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

[Aimeedyan]

I had the paperwork to register Harley, but DH and i decided there was no point in sending in the $ for it, so we threw it out.

We did go through a breeder, and he is a purebred, because I have severe asthma and allergies and we needed a breed that would be good for me. Did our research, and found one that would be good. Since this was our first dog, we decided against doing a rescue that likely would have problems... now, if we add another, we will do a rescue purebred. =)

 

[Aimeedyan]

Oh- and I don't think my dog is worth anymore than a mutt on the street. A life is a life. They're all precious, and they all deserve loving homes.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Nothing is the easy answer...

But if you are looking for a certain look or temperment, a purebred is sometimes a better shot at getting what you want.

Neither of my two Jack Russell's are registered. They have papers but I could care less. I just adore this breed. There's just something about them.

 

[DawnCt1]

. They tend to be a little too sensitive to me but they are gorgeous, nice dogs.

Ie.

I am curious about your comment about "senstive". In what way. Thanks,

 

[2Poodles]

I have severe allergies and asthma also. I needed a non shedding dog. We wanted a large breed. We bought a Standard Poodle. They are non shedding and very intelligent.

I had mixed breeds when I was growing up. They were great.


Mary & the 2Poodles
(Sebastian & Winslow)

 

[stevenpensacola]

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.

I must admit, you make some good points here. Great post.

 

[megashark]

I've had two pure bred Irish Setters with papers, and two "mutts", and loved them all.

Both the purebreds were fully grown "free to good homes" dogs from owners who loved and trained them, but could no longer keep them.

I don't think there is anything inherently "better" about a pure bred if you're looking for a family dog, but if I was going to get a puppy, I would probably go for a pure breed only because I'd want to know something about what to expect when it's fully grown. An older dog you can usually tell about it's personalilty just spending time with it, but puppies are harder to gage.

 

[Kallison]

nothing -- unless you are planning to breed.

 

[Planogirl]

I am curious about your comment about "senstive". In what way. Thanks,

Sensitive in an emotional way. It seemed that every time they got fussed at even mildly, they'd be literally heartbroken for a while and made it obvious. That did make it easy to train them but it was always so sad to have a dog come to you with head down and a tragic look on its face even long after the incident. They'd even get worried if someone else was fussed at!

But they were good dogs most of the time and smart as can be. Good friends all.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[WWTBAMFAN]

Getting a dog that is registered with the AKC means that you are getting a dog that has been bred to conform to the standards of the breed. This means that you will have a higher certainity of getting whatever qualities attracted you to the breed. A good breeder works to improve the breed and unless you are judged to be a "show" home, the animal you get will be neutered or splayed as part of your purchase.

If you get a show quality dog, you need to show it and to see if it meets the breed standard in the dog show circuit. The dog show world is a fun thing to do if you are interested.

 

[Poohnatic]

I had a dog with 'papers'. He was AKC, runt of the litter. I got him because he had hip displacia. Smart as all get out, and the bestest friend to have when I lived on my own.

I've had a mutt, as well. I'm not too picky, however, odds are I'll have to go purebred next time and that will probably mean papers. Doesn't matter to me.

Suzanne