Originally posted by Presley
Actually reading these posts have really turned me off this place..
I am annoyed at how people here look so down on someone for wanting to own a pure bred... Anyways take care all... Sorry i ever brought my beautiful girls pictures and stories and concerns here... I thought this place had open minded people...
Actually. Pet Talk, and the Pet of the Day family of websites, are for people who love all kinds of pets. We love animals, all animals. Some people just particularly love a specific breed, for whatever the reasons. And buying a purebred and being a responsible owner, getting it spayed or being responsible for the pups like Dixieland Damcer does probably does as much in saving the shelters from unwanted dogs as rescuing a dog does. That's one more responsible owners.

We all can only be responsible for ourselves, and those around us we can teach the joys of RESPONSIBLE pet ownership. Not everyone lives near a shelter. My parents don't, and would have to travel several towns over to find a shelter. And the shelters that are closest to them did not even exist when I was a kid. The web has at least made it easier to find out what needy pets are available for those who are looking for pets - but that is only applicable for people who have Internet access in the first place.

A friend of mine, as an example of someone who buys a purebred, loves poodles. She's had them, quite literally, her whole life. They are intelligent dogs, they don't shed, and she loves their personalities. She has never owned a pet that sheds, and so would not want to deal with that issue, but knows if she gets a poodle, she won't have to! She tried for months to find a "rescue poodle." The shelters near her that she called said they almost never get them anyway. She called the area "poodle rescue group." She volunteered to be a foster home. They never returned her calls. Still she persisted, though at one point, after potential dog after potential dog possibilites fell through, she and her husband actually went to a breeder to look at puppies. Eventually they got a "rescue poodle" but they were very patient. They are good dog owners, and know what to expect with a poodle.
That is why they would buy a purebred dog. Does that answer your question?

The same could be true of many people - just change the breed, and the desired characteristics.

Everyone is different. We, at Pet Talk, should respect that. This is Pet Talk, not Mutt Talk or Pug Talk - all pets and their owners are welcome here, and always should be.

Love and respect - remember that, everyone!