Originally posted by ramanth
Getting a dog from a breeder won't guarentee that it won't ever get sick.
No, but the lines should atleast be health checked and such. Plus good breeders usually have warantees on puppies.

I myself am going to buy from breeders when I'm older...Because of the health problems of German shepherd dogs, I really don't want to take a chance. I'd rather buy from a good breeder who has dogs with wonderful lines. I've seen way too many shepherds in my local rescue with hip and elbow dysplacia. I'm also very interested in conformation, and I would like to have my dog in puppy shows before I neuter him.

I would also really like a catahoula leopard dog. Here, they really aren't common. There was a backyard breeder in a city and hour away from me, but I wouldn't go to a BYB. Either way they aren't all that usual to see here. They are a fairly rare breed altogether. The closest breeder is in Ontario But I'm willing to go that far.

I'm making up my lack of rescued dogs with tons of rescue rats