imput on reputable breeders.....

[tikeyas_mom]

i am going to a reputable breeder for my next puppy...



What are your imputs on breeders who are breeding, NOT for profit, NOT for fun, but to better the breed.?



B Good breeder, not puppy mill, or BYB.

[lv4dogs]

I think you know mine.

[tikeyas_mom]

no i dont... i have just been hearing alot of posters bashing ppl because they didnt rescue. instead of rescuing a dog, they went to a reputable breeder or are going to a good breeder..... i just dont get it....

[Aspen and Misty]

Personally, I would never go to a breeder. To many dogs die every year and I don't think I could look at my dog Breeder bred dog and know that I could have saved a life instead of spending hundreds to have a pur-bred (if I HAD to have a certain breed, I would go to a breed rescue). I would love the Breeder bred dog no less then I would have a shelter dog but I think, personally, the guilt would catch up to me. I don't ever plan to show dogs, so I don't see why I would ever need a pur-bred. So me, personally, I would never go to a breeder, no matter if they were reputable.

HOWEVER, I do not think any less of a pur-bred dog or there owners, my mom's Sheltie Teddy is pur-bred and my sister's Pom is. I love them both dearly. I do not think of my mom or sister any less because they bought there dog's from a Breeder. I think it depends on personal choice. If you want to buy a dog from a breeder, then I have no problem with you, the dog or your choice. As long as the breeder is reputable.

I know I will always have rescued dogs. If I ever want a pur-bred I will go to a breed rescue. That is me though, every person is diffrent.

Don't know if that was the kind of answer you were looking for or not.

Ashley

[Glacier]

We've used a breeder and I'd do it again, if I was looking for a specific dog. My husband had a very set list of things he wanted in a dog when he was looking for a husky--Muskwa was that dog.

My theory on a reputable breeder is:

Both parents have full health certifications--hips, eyes, and any conditions that the breed is predisposed to. Health guarentee on any puppies.

Not breeding for specifics--like a husky breeder trying for only blue eyes. That to me is a red flag--what happens to the brown eyed pups?

No more than one or two litters a year.

Breeder can provide rationale for why they crossed particular males and females.

Breeding dogs are champions or excel at what the breed is designed for. Muskwa doesn't come from a show line of huskies, but he does come from a competitive racing line.

Careful screening of potential owners.

Follow-up on those owners. Muskwa's breeder still contacts us a couple times a year to check up on him.

Return policy. It's in our contract for Muskwa that at any time if we can't care for him, he is returned to his breeder. A good breeder is responsible for life for the pups they brought into the world.

Kennels are clean and well maintained.

Dogs' temperments are appropriate for the breed.

Altering contract for those pups sold as pet quality or who clearly don't meet the breed standard.

Breeding to the breed standard--No Giant Alaskan Malamute or Wooly Huskies.

Kennel is open to visitors--if not, I suspect they have something to hide. I want to see where my puppy lives.

That's all I can think of for now.

PS: I only used huskies and mals as examples since those are the breeds I know best.

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

I hope nobody bashes me for this but honestly I'd rather get a dog from a reputable breeder or a certain breed rescue. I've had 4 dogs come from a rescue and they've all ended up with some sort of health problem or another. Breeders breed for health and tempermant and I feel safer knowing that I ahve a better chance of my dog having a longer life and possibly a better tempermant buying from a breeder That's just my opinion though, I certainly would not object to adopting a dog from a humane society but I jsut feel better buying from a breeder.

[KYS]

Here is a helpfull web site that one of the Akita owners
set up to help people choose a good breeder.

You need to scroll down the page to "How to choose a breeder" and click on the links.


http://www.shoboakitas.com/breederpuppynetwork.html

[BCBlondie]

I completely agree with Orangutango...

I've had 4 dogs come from a rescue and they've all ended up with some sort of health problem or another.

Not only do they get health problems, but they can also have temperamental problems as well... (Not your dogs, but rescue dogs in general... You never know what you're getting. I'd rather get a dog from a reputable breeder, having met the dog's parents, and knowing the temperament of the dog and it's family...)

[wolfsoul]

I am getting my puppy next year. He is coming from a reputable breeder. Maybe one day in the future I will get a dog from the shelter (maybe even another catahoula ), but now, for my own personal reasons, I'm going with a reputable breeder.

[Giselle]

Reputable breeders are the greatest! They're what drives the breed forward and keeps it healthy and thriving. I can't stand people who bash people who breed for show and those who breed reputably.

Reputable breeders are NOT the problem. They will take the dog back, no matter what. Therefore, they cannot and are not the problem with overpopulation.

[wolf_Q]

Originally posted by BCBlondie

Not only do they get health problems, but they can also have temperamental problems as well... (Not your dogs, but rescue dogs in general... You never know what you're getting. I'd rather get a dog from a reputable breeder, having met the dog's parents, and knowing the temperament of the dog and it's family...)

And there's plenty of dogs in rescues in shelters that are perfectly good dogs and have no problems at all. They may already be trained/housebroken too...many people give up dogs, and not just because the dog has a health or behavior issue. People give up dogs because they don't have time or they are moving and can't take the dog as well as a million other "reasons."

Admittedly I have never gotten a dog from a rescue, but I'm sure somebody that has worked with rescues has seen a lot more bad owners than bad dogs. What you just said just saddens me, it puts out a very bleak outlook for any rescue dog.

As far as the reputable breeder thing, I am not against that at all. I think all of the things Glacier mentioned mentioned are very good points when looking for a breeder. I do not see reputable breeders as contributing to the pet overpopulation problem. They will take back the dog if the home doesn't work out plus they have spay/neuter contracts.

My dogs all came from breeders, BYBs mind you. I know better now and will not do that again. I know that when I was told that I could get a puppy I was too excited to really care where I got one...I did know that I wanted a pup (mostly because of Reggie and Smokey not liking other dogs) and I wanted a purebred siberian husky. I'm sure with enough time I could have found a reputable breeder or even a husky pup through a rescue. But I didn't, so there's no going back and I love Nebo no matter where he came from.

I have felt hurt on PT from comments about getting a dog from a breeder vs. a rescue. Just as I'm sure people with rescue dogs are hurt by comments that imply all rescue dogs have "issues." If I am ever able to get another husky I want to get one from a rescue or shelter, even if the dog has issues...Nebo has issues too (and I raised him from a pup) and I think we could work through them. If I felt that I wanted to show the dog I would find a reputable breeder.

I don't see the point in critisizing others for where they got their dog, it's how the dog is treated that is important. If people want to think badly of me because I have a "BYB dog" then so be it, but I know that he is a spoiled and loved family member. People may get dogs from reputable breeders or shelters and not take good care of the dog, which is a far greater problem IMO than where the dog came from.

Disclaimer: I'm tired and in a ranting mood I don't even know what I typed....I will stop editing and adding crap now I swear.....

[wolfsoul]

I agree with Amy -- You can definatly find great puppies and dogs at shelters that don't have temperment issues. Health can be another matter -- at our SPCA, something is ALWAYS wrong with every dog in the health department, it seems. But that's only our SPCA. I know people who have adopted nice, healthy pups.

[bckrazy]

I totally agree with Amy. Any dog can develop a temperament problems and issues... some of the greatest dogs ever have come from rescue (look at Kay's dogs, and all the other rescues on PT!!). No, they're parents probably were not health or temperament tested, and they probably weren't registered dogs, but rescuing dogs is worth it - I would consider it waay before buying from any breeder.

Good breeders are awesome, but I tend to disagree with people buying a dog from a breeder when they do not have any particular needs that ONLY that purebred puppy can meet. I mean, if you are planning to compete in show and activities with your dog, or you want to get into therapy work or guide dogs, then breeders are great. But, I definitely understand what you're saying about the "safeness" of a purebred puppy.. rescues can result in tons of time/money spent on trainers and vet bills, but most of the time they are totally worth it. I guess it just depends T.T .. I also know plenty of good people that got their pups from excellent breeders, and they have spent literally years trying to correct their dogs issues, and some have dogs with severe health problems also.

If you've volunteered at all in rescue, you know that a huge majority (I would say 90%) of owner turn-ins are not the result of anything the dog has done. The dog is perfectly fine, its the irresponsible people who ignore and neglect their dogs that is the problem.


lol.. I'm being rambly too

[KYS]

Good breeders are awesome, but I tend to disagree with people buying a dog from a breeder when they do not have any particular needs >>>>>>>>>>>>

(not to point you out bckrazy, I respect your opinion)

Not every dog from a show breeder has the potential
to be a great champion. Reputable breeders rely
on good pet homes just as much as show homes
to place their dogs.
Even potential show dogs that do not meet up to
the breeder’s expectations will need a good pet home.
So with-out good pet homes the reputable breeders
would not be able to continue their breed program
to better the breed.

Each dog whether a rescue or not deserves to be loved
and a good home..
Good breeders and good pet owners are not the problem
on why most dogs are in shelters.

[aly]

Originally posted by wolf_Q
And there's plenty of dogs in rescues in shelters that are perfectly good dogs and have no problems at all. They may already be trained/housebroken too...many people give up dogs, and not just because the dog has a health or behavior issue. People give up dogs because they don't have time or they are moving and can't take the dog as well as a million other "reasons."

Admittedly I have never gotten a dog from a rescue, but I'm sure somebody that has worked with rescues has seen a lot more bad owners than bad dogs. What you just said just saddens me, it puts out a very bleak outlook for any rescue dog.

Thank you for saying all of that Amy. Because of my emotional involvement, I was having a hard time trying to come up with the right words to post, but you did a great job.

It really hurts me too to read such things that keep being said about rescue dogs. In fact, this is the second time in two days that I've been brought to tears because of the same comments on a couple threads. It hurts me so much because I know for a fact that it just simply isn't true. I have had more than enough experience in the rescue field to know that. I have over 20,000 hours of volunteer time at one shelter along with years of working as a volunteer and employee at other shelters and rescues.

There are some dogs with issues in shelters, just as there are dogs with issues at breeders. Not every dog from a shelter will have issues, just as not every dog from a breeder will be so wonderful and healthy. In my experience, mixed breeds are far more healthy than pure. If someone is so worried that their dog will be some awful behavioral case, then find a good shelter who you trust. Some shelters do more behavioral evaluations than others. A city shelter is required to take in every animal that comes to their doors, whereas a no-kill shelter is more selective with their intake process. Most of them will only take the most highly adoptable dogs so they can have a faster turnover and save even more dogs. A lot of no-kills don't want to have a behavioral issue on their hands because that means the dog will probably sit in that cage for months when they could have adopted out several dogs from that cage in the same amount of time. My shelter has an extensive temperament test, a strict plan of action from the high level volunteers to correct behavioral issues, and a follow-up routine. We do our very best to let people know EXACTLY what kind of dog they are adopting because we want people to be happy and love their dogs, and we don't want to see our precious dogs being returned because someone got what they weren't expecting. No, not every shelter is like that, but there are a lot. When adopting, sometimes it is important to find a shelter you can trust, just as when buying, it is important to find a breeder you can trust.

I don't think badly of any of you who bought your dogs from a breeder. It is not something that I will ever do, but it is not something I think you're a bad person for.

I personally have a lot of training experience so I like to take on the hard cases from the shelter that no one else wants. It tears my heart apart to think what would have happened to Lolly if I hadn't taken her. It literally almost makes me faint to imagine my life without either Reecie or Lolly in it. Not everyone is like me though, and that is fine. But you can still go to a shelter and walk out with a PERFECTLY normal dog. Just because the dog is in a shelter doesn't mean its a menace to society. Some people have the stupidest reasons for surrendering their animals. Lets see ... one lady dropped off her dog because his hair did not match her new couch and he kept shedding on it Another man dropped off his dog because his new girlfriend thought she was ugly Not to mention the insane amount of people who come in claiming they are moving tomorrow and just have to leave their animals behind. I always wonder what planet they are going to that doesn't allow animals Now are those dogs at fault? Are they bad? Nope. They were unlucky to belong to such irresponsible people.

My own shelter here has had everything from a purebred 8 week old Chinese Crested to a purebred Irish Wolfhound, and everything in between. If you are dedicated and have the heart, you will find exactly what you are looking for, and more, in shelters.

Shelter animals are not any less deserving than purebreds, just as orphaned human children are not any less deserving of love and a second chance at life.