Spring is coming here soon & this is a time a lot of people consider getting a puppy or dog. They are deciding what type of dog they want, then where to get their new dog from. There are a lot of things to consider, & research is so important, & not just emotions. I really like the saying “let emotions subside before you decide.” Adding an animal of any kind to your home is a decision that should not be taken lightly. When I speak of research I am referring to researching breeds in general & their temperament, activity level, how easy to train & what they are bred to do. If you have ever watched a dog show on TV you have seen how the dogs are put into groups such as; sporting, toy, herding, working etc… People sometimes like the look of a particular breed & don’t know a thing about the breed, when it comes to what it was bred for or activity level etc.. Sadly many of these dogs end up not being what they expected, so the dog winds up in a shelter or a rescue. Yes, there are rescues for purebred dogs, pretty much for every breed, there is a rescue, plus rescues for mix breeds. Many mixed breed rescue take in purebreds as well, I personally have fostered a variety of purebreds including: Rat Terriers, Beagles, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Pomeranian, Coon-hounds & others.
I just wanted to be sure everyone knows you don’t have to go to a breeder to get a purebred dog. Now this next bit of info is not widely known: purebred rescues get in pregnant dogs or puppies, but often most do not advertise it. I recommend if you are looking for a purebred puppy of a certain breed that you apply with rescues for the breed you want well in advance of wanting a puppy. On your application let them know what you’re looking for & if you are approved you should be contacted when they have a puppy available. I am honestly not a puppy person, so not sure how long this process can take, but you can ask that also.
There are advantages & disadvantages to adding a purebred dog or a mix breed dog into your life, home & family.
Purebred dogs that are bred correctly have predictability of size, coat type, energy level & temperament. They are bred for a specific task (herding, hunting, companionship etc…). The health risks are higher due to a limited gene pool. The cost to purchase & Vet bills are usually higher. Their lifespans are usually shorter due to hereditary issues. Pure bred dogs can be shown in the completion ring & not all sports are open to mix breeds or you have to find specialized organizations that allow mixed breeds to compete.
Mix breeds if acquired as a puppy may be harder to predict the size they will be. A helpful hint is to double their weight when they are 20 weeks old. If at 20 weeks your pup is 15 lbs then you can estimate as an adult at a good weight the dog will be 30 lbs. Mix breeds are usually healthier due to a mixed gene pool, which also can lead to longer life. The cost to acquire & for Vet bills over it’s life are usually less than purebreds because fewer Vet visits due to genetic illness or conditions. Now temperaments can be quite unique because of the wider gene pool. They may get a variety of characteristics from the different breeds. I did a blog post on doing DNA testing for dogs & cats it was #29 & you can go to my home page & scroll down to read it. DNA results can help to understand your pets traits, & then potentially know what to expect personality wise.
In recent years there have been a lot of designer breeds out there & they are still mixed breeds even though “breeders” & many owners call them by a designer name. When a type of dog becomes popular there are unscrupulous people who breed them for profit, they are not looking for quality in the breeds, but how much can I make from them. If not bred for temperament/size etc & purely for profit then the expected temperament is not there & these dogs may end up at Animal shelters. These dogs are not a registered breed, so not really monitored & the buyer has to do their due diligence to research the seller. Ask for references of people who bought one of their pups or dogs a good year ago, if they have a website look at it, read reviews about them & their dogs. I have had people tell me they drove 5 hours to get the dog or to this state or that, that doesn’t mean they are any better than the guy in the next town over.
If you’re planning to buy a purebred dog from a breeder you also need to do your research. I recommend you buy a puppy from someone who shows & has the ribbons & trophies to back it up. If you’re not planning to show then buy a puppy that is referred to as “pet quality.” This dog will be as beautiful as the show quality to you & most others, but a person who shows will know what disqualifies a dog from the show ring. I had a friend who bred & showed Collies & if a puppy didn’t have enough white on one side of the neck (show side) she knew it was not going to win in the ring & she would sell it as pet quality. She required it be altered as soon as old enough & she would follow up. She had a contract stating it would be done by a certain date & she needed proof before she would release the papers for the dog. If not done a Vet had to explain why or she would take the dog back. She had a great reputation & it was very important to maintain that.
Being in rescue for 20+ years I have a heart for rescue & see the need for pets to be adopted from rescues & shelters. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a purebred or a mixed breed saving a dog in a shelter or rescue saves more lives than just the one you adopt. When you adopt you open up a space in a rescue or in a shelter for a dog & if space is an issue some dogs may live longer because there is still room.
No matter where you decide to get a dog from, do your research into the breeds you like. search & read all you can about the breed. Go to the library & check out books on the breeds you like. Search the internet for information about the breeds you like. Contact rescues who take in the breeds you like & ask them about their temperament. A lot of purebred rescues may already have a lot of info about the breed on their website. Talk to people you know with the breed of dog you like. Sad, but know that some rescues won’t allow anyone to adopt without experience with that breed. It happened to me told this, even though I had 20+ years experience with fostering pets (approx 100 dogs). I ended up with a mix of the breed I wanted from another rescue & he is a great dog. There are usually several rescues that foster the same breeds, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket, apply to several & better chance you will receive a reply.
I am a fan of mix breeds, I did have my Sydney who was a rescue (foster failure) & she was a purebred Wire-haired Pointing Griffon. I adopted her because I knew I would invest the time in her she needed after a very bad/sad first 3 yrs of life with a family. She was abused (admitted) & when she finally tried to stand up for herself it was to cost her her life. I am grateful her Vet talked him into surrendering her to him & she found her way to me.
The decision to get a mixed breed or a purebred comes down to a personal decision & whether you prioritize predictability or overall long-term health & a unique personality. Know that some dogs will need grooming, some lots of exercise & attention ect…
I hope you found this post interesting & it made you think. Whether you’re thinking of adding a dog now or in 5 years. Doing research into breeds is so important. There are even websites & books to help decide what breed would be best for your home. If you are enjoying my blog, please click the “like” button, subscribe, write a comment, share my blog with friends & family. My goal is to reach as many pet lovers as possible & your help is appreciated. If you have a question or a topic you would like to see me blog about please drop me an email at echoinggreatpetcare@gmail.com Thank you, Debbie
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