Puppy - from 'breeder' or regular home?

[adventure_woman]

I posted a while ago about advice getting a puppy (we are looking at getting a pug). Now I have another question. I'm researching getting a puppy and where from and it seems like there are 2 very distinct places to get one from.

1. Looking out of the newspaper for a home that has had their dog bred.
2. A professional show breeder that charges what seems to be at least twice what others charge.

(I am NOT looking in pet stores/etc.)

Can someone explain to me the difference? Are the professional breeders puppies less prone to medical problems? Or is just because of their lineage that they charge twice as much?

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

Most dog breeders are selling AKC registered puppies whose mom and dad are both registered dogs. It costs quite a bit to register the dogs so they charge more for them. That also guarantees you have a pure full blooded dog.

You can get a full blooded dog from a private home seller whose dogs just happened to have pups. They just are't guaranteed to be full blooded and they will cost less.

Registered dogs are not less prone to health problems than non-registered dogs.

My vet actually told me that any dog that is full blooded is more prone to health issues than a mixed breed dog. Not sure why that is.

I was going to get a tiny teacup Poodle from a breeder for $500 but my vet told me that breed has a LOT of health issues.

 

[furb & dez]

My vet actually told me that any dog that is full blooded is more prone to health issues than a mixed breed dog. Not sure why that is.

"Pure-bred" == inbred.
Inbred == health problems.

 

[JaymeC]

The dog from the show breeder is going to be less likely to have health issues. The family that breeds their dog is essentially a back yard breeder. They are not checking the genetic history, etc. of their dogs, just breeding two purebreds. The dog show breeder is usually much more invested in breeding healthy pups but occasionally has one that's just 'pet' quality instead of show quality (ie: the looks just aren't quite right to show) but it should still be in good health.

Having said all of this, I would ask you to please check the shelters and the like first. Our local shelter puts down about 20 dogs per week. And that's just one shelter. There are many awesome dogs out there looking for loving homes. We have two shelter dogs and they both do awesome with the kids and are just all around great dogs.

 

[sdchickie]

Something you want to check where ever you get yours from is if the parents have any medical issues. Any breeder should be able to tell you, but a "show dog" breeder will most likely have more information about the lineage of the dog and any related health issues. I know pugs in particular have issues with their eyes and respiratory systems because of their cute little pushed in faces. Good luck and enjoy your new little bundle of joy!

 

[ceecee]

Don't get me started on this....so many at home "breeders" are doing it for the $$$. PLEASE look at rescues or the shelter first. If you must have a dog with first rate papers to show not just a pet, then search for a reputable breeder. Both of my labs came from a lab rescue, one was 2 yrs old and the other was 10 months, both were fully house trained and did not chew a thing! The rescue people were also able to tell us how they got along with kids, cats and other dogs. Pups are adorable for a year and then they are dogs...but remember pups need constant attention and a lot of training!

 

[Keira1387]

The dog from the show breeder is going to be less likely to have health issues. The family that breeds their dog is essentially a back yard breeder. They are not checking the genetic history, etc. of their dogs, just breeding two purebreds. The dog show breeder is usually much more invested in breeding healthy pups but occasionally has one that's just 'pet' quality instead of show quality (ie: the looks just aren't quite right to show) but it should still be in good health.

Having said all of this, I would ask you to please check the shelters and the like first. Our local shelter puts down about 20 dogs per week. And that's just one shelter. There are many awesome dogs out there looking for loving homes. We have two shelter dogs and they both do awesome with the kids and are just all around great dogs.

This! ^^

 

[adventure_woman]

PLEASE look at rescues or the shelter first.

Yes, I am looking at shelters first. However, what I have found is that it is so hard to find a smaller dog at the shelter (vs. labs/etc). I don't really care if they have papers or not, we're just looking for a good family pet - but it has to be smaller in size and we like the pugs.

 

[mjkacmom]

Don't get me started on this....so many at home "breeders" are doing it for the $$$. PLEASE look at rescues or the shelter first. If you must have a dog with first rate papers to show not just a pet, then search for a reputable breeder. Both of my labs came from a lab rescue, one was 2 yrs old and the other was 10 months, both were fully house trained and did not chew a thing! The rescue people were also able to tell us how they got along with kids, cats and other dogs. Pups are adorable for a year and then they are dogs...but remember pups need constant attention and a lot of training!

Puppies are adorable for about an hour! We adopted our puppy when she was already 6 months old, housebroken and crate trained. I had a petstore dog before - you couldn't pay me to take on crying, peeing/pooping indoors, chewing, barking young pup. I didn't have my mind set on a breed, but on the general size. I just waiting until I found the perfect dog.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

The family that breeds their dog is essentially a back yard breeder. .

I'd like to speak to this....

We have a Beagle, she is AKC registered, Pure-Breed, with an AKC full lienage certificate 5 lines up Dam and Sire.

We decided to breed her for the first time, just this week.

We took months and months to find a suitable stud who had the same credentials that we were comfortable with. We put a lot of time and research into checking out info, references and verifiying the stud's lineage.

Our dog is a pet, she is def not a show dog, or a feild champion, yet we are not backyard breeders. We would never ever consider mating our pet with anything other than another AKC lineage proven mate.

We are not a breeding kennel, nor are we backyard breeders, we are a family that has a vested interest in keeping our pets breed pure.

More often than not, if a dog has puppies, it's planned. IMO saying backyard breeder is more like a stray cat having kitties, no telling where or what she mated with.

 

[Eeyore98]

Please allow me to suggest option 3:

http://www.michiganpugrescue.com/

Both home breeders and professional breeders are in it for the money and not the health of the dogs. Professional breeders especially are breeding with the aim of producing dogs whose physical appearance conforms to show standards, rather than for health or temperament or anything else that makes a good pet.

 

[distherapy]

Why not search for "pug rescue" near you? Here is a Michigan group. I'm sure there are others. Also, we used petfinder.org for our current dog (and the sweet one we had before). She is full bred, not that we cared about that or even wanted it due to health issue potential. She was staying with a foster family and we just fell in love with her.

http://www.michiganpugrescue.com/animals/browse?Status=Available

 

[Dax]

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE look into rescue…and if you want a pug…then Pug Rescue. This year I started volunteering with the local pug rescue organization here after they assisted me financially in saving my dog from an almost fatal bladder blockage. They have more dogs than fosters right now, from puppy to seniors…all great dogs, all needing loving homes….Do some research please…

 

[torinsmom]

Here's another pug rescue in your state as well...

http://www.midmichiganpugclub.com/

Found them through petfinder.com. Just put in your location and the breed you are looking for and you can see what they have.

Purebred pugs have a lot of health issues, so you might consider a pug mixed with another small breed. I saw a pug/chihuahua at petfinder that was just the cutest thing!

 

[robinb]

I posted a while ago about advice getting a puppy (we are looking at getting a pug). Now I have another question. I'm researching getting a puppy and where from and it seems like there are 2 very distinct places to get one from.

1. Looking out of the newspaper for a home that has had their dog bred.
2. A professional show breeder that charges what seems to be at least twice what others charge.

(I am NOT looking in pet stores/etc.)

Can someone explain to me the difference? Are the professional breeders puppies less prone to medical problems? Or is just because of their lineage that they charge twice as much?

The difference between legitimate breeders and backyard breeders is tremendous! A legitimate breeder wants to breed a better, healthier dog. They choose the father and mother carefully taking into account lineage, confirmation (how close the animals are to the breed standard), attributes they want to breed for (like coat length, color, height, etc), temperament and health of the animals. Genetic testing is the hallmark of a reputable breeder and that testing can be very expensive.

Backyard breeders breed two dogs together for the money or because they want their dog to have puppies for the kids or for the fun of it. Be aware that some backyard breeders look a LOT like reputable breeders with a splashy internet presence and fancy kennel names. If they don't do genetic testing on their breeding stock, they are not reputable IMO.

It's important that you do your research on what kinds of genetic defects are prevalent in pugs and what tests, if any, can detect those defects in adult dogs. I would much rather pay more, up front, for a puppy whose parents have been tested for various defects than more on the back-end for a poorly bred dog that will need extensive vet care in the future.

ETA: The best place to find a reputable breeder is the breed society of your state. Also, I would be hesitant to rescue a dog (as much as it feels good to do it) unless it was from a (broken record here) reputable breeder. You never know where the dogs in a rescue come from and I believe that it is even a bigger crap shoot than buying from a backyard breeder.

 

[tinkrebell]

Consider also that several "show breeders" could be puppy mills. They often front themselves as a serious business who are there to provide you with first-rate puppies, AKC registered - but then the puppies are often neglected, as are the parents, and show up with more health issues than not.

I actually went with a private, "family" breeder who ALSO shows dogs for this reason - I wanted a breed that I could only find one shelter for (and who had none available), and I was fortunate enough to find a woman who takes amazing care of her dogs. She does it as a full-time profession to supplement her family's income, yes, but she is going about it in a fully professional way - website was available, and I am one of about 25 pup adopters of hers who are connected in a large FB community to stay connected to her and each other to monitor the health of the pups. Staying in touch with the other adopters (and we regularly comment/post/message each other) has really helped us all feel much better as we deal with common health issues (like a cold from a puppy day care - no major health issues with her pups so far, for any of us!). We've been really lucky that to have that communication option.

Best advice I can give - make sure whoever you go with, you check out their reputation through multiple sources. I read reviews online, on FB, and called previous adopters before I was ready to commit. This sort of pre-adoption communication is essential before you adopt from a breeder, a family, OR a shelter. All of them have should references - so use them!

 

[Planogirl]

My parents loved Collies and had this issue when they wanted their first dog. My mother attended shows and got to know people involved in the industry. She finally found a lady who just happened to show her pets and also bred her dogs occasionally with like minded individuals. They had their first happy and healthy Collie as a result.

Be careful as others have said. There are wonderful breeders out there but also some pretty nasty people who are just trying to make a buck. I would suggest always insisting on seeing where the dogs live if nothing else.

 

[LSUDis]

I'm so torn on this issue.
We've gotten dogs from shelters and from breeders. We got our first "house" dog 5 years ago from a local breeder that we knew. Why? A house dog is a constant, underfoot companion so we carefully researched what we wanted/needed in a dog. Then, we matched those needs to a breed. Then, to get as close to what the breed standard is as possible, we went to a reputable breeder. Even then, it's a crapshoot--but at least it has loaded dice. If you use a breeder, ask to see the parents' family trees. Look for common ancestors, which is probably not a good thing. Many times, the parents of the litter are there. Spend time with both of those dogs and see what you might be getting. Get phone numbers of other customers and call them about their dogs.

Please try a rescue org. too. These are purebreds, too.

If you find a dog at a shelter (and I know that sometimes it is difficult (1) b/c they may not have the breed that you want or (2) if you are like me, once you're there, your heart takes over and you pick a couple of dogs whose big ole eyes melt your heart. Then, when you get home, they really don't fit your lifestyle (no yard or not home a lot, etc.).

So, there are good pts. and bad--like most choices. Whatever you choose, please be a responsible owner: worm him/her, get shots, spay/neuter, and spend time with your new friend.

 

[Arabelle]

Don't get me started on this....so many at home "breeders" are doing it for the $$$. PLEASE look at rescues or the shelter first. If you must have a dog with first rate papers to show not just a pet, then search for a reputable breeder. Both of my labs came from a lab rescue, one was 2 yrs old and the other was 10 months, both were fully house trained and did not chew a thing! The rescue people were also able to tell us how they got along with kids, cats and other dogs. Pups are adorable for a year and then they are dogs...but remember pups need constant attention and a lot of training!

I wouldn't get an older dog. You don't know how they've been treated or trained. I also wouldn't buy a show dog when I have no intention of showing. I would buy from someone who shows, and did. The pup wasn't perfect, but what parents with excellent temperaments, and health. she knew we had no intention of breeding and he is neutered.

I also never met anyone who made big money off of breeding their dog. In the end it tends to cost more than it is worth. Of course I don't hang out with the Amish or other puppy mill owners.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

We got our pure bred schnauzer from what I suppose you guys would call a back yard breeder. However, we asked our vet (who also has schnauzers) for her recommendation and that's who she recommended. She said she had never seen a dog come from this guy with genetic problems. I think the difference between the show breeder and the home breeder is not always "good" vs. "bad". The guy we dealt with took great care with his pups and his breeding choices; however, these are not show quality dogs. Not issues that would impact the health of the dog - just issues that would impact their ability to show. I have no interest in a show dog. Even though I could register him I have not because I don't really care - I just love this breed.

I also got a dog from a schnauzer rescue that I was ultimately unable to keep because of the issues he came with and my inability to work through them since I also had young children in the house. I wouldn't abandon that as an option, but I would be very, very careful to make sure you temperment test any dog you get from a rescue or a shelter if you plan to place the dog in a home with or around children.

I would ask the people that you trust (your vet, other pug owners, etc) for recommendations on who to deal with. I don't think it's fair to dismiss small, home breeders out of hand, because some of them are very reputable and do what they think is best for the preservation of the breed.

Take your time with this decision. A dog is a member of the family and small breed will live many, many years! (My last schnauzer was 16 when he died!)

Good luck!