[Sylves]

take on adopting from a rescue..? While I fully encourage those looking for new canine companions to find their faithful pet at the animal shelter or a breed specific rescue, I also believe that adopting puppies from good/responsible breeders is an equally good route. I strongly discourage the sale of puppies at stores and inexperienced dog owners who want to "make a buck" with a couple of litters. I dispise puppy mills.So, what do you think in terms of good vs. bad breeder and what is your opinion about adopting from a shelter/rescue?

[Templarwhip]

A good breeder is someone who takes full responsibility for their puppies for their entire lives. Someone who is willing to back those puppies' health, temperament and safety for a lifetime. Someone who doesn't care if the dog is a show dog, bed dog, pet, agility dog, whatever, but that the home is good for the dog.They should ask you more questions than you ask them, they should do a home check and frequently check in to be sure all is well. If there is a problem, they should be willing to step up and try to help resolve the issue without any grief. They should be doing all the recommended health testing for their breed and participate in some sort of competition that reflects how well their dogs fit their breed standard, be it showing, coursing, sledding, hunting, etc.Just try to get that kind of service from a pet shop!As far as adopting from a shelter, I think it is the perfect way for many folks to find a good pet for themselves and their families. The main drawback is that there is no chance of ever knowing the history of the dog's life, health history or parentage. But many great pets have been shelter dogs, so if that is what suits your life, go for it!!

[SwissAK]

I not only adopt Strays or go to the Shelters, I refuse to pay anyone for giving a Dog a Home except to reimburse them for expenses like food,meds etc...Good Breeders too are doing it for the money and only add to the problem, having to many homeless Animals. In the same talking, a good breeder's Kennel, would have to be in excellent condition, you should pay attention on the parent's of the puppy, they're behavior, coats, teeth ,you get my drift.In my opinion and experiences of constantly taking in dogs, with lots of LOVE,GOOD PROVISION'S and much COMPANIONSHIP, I never had a bad dog, always,always got repaid with TOTAL DEVOTION. GIVE A HOMELESS ONE A LOVING HOME, PLEASE!

[Waylon V]

a good breeder isn't in it for the money they are lucky to brake even most of the time and they play with and clean up after the dogs and they take good care of all their animals and they know their vet were well and i think every one should check the shelters/rescues first

[Chalice]

Here are some tips on how to recognise a good breeder when you go to visit: - you should be able to view BOTH the parents of any pups, and they should appear young and in good health- breeders should provide pedigree details from the AKC, and be able to advise you on feeding- they should also seem keen on getting you to take the pup to the vets and keep up with vaccinations.- the house the puppies are sold from is a tell-tale sign - is it clean? it should be! - pups sold from the back of a van are obviously the best indicator of a BAD breeder!I'm not completely against getting pups from a decent, reputable breeder - however I always advise getting from a rescue shelter. The reason for that is basically that there are far, far too many unwanted dogs out there already, without people bringing more into the world. There are also a LOT of bad breeders out there, which sadly make the good ones share their bad rep. As far as I can see, the only real advantage of choosing a breeder over a shelter is that you'd be guaranteed a puppy, often difficult in shelters where they get snapped up! There is just as good a choice from shelters, and they tend to come neutered, flea-ed/wormed, vaccinated, microchipped and sometimes even insured! Yes I know breeders provide pedigree lines, but whoop-de-do, that just means your dog is guaranteed to have whatever genetic defects come with whichever breed - and all breeds have them! I would go to a shelter every time, and choose a poor little lost doggy that desperately needs a home.Chalice

[tina r]

Please adopt a doggy from the shelter rather than buy some expesive dog from a breeder. Most "designer dogs" are really just mutts such as the popular labradoodle. I work at a kennel and I swear it seems that the best dogs have been adopted from the shelters. Maybe they are just more grateful.