Aquiring a Dog

[CathyBogart]

Doesn't bother me, pure curiosity.

To avoid thread-stealing...

I really really liked this story. It strikes me as being a pretty accurate description of the likely results of those three choices. THanks for posting, I'm going to save this!

[timlewis]

To be honest i dont agree just because someone sells a dog for money or whatever doesnt mean that u will get a crappy dog. tests r good but doesnt mean anything all the tests in the world cant tell u how pups will turn out. and just because they come from a less fortunate (someone who doesnt have the money for all these tests) person doesnt mean u wont get a great dog. a lot of people cant afford stuff like this, i live in a real low income area. i myself have a great job i work in the coal mines making $22.10 an hour and work 60 to 70 hours a week but a lot of people dont. so dont throw off on them for not having it done when they cant afford it. AND IM NOT TRYING TO STEAL THIS OR ANY THREAD I HARDLY EVER POST ON ANYONES THREAD.

[animal_rescue]

I think if people can't afford to buy or adopt a dog, they shouldn't have a dog. How can they pay vet fees if they get sick or hurt?

[CathyBogart]

Tests don't mean anything? Testing the parents for genetic traits that cause the disease can't indicate if the puppies are likely to develop that disease? If a person can't afford to have the dogs tested to make sure they aren't going to pass on epilepsy or such, and can't afford top-quality breeding stick to begin with, what are they going to do the night when the mother dog suddenly needs a C-section? IMO, any breeding should be done by people with the knowledge and experience and the top-quality dogs to IMPROVE THE BREED. If they can't afford the appropriate screening for the dogs, they shouldn't be making more of them.

Oh, and I wasn't accusing YOU of thread-stealing, I was referring to my random comment that should have been PMed as it had nothing to do with the original topic. So don't "throw off" on me before clarifying what I meant.

[Danegirl2208]

Tests don't mean anything? Testing the parents for genetic traits that cause the disease can't indicate if the puppies are likely to develop that disease? If a person can't afford to have the dogs tested to make sure they aren't going to pass on epilepsy or such, and can't afford top-quality breeding stick to begin with, what are they going to do the night when the mother dog suddenly needs a C-section? IMO, any breeding should be done by people with the knowledge and experience and the top-quality dogs to IMPROVE THE BREED. If they can't afford the appropriate screening for the dogs, they shouldn't be making more of them.

I could not agree more Cathy..you took the words right out of my mouth.

[timlewis]

well sorry i do apologize about the tests but i still think that what u all call a backyard breeder is fine most of the time. and if i understand this right u think that just because someones mom and dad cant afford tests and all the stuff that vets do they shuldnt get their children a dog? thats cheating the kids, around here u can go and buy the shots for parvo and any other shot u can get at the vet. now if i went to a house and the dogs didnt have any food or water and were filthy then i wouldn't buy the dog. i agree with that but just because someone doesnt have tests run and feed them name brand dog food doesnt mean that dog is going to have a bunch of disease and die at a early age. i dont even know of a breeder ( as u all describe it) around here as i said i live in a very low income area. and maybe u all r right about the tests need to be done but i have never heard of anyone who has done anything like that before. of course i dont come from a rich family and i dont know any rich people personally. so sorry if im wrong.

[animal_rescue]

You don't need to be rich, but you should have money set aside for the dog and it's tests. It can get expensive. Besides caring about the tests will help with problems in the long run. We had 2 German Shepherds bought from a byb and both turned out extremely aggressive and untrustworthy.

If a family can't afford a dog once again how will they pay the vet bills? Just because a child wants a dog doesn't mean they should get it. A dog isn't a toy, it's a living breathing creature.

[wolf_Q]

To be honest i dont agree just because someone sells a dog for money or whatever doesnt mean that u will get a crappy dog. tests r good but doesnt mean anything all the tests in the world cant tell u how pups will turn out. and just because they come from a less fortunate (someone who doesnt have the money for all these tests) person doesnt mean u wont get a great dog. a lot of people cant afford stuff like this, i live in a real low income area. i myself have a great job i work in the coal mines making $22.10 an hour and work 60 to 70 hours a week but a lot of people dont. so dont throw off on them for not having it done when they cant afford it. AND IM NOT TRYING TO STEAL THIS OR ANY THREAD I HARDLY EVER POST ON ANYONES THREAD.

Yes the tests can tell you to a certain extent how the pups will turn out. If the parents of the puppies have a disease that can be inherited (like hip/elbow dysplasia, eye conditions, etc.) then it is very likely the pups will have that as well. A good breeder would CARE if they may be breeding dogs that would pass these problems on to their pups. They would want their puppies to be as healthy and the best examples of their breed as possible. They are not in it for the money. Getting a dog from a backyard breeder may not get you a "crappy dog" but its quite likely you will end up with a dog costing you money in vet bills. Not to mention there are THOUSANDS of perfectly adoptable dogs dying in shelters every DAY because there are just not enough homes for them. Can you justify adding to that just to make a few bucks? Your dog will be happier and healthier if spayed!

And as stated above, if a person can't afford testing then they can't afford a dog in the first place! A dog is not just a one time investment you have to pay for vet care, food, etc. for the lifetime of the dog! What if the dog has complications during pregnancy that require treatment?