Adoption v. Breeder Purchase

For years, the argument ensues: Adopt from a shelter or purchase from a breeder/pet store. I believe the choice can be EITHER!

When seeking to add a pet to enhance your life your first course of research should definitely be your local animal shelter, however some families are only suited to handle dogs with specific temperaments. Your local shelters are filled with animals that would make perfect pets in just the right homes. Strict screening of your needs combined with the animal’s temperament and history can make for a successful adoption process. The misconception of shelters is that they are only filled with undesirable animals. Some obvious pros and cons about adopting from a shelter versus purchasing from a pet store or breeder are:

Pros
· You are saving a life
· Adopting an adult (over 1 yr old) dog from a shelter results in less training time in your home (all the “puppy behaviors” are usually outgrown) · Most often, these dogs are altered, chipped and have all their shots
· Affordability

Cons
· You don’t know the behavior history of the animal
· Often, it is not known what breeds these animals are which can make a difference in temperament and size of the dog.

Many people purchase puppies from pet stores or breeders without first researching the historical temperament of the breed. A responsible breeder will weed out someone who is an impulse buyer and will educate the individual on the specifics of that breed BEFORE accepting an application for purchase. Sadly, pet stores often purchase from puppy mills and do not weed out candidates who are not suitable for pet ownership. Some obvious pros and cons about purchasing from a breeder or pet store are:

Pros
· Quality breeding can filter out genetic defects known in specific breeds (for instance, hip dysplasia is 100% genetic and will be passed onto future generations. Or, if an animal shows genetic aggressive behavior traits he also should NOT be bred) · You know the breed and thus can predict the size and historical temperament of the animal before you buy it
· Having the mother and father on premises gives you a visual on how your dog may grow

Cons
· Backyard breeders or puppy mills are not focused on the quality of life of their animals which can result in animal abuse or neglect · Some breeders/puppy mills do not breed for dog quality but breed for puppy quantity which can result in genetic defects such as hip dysplasia being passed from generation to generation
· All sales are final so if the dog doesn’t fit your lifestyle you’re stuck (you may end up bringing the animal to a shelter) OR, if you are able to return the dog you have no idea what will really happen to it
· Cost prohibitive

Finally, there are many pros and cons on both sides of this argument, however, whether you prefer a pure bred dog or a mixed breed, your first choice can be to check your local shelters and rescue organizations as they can often meet the specific needs of your family.