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Talk Pets! - Where to get a dog/puppy and about dog breeding

First and most importantly, whether you got your dog from a pet store, newspaper ad, shelter, rescue, or from a show champion - all pets are welcome here.  The most important thing is the care going forward, and all pets are treated and respected equally here at Talk Pets! regardless of where they came from.  Again, the fact that you are reading this means you are have an interest in responsible pet ownership and that is what matters most.

Pet Overpopulation

According to the Humane Society of the US - about 6-8 million dogs and cats enter shelters each year in the United States.  Of those, about half are reclaimed by owners or adopted out, the other half is euthanized (put to sleep).  It is a shame that this happens because folks don't spay/neuter their pets. If you are looking for a new dog, and committed to responsible pet ownership, you can help avoid these problems by buying responsibly and not contributing to the causes that load shelters with unwanted pets.

So I want a dog, where should I get one?

There are a few options:

- Animal Shelter or Humane Society:

There are many great reasons to get a dog from an animal shelter.  Especially if you do not have a strong breed preference.  Not only will you be gaining a companion, but you will be saving a life.  It is not necessary to expect to find the perfect dog on the first day - keep going back - there are wonderful dogs out there.  But keep patience in mind, this dog was separated from his/her family, stuck in a kennel, and it will take time for him/her to adjust to the new home.  But it can be very rewarding!  Fees for adoption are usually under $100(USD) depending on your US location, but most good shelters require a spay/neuter (which is a good thing)

- Rescue Groups:

...are wonderful organizations put together by folks that share the love for a particular breed.  This is a good option if you have a strong breed preference.  Another benefit is that the dog has been fostered so you get a good idea of the dog's temperament up front.  So you get the breed you want, and don't have to go through the puppy crazies.  You can go to google and search on [breed] [your state or country] rescue (e.g , a search on "arizona labrador retriever rescue" will result in a link to Desert Labrador Retriever Rescue) and most likely find a rescue group for the breed you are interested in.  Rescue groups tend to charge about $100-$200(USD) to cover the costs of their care.

- Reputable Breeder:

In some cases, there are very legitimate reasons to want a purebred puppy.  The temperament/characteristics of the breed match your lifestyle,  you want to raise the dog from a puppy in your home, you have a strong interest in the breed, and you want to do activities with the dog that the breed is strong in (obedience, agility, fetching, swimming/boating, and so forth.).   The characteristics of a reputable breeder are:

In many cases, the breeder's litter is claimed in advance of the birth.  You must be willing to wait several months, so this is not an impulse buy.  To find a reputable breeder, you can go to local dog shows, or search on the national breed organization for breeder references.  Purebreds usually cost way into the hundreds, or more, but for a reputable breeder, does not even come close to covering their costs of showing.

Please do not buy a puppy from a pet store

Reputable breeders will never sell their pups to a pet store - they care about the homes their puppies land in, and don't want their puppies displayed behind glass in a sawdust mess with who knows what care (or lack thereof) is given.  Qualification for pet ownership goes above and beyond just having cash and a good credit rating.  Moreover, pet stores charge ridiculous amounts for puppies (in some cases upwards of $1500), have payment plans and are in business to make money.  A lot of pet store "inventory" is built by puppy mills, places notorious for inhumane conditions and many pet store purchasers are later shocked at finding a pup with dysplastic hips, unsociable dogs, and plenty of other problems.

Please do not buy a puppy from a "Backyard Breeder" (BYB)

A "backyard breeder" is someone who breeds puppies for profit, or as a personal hobby.  They are not active in breed clubs, often advertise in the newspaper, and are either in it for the money, or breed "cute" pups from a personal interest.  Once the cash goes across the table, you can not have an  expectation of a continuing relationship with the BYB, puppy return, or solid health clearances..  In many cases they think they are doing this with good intentions, breeding "cute" dogs together for "cute" puppies or breeding popular mixes together (dobie-weilers or malti-poos or whatnot), or advertise in the paper with such tag lines as "ADORABLE puppies, champion lines, AKC registered").  The BYB will tend not to qualify you for ownership beyond the fact that you have enough cash to pay for a puppy  Since the breeder/owner relationship often ends once cash is handed over, way too many dogs meet their fate in a shelter and possible euthanasia when the pet/ownership relationship does not work out.

Good article on backyard breeding

Please, do not breed your dog

Yes, your dog is cute.  Yes, the opposite-sex dog is cute and could make super-cute puppies. That is not a valid reason to breed.

Again, back to the top of the page - there are 3-4 million pets put to sleep each year in the US because the demand for pets does not meet the supply.  Having puppies should not be considered a way to make quick money or make "little adorable ones" - it can result in stillborns,  health problems, and uncared-for, homeless pets.

Posts about casual/backyard breeding are not welcome here.  It is upsetting to many folks to read about yet another litter of super-adorable ones who's fate may not be guaranteed.  Loving homes are in limited supply, and already cannot take in the number of dogs/puppies in shelter/rescue.. If you have a pet, please get them spayed/neutered to help prevent this problem.  There are legitimate reasons to breed, but please leave it to the folks who show the breed and are experts in the breed.

 

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