We're Buying from a Breeder

[Vela]

You know what, you are as entitled as anyone else to choose where you get your dog from. I think it is unfair to pass judgement on someone just because they choose to get a dog from a breeder rather than a shelter. (I didn't say anyone has at this point but often people do). I bought Cracker from a breeder and I don't regret it for one minute. Yes for those who get dogs from shelters, this is wonderful, but not everyone wants to do the same thing and it's not wrong to buy a puppy from a responsible ehthical breeder. It gets tiresome for people to assume everyone should do something a certain way because they do it that way. I have had wonderful shelter dogs, I also have a wonderful purebred dog I bought from a breeder. There is nothing wrong with your decision to do so and don't feel bad about it. Everyone is entitled to do what works for THEM at each particular point in time. If you want a certain type or breed of dog and you want to purchase that dog from a reputable breeder then you go for it. It's your dog, your decision. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for it. Rescue is wonderful, adopting dogs from shelters is wonderful, but so is buying a well bred dog if that's the kind of dog you want.

The best thing you can probably do is research what kind of testing is "required" of breeding stock for the breed you are looking at. Is the breed prone to hip dysplasia, etc etc. And then find out if the breeder has hips, eyes, and other testing done on their breeding stock. That will help you decide if they are responsible about helping bring healthy dogs into the world. Most puppies are fine to leave at 8 weeks, but before that really is not in their best interest. See if they have health histories of past puppies and maybe even see about talking to some people who have bought puppies from them before. Also check on the treatment of the parents, etc. Their living conditions, how many times they breed the bitch in a lifetime, etc. Good luck with your search for the right puppy, and don't feel bad about it.

Yes the problem of too many pets in shelters is awful, but the OP didn't cause the problem and her buying a puppy from a breeder won't stop the problem. I for one appreciate responsible ethical breeders of purebred dogs who try to maintain a breed and health standard. Not all breeders do that but I appreciate those who do. Let's not try to make her feel bad and just wish her luck with her puppy finding. If there weren't good responsible breeders breeding dogs true to breed, pretty soon there wouldn't be any purebreds, only BYB dogs and accident dogs and while those can be wonderful dogs, some people like certain breeds, there is nothing wrong with that. The problem is in irresponsible owners who won't spay and neuter their pets, so don't make the OP feel bad for wanting a certain breed or type of dog and for doing research and trying to obtain one from a reputable breeder.

Edited to add that Sarah's post was very well written and informative. Good advice there on what to look for.

[Roxyluvsme13]

You know what, you are as entitled as anyone else to choose where you get your dog from. I think it is unfair to pass judgement on someone just because they choose to get a dog from a breeder rather than a shelter. (I didn't say anyone has at this point but often people do). I bought Cracker from a breeder and I don't regret it for one minute. Yes for those who get dogs from shelters, this is wonderful, but not everyone wants to do the same thing and it's not wrong to buy a puppy from a responsible ehthical breeder. It gets tiresome for people to assume everyone should do something a certain way because they do it that way. I have had wonderful shelter dogs, I also have a wonderful purebred dog I bought from a breeder. There is nothing wrong with your decision to do so and don't feel bad about it. Everyone is entitled to do what works for THEM at each particular point in time. If you want a certain type or breed of dog and you want to purchase that dog from a reputable breeder then you go for it. It's your dog, your decision. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for it. Rescue is wonderful, adopting dogs from shelters is wonderful, but so is buying a well bred dog if that's the kind of dog you want.

The best thing you can probably do is research what kind of testing is "required" of breeding stock for the breed you are looking at. Is the breed prone to hip dysplasia, etc etc. And then find out if the breeder has hips, eyes, and other testing done on their breeding stock. That will help you decide if they are responsible about helping bring healthy dogs into the world. Most puppies are fine to leave at 8 weeks, but before that really is not in their best interest. See if they have health histories of past puppies and maybe even see about talking to some people who have bought puppies from them before. Also check on the treatment of the parents, etc. Their living conditions, how many times they breed the bitch in a lifetime, etc. Good luck with your search for the right puppy, and don't feel bad about it.

Yes the problem of too many pets in shelters is awful, but the OP didn't cause the problem and her buying a puppy from a breeder won't stop the problem. I for one appreciate responsible ethical breeders of purebred dogs who try to maintain a breed and health standard. Not all breeders do that but I appreciate those who do. Let's not try to make her feel bad and just wish her luck with her puppy finding. If there weren't good responsible breeders breeding dogs true to breed, pretty soon there wouldn't be any purebreds, only BYB dogs and accident dogs and while those can be wonderful dogs, some people like certain breeds, there is nothing wrong with that. The problem is in irresponsible owners who won't spay and neuter their pets, so don't make the OP feel bad for wanting a certain breed or type of dog and for doing research and trying to obtain one from a reputable breeder.

Edited to add that Sarah's post was very well written and informative. Good advice there on what to look for.

Well Said

[.sarah]

Edited to add that Sarah's post was very well written and informative. Good advice there on what to look for.

Thank you!!

[BC_MoM]

Just my opinion:

Labs are VERY FRIENDLY and very good with children..

But small children? 2 years old? Good luck. That Lab with that strong body will be knocking her down quite a bit.

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

Just my opinion:

Labs are VERY FRIENDLY and very good with children..

But small children? 2 years old? Good luck. That Lab with that strong body will be knocking her down quite a bit.

I will make sure my dog and my daughter know how to play with each other. Sierra is great with dogs and understands that some are bigger than her. The only time I have seen a dog knock a child down is if they arent trained or exercised enough.

[K9soul]

With a child that young (and living in an apartment), I'd still personally highly recommend/advise getting an adult dog who has been around young children and has developed his/her personality, and is over those hyper/nippy puppy stages. Best wishes with whatever you decide to do. Looks like you have received some good advice on finding a reputable breeder.

[Corinna]

I don"t have advice but to say please check on other dogs the breeder has sold . Ask for a referal list from them and call the folks and talk to them. I did that when I looked for Merlin While it helps it doen't nessacarly cover every thing Merlin was the first of the pups my breeder has raised that got cancer. 6 litters and he was the first. He was 7yrs old most of his litter are still alive and going strong only one other dead hit by a car .breeder really misjudged that owner when they came to purchase the dog.
Another good source is your local feed store ask them about folks who buy from them . Thats how I found my breeder she did more than I had on my list of what they do to raise pups.

[Cataholic]

First- I say to the Kay's of the world- Don't EVER give up fighting the good fight. Rescue. Rescue. Rescue. I applaud you sticking your neck out, and for every dog that I know gets euthanized, surely your attitude help keeps another one alive. One day, the world will change, at least I pray that it does.

The difference between the term BYB and "reputable breeder" is nearly non-existant, IMO.

As for a two year old, an apartment, and a cat- looking to add a puppy? WOW. With an 17 month old (well, I am rushing it by ten days), 6 cats and a small house- I am at my limit- time wise, space wise, energy wise. Sure, you might be 100% the person I am, I accept that, but, I don't think so. A puppy? With a 2 year old? In an apartment? Something is going to give. Not immediately, perhaps, but, in short time. I pray that your breeder born pup doesn't become one of the voiceless ones Kay works so hard to avoid.

Sure, you didn't ask my opinion. I don't care. I don't speak for you. I speak on behalf of the animals that are being killed daily. Intentional breeding is irresponsible breeding. Until the day we stop killing the innocent animals- that is my position. If you don't like it? That is okay. That means I still have my work cut out for me.

Johanna

[anna_66]

The only time I have seen a dog knock a child down is if they aren't trained or exercised enough.

Sorry but I had to chuckle at this comment Have you ever seen my boy Bon (Mastiff)? He's around 140 (give or take) and my little 2 yr old niece is maybe all of 20 lbs. He just licks her and knocks her down
At my bday party she had hold of his collar and he just turned to look at someone else and *boom* down to the floor she went!http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...2/f0a79a7b.jpg
Not trying to be offensive to you at all...just gave me a chuckle

Now as to you getting a shelter dog, I think that's awesome if you can find the right one for your family. But I also understand you getting from a breeder, that's where we got Bon. We didn't want to wait to find the "right one" at a shelter...we wanted a dog NOW. We had just lost our big guy Angus and needed to fill that void. I drove over 3 hours each way to pick him up (sorry...just a little plug on my special guy...Bon)

So, I say do what you want. It's your life, your family, your money. As long as you take good care of it I feel it's your decision.
If you find the right shelter dog I say *YAHOO!* but if you get a dog, no matter what kind I'm still going to be just as happy for you
Ohhh and as for the eating and shedding...our big guy eats around 4 cups of food/day and others he'll only eat 2 (we free feed) so it's not that much more food But the shedding...he's short haired and my girls both have long hair, he sheds just as much as they do

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

Thanks Anna. I was just meaning that I have *personally* never seen this. Even if a dog did knock her down, she would just laugh about it and get back up!

[MariaM]

I've skimmed through this whole thread and am...........APPALLED!


At how much this boy looks like Major, that is!

http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/...?petid=5668695










Haha, sorry to sidetrack thread. I'm not sure if they really look identical in the pictures I posted, but Whiskey looks EXACTLY the same except for his slightly longer neck. If I would have seen that top picture and didn't know it wasn't Major, I would have said "Where and when was that taken??"

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I'm appalled by some of the comments in this thread.

I think .sarah, Vela, and Karen all provided great information and advise.
I can't remember if anyone said this already- You will probably have to wait for a puppy after you find a breeder. Reputable breeders generally have homes lined up for their puppies before the litter is even born.

Good luck!
Keep us posted.

[CountryWolf07]

You know what, you are as entitled as anyone else to choose where you get your dog from. I think it is unfair to pass judgement on someone just because they choose to get a dog from a breeder rather than a shelter. (I didn't say anyone has at this point but often people do). I bought Cracker from a breeder and I don't regret it for one minute. Yes for those who get dogs from shelters, this is wonderful, but not everyone wants to do the same thing and it's not wrong to buy a puppy from a responsible ehthical breeder. It gets tiresome for people to assume everyone should do something a certain way because they do it that way. I have had wonderful shelter dogs, I also have a wonderful purebred dog I bought from a breeder. There is nothing wrong with your decision to do so and don't feel bad about it. Everyone is entitled to do what works for THEM at each particular point in time. If you want a certain type or breed of dog and you want to purchase that dog from a reputable breeder then you go for it. It's your dog, your decision. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for it. Rescue is wonderful, adopting dogs from shelters is wonderful, but so is buying a well bred dog if that's the kind of dog you want.

The best thing you can probably do is research what kind of testing is "required" of breeding stock for the breed you are looking at. Is the breed prone to hip dysplasia, etc etc. And then find out if the breeder has hips, eyes, and other testing done on their breeding stock. That will help you decide if they are responsible about helping bring healthy dogs into the world. Most puppies are fine to leave at 8 weeks, but before that really is not in their best interest. See if they have health histories of past puppies and maybe even see about talking to some people who have bought puppies from them before. Also check on the treatment of the parents, etc. Their living conditions, how many times they breed the bitch in a lifetime, etc. Good luck with your search for the right puppy, and don't feel bad about it.

Yes the problem of too many pets in shelters is awful, but the OP didn't cause the problem and her buying a puppy from a breeder won't stop the problem. I for one appreciate responsible ethical breeders of purebred dogs who try to maintain a breed and health standard. Not all breeders do that but I appreciate those who do. Let's not try to make her feel bad and just wish her luck with her puppy finding. If there weren't good responsible breeders breeding dogs true to breed, pretty soon there wouldn't be any purebreds, only BYB dogs and accident dogs and while those can be wonderful dogs, some people like certain breeds, there is nothing wrong with that. The problem is in irresponsible owners who won't spay and neuter their pets, so don't make the OP feel bad for wanting a certain breed or type of dog and for doing research and trying to obtain one from a reputable breeder.

Edited to add that Sarah's post was very well written and informative. Good advice there on what to look for.

Very well said, and I agree. Good luck on your search! You'll find that perfect Lab.

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

Thanks everyone.