what is quality of a breed worth to you?

oh yes good idea. When these dawgs of ours die we will get another puppy of some sort!

well I hope that they have a long and happy life.

I bought my from a breeder because I wanted a husky and a puppy to boot because I have five kids and 3 cats. So I felt it best to bring up the puppy with the kids and the cats LOL!!!!

Shotzilla, I appreciate your position on rescue dogs.. But there are just some instances when they aren't feasible for someone looking for a dog. One of those instances is when you have small kids and cats. Then it's just plain safer for you to raise the breed you want from a pup..Especially with the breed that I like and love. But if I was in a position where it's only me then I would be more likely to get a rescue dog. But like I said sometime it's just not feasible. But I would like to say that when you look a breeder I know I look at many things. The cleanness of the kennel. If they allow the dogs inside and treat them like family members, if they socialize their pups, if they say they'll take them back if you can no longer keep them and if they have done it before, if they breed for quality making sure not to interbreed there lines, and many many more things. Right now the breeder that I went to , to get my frost I have talked to about getting one of her retired females. She knows my family and that i have cats and a pup and she has told me who she think would be a wonderful fit for the family .. which is nice becuase I was willing to take Jasimine and then she came right out and said she doesn't think that she would be a good fit since she is food aggressive and I have kids. So I know she not in it just to breed them and get rid of them. She truly wants to find them good homes. I'm so excited about getting volcano after the 14th that I can hardly wait.

I understand your concern when bringing an older dog into an already established family with younger kids or other pets. My sister just recently got a dog and while she really wanted rescue an older dog, she ended up getting a very young puppy from a rescue so she could raise him how she wanted because she was nervous about not knowing her dog's complete past life before they adopted him. I realize that for some it just works out better for their situation and gives them a peace of mind. The place where I worked did temperament testing on all the dogs to determine if we would feel safe adopting out a dog to people with little kids, other dogs or cats. Some of the dogs that were dumped overnight, even though they started out scared ended up being some of the sweetest dogs we had and were adopted to families with younger kids. Honestly the other animal thing was usually more of an issue than kids. If someone was serious about adopting and had another pet, we would have them bring their dog in to meet the dog they were interested in to see how they got along and we would never risk it if we felt a dog wouldn't be compatible with another dog or cats. I should add that I feel like there is always some risk when mixing little kids with animals or other animals together. Regardless of where you get the dogs. Little kids can't always read more subtle warning signs that same way an adult can. Sometimes adults can't read them either. I'm not anti-breeder, sure it'd be nice if everyone decided to adopt out all the shelters and rescue dogs first before turning to a breeder but I'm realistic. I just wish that there were stricter laws about who can breed because when things go wrong it's always the animals that suffer. I just wanted people who would be able to adopt if the situation was right for them to know that you can find the breeds that you love at shelters or rescues typically for much cheaper and since not every dog is dumped sometimes you will know their back story. Good luck with your new dog :)

I wanted to add I'm not being a rescue snob, ok maybe a TINY bit, but I really hate it when people start breeding just to "get rich quick" and they don't give a crap about the animals when there's already so many perfectly good dogs out there. I'm not saying ALL breeders are like this, I'm sure there's a lot that actually do care about their dogs and where their pups end up. I've been working with animals for the past 8 years and have heard my share of stories though. I've had clients (I used to be a pet sitter) that have bought from breeders and puppy stores for the upper hundreds to a thousand bucks only to spend a lot more money a few months later at the vet due to bad breeding or inbreeding(which is also bad breeding of course :P) If you search hard enough you can find breeds you want at rescues or shelters for much cheaper, usually anywhere from 100-200 depending(i used to work for a shelter too) and typically that price tag includes them being fixed/microchipped/shots/deworming at least it did where I worked.

Hi winterlion, I currently have a husky who is like a child. LOL!! he follows me every where and hates when I leave him .. He bugs my other half and complains until I get home. LOL!! I would pay tens times what I paid for him becuase he is a loyal and loving family member not to mention smart and comical.

I must be joking about what. I never said I didn't pay an arm and a leg for my dog.. LOL!! because I did jus that I paid 1000 for my dog and he'll live 12-15 yrs and the main reason I got him is I've had the breed before and I love the breed they fit for me. And not to mention he grew up with kids and cats and is not mean in the least bit and was well socialized at the breeders. You are correct that quality is everything but even when you breed for quality sometimes it doesn't always happen.Also there are those mixed dogs that end up in shelters as pups that are great animals and are good for trianing. But I do say that buying a dog from a breeder when you have a family is a better decision for a family that has other animals and young kids.Unless you and the breeder have personal knowledge of eachother and they are retiring one of their dogs and they suggest a dog that will fit. Which is what is happening with me shortly. This dog should fit nicely with my frost and kids and cats I can't wait.

I think of quality when I think of health and genectics and temperment along with looks and if the dog is kept true to the breed. I haven't decided if I wanted to show my frost but if I do I'm going to have to find a handler to train him in the ring and get the money for him to show. LOL!! But I love him the way he is. He is the most loveable pup I have ever meet. He's smart , loving, loyal and playful. he is truly an all around good pup and he listens to me only.

Even rescues still cost a fee for the adoption.... I would do rescue dogs but unfortunately I just don't feel comfortable with a rescue dog with my kids and cats. I know that if I bring the dog up from a pup then they will be well socialized with my kids and cats. I have to say that if it was just me and no cats and no kids and only my other half I would do more rescue.

we have two children and a lot of other animals and have never had any problems with a rescue dog and all of ours have been completely free, i understand your concerns though which is why i have always took my children to meet the dogs first to judge the dogs reactions around them

Which is a very smart thing to do. Take your kids to meet the prespective dog. I will say around here all the rescues have fees. LOL!! I'm glad that you have had luck with all your rescues.

I don't mean it isn't good for others to pay more etc sweety - we are all different and I know you love your huskies! It is usually much easier to bring an animal up around children and other animals but rescue centres here will tell you whether an animal is used to children and other pets. Having said that we decided to buy baby bunny rabbits for Niamh as she wanted 2 and there weren't any pairs at any of the rescue centres for miles and miles around. xxxx

Well I'm glad that you got a pair of bunnies hun.. I was just explaining my decision Hun even when they test them there is always a what if in the back of my mind and if it was only me then a rescue would be a definite possibility.

I don't doubt that but I have to say that I love my husky and that I would pay all that times 10 to have him again. I decided to get a puppy that i could make sure would grow up socialized with cats and kids.

I hear you on that one. I got mine from a reputable breeder. 2 or 3 hundred you can get them that low by you?? I'm going to have to start shopping by you when I want another puppy. LOL!!!!

I'm sorry about your friends experience but I must say not all rescue dogs are given for free the really good places cost a lot becuase they do a lot of testing for everything from blood work to personality.. The really good ones will tell you ever quirk the dog has and doesn't worry if your going to take the dog or not because they don't want to have to take the dog back agian the good one make sure they disclose everything so that the dogs get the best homes possible. But there are one out there that aren't so vigiliant and don't test the dogs before hand.. I'll say this when you get a rescue dog dependong on how good anreputable the rescue is depends on the chances of problems..I will say when you get a rescue dog it's better if you don't have kids or cats that way you don't have to worry about a lot of things. Because you never know what treament may have been given to the rescue before you got it..

I would only buy a puppy from a small scale breeder who gave the home experience to the pup for the first 6 or 8 weeks of his life. Puppy mills are neglectful at best and evil at worst. Taking a rescue dog is always a challenge and a risk. One friend accepted a Great Dane who had been abused and the dog is devoted to him but bit his mother once and his daughter. Plus the dog was reported for biting a ten year old who wasn't supposed to be left along with him. He is one mixed up dog who cost the guy a fortune in vet bills. He does have the satisfaction of allowing the dog to live but his "free" dog cost him money and heartache as well. The dog isn't viscious like a pit bull actually but simply mixed up. But when a dog that large goes off, someone's likely to get hurt. Now he wears a muzzle when around anyone but his owner but it's still a worry about him biting again. Oh by the way, he's a beautiful dog, brindle and is now blind. This guy's next dog will be brought home as a puppy, believe me.