Breeder, Pet Store, Shelter or Classified Ads?
By sidyboy
@sidyboy (284)
United States
May 5, 2007 7:27pm CST
When looking to get a dog, many people don't know where to go. Classified ads are usually full of dogs bred by people who just bred their pets. There is usually no health testing done, no guarantee, and even if the dog has "papers" they're usually only good enough to line a crate with.
Pet stores purchase their dogs from facilities that mass produce dogs with no health screenings, unhealthy conditions, and the dogs tend to have questionable temperaments as well as health. Classified ads and Pet Stores are not a good option when looking for a dog.
Humane shelters don't have "bad dogs"- they're just dogs that either were turned in due to the owner relocating and not able to keep them any longer, or they simply got stuck with a bad owner who had no clue about what having a dog really meant- responsibility. Usually the dogs are temperament tested, which means that it's not going to be aggressive, they usually have their vaccines, microchips and are spayed/neutered. Most shelters have an adoption fee ranging from $50-$100 for dogs. This is a very small fee considering the vaccines and spaying/neutering would easily cost you this at a vet, however it's already done for you.
Breeders... well this can be tricky. Anyone can call themselves a breeder, howerver finding a reputable breeder may be a more difficult chore. A reputable breeder will test their dogs for health issues prior to breeding them- this makes the puppies less likely to have health disorders. Health testing is extremely important no matter what breed of dog you choose.
Also realize that just because someone shows their dogs, that doesn't make them reputable. Check out the health certificates on the parents of the dogs, ask the breeder for references, how long they have been breeding this breed, the good and bad traits of the breed, etc. Now keep in mind that a reputable breeder will be interviewing you as much as you should be interviewing them- this is because they want to be sure that their puppy is going to a great home.
Many people think that breeders charge way too much for their dogs- this is untrue. Reputable breeders are lucky to break even on puppy sales. This is due to the cost of the health screenings on the parents, competing with the parents (dog shows/events), care of the parents, as well as the care/vaccinations of the puppies, etc.
Also keep in mind that in many places, pet stores charge more for their puppies than reputable breeders do! When buying from a reputable breeder, they will be there to answer your questions at any time, will usually take the dog back at any stage of life if you are no longer able to keep it, and offer a health guarantee.
Purchasing a dog is not an easy thing to do and should never be done as an impulse buy. Dogs are a luxury, and should be treated as one.
4 people like this
7 responses
@Inky261 (2520)
• Germany
6 May 07
People often want to buy cheap. But what goes in, must come out.
How much is a pound of good quality beef where you live?
A middle size female carrying dog eats 2 pounds of beef a day plus one chicken, plus rice and vegetables plus minerals and vitamins. And your puppy eats 5 cups full of meat plus minerals, vitamins. The puppy needs worming and shots and should stay with mom for nine weeks.
If you want to buy cheaper than that for a puppy that came out of an accident, you are likely to get an unhealthy pup and grown dog.
If you want a pure breed, figure in the cost for breeding, health tests and shows for the breeder.
Tt means that there were no additional doctor`s bills, no salary for the breeder and that the breeder considers keeping older dogs his own hobby.
So figure first, how much these 9 to 12 weeks would have cost you if you had done the work.
And then buy a healthy puppy of good upbringing that doesn`t turn into a "lemon".
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
6 May 07
puppies of good breed are expensive in my country. immediately, we will know that those who buy from breeders and pet stores are only those who can afford to have them. these dog lovers will surely take good care of their pets, and will definitely, consider the puppies bought to be of high value.
@tdbrower1969 (1242)
• United States
6 May 07
I don't know anything about breeders or pet stores, I have never had to buy a dog, nor had the desire to buy one. I seem to collect strays, unwanted dogs who just want attention that whoever let their mother dog breed was not willing to invest that in them. I have also adopted one purebred, papered daschund from the pound. I feel that people should just stop and think about all the unwanted dogs who are put to sleep everyday because there are so many dogs in this world and not enough homes for them. My rescued dogs have been the best dogs all my life and I only invest love, food, and vet bills in them. I have seen the prices on the dogs in the pet stores, and seen the prices for dogs in the paper and I just think that if I had enough money to buy those dogs, just think how many unwanted dogs I could feed and keep healthy. I am sorry, but I really feel that there are so many unwanted dogs that people should not breed their dogs all the time, but I don't know that much about them anyway. So, I am sorry if I offend anyone with what I am saying here.
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
6 May 07
We get our dogs either from the pet shops or from the breeders. As soon as we find one that we like, we buy the puppy immediately. Of course, I know that there is a need to bring it to the veterinarian, as soon as possible, so that I will get sufficient briefing as to the proper care of the puppy.
It is true that if we do not have the financial and emotional capacity to care for a dog, we are not entitled to have one under our care. Most people though, do not think of this. We are aware now of some dog owners, who acquire dogs for purposes other than to have them as pets. This maybe disheartening but this is truly taking place. There are also others who get their dogs from some friends for free. Sad as it may sound, these are the dogs which will not be properly cared for usually. They do not even bring these puppies to the veterinarian.
@iiartisanii (254)
• United States
7 May 07
I think you've missed the point of the original post. There is more to pet store puppies than just getting a vet check once they are purchased.
Dogs from pet stores come from commercial breeders who are not heath testing the parents for genetic diseases. Things like hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and luxating patellas run rampant in these dogs.
All of these disorders are things that cannot be diagnosed by a vet during a puppy exam. These diseases manifest themselves slowly over time. And before you know it you have a crippled or blind dog.
Instead of "buying the puppy immediately", it helps to do a a little research and put some thought into what you are actually doing.
That was the point of the original discussion.
@PunkyMcPunk (1477)
• Canada
6 May 07
I'm probably going to get a lot of push back for this post....
But I have a huge issue with dog breeders/animal breeders. There are so many aanimals out there do we really need to actively breed more?
Also I have seen a few documentaries that tell how specific breeds of animals are deformed. Such as Dalmations. They are a beautiful dog for sure but did you know that because of their breeding the stomach is not securely attached to the rest of itself and has been known to rip off from where it should be meaning the dog must undergo a lot of surgery or die. Why are we making these dogs for beauty and not caring that they are being bred with these sorts of terminal and dehabilitating deformities?
Why not go and get a dog from the humane society. These dogs are poor animals that have been abandoned and just want a home.
@sidyboy (284)
• United States
6 May 07
There are good and bad breeders- the good ones do everything they can to prevent any health issues, and breed to better the breed- not to just make puppies. They try to breed out problems in a breed by paring two dogs that compliment each others traits, rather than just getting any available stud to sire the litter.
A good breeder takes responsibility for their litter though- they have contracts that state that the dog is to never end up in a shelter/rescue-they want the dog back if the owner cannot keep it. There is also usually a limited registration and a spay/neuter contract along with it, so the puppy buyer isn't permitted to breed.
I've worked with dogs for over a decade, and sadly, everyone thinks they should breed just to make money, so their kids can witness the miracle of birth, because their dog is so nice they want to make more just like her- you name the excuse and I've heard it.
I have never personally had a litter of dogs- 4 out of 5 of mine are males, and the female was spayed when I got her. One of my boys isn't neutered, and that's not actually by choice. The vet didn't want to neuter him due to the health risks- he was born with a bad heart, and back then they were afraid of losing him during the surgery. They told me that I'd be lucky to have him for a year and a half due to his heart, however he'll turn 9 this month, so apparently I'm doing something right :)
I've never heard of a deformaty in Dalmatians such as you mentioned though- are you talking aboug gastric tortion/bloat? That's where the stomach fills with gas/air and twists, which cuts off the blood supply and can be fatal within a couple of hours.
@sharon_ (1169)
• United States
6 May 07
Well put. Too bad that theres so many breeders, buyers and sellars who are only interested in the $$ and not the welfare of the animal.
As you said in your discussion, dogs are a luxury.
@paintballfreak (11)
• United States
6 May 07
I agree with a lot of what was said. Pet store dogs do come from puppy mills a lot of times and are usually hard to housebreak due to the fact that they are caged and eliminate where they live. There are MANY breeders who just breed dogs for money and don't have healthy, quality animals to breed. I know someone who has a poodle that has health and dental problems and another dog with health problems and she still breeds and sells them to anyone who wants them. A good breeder has years of experience and is very concerned with where the animals go. They usually even go so far as to have it somewhere in the contract that if for some reason you can no longer care for the dog, you MUST take it back to the breeder. My last dog came from a good breeder, but my next will come from a shelter. There are so many good dogs that need homes in shelters. It's sad to think that some dog is being put to sleep simply because someone just didn't want it anymore. Shelters and good breeders are great places to get dogs. Pet stores are the worst. Do yourself a favor and avoid them!
2 people like this
@JackBravo (970)
• United States
6 May 07
It's tough to decide on dogs. I agree that they are definitely not and should be an impulse by. I mean you have to figure out what the best thing for the dog is. Unfortunately, most people buy dogs without considering what they dog would want.
