Because I'd rather support ethical breeders than the puppy mill and auction world. Many rescues prop those up and keep those markets going (except for pit bulls and Chihuahua mixes) by providing a steady market for them.

OP why do you support puppy mills and puppy auctions? How do you sleep at night?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1 word:

Pitbulls.

It is hard to trust shelters who try to pass off obvious pitbulls or pitbull mixes as "mixes", "labs", "lab mixes" "terrier mix"

Avoiding a pitbull in the bloodline makes a breeder super appealing.

I used to be pro mutt back in the day, but with the number of rescued pitbulls appearing in my child filled, suburban neighborhood has made me very anti rescue.

I suspect your antipathy towards mutts increased along with your income.

No.

It increases every time a child is mauled or killed by a gentle family pitbull nanny dog.

This does happen, despite a skeptical PP.

In the last neighborhood I lived in, a family's pit bull got loose, bit several people and ran around loose. It couldn't be caught. Police helicopters were called in to help track it and the dog was gunned down on the sidewalk. Literally. Three doors from my house.

This was at like 7 am so the helicopters and megaphones warning me to stay in my house woke me up (I had no kids at the time, now that would be not so early). I was terrified, especially because I was home alone at the time. I thought there was a serial killer on the loose.

The people bitten were not seriously injured but I would never consider such a dog, not just because of such an experience, but yes, attacks happen. And this event didn't make the news, so I'm guessing for every mauling that did there are tens or hundreds more cases like this one or perhaps even worse.

The sweet family pet pitbull that killed that 1 year old baby this past week in North Carolina was beaten, stabbed and shot and would not stop maiming that precious baby.

It let go after it was shot a 2nd time.

We should also stop having children of our own as long as there are kids who need adoption!

Anonymous wrote:And p.s. Reputable breeders do amazing things for their breeds. Breeds have individual heritages that are pretty cool and interesting. It is true that most people don’t educate themselves and buy from backyard breeders who can SEEM reputable. But true hobby breeders, who show and are involved with their breed are invaluable resources.

And I hate when people mention breed specific rescues. The golden retriever rescues in my area have almost zero dogs available, and refuse to adopt out to families with small kids. This is quite common.

A way to get around this is to sign up to foster and get first dibs. It’s true that Golden’s are in demand. There may be some rescues that won’t work with kids in families, but I have 7 kids and we’ve never had a problem getting rescues. Grreat golden retriever rescue allows kids.
If you want a dog from a rescue, it may take a little more work and a longer wait, but it’s doable. People are impatient, want to pick out the dog and take it home that day, and get all worked up because a rescue may require a home visit or whatever rules they have, and go to a breeder.

Anonymous wrote:I rescued my dog, and my husband rescued his. We had to rehome his dog after years of struggling and working with a trainer because the dog developed a terrible phobia and tore apart the house/hurt himself every day...when the mailman drove by. He now lives out in a very rural area with our friends, after years of heartache. My dog is medicated for anxiety and can’t be trusted with anyone but me. I have two small children. I love my dog and am devoted to him. He changed my life for the better. When we are ready for another dog, I will be getting a dog that is more family friendly. And it might come from a breeder. And I do not feel badly. Rescues are great but dogs that have not been socialized are unpredictable, period. My dog was relatively normal when I adopted him, but he is barely functioning 10 years later. It is what it is. People have different needs at different times in their lives and should not be shamed for it. Once my children are grown, I will go back to rescues.

So get a puppy from a rescue and socialize him yourself! Getting a puppy from a breeder is no guarantee it’s good with kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you OP.

The answer is, there is no justification. Buying from a breeder kills a dog in a shelter, period.

So do you think breeds should be eliminated? Mutts should be the only dogs available?

Crazy PP believes that all of society should happily be at the mercy of puppy mills and irresponsible dog owners who don’t spay/neuter.

Anonymous wrote:I had a rescue dog before children. I'm at the VERY beginning of a search for a family dog (three little kids and an older kid). I've surprised by thinking more about pure bread dogs because we have allergy issues, young kids and (even apart from the allergy issues), live in an apartment so small and not as barking is better, and the hair from my rescue dog was such a deterrent to ever having a dog again period I'd want minimal shedding.

I may be looking for a unicorn.

That said, the cons/advantages of a rescue dog (helping to save a dog; cost) are obvious, and it SEEMS like a pure breed dog advantages are also obvious (more predictability; con=cost; con= opportunity cost).

Is that about right? I'm very willing to be educated!

It is hilarious to me that you think a rescue will give you a dog with young kids. And you live in an apt. We tried to go through rescue groups but they wouldn't let us have a dog because I have a 7 year old and we both work away from him for 6 1/2 hours a day. I answered honestly I wasn't willing to pay for doggie daycare. The shelter all had pit bulls or lab mixes that looked like pit bulls to us. When there were puppies (rarely happened in the 6 months we looked) or young dogs we were never chosen. We gave up and we got a puppy from a breeder instead. Best decision for us. We chose the breed we wanted that is great with kids.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you OP.

The answer is, there is no justification. Buying from a breeder kills a dog in a shelter, period.

So do you think breeds should be eliminated? Mutts should be the only dogs available?

Anonymous wrote:Thank you OP.

The answer is, there is no justification. Buying from a breeder kills a dog in a shelter, period.

Twisted logic but you do you, PP.

It is utterly wasteful and ecologically irresponsible to have dogs and cats as pets.

Thank you OP.

The answer is, there is no justification. Buying from a breeder kills a dog in a shelter, period.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because when I tried to rescue a yorkie at age 19 no rescue would let me because I wasn’t 23 and didn’t live in a house with a yard. I lived in an apt. So, bought a yorkie from a breeder and have had her for 12 years this September.

You didn’t need a Yorkie.

Who are you to decide what anyone needs?

I think you missed the point. It didn’t matter if I wanted a Yorkie or a Lab. I wasn’t 23 and lived in an apt. Yorkies are small dogs too that don’t need a large yard and my apt was literally next to a dog park. I also have severe allergies and they don’t trigger them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because I want a dog that is as guaranteed as possible to have the kind of temperment that I want. I'm not adopting a dog to rescue a dog, but to have a dog. Sorry!

+1

I'm also a democrat and I think the connection to politics here is ridiculous.

I also personally resent irresponsible people who don't spay or neuter dogs. There should not be a need to rescue dogs. It is not my job to change my life and personally rescue such a dog just as it is not my personal obligation to foster a child when there are children who need homes even though I feel terrible for those children (especially) and to the reasonable extent considering they are dogs, dogs. The people on this pet board can be truly insane in their lack of perspective sometimes.

You sound like a Republican to me. Sorry. You ain’t no Democrat.

I the republicans are an extreme bunch these days. Are you saying I must support trump if I don’t get a rescue dog? You’re losing me.

We are on the cusp of deciding to get a dog and I already rejected the idea of getting a rescue as I’ve researched specific breeds I want. I’ve posted on other threads that my DD was bit by our friends sweet, raised from a puppy pit bull when my DD was 15months old. This was totally unprovoked/my daughter was just sitting beside me on the couch as we were all talking. Thankfully the bit only deeply bruised her skin but it was her cheek. My decision to get a specific breed was made without knowing about the protocol pit bulls with rescue dogs (that I’m only learning here). Anyway-I gel even better with my decision.

I am getting a specific breed because I like how these dogs look, I like their purported characteristics and I like that I’ll know that it will be small. That these dogs don’t shed and are for people with allergies is icing on the cake!

I feel zero guilt or responsibility that I’m looking to purchase a dog rather than rescue (my only regret is the $2500++ cost.) I’m going to be a reluctant dog owner but I’ve promised my kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't justify it. Why do I need to justify it? DH and kids wanted a golden, I didn't want a dog. As a matter of fact, they never even thought about a rescue. Now, I am stuck with the lovely, well behaved, adorable yellow bear and he is 100% my dog. Heck, he only listens to me. I don't have some savior or high moral ground complex and clearly nor does my DH. I used to drive a Suburban too. And I live in a house, not a condo, so wasteful too. And I eat meat, but also plants, and I feed my dog pork chops sometimes. And I feed deer, and give money to beggars, and donate cars to charities, and donate ton of stuff to used store that is a charity for animals. You do you honey, and find a job or a hobby.

There are nice golden retriever breed specific rescues, too.

dp. I don't want a rescue. That's the entire point.