[threedogswithblogs]

I can't believe how much I've read about people buying puppies. Why? Is it really that important to have a purebred? Half the time you don't even get a clean breed. How many little guys have to be euthanized every day before people stop buying puppies. I live in Kingman AZ and they just shut down a puppy mill by the name of K & S Puppy Ranch in Golden Valley. Both owners were charged with animal cruelty, no dog license (times the number of dogs) and a county ordinance for operating a kennel without a license, all misdemeanors. All good but until people stop buying dogs this will continue to go on. I argued with people that it was a bad place. Fought to get it shut down. All I heard was, "no, not this one. I know the people who run it and they're good people." Well, they weren't. They had puppies stuffed in little crates. Couldn't move to even clean themselves. Had to relieve themselves where they slept. How could any perosn with a heart support or do that? All people seen was the new puppies out front. No one bothered to go deeper and see the breeding hell until finally more and more puppies being baught were getting sick. It's one more down, but we have to put a stop buying and start adopting to end this dog hell.

[vonissk]

Some people like purebred puppies and I happen to be one of them. I don't know what you mean by clean puppies. I think it depends on where you get a puppy. I would never buy from a puppy mill, pet store or BYB.
Yes puppy mills are very sad and the people that support them also. I think more people need to be educated on te difference between a reputable breeder and a pupp mill.

[threedogswithblogs]

I don't think you're a bad person for wanting a purebread. I would love to have a Great Dane, always have but I would rather save a dog from it's last day. I still feel that for every puppy born, another one is euthanized. It's so out of control how many dogs are put down every hour of every day that if everyone adopted instead of bought for whatever reason we might put an end to the needless deaths. I know there are very honest breeders out there and if you are going to buy, then yes make sure it's from them. I just promote adobtion and rescue over all else. It's what's best for our furry friends! Thank you for your reply!

This is an interesting topic to me. As much as I also promote adopting dogs (which is my first choice), I totally understand why someone would instead choose a purebred puppy- if the pup is from what is considered a decent breeder (and that opens up an entirely new discussion lol). I would do so myself and actually had plans to purchase a GSD puppy next year before we decided to add Rosie into our family.
It is people's right to be able to choose what they desire in a dog and if that doesn't include a mixed breed, often from unknown lineage, then I don't blame them at all. But then again, I don't believe that there is a puppy killed for every one born. I believe there are puppies killed due to out-dated ways of thinking and with a little change, those puppies would be adopted instead (despite the number born to breeders' litters).

I also have concerns that many shelters mean well but are misguided when it comes to adopting out puppies. Did you know that I still can't technically adopt a puppy from a nearby shelter here? Because my youngest son is 5 years old and they refuse to adopt to a family with children under 6. Personally, I find that ludicrous. I know of a family right now who adopted a puppy and guess what? The puppy is living in their backyard and come winter, they said they'll put it in their garage. They gave up on housbreaking. Their youngest child is 12.
Why not instead offer some sort of educational class that is mandatory to attend prior to adoption? Or require attendance in a local puppy kindergarten class? There are so many other alternatives than outright denying someone and thus losing that chance to save another life. I don't mean to go on about that; it's only one example of what I feel is a faulty system.

I want to point out that when I mentioned breeders, I am not including puppy mills.

[Phillygirl]

I'm new to the forum and just wanted to weigh in on this one... coming from pennsylvania this is a HUGE issue here... not too long ago a guy went out and killed out all the dogs in his puppy mill because they were sick... instead of spending the money to treat them (and I believe it was treatable) he killed them because economically that was better for him. I was sick! I have never, and would never buy from a puppy mill but some people don't know the difference and I agree that education is key. If people knew what was going on they would chose not to buy puppies there, if no one is buying they go out of business. There are plenty of other places to buy puppies, purebred or not. I just adopted a BEAUTIFUL purebred yellow lab. She was bought from a breeder in KY and is from a championship line. Yes she was originally bred but not in a mill and I have been assured of that ... but even if she was, she was going to be put down and now she isn't. Originally I wanted a puppy puppy... but when I saw her I couldn't say "no, you are too old" but I know why some other people want to get younger puppies. Adoptions and rescues have a whole slew of problems including previous issues with children, men, house training, other pets, etc. For some people it is easier to train a puppy than to try to break old habits. There are arguments for both sides but it all comes down to education. If people had a support system to help them transition adopted dogs they might try it but many people are scared of not really knowing what they are adopting until it is too late.

[Tulip]

There's a difference between puppy mills and BYB's and registered breeders. Registered breeders know their breeds, have their dogs health screened, and pay careful attention to the family trees of their dogs' history. That's a wide majority, anyway, as there's a percentage of breeders who are willing to go too far to 'better the breed' for cosmetic reasons. I am one in many who bought a purebred dog so I would know what I was getting as far as health, genetics, breed characteristics, and maintenace. A lot of people like purebreds for the same reasons, not all of us just want a puppy that's 'clean', as you so delicately put it, because it's pretty or cute or will turn heads. I would love the oppertunity to adopt a rescue dog, adopt several in fact, but the fact of it is, especially in the recession, people can't afford it or don't have the space or time. It's a great discussion topic, and good for you for shutting down the puppy mill, but puppies will always be adopted over older dogs, it's a sad fact that great dogs that have lost their puppy fur aren't as appealing to the general public. I got a puppy because we got him from a breeder and I have a young brother and this dog would need to be good with kids. I wanted to grow up with him, train him, see he had the best start in life and show people that training is vital to a dog. Personally, I looked into rescue dogs, my mother wouldn't have it, she isn't open-minded about this sort of things. Anyway. Enough excuses on my part, I know this isn't a personal attack. I just had to say.
And I think the key really is EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION!

[DoggyMom]

I wasn't going to put my .02 in here, but as an adopter of a shelter dog, I have to.
As much as I wanted to adopt a purebred dog, I went to the shelter and adopted. In some ways, I wish I would have gone to a breeder, and been able to learn the background of the dog I was buying. All I knew about Lily when I adopted her was that she was 8 weeks old, the runt of the litter, and she was 1 of 8 pups born to a severely abused mother dog. None of that information prepared me for the costs of all the health issues Lily has had over the last 7 years. In the first year we had her, we spent over 8,000 dollars on her health issues alone! I agree with Tulip, it's all about education.

I love my dog, and wouldn't go back to change a thing. I do however, wish that there would have been more background history so I would have known a bit more (mainly healthwise) about the parent dogs, it would have helped in many vet visits.

[louise_674]

I think if people want a pure bred puppy then go for it BUT I do worry that you have to be properly vetted to get a rescue dog but not to buy a pure bred puppy! This is a crazy fact and probably why many owners who have not been vetted are also often uneducated and their dogs often become pregnant by other dogs and these are the poor dogs that end up in rescue shelters.

Both of my dogs are purebred, but in my spare time i volunteer walking dogs at a rescue shelter and am due to foster and train a few this yr. I would have no problem with getting a rescue dog but tbh i am more likely to buy a purebred puppy or adopt an older dog rather than a rescue puppy. This is because i like to know about the parents and with an older rescue dog you can get a better handle on their temprement. I am not saying getting a rescue puppy isn't the way to go - i actually think it is a fabulous opportunity to watch something grow and discover traits from breeds you knew little about and one day - who knows, i might. I also think cross breed often turn out to be so well rounded without some of the in bred hang up's of pure breeds!

I do not believe puppies should not be bred but you should have to have a breeding licence and a dog licence to own one. I really think the issue is not getting rid of breeders but keeping a check on them and the people they sell too. oh and BAN pet shops from selling animals, they are for food and toys! In the UK you would be hard pressed to find a shop selling a puppy or kitten but Wales is full of puppy mills with people taking a day out and coming back with a puppy as a keepsake, its very sad.

Well done for shutting down the mill! Very impressed. Good to see people doing great things for dogs out there. I am not sure if i can mention this here (let me know mod's) but have you seen the website giving away a free puppy for every website sold?? Now that is an issue! :O Someone posted it in another thread.

[Petlover]

I am new here and it does sadden me that pets are actually sold. Now having said this we have three lab mixes. One from ther local shelter and 2 from a local SPCA. Our first one was guessed to be between one and two years old when we got her and we have had her for about 5 years so that makes her about 7 years old now. She is mama's dog and can get herself in a fix chewing my shoes. although she branched out and chewed many other peoples shoes now - lol. One we adopted from the SPCA and she was 5 years old and at the SPCA for 5 months, it makes me sad that so many people passed her up because she is such a lover. We have had her for about 4 or maybe 5 years now. Our last but not least and the gentleman of our group was adopted from the SPCA when he was 8 years old and we have had him for 2 years. He is a playful thing and aims to please. He things he is a lap dog and climbs up to sit in your lap to watch tv with you.

I guess it is a preference and people have a right to choose. We knew nothing about our furry familiy members but what we were told. We were so fortunate that they have us so well trained that there is rarely an accident and that they want for nothing.

[StdPoodleLuvr]

congrats for helping shut down the puppy mill! Ofcourse I can't agree with not owning a purebred dog almost all of mine are purebreds (the old rescue beagle is some sort of mixture) I personally prefer purebreds thats just what I like, there is nothing wrong with mixed breeds and they deserve loving homes too. Yes there is a definate difference between a puppy mill, a backyard breeder and a responsible breeder, the first two are after one thing-MONEY-they have no regard for health issues, personality or what homes their offspring go to, they don't care what designer breed or purebred they produce as long as it SELLS and makes them MONEY. The responsible breeder tests for every genetic disease that effects their breed of choice, breedings are chosen carefully so that potential matches compliment their breed standard, homes for their puppies are selected carefully with interviews (it is actually very hard to buy a purebred puppy from them) a responsible breeder will ALWAYS take back a puppy or dog they have sold if the home does not work out for any reason and all puppies not destined for the show ring are sold on a spay/neuter contract. Purebred or mixed breed is a personal choice but please know there is a difference between a puppy mill, BYB and responsible breeder,(as was said) your Pet shops should not be allowed to sell puppies as this is where 95% of all pet shop pups are coming from-puppy mills.