use it as a training tool.[/QUOTE]
Wow!
I’m sorry you took that from my post, but I said nothing to even imply that I was chastising anyone. I am completely neutral on this subject, and would prefer not to be attacked. I never said there was anything wrong with getting a purebred puppy, nor did I say there was anything wrong with adopting a rescue mutt.
I’m going to argue that the 12 week old pups may have genetic issues with temperment. I once got a hunting dog that was kenneled through six months and you would have never known she wasn’t socialized after a couple days. I also know someone with a nine-month old GSD–same thing. She’s ready to title him in obedience a couple months later, btw. I think he will go high score. But the parents were confident dogs. This would not work with fearful genetics.
I’m not advocating skipping socialization of puppies!! I think it is very important. But they should have been largely ok at 12 weeks just socializing with each other and their mother (if she was of steady temperment). It sounds like something else is going on there (like bad breeding).
I didn’t get my last dog until she was 11 weeks old and she had zero issues with socialization and titled easily when I got around to trialing her.
All of which is another pro for good genetics…
For me it depends on the breed. I’ve had rhodesian ridgebacks -all rescues from ridgeback rescue after the first one from the pound. I wouldn’t hesitate to get most dogs this way. However, if I go for a German Shepherd it will very likely be from a reputable breeder since the breed has essentially been run into the ground. And by reputable I mean the ones who breed level toplines, sane and sound dogs. Beyond that I don’t care.
Paula
I am presently dogless, and rather enjoying it still. When I do get another dog, it will depend on what I want.
If I get another Rottie, I will definitely buy from a very good breeder. My last Rottie (best dog ever btw) had some serious genitic issues like severe, early onset hip and elbow dysplasia. I bought her as an 8 week old pup from the municipal pound. I think that if I went to a very good breeder, I could possibly avoid some of that.
I have always gotten dogs from the pound or for free from various circumstances, and honestly I would not want to pay pure bred dog prices for a simple companion.
I do not concern myself with what other people do with their money. Both my dogs are purebred and both came from Craigslist. From this point forward I will always have this breed and will buy from a breeder if that’s the only way I can get a red female with a tail and a great temperament, which will be the next one we get.
Nothing wrong with buying a well bred, tested puppy from a respected responsible breeder. Nothing at all. However, when you buy one from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder with no knowledge, no testing, who is breeding what she/he’s got to what she/he’s got with no clue about responsible breeding? That’s a problem.
Personally, I prefer rescue dogs, but that’s my choice.
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