Buying a puppy online???

[Swalphin]

So, adopting a shelter dog is pretty much THE SAME as getting a dog from a puppy mill, it's just one step removed, since most of these shelter dogs were bred by puppy mills. I don't get how that doesn't actually end up supporting the puppy mills.

Again, the problem with this is that you don't know the background of any shelter dog. You MIGHT get lucky, or not. It's a gamble. And it seems like 50 percent of the dogs have pit bull in them, which are prohibited by many local communities.

I agree that lots of the rescues/shelters I've come in contact with STUPIDLY deem us "unsuitable" because we don't have a fenced yard and we have a 9-year-old. So they are exacerbating their own problem.

If you get a puppy mill dog from a shelter you are saving a life. My friend has a puppy mill dog, Sadie, that was bred over and over never having a name. never having her paws touch the ground. Now she has a chance to be a dog. Buying suports the industry as long as there is a dollar to be made these mills will continue to exist. My friend always makes sure to tell people it is a rescue. A rescue, shelter, pound are non profit they struggle to save these lives. Trust me they are not in it for the money. If you do the math they are losing money, they do it for the love of the animals.
Both of my dogs are rescues, just mutts, they are the most loving animals & healthy you could ever hope to share your life with. They deserved a chance and I happily gave it to them, I had zero expectations I knew if I put in the time I would get it back 10 fold. Nothing wrong with a mutt they can be the most beautiful dogs. My Maggie is turning 11 this month not one health issue, my lil one is 4, no health issues either.
I hope you find a dog that is a right fit for your family it will add so much to your child's life.

 

[Swalphin]

And I agree with both of you. If you're willing to "roll the dice" why spend more? Save a furry little life and feel good about it .

Why breed or buy while shelter dogs die.

 

[robinb]

Why breed or buy while shelter dogs die.

Well ... I answered that earlier. My poodle (a page or two back) was purchased from a breeder because I wanted a properly bred dog dog with genetic testing. I can't get that from a shelter or rescue.

 

[Happiest mommy]

It is true some shelters will not allow you to adopt if you have small children and as you can see from my siggy I have 2 DD's I was able to find a shelter that approved us it just takes time, sure I could have ran to the nearest pet shop or looked online but I liked the fact that I was saving a furry friends life and she will be coming with her shots etc for close to nothing

 

[labdogs42]

Ideally, there would be one more tier below show breeders. Good breeders who breed for health and temperament but not necessarily for show quality. People who still breed responsibly, following up on their dogs to watch for unseen health issues, screening potential owners, etc. Target dogs instead of Tiffany dogs.

Thanks.

True. I think there are actually some breeders out there like this. IMO, a "responsible breeder" doesn't have to show their dogs, but they need to be doing the health checks, and screening the homes their dogs go to, also offering to take the dog back if the new owners can no longer care for it, etc. That's what responsible breeder means to me.

Also, not all breeders sell their puppies at exorbitant prices. Many puppy mills and pet stores sell puppies for more money than I have seen some reputable breeders charge.

 

[tammymacb]

http://www.bayoubay.com/

If I were ever to buy a puppy, it would probably be from these people...Take a look at the website and their sales and conditions and ask yourself what other online breeders require.

 

[CinRell]

She said:



And I agree with her. Many dogs are just one step removed from the puppy mills in shelters. I think that breed rescues are even closer since they actually BUY dogs from the mills themselves. How is purchasing an older dog or a litter at an auction NOT supporting puppy mills?

Responsible RESCUES do not pay puppy millers for their dogs. some mills will give their unwanted, non producing dogs to rescues instead of killing them to avoid bad press ..... so those who go and play a bidding war or line the pockets of puppy mills ARE supporting the mills. Period. But adopting a mill survivor from a rescue or shelter that does NOT pay millers is in NO WAY supporting a mill.

I want to share my pound puppy's picture too He's a boxer mix. I think he's more beautiful than any show dog there is

 

[princessmom29]

Why breed or buy while shelter dogs die.

honestly? Other than the fact that no shelter would adopt to us, the safety and happiness of my family is important to me, and I am not willing to risk that on a dog that may or may not have physical, emotional, and psychological problems. You just never know with a shelter dog. These are the same reasons I am not willing to purchase a puppy form just anyone and did extensive research before pruchasing.

 

[tammymacb]

No kidding. I've heard all about those killer pound puppies that take out whole families!

Oh wait, I forgot that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

 

[princessmom29]

No kidding. I've heard all about those killer pound puppies that take out whole families!

Oh wait, I forgot that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.

I had a childhood friend who literally had his face torn off by a "pound puppy" the family had adpoted. He had hundreds of stiches and several reconstructive procedures. I don't find it funny.

 

[tammymacb]

And I'm sure no dog ever bought from a breeder has done such a thing?

If you want to buy a puppy, fine. Buy one. But for Pete's sake, take a stand. Say," I don't care how many pound dogs die, I want a shnoodledingle". And say it with pride...Don't use your families "safety and happiness" as your excuse. There are millions of families in the US who are very happy and safe with their pets who were adopted at shelters.

 

[princessmom29]

And I'm sure no dog ever bought from a breeder has done such a thing?

If you want to buy a puppy, fine. Buy one. But for Pete's sake, take a stand. Say," I don't care how many pound dogs die, I want a shnoodledingle". And say it with pride...Don't use your families "safety and happiness" as your excuse. There are millions of families in the US who are very happy and safe with their pets who were adopted at shelters.

I am not making excuses. We wanted a Doxie, because it was the best fit for our familt. Itintally i was willing to take the risk and go the resuce route b/c it is small breed dogand not going to do the kind of damage the Shepard did to my friend. No resuce or shelter would adopt to a family with a 6 year old, so we purchased one. I would NEVER adopt a large breed dog from a shelter, becuase you just don't know the dog's history. Have many families been happy? Of course, but many have also returned dogs too tramautized to function in family and dogs with mental healt issues that result from poor breeding. The odds are much better that you are getting a happy well adjusted dog from a good breeder than from a shelter. Sorry, I know it is not what you want to hear, but it is true. My child's safety is more important to me than saving a dog. I am not willing to risk it.

 

[tammymacb]

You do get that many "mental health issues" in dogs are CAUSED by close breeding correct? There have been many breeds ruined because they became mainstream popular. ( IE cocker spaniels ) So, if you're looking for a dog that doesn't have mental/physical issues from poor breeding, you should really be looking for a mutt.

 

[CinRell]

Tammy is SO correct. We recently shut down a local pet store known to sell puppies from puppy mills. MANY of the people who purchased from this store ended up with dogs with SEVERE behavioral problems because of poor and in-breeding.

Many shelters and rescues temperment test and know the behavior of the dogs before they are adopted out.

 

[RachaelA]

And I'm sure no dog ever bought from a breeder has done such a thing?

If you want to buy a puppy, fine. Buy one. But for Pete's sake, take a stand. Say," I don't care how many pound dogs die, I want a shnoodledingle". And say it with pride...Don't use your families "safety and happiness" as your excuse. There are millions of families in the US who are very happy and safe with their pets who were adopted at shelters.

 

[luvmy3]

And I'm sure no dog ever bought from a breeder has done such a thing?

If you want to buy a puppy, fine. Buy one. But for Pete's sake, take a stand. Say," I don't care how many pound dogs die, I want a shnoodledingle". And say it with pride...Don't use your families "safety and happiness" as your excuse. There are millions of families in the US who are very happy and safe with their pets who were adopted at shelters.

Wow, thats a pretty high horse you are on. Interestingly enough, I'd be willing to listen to your arguments and your points except for the fact that I don't have any respect for people that go about arguing the way you have here. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that way, so good luck getting people to help you in your "cause", it sounds like you really may need it

 

[tammymacb]

Wow, thats a pretty high horse you are on. Interestingly enough, I'd be willing to listen to your arguments and your points except for the fact that I don't have any respect for people that go about arguing the way you have here. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that way, so good luck getting people to help you in your "cause", it sounds like you really may need it

Whatever. Either you care about animal welfare. Or you don't. Again take a stand one way or the other, but don't blame others if you don't.

 

[melancholywings]

I have had some very bad (violent) experiences with shelter dogs that were marked 'good with kids', animals that should never have been adopted out to a family.

I found our breeder online, exchanged multiple emails before meeting with her, she got to know our family and helped us pick out a dog from her litter that showed a personality that would be most suitable for us. She also required spaying and training. I was very impressed that she cared what happened to her puppies after adoption. He is the nicest and kindest dog - who occasionally gets into doggie mischief.

I wouldn't buy online sight unseen as I think it's important to meet the breeder in person, and see where and how the dogs are - as it's going to be a member of your family for a very long time.

 

[luvmy3]

Whatever. Either you care about animal welfare. Or you don't. Again take a stand one way or the other, but don't blame others if you don't.

This isn't about me, this is about you

 

[tammymacb]

This isn't about me, this is about you

Not quite. It's about me challenging excuses made of why you shouldn't adopt shelter dogs. If you'd like to make it more personal, you may want to find someone who cares more about what you think.