What realistically makes a dog with "papers" worth more than a mutt?

[stevenpensacola]

Other than to stroke the owners' ego...



What do you really get for your money?

Be nice, I'm a cat and dog lover and a dog owner...

 

[babar]

NOTHING!!!!

I have to adorable mutts, and they are just as smart as other dogs, and much cuter!!

Also, mutts are usually healthier..

 

[Chicago526]

Depends on what you define "worth" as.

If it's how much joy the dog brings into your life, not a bit!

If it's the time and care a breader puts in to keeping up a breed's standards, then quite a bit!

Breeds aren't a bad thing, when responsible breeders are going about it the right way, especially for working breeds that have specialized jobs (bomb snifing, flock herding, seeing eye or assitance dogs, etc.). But if you just want a pet, mutts are just as good as a pure bred dog.

 

[cynsaun]

Well, we have two animals with papers. I always swore I wouldn't "buy" an animal, but then I saw them. I'm such a sucker.

We did get George (see avatar) because our older dog is really elderly, and we don't think he will last much longer. We wanted to get another dog to easy the pain a bit for the girls, but didn't want another big dog. I did a lot of research to find the best small dog for children, that's how I came to know that breed.

 

[dianeschlicht]

In reality, nothing if the breeder isn't striving to improve the breed. If they are, then the dog with papers should be one who has fewer faults of both conformation and temperment and health. By knowing your gene pool and managing it, a good breeder will be able to greatly reduce the bad traits in all those areas. Of course, there are just as many puppy mill breeders who sell dogs with "papers" as good breeders, so knowing your breeder is better than worrying about "papers".

 

[DawnCt1]

You hopefully get what the "papers" say you got. I wanted a Standard Poodle. I didn't want a dog that would shed. I wanted an intelligent dog and that would make a great pet and I wasn't interested in showing the dog. I wanted a dog from a line of good temperment. I have that. Both of her parents are Gr. Champions, bred for patience and the nonsense of being "shown". I also have the medical tests and records from both sides; skin, eyes, hips, blood dyscrasias were all checked for in the parents prior to breeding. The breeder was also responsible in terms of socializing the pups early, immunizations, etc. I have a great dog but I will never breed her. Besides the fact that I bought her with a spay contract, breeding a quality dog is a labor of love if its done correctly. Making money with responsible breeders is quite secondary.

 

[Crankyshank]

The papers itself are nothing other than it's a purebred dog recognized by an organization (AKC, etc..). However, dogs from pet stores have AKC registration and they're from puppy mills.

One of my beagles is not AKC registered because the breeder didn't want her to be bred or shown . She is registered by the NBR though - national beagle registry. However I had certification that she was screened for genetic disorders, had her shots, and was ok'd by a vet, which is what you will get from a reputable breeder

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just to add, that as a breeder, I offer contracts and require puppies being purchased as pet/companion animals be spayed or neutered. that does not mean they will not have papers, but their registration will be a non-breeding registration. Most reputable breeders will do that.

 

[DMickey28]

I have a purebred dog that came with "papers" to register him with. I haven't done it yet, doesn't matter to me. I picked him because of the breed and at the time we needed to know more of "what you get" and sometimes with a mutt that is more difficult. We have always had mixed breed dogs growing up... this is our first purebred and I love him to death. My parents got a purebred Beagle last year and I think they would have prefered a pound puppy.

 

[mrsv98]

For us it meant knowing what we were getting. We went to a breeder whose dogs I knew and who had a great reputation. She breeds for temperment more than confirmation so while the dogs do meet the standards, she is much more interested in having happy, even tempered animals. Every Lab I have known from this breeder has just been a teriffic dog and we will definately go to her again.

OTOH, there is a lot to be said for mutts, I grew up with shelter dogs and they were great, too. In this instance, we were looking for something very specific and that is what we got!

 

[bekkiz]

Having worked and had shelter dogs, some can be great, some are total nightmares. You just don't know what their early life was, and a poorly kept puppy may turn into a bad adult. If a dog isn't trained by his mom in the first 8 weeks, he won't be stable. With Indy, I met both his parents, visited him throughout his first 8 weeks, and knew exactly what I was getting. His temperment is awesome, and I think (IMHO) he's the cutest pup in the world (and he doesn't shed).

I couldn't risk a dog like my mom's, who is really cute, but had a a horrible first few months of his life on the street, and now can't get within 50 feet of another dog without freaking out. I wanted a pup that I could take anywhere, and trust his behavior.

 

[Shugardrawers]

Yes, being purebred helps you predict the temprement of your dog. Other than that, if you aren't interested in showing your dog it's nothing but a status thing. Although my Petey is CKC registered, it doesn't matter one whit to me. I just fell in love with him and had to have him no matter the cost. For the average family, mixed breed pound puppies are just fine.

 

[Sandy V.]

I love all animals, so my dog's "papers" don't inherently make her a better dog than a pound puppy.

But, by going through a reputable breeder, my family got the kind of dog that we needed for our lifestyle.

With 2 adults and 2 teenagers, we needed a dog that could be outdoors during all but the harshest weather while we were at work and school. Our Norwegian Elkhound fits the bill perfectly. She is a wonderfully affectionate and intelligent family dog. She's my third kid, and by far the best behaved!! I'm sure she's convinced that she's just a short, hairy human.

 

[Planogirl]

Some people seem to appreciate certain breeds for their look and temperament. My parents had several Collies because they just adored their intelligence and nature. They tend to be a little too sensitive to me but they are gorgeous, nice dogs.

I would probably just get a mutt though because a friendly mutt is good enough for me.

 

[bellacam]

The $1,000 stud fee I get everytime I let Harley breed!

 

[janette]

When you need a dog with certain characteristics that ensures that is what you are getting. The only dog I've ever bought from a breeder is our Bichon and we wanted a dog that didn't shed and the personality associated with the breed. He doesn't have papers though, she hadn't registered him and it wasn't important to me. Save some $$. We also have a Bichon that I adopted from the pound. Because it is such a distinctive breed it's not hard to tell they are purebred. I watched for a very long time before I found the Bichon we adopted, very few end up abandoned at shelters.

 

[totalia]

Other than to stroke the owners' ego...



What do you really get for your money?

Be nice, I'm a cat and dog lover and a dog owner...

lol. Good way of putting that.

Truth is... nothing. Something only has the value someone puts in it and if a person sees something as a status symbol, they are more likely to put more money in it.

I have a mutt kitty. I love her dearly and never have problems with her. She's my baby girl. I'd rather have paid the $125 (includes shots and spaying) for her than pay hundreds or possibly thousands just for a pet whent here is very little difference other than status.

 

[gina2000]

Actually, we've always adopted cats from shelters. Our first cat had massive health problems. The second cat had massive emotional problems. We went to a breeder (and not a "puppy mill"....we did that also when we didn't know what we were doing many years ago) and bought an animal with beautiful temperment who is healthy. We feel we actually saved money because our first cat cost us hundreds every year to keep him healthy.

 

[goofy4tink]

Our breeder also has the non-reproductive claus in our contract also!!! It's for the betterment of the breed. I know exactly what I'm getting this way. And yes, I've had 'mutts' and loved them to pieces. I'll share a story about my brother in law. He has 3 dogs...a Soft-Coated Wheaten that he rescued. Topper is, we think, about 7 y/o. This dog is basically a psycho dog. He adores my b-i-l but he still goes after other dogs, is untrainable, is on a ton of meds, and has special foods for allergy concerns. Jack also has 2 Wire Haired Fox Terriers, one about 12 and the other about 10. The older one has a myriad of health issues. He was a rescue. The younger one, a female, they bought from a breeder. Molly is a terrific dog. No health issues, no behavior issues. Yes, she certainly does have a terrier mentality but all in all, she's a healthy well-adjusted pet. Max, the older Terrier, has behavior issues out the whazoo. Health issues from the get-go. So, now Jack says...."Obviously, you get what you pay for!!!"

So, while, yes, I think you can get a terrific dog from a rescue org., I really like to know what I'm getting into. And it's not about snob appeal at all. But I do wonder about all those people who pay hundreds of dollars for those purebreed cats...

 

[debloco]

The $1,000 stud fee I get everytime I let Harley breed!

Oh, he is just gorgeous! I so wish I could have a dog! Can't due to DH allergies and asthma.

CLC Tiger Pom Mom