Adopting a shelter dog vs purchasing from a breeder

[Debbieg]

Thought this an interesting article

Guilt: It’s Not Just For Jews and Catholics Anymore (Purebred Dog Owners Can Play)

[Jax08]

oh brother

[mycobraracr]

Originally Posted by Jax08

oh brother

My thoughts exactly!

[shepherdmom]

[middleofnowhere]

I thought it was a pretty interesting take on the controversy. Thanks for bringing the article to my attention.

[Debbieg]

I wasn't trying to start arguments! And mods please remove if this will turn into a breeder vs rescue thread.
As someone who wants to help dogs in shelters; support good breeders, and feels horrible and helpless at those SPCA commercials with the Angel song I was hoping to hear what others make of this.
Our home currently has my GSD purchased from a breeder, DH's Borzoi adopted from a breed rescue, and our son's Pit Bull adopted from a high kill shelter . All are great dogs and loved equally.

I help a bit at shelters an rescues but plan to get my next dog from a good breeder, but feel guilty about it, Usually when I feel guilty it is because I am, but not sure in this case.

[RocketDog]

Michelle, I took from this that it's ridiculous to vilify good breeders, and the people who cry "breeders are evil" should really take a look at the big picture. Personally, I agree. It's not that I don't like/haven't rescued/adopted shelter dogs and cats before, but I'm sick of people saying "You BOUGHT a dog?!! Why would you do that?! A dog DIED in the shelter now!" Am I wrong?

[DunRingill]

I bought my last 3 competition dogs from a good breeder, and don't feel the least bit of guilt about it.

My FIRST 3 dogs were a terrier mix we picked up off the side of the road during a snow storm, a siberian husky who was intercepted on her way to the pound, and a GSD who was given to me after she had been returned to her breeder because she was "aggressive, and impossible to train." That dog was my first Utility Dog. We also gave a forever home to Jake the papillon after his owners went into assisted living. So I don't feel the least bit of guilt over buying a well-breed companion from a good breeder!

[Freestep]

As Julia Priest commented on the article (I'm paraphrasing): Just because a dog ends up in a shelter doesn't mean the dog wasn't BRED. All dogs have to be bred in order to be born. The reason the dog is in a shelter is because the owners gave it up, not because it was born.

What we need to do is EDUCATE people so that we don't have irresponsible breeding. Responsible breeders have a home for any dog they have bred, and take back dogs that buyers cannot keep--why make them into the villians? Part of the argument is that if breeders weren't preserving purebred dogs, there would be no more dogs in shelters... which is obviously, pantently false.

[Whiteshepherds]

Originally Posted by Debbieg

I was hoping to hear what others make of this.

I think the article was well written. Adopting dogs is a great if that's what people WANT to do but there's no reason to try and make someone who buys from a breeder feel guilty about it.