In  the past I've  purchased a cat from a shelter and  puppies from both a shelter and a  pet store ( before I became educated on the puppy mills ). My last two dogs have come from carefully selected breeders  and the breeders have also carefully selected me through strenuous  interviews that I haven't even had to encounter in the job market  lolol . The puppy contracts that I have had to signed almost required a lawyers presence 

Anyway .. I have my own personal reasons for going to a breeder and getting the type of dog I choose .  While I know nothing is a 100 % certainty in this Life .. I will always go to a knowledgable caring breeder who is dedicated to improving  breed with  health .drive and  temperment  having the utmost importance.  Although I must admit I have also   been considering getting another  dog from a rescue shelter  for my dog's companionship after she has gone through the puppy stage .

 I'd like to hear other members comments, experiences and feelings on this topic ~

Hi Prince

I will always adopt my pets from a shelter. Whether  it's a dog, cat ,rabbit, or a hamster. Even though I have always felt this way working in one of the poorest shelters in my state only confirms my feelings.  But that's just my thoughts.
However, many people prefer a certian breed and thats ok. But just as you did ~ finding a reputable breeder is very important. If it came from a pet store chances are it came from a puppy mill.

Jacy came from a rescue and I had the same kind of interview and application process.  Rain came from the shelter I was working at and I had no interview or application~ any dog fighter or abuser could just go in there and get their next victim. Personally, I like the whole "lets keep them safe" method.

When I had brought home Jacy it was such a comfort to me because I had both my dogs die within a month of each other. He was my rock. Then for school I had to do my practicum at this shelter and I bonded with Rain and he became mine. I was so nervous about bringing him home to meet Jacy. I was scared to disrupt the balance we had with him. But ya know ~~~they are the best buds ever. They play constently ~they are rarely apart. So I think it's a wonderful idea to get your pup a playmate (once your done with all the baby stuff)

Congrats on your puppy. When does she get to come home?

Hey  Allie !     Now there's a good happy story !  Much continued happiness and good health with Rain and Jacy 

Nova is exactly 3 weeks old today !  I'm planning on bringing her home the week the 15th in June . I'll be visiting  her mom, dad and siblings the first week in June ... I'll be posting more photos soon

Hey,

Both the dogs I have now were rescue, as were all the others I've had the priveledge to share space with.

Unc was found running down a BUSY road as a young boy (6 or so months) and was picked up by the dog officer and brought to a barn for keeping as the shelter was full...also happens that my sister's horses were boarded at that same barn, and the rest is history I guess...

Blu came from Louisiana- pre-Katrina...saw his baby pic on Petfinder and it didn't matter how many miles away from me he was- he "called out" to me...he was my baby

I did spend time in New Orleans post-Katrina, and it was heart wrenching to see the animals left behind.. and at the same time amazing that they would actually let you pick them up and put em in whatever you could to get them to safety, food, and shelter...a trust and love as humans, I'm afraid we lack  ... the rescued ones speak to me I guess... I've never had the inclination to breed or show, so a pedigree to me is nothing more than a piece of paper.

 I can recognize others desire to get their dog from a reputable breeder- I've just never had the same breed of dog at one time I don't think! I'm not breed specific

Sampson, my cheetoh DID come from a breeder, because his breed is still relatively new- and it did take some research- although I must say I was a little dissapointed the breeder was a bit lax in her adoption process...

luckily, Sampson thinks he made out ok.

Congrats on Nova Bill...you're going to make a great Dad...again

Blackberry is my first dog ever! I always thought I would get my first dog at a breeder, but then I started looking at shelter websites and like UBS mentioned...I fell in love when I saw his picture and read his story on the shelter website.  It was written as if he wrote it himself!

The application process was really long and involved.  They checked out many references, including my bank, personal friends, landlords, and employment.  But, just like Newfs mentioned, if something ever happened to me and there was not someone to take my dog, the shelter would take him back.  It is a no-kill shelter too.  There are many shelters here who do not take applications at all and do not let their animals meet yours to see if they might get along.

I would imagine I would probably go back to a shelter again for many reasons, including how amazing my first situation has been thus far!

I've always said if there was such a thing as reicarnation that I would want to come back as one of my pets ..... Have any of you ever said that ?

 All the time Prince, all the time

hehehehhehheheheee   I know I would  Newfs  

I am enlightened reading some of the stories of responsible breeders.  Admittedly,  I have a bit of a prejudice against people buying dogs from breeders.  There are so many dogs euthanized every single day at shelters, that I can't imagine choosing to buy a dog just because you want them to look a certain way or like the personality of the breed, when you know your choice also means choosing to allow a dog to die that you could have saved.  Besides that , there are so many rescue groups that work with specific breeds.  But it's good to know there are breeders out there who take such precautions with their animals and who they go to.  And I love the clause about having to return them to the breeder if anything every happens to the owner.  I didn't know breeders did that.  I do think though, that there are so many people out there doing the wrong thing, that breeders should be closely regulated by some sort of regulatory agency and held to established standards.  There are too many out there breeding carelessly and sheerly for profit.

Incidentally, I bought my dog Zoe from a lady on the side of the road, not realizing I was probably supporting a puppy mill.  I didn't know then what I know now.  Fortunately Zoe is a mutt and has been healthy.  She is the best decision (however impulsive) I ever made.  She's my best friend and I love her like crazy.  Prince, thanks for putting this issue out there for discussion.

Thanks for your input Jen !  Aside from your prejudice against people buying dogs from breeders you have made some good points.  But laying  blame  of the death of a shelter dog at  my doorstep because I choose to buy a dog from a breeder is in the extreme  at the very least . 

There’s no question that too many animals die in shelters each year. However, there is no connection between the breeding of a healthy litter of purebred puppies and the death of a stray dog in a shelter. Responsible dog breeders sell their puppies to new homes,as stated in previous posts ... take back puppies that buyers cannot keep, are available to answer questions and help new owners train their puppies, and protect the health and well-being of their breeds. They are part of the solution to community dog troubles and should not be taxed and otherwise penalized as if they are part of the problem.

Touting breeder restrictions as all or even part of the solution to pet euthanasia at shelters also ignores the dynamics of dog ownership that often lead to abandonment of adult dogs, including: behavior problems; poor choice of a breed or dog; moving to a place that doesn’t allow animals; community dog number limits; and illness that no longer allows the owner to keep the pet. Some of these conditions can be corrected by EDUCATION ; none of them can be corrected by reducing the number of puppies produced by responsible breeders. Proposing such laws as a cure-all also ignores the responsibility of humane societies to market the dogs in their facilities, teach people how to avoid or correct behavior problems with their dogs, and help people make a good selection of a breed and an individual dog. While most humane organization carry out these responsibilities, some blame breeders instead of developing workable solutions.

I also am leary of goverment interference. I know of some states that have laws on the books regarding breeders. Some states  have laws that are stronger and have more bite than others...but the problem is always enforcement.  States have a hard enough time  regulating their foster care with children let alone  any kind of animal oversight.  Again I think education of the public is key .  

As you had mentioned to me .. " you learn as you go along."  As you would never purchase a puppy at a roadside giveaway I would neve rbuy a puppy at a petstore again. Both actions only perpetuate these horrible mills that are contantly breeding dogs over and over in deplorable conditions.  I bought a beautiful golden retreiver from a pet store only to have her drop dead at 6 years old from what I found out later to be a heart valve  defect attributed to her breeding from one of these mills.  As the saying goes...Dogs have always been my best friend... And when I buy one now I want as much assurance on the health of my dog as I can get to avoid such tragic days as the day I lost my golden so suddenly.  While nothing is 100% guaranteed ...with a puppy born to a responsible breeder I get that assurance . Of course other factors such as diet are important .

 You also mentioned to me about an ordinance you are working on in your area.  How is that working out ?   Are any  other members aware of similar breeder restriction laws on the books in their state?  I'd like to hear from them here ~~

I'm encouraged to learn from previous posts that the shelters have upgraded their screening process to adopt a pet . I remember when i was kid all you had to do was show up at a dog pound,  pay 20 dollars and you got to take anything you wanted home with you . Sadly a lot of these pets were given to unresponsible owners and they ended up on the streets or back at the pound.

 I know Zoe has a  strong and caring  Mom in you Jen !  Many years of happiness and health to you both 

When I decided that it was Newfoundland Dogs that I wanted, I knew there was many Newfoundland dog rescue groups accross the USA. Very rarely will you see a purebred Newf in Petfinder, as they are pulled out of their and go right into a foster home. Most (not all) of the time a Newf is surrendered by the owner because the Newf was not properly trained, and becomes a 175 pounds of aggression.  Newfs can quite often have a mind of their own if not trained., they can be stubborn at times.

I actually found my breeder through New England Newf Rescue. She also works very closely with that organization for the protection of Newfs.

I was not willing to get a Newf that had been surrendered. I wanted to be the person that rasised and trained my Newfs. I needed to know the generations of the Dams & Sires of my dogs. I wanted a connection with the breeder that was responsible for creating them.

If it were small dogs I had a interest in that would have been different, but a Newfoundland dog is a power house of strength. A full grown Newf can pull 2000 pounds in the water. They are a working breed dog, and are extremely STRONG!

I would have never been comfortable with a rescue Newf, especially one with issues that needed to be worked out, or a Newf that was surendered for health reasons. I guess I am selfish in a way, because I also wanted my Newfs as puppies, so I could not only train them my way, but to be able to enjoy their puppyhood.

I have fostered dogs in my home over the years, until they went to their for-ever homes, but I would not consider fostering a Newf that had issues. As a rule most Newfs are true gentle giants, but I have also seen first hand the damage a Newf with issues can do in less than 20 seconds. It's way out of my league.

but I have also seen first hand the damage a Newf with issues can do in less than 20 seconds. It's way out of my league.

umm, yeah, like a hairy, 200 pound skill saw

(laughing)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDe8Z94HUXI

 watched it...saw my next field trip with Molly...

that's ok...if I'm in the water, I can't be photograpged