Aquiring a Dog

[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.

[sabies]

There is no place I would go but a shelter for a dog. I love my pound puppy (now in her senior years) and it pains me to think of all the dogs still without homes, all the cute mutts and purebreds you can look up on petfinder.

It would be great to live in a world where "my dog is cute" was enough of a reason to breed your dog but we have a severe overpopulation problem. So many die every day for no reason other than there isn't a spot for them in this world.