How to deal with people against purebreds?
I'm not sure how big of an issue this is for anyone else. I also would like to say I have NOTHING against mixes, mutts, rescues, anything in between or far out there. I've grown up around both mutts and purebred dogs. My parents have many shelter dogs and my grandparents are fond of their great danes.
In mentioning my want of a corgi I've heard mostly comments about how there are so many animals in shelters and purebred doesn't mean it's better. When I get a corgi it will be my first official dog. The dogs at my parents were theirs even though I did a lot of the care. I will probably look at puppies because I want it to be trained by me. The best comparison is that this will be the closest I get to ever having a baby.
That being said I'm sure down the road I will have other pets. Who knows how many will be mix or rescue? I volunteer for a local low cost spay/neuter and pet food pantry. I see a lot of animals through that.
But how do you deal with people turning their nose up at you for wanting a dog that's not a mix or wanting a puppy? It's not really their business in my opinion so long as the dog is kept healthy and happy. But I've even had friends remark about it like I'm doing an awful thing by wanting one the way I want it.
Luckily my ever judgemental parents have said they understand. I also would say, it could still happen that I end up finding an older dog, a mix, or any combo, that I just fall in love with.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on
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I am a big animal rescue person. BUT, I also have two purebred dogs. I firmly believe that God brings the animals in to our lives for some reason--whether it be a purebred or a mix. Let that guide you. What is meant to be will be. As far as dealing with people who look down on you--I figure opinions are like A**holes- everyone has one.
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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I would just ignore most people, but for those whose opinions matter to you, you can try to have a reasoned conversation.
First, make sure you are finding a responsible breeder. Responsible breeders take responsibility for their pups for life, and by contract any dog that can't be kept MUST go back to the breeder. That means that responsible breeders are not contributing to unwanted pets in shelters. In my area, I almost never see a Corgi in rescue.
Fortunately, the area of the country I live in does not have a dog overpopulation problem (cats, yes, but not dogs). In fact, private rescues bring in literally thousands of dogs from the South to fill the desires of people who want to adopt rather than buy a puppy. We have fewer dogs produced than people wanting dogs, so the argument is easier.
Unfortunately, based on your profile you live in one of the areas that is a big exporter of unwanted dogs, so that gives you a tougher sell in a discussion. But the basic point is this: should every dog lover have to be responsible for the fact that a certain percent of owners are not responsible enough to spay and neuter? And if the answer is "yes" then do we tell people they should not have children because there are unwanted children in foster care? That question leaves people down an uncomfortable path, because surely children have more value to society than dogs, and yet lots of children are sadly neglected all the time, yet we don't feel that no one should have kids until the problem is resolved.
I would carefully explain that you want a certain type of dog with a certain type of personality and energy, that your best bet for that is a purebred that you have raised yourself, and that you are carefully looking for breeders who take responsibility for their dogs for life. And that while you have great respect for rescuing dogs and may do that yourself one day, at THIS time what you want is that specific breed of puppy.
Last time I checked, something like 1.5 million dogs are euthanized each year in shelters (many more cats) and nearly half of those are pittie-type dogs. In the meantime, something like 7 million new dogs are acquired each year so if everyone stopped breeding right now, we would run out of dogs in less than 6 months.
There will ALWAYS be some unwanted dogs. Many are turned over by owner surrender when they reach adolescence and are untrained and no longer cute. Quite a few have serious behavior problems. Some are unwanted puppies. Some are turned in by people who never thought they'd give up a dog, but then they lost a home or job or spouse and just could not keep it. Some are accidental litters by less-than-careful owners.
But the answer is not to stop breeding dogs.
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Permalink Reply by Cassandra on
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This was very informative. Thank you so much. It is sad that this area is so crowded. My parents got the majority of their dogs from shelters just before they were to be put down. Unfortunately, not all of them worked out because of personality issues in the home.
I do plan to find the best breeder possible. I know it's still some time before I can consider looking for a puppy, but I have emailed some recommended breeders close-ish to me for what they require of new pup owners and other things. That way I know what I am expected to do from their point of view and can do it.
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Here is a good discussion:
http://mycorgi.com/forum/topics/are-their-too-many-dogs-in-the-usa?...
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Permalink Reply by Angie on
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I had the same problem. When I graduated from college I really wanted a dog and everyone said rescue rescue rescue. This is the first dog I bought all on my own and picked out. I wanted it to be a purebred AKC dog because I felt I deserved it and I really wanted to start with a puppy since I got my first puppy at 10 I really wanted a puppy to train now that I knew more. I graduated in Animal Science and have done my research and we did learn how to deal with people with strong opinions and we did practice it. I bought my pup from a responsible breeder and I love her. My next puppy I am planning on getting from a rescue because she has a certain personality. I have nothing against rescues but there are certain people who think you are an evil person if you don't rescue. I explain that I was looking for something specific (an agility dog) and that I wanted to start from scratch. The puppy I bought would have been born regardless if I had bought her or not. I also explain that if more people would be responsible with their own pets and have them spayed/neutered or not get a puppy before they are ready shelters wouldn't be as crowded.
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I'll also be getting my pup when I graduate, or at least that's the plan right now. Though I'm going into animal husbandry and conservation, and hopefully working to ensure zoo animals have proper enrichment. There's also the whole wanting to save an endangered species by helping figure out what gets them going so they mate.
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Permalink Reply by Beverly Butler Redford & Tucker on
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All three of my boys are rescues. Two came from one of the local shelters (via petfinder.com) and one was dumped in rural New Mexico. One of the shelter boys is purebred. He was also chipped, neutered & obedience trained when I got him. The prior owner's loss is my gain.
The issue really isn't which is "better". The end result is what counts: are you comfortable with your choice-and you won't know until it happens. If you are comfortable with your choice, then you will be able to stand up to it.
And, you're already helping the shelter dogs by volunteering which is just as important as adopting-you are doing your part.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Go with your gut and what works for you! You certainly deserve to get the dog of your choice and Beth has some solid info for you. You could also get a purebred as this will be like your child and then when you have this pup trained well(at least 1-2 years) add a rescue or dog "in need". I think to have a well trained dog and then to add is better. Good luck!
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I would actually like to have more than one, but we'll start with one for now :p
I'd like to have some older rescues, no breed in particular or anything, at some point when I have a house and some land. But something my husband said made me not want a senior dog first thing. I had to make the decision to end the suffering of my childhood cat in June. Granted younger dogs can get sick or something happen, but I'd rather take the risk and have a pup that will live for a long happy while before taking in older or senior dogs. I know I'm still healing. And again, it's still a year (or a little less now) before I can have a pup.
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You might want to consider a Senior someday...they are the hardest to adopt and giving them a good life for possibly the 1st time in their life is a very special experience:) Yes, they don't have the time to live a long life but they will have a goof life and they do appreciate it(I believe). My Teddy is about 12 and I wouldn't change a bit he has been here about 4 years with me after living in a puppy mill. When I see him run and play and just enjoy life it brings a smile to my face. Yes, he has cataracts and someday sooner than I wish I know I will have to help him "crossover" but with me by his side but I know that I gave him an enjoyable life and that makes me happy too!
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Permalink Reply by Linda on
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I have had mutts and purebreds...both are wonderful. We wanted an Irish Wolfhound...we know the breed and love it. You can't find that in a shelter. Our purebred corgis...have alll been rescues and a re-homing but now that I am retired our next one will be a puppy because I have the time to devote to it.
It is a personal choice and doesn't require an explanation other than a corgi has what you want in a dog....that is explanation enough.
We faced the same thing when we adopted. Imagine the comments we got because we chose to adopt from S. Korea rather then an American child in foster care. "Aren't Ameircan kids good enough for you?" It had nothing to do with where the child came from and it had everything to do with not wanting to wait 5+ years to go thru the social services system. And 30 years ago there were plenty of bi-racial babies up for adoption but a white couple was not deemed a proper setting by social services. So we became a bi-racial family anyways.
So you owe no one an explanation other than a corgi is what you want. It's good that shelter animals have a higher profile than years ago...it does help get them homes but now it has become a politically correct thing to do.
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