Anonymous wrote:Because apparently a large contingent of DCUM readers believe in supporting puppy mills and other irresponsible idiots. For whatever reason, they actually feel good and superior in their backwardness. I totally judge them for helping keep these unethical people in business. Want to save dogs’ lives? Stop supporting puppy mills and they’ll stop producing.

+1

I completely judge the blind rescue supporters who happily ignore the impact of their actions.

I think it’s exceptionally cruel to support perpetuating the genetic issues that so many of the rescue dogs have. One of my DDs dog (great pet for her) is timid, knock-kneed and prone to allergies. The structural defects will be life-limiting for him. While he won’t reproduce as he’s been neutered the bursting at the seams shelters and the incentivizing of this social shaming of anything but adopting one of these unknown mixes just reinforces generations of less than ideal animals.

All potential pet owners have the clearest chances of having a healthy, good tempered, able bodied pet if bought from a vetted breeder. As we get closer and closer to being able to weed out inherited issues in humans why in the world would the primitive chance breeding of animals be the ethical choice when science and incentives exist to create the best animals? I chose the size and temperament of the pet I wanted, decided on the breed that best exhibited those qualities and then researched breeders. I didn’t fall in love with some big brown eyes at a rescue event in Petworth-I paid $$$$ that this breeder deserves for ‘growing’ a good product. I’m the cruncy granola vegetarian all organic type but as an animal lover I want ethical people raising healthy dogs and I’m thrilled if they are well compensated for it.

We used a breeder because we wanted the best chance of a good match- we wanted to bond with our dog, have less likelihood of personality/health issues.
Dogs are a huge responsibility and they are not at the level of a human in the household. If a dog is dangerous or highly disruptive and cannot be re-trained, they usually can't stay. This is especially true if there are kids.
All that said, our little miss came with some personality surprises- but overall, she came as expected and we train/tolerate the hard parts.
I absolutely judge people who ignore red flags for puppy mills and I also judge people who go out and get any dog from a shelter or breeder without a commitment toward training and care. We had a dog years ago that we re-homed because we had no idea what we were getting into and selected a dog that had every problem that we didn't want-- dog happily went to a more experienced family. My current self judges my past self, so we were much more careful and mature this time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because most people who use breeders seem to be prioritizing vanity/status in lieu of actually saving an animal.

Most people just want a pet and aren't motivated by saving animals. I wanted a specific breed, that I felt would fit in well with my family and lifestyle. If it was simply interested in saving an animal, I would donate money to a rescue organization.

Exactly, what makes you think that everyone who wants a dog should be thinking about saving an animal? By that logic, no one should have their own child and should adopt one instead.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did it become OPs job to rescue a dog in a shelter? Dogs are a lot of responsibility. Research and get one you like.

Agreed but the title of the post was why people object to using breeders. Nobody will say this in person but when someone says they have breeder dog most people look down on that choice as something objectionable.

Depends on the company you keep. I'd wager that 1/2 my acquaintances would silently look down on my purebred dogs, and the other 1/2 would not.

Totally anecdotal but, I've noticed that baby boomers and millennials are far more likely to have shelter dogs, at least in DC. In fact I can't think of a single millennial I know in DC who went out and purchased a dog. Whereas most of my Gen X peers have dogs from show breeders. And all my baby boomer neighbors in upper NW have shelter dogs that are part hound, from West Virginia

"Rescuing" dogs is very trendy for millenials. Not sure about baby boomers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because, when you have a dog bred for yourself (which is what going to a breeder is), you're sentencing to death the dog that you would have adopted (which is what you would be doing).

This

They might not save a dog. Cause hey might not get a dog at all if the only option is rescue.

Exactly. If my only option were to get a dog from a shelter, which very likely could have been placed there because of a tempermental personality, I wouldn't bother owning a dog at all.

Anonymous wrote:Because it’s low class and cruel to use a breeder.

No, it's low class to get a Pitt Bull.

Anonymous wrote:Because there are millions of excellent dogs and puppies out there who need homes. Even if you need a particular size, type, etc., there is one out there in need of a home.

And also because nearly everyone is looking for a ridiculous "doodle."

I wanted a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy. Are there many of those in shelters?

Anonymous wrote:Because most people who use breeders seem to be prioritizing vanity/status in lieu of actually saving an animal.

Most people just want a pet and aren't motivated by saving animals. I wanted a specific breed, that I felt would fit in well with my family and lifestyle. If it was simply interested in saving an animal, I would donate money to a rescue organization.

Because apparently a large contingent of DCUM readers believe in supporting puppy mills and other irresponsible idiots. For whatever reason, they actually feel good and superior in their backwardness. I totally judge them for helping keep these unethical people in business. Want to save dogs’ lives? Stop supporting puppy mills and they’ll stop producing.

Read "The Dog Merchants: Inside the Big Business of Breeders, Pet Stores, and Rescuers", published in 2017 by Kim Kavin:
https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Merchants-Business-Breeders-Rescuers/dp/1681774046

I read this book. Fascinating. The sheer numbers of dogs bought and sold is amazing.

Shelter dogs are in shelters for a reason and the people will tell you anything to get you to take one of their dogs.

I got a nice dog from a shelter: Doberman. He died 18 months later. In the meantime he was prone to sudden attacks. He didn’t like certain ethnicities and would try to attack them.
Greyhound next: died a year later of epilepsy. Garbage hound; ie ate the garbage. Also subject to panic attacks.
Another greyhound. Bleeding disorder.
Later I wanted an unusual breed not found in shelters or rescues. Beautiful purebred dog. Nice disposition, very smart, easy to train. Genetic testing. No health problems whatsoever. Exactly as discribed by the Breeder who I talk to every once in awhile. If he needed a new home one could be found in days.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did it become OPs job to rescue a dog in a shelter? Dogs are a lot of responsibility. Research and get one you like.

Agreed but the title of the post was why people object to using breeders. Nobody will say this in person but when someone says they have breeder dog most people look down on that choice as something objectionable.

Depends on the company you keep. I'd wager that 1/2 my acquaintances would silently look down on my purebred dogs, and the other 1/2 would not.

Totally anecdotal but, I've noticed that baby boomers and millennials are far more likely to have shelter dogs, at least in DC. In fact I can't think of a single millennial I know in DC who went out and purchased a dog. Whereas most of my Gen X peers have dogs from show breeders. And all my baby boomer neighbors in upper NW have shelter dogs that are part hound, from West Virginia

In no way are people looking down on the purebred dog! All dogs are perfect. They’re looking down on the person throwing money at breeders.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because it’s low class and cruel to use a breeder.

You are confusing puppy mill/backyard breeder with reputable and responsible breeders.

The issue is one person’s responsible breeder is another person’s puppy mill. To me, a responsible breeder breeds dogs titled at both ends and has adopters lined up before the puppies are even conceived. If you’ve got a web site or advertise in any way, you’re a puppy mill.