We have always supported purebred dogs and feel strongly that buying a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder is the safest and best way to get a puppy that fits your lifestyle, is healthy, and will grow up to be the dog you expected. Today, rescue groups abound, and most of them promote rescue dogs (the largest percentage of which are mixed breeds) over a puppy from a breeder. Rescue dogs come from many place . . . street dogs, dumped dogs, unwanted litters of unsocialized puppies, pets someone relinquished for a variety of reasons, puppy mills whose dogs were confiscated for lack of care, etc. Rescuers believe such dogs make better pets, that mixed breeds (regardless of background and care) are healthier than purebreds, and that it is our duty to save almost every unwanted dog from whatever source before producing any more purebreds, however royal their pedigree or how talented they are at their work.
How did we get to this state? What have we, as purebred dog breeders done to rate so poorly in society? Have we over bred and based decisions on money or wins rather than the good of the dog? What do you think?
• Are purebred dogs as healthy today as they were 50 or 25 years ago?
• Are genetic defects increasing?
• Have we improved on our dog’s temperament and ability to function as “dogs,” or are the changes merely cosmetic?
• Are purebreds more or less healthy than mixed breeds?
• Do most reputable purebred breeders stand behind their dogs
with health and temperament guarantees
• Do breeders who compete in conformation or performance events
really provide new owners with a healthier, more dependable working
or performance dog, or pet, than those obtained from pet stores
or shelters?
TELL US YOUR EXPERIENCES!
These questions will be explored in more depth in an upcoming book by breeder/judges Johan and Edith Gallant entitled SOS DOG, to be released fall 2008 by Alpine Publications.
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June 10, 2008 at 9:13 pm
imaginecreation
I have had rescue dogs (rescued as adults) and pups . . . from backyard to reputable breeders. Though I loved my Neo Mastiff, he had so many defects (bone wise) that I would never buy from a “backyard breeder” again.
I rescued a Rottweiler . . . though she was a good dog, there are definite chances and risks associated with such a large dog coming into my home. And, having worked at a Humane Society, I tend to agree that if you have the ability and desire, definitely take on a rescue! With small kids in my family, I wouldn’t . . . at this point in my life. And it isn’t the small breeds or puppies, so much, that need rescuing, its the med – large adult dogs.
But I agree with you in the fact I like to know what I’m getting, especially when I plunk down a bit of change for an animal. With dogs and horses alike I, personally, lean towards pure breds . . . but definitely from a reputable and well established breeder. Thats how we acquired our Jack Russell and he is a fantastic dog!
I think that if the breeder is breeding responsibly and there isn’t a lot of inbreeding (or any inbreeding) going on . . . the defects should be minimized. And they should back their animals up with guarantees . . . seems logical to me.
And, yeah, I think buying a dog from someone that does it for the love of the breed . . . showing, performing, etc, to show off the strengths of the breed . . . is, naturally, going to have better dogs. Pet stores tend to carry over-bred and inbred animals . . . puppy mill type.
June 11, 2008 at 11:01 pm
alpinepub
It sounds like you have had quite a range of experiences with dogs and where you got them! Out of curiosity, what type of bone problems did your Neo have, and did the breeder offer a guarantee or replacement? Do you think that the breeder was aware of the problem? What’s your description of a “backyard” breeder?
I would find it difficult to replace a pup once I was attached to it, whether the dog had problems or not, unless it was seriously dangerous, or was not able to live a quality life. So that could make it difficult if the breeder had a replacement guarantee! Even the best breeders can sometimes have unexpected problems show up in their lines due to dominant and recessive genes. Although making a careful, educated choice would help eliminate possible health issues.
But, with a rescue dog, unplanned/backyard breeder, or puppy mill/pet shop dog, there are no guarantees. Although the rescue groups claim that mutts do not have the health issues that a purebred does, I know that this is not necessarily true. I use to pet sit for a young couple who had a dog, a pure, heinz 57, that had epilepsy.
With purebreds, you do have a good idea of what you will be getting temperament-wise as well as size, coat and inherited instincts, such as a herding dog, gun dog or hound. When I volunteered at a county shelter, there were a litter of pups that looked like purebred Australian Shepherds. The mom was in the kennel next to them, and she was a nondescript, black dog, probably a lab cross. So, if someone had come in, seen the pups and assumed that they were an Aussie, they would have gotten a big surprise when the pup started retrieving the chickens!