Wanna feel guilty? Get a rescue on your news feed and get these:



We have a pet overpopulation problem, there is no denying that. There are a lot of dogs out there and people aren't taking them home. So why, in the face of all of this tragedy did I still make the 'wrong' choice and select from a breeder? I'll tell you:


1.)I support genetic conscientiousness. There are a lot of people out there, right now, who support, fight about and work together to make breeds better and healthier. There was a period of time that show german shepherds were having a lot of hip problems because of the way they showed them. A group of people dove in and started to breed those low slung hips out of the breed, pressuring the AKC and the breed club to change the standard. When the Portuguese Water Dog came into the AKC in the eighties, they developed their size standard based on the latest genetic research in hip and knee-displasia to create a dog that wasn't too big and wasn't too small. Research of skeletal soundness has caused the AKC to put pressure on the breed clubs to have dogs with a more even topline. All of this goes together to helping creating healthier dogs in our communities.

2.)I like the support. I know it sounds crazy, but if you get a dog from a breeder, especially an established breeder who knows what they are doing, then you actually have a support line for at least the first year of the dog's life. A good breeder will want see to their pups grow up. They want to know they are happy and settled into their homes. That is why they breed dogs in the first place. Now, maybe I'm alone, but puppies aren't as easy to raise as they look and it helps for me to be able to bug my breeder on Facebook and be like "My dog is acting like a nutcase. What do you do about that?" and they can email you back and say, "Oh! His grandmother was like that. Just do this. That's what finally worked for her."

3.)I believe in good starts. Getting a dog from a breeder means that someone has been obsessing about your little munchkin since three years before it was born. I remember one breeder who canceled her trip to Yosemite because the vet told her the pups were coming. My breeder spent hours training all seven of my little guys and dragging them around in her truck to meet the ducks, the horses, the neighbors. A good breeder can and does create a wonderful enriching environment for your pup. That means training, socialization and love.

4.)I care enough to do the research. If you are going to go the 'shopping' route, you have to spend a lot of time making sure you're supporting what you want to support. It's easy to get a dog from the pet store or that neighbor down the street, but it doesn't give you a lot of the advantages of having a specially bred dog and a lot of new disadvantages.

So, that is why I shopped. He's a great dog! I love my breeder and I wouldn't trade her for anything. Do I judge you for getting a rescue? Absolutely not. Rescuing a dog simply presents different benefits and challenges than quality dog breeding. So, the next time you are tempted to haze your purebred owning friends, remember: there is more than one good choice.

Its so sad
It's so sad visiting the pound. There are so many lovable animals that deseve a good home. Purebreds are only good if you are going to enter dog shows. How many people really do that? I think people should visit the pound or local shelter before searching online for a pet. :)
» KKama67 on 2014-11-06 02:31:58

Not saying
Please dont get my comment wrong. I'm not saying that you made a j"wrong" choice. Im just saying that these animals are going to die. They need a second chance.... :(
» KKama67 on 2014-11-06 02:33:38

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