Puppy Mill or Legit breeder?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Along with a dog you have no medical history on-this is based on getting a dog from a shelter that cost way more than a pure-bred dog would. We paid $1200 for a pure bred dog, that has nto had a single issue in 9 years, the rescue dog we had cost over $5,000 in vet bills the first 2 years.

I have heard the opposite. Because of inbreeding, the pure breads have more health issues

Different poster here. I thought that too, and got a shelter dog mut for that reason. I loved her dearly, but she had the severe Heath issues found in both her breeds. Shar pei and Shepard. .

[Anonymous]

My purdbred Lab is nutters and my mutt is the best dog ever. And no way near the vet bills that the lab has racked up.

[Anonymous]

There are legitimate reasons for choosing to purchase a dog from a good breeder. We have a very large (178 pounds) German Shepherd. We know his parents because they were on-sight. Because of that, we were reasonably comfortable about the dogs health and temperament. We've had shelter dogs before and they've been just awesome! But I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a large, powerful dog like a German Shepherd from the shelter. I have children in the house and I absolutely needed to know everything I could about the dog's parents and his puppyhood. I was not willing to risk having a German Shepherd in my home that I had not personally trained from a very young age.

We love Shepherds because when raised and trained correctly, they are fantastic family pets. They are very smart. And they provide security. My husband is away a lot. My German Shepherd is Schutzhund trained (personal protection) and is an AKC Canine Good Citizen. He is the sweetest, most balanced dog you'll ever meet....unless I use the term "watch him". And he is very protective of our family and of our home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Along with a dog you have no medical history on-this is based on getting a dog from a shelter that cost way more than a pure-bred dog would. We paid $1200 for a pure bred dog, that has nto had a single issue in 9 years, the rescue dog we had cost over $5,000 in vet bills the first 2 years.

I have heard the opposite. Because of inbreeding, the pure breads have more health issues

Depends on the breed and lines. At least you know potential problems. Imagine today who doesn't get their dog fixed? decades ago you might get the lovable mut from a collie/shepherd/lab/spaniel neighborhood romance. Today? in DC area you could get the pitbull mixed with a lab mix from a neighborhood romance. no thanks.

rescues can be fine especially for large breeds since many get the pups as status symbols or a dog for the kids and don't train or can't get through the puppy to young dog phase.