I just want to say one thing at the risk of being shunned - not all puppies brought in Pet shops come from "Puppy Farms".
My SIL breeds Labs but cannot afford or be bothered with registration fees with VCA, all of her dogs could be registered though. When her girl dogs do have litters (one season in one season off) she often goes through a pet shop as it is easier for her to sell them (she is a farmer not a full time dog breeder). When she sells them herself they are generally much cheaper then you would find with registered breeders but are just as good - just not from show lines.
Most registered breeders charge an absolute fortune for pure breds and it can make pet ownership for some people very costly. You shouldn't have to spend a tonne of money for a pet regardless if you are wanting to show or not.
Our Newfie cost $1500 and that was 12 years ago and he had a short life span of 6 years we didn't get another "pure bred" from a breeder and I will never buy from a breeder again.
I personally prefer rescue dogs and have 1 adopted semi rescue dog (we knew her previous owner and she was not taken care of). Admittedly she has taken some work and we still have a few small issues with her but she is generally good and is very loving and loyal especially towards me (I was the one who brought her home).
NaeNae, I have no doubt that your SIL is one of the few breeders suplying pet shops who do treat their bredding dogs well but TBH I don't understand how someone who loves their puppies can sell them to a pet shop where anyone with the right amount of money can just walk in and walk out with the puppy 5 minutes later. Many of the young dogs that end up in shelters are impulse buys and IMO you shouldn't be able to buy a pet on impulse.
Some pure breeds are expensive, there's no doubting that, but the cost of a pet-shop puppy and a pure breed puppy from a breeder isn't much differant. Years ago when my Dad had problems with a pure breed b!tch he bought as a work dog (too much 'eye')we went back to the breeder and he took her back to breed with other dogs that didn't have enough 'eye'. Had she come from a pet shop our only option would have been trying to rehome her (not easy if you have a useless working dog) or putting her down.
A puppy from a reputable breeder comes with all its vet work done, microchipped, wormed and socialised. All these things take time and money. Just using Labs as an example because that is the breed you mentioned, conscientious breeders have their dogs X-rayed for hip dysplasia and osteochondrosis, and have their dog's eyes tested annually by a veterinary ophthalmologist to detect any disease at the earliest stages, and do not breed from affected animals. All these tests are expensive but by doing them breeders make sure that these issues are not passed on. If one of their buyers contact them to say that the dog they bought has developed these issues most breeders will take this into account and won't repeat the cross. Many breeders will also offer to find a solution that leaves all parties happy. If one of the labs that your SIL sells to a pet shop has congenital issues she won't even know about it so she can't do anything to stop it happening again.
The overabundance of puppies in pounds and rescue organisations means that pet ownership is not unaffordable to anyone. TBH, I know this sounds harsh, but if a person can't afford the upfront costs of getting a dog then maybe they should ask themselves if they can afford the ongoing costs.
ETA - I saw a some gorgeous labs in the pound last week (including a young boy less than a year old) so if anyone wants a lab they can pick one up for a fraction of the cost at the pound if they're prepared to wait until one is impounded or surrendered. Also Staffies, Lhassa Apsoos Maltese, Poms, a ****er Spaniel..... If it's a pure bred you want the pound has them.
I think you will find that PETBARN on the central coast (lakehaven??) were seen selling kittens/puppies/birds not long ago....
Puppies from registered breeders should come with health guarantess (we sell ALL our puppies with health guarantees) and their parents should have ALL relevant health testing prior to breeding (which we do) so that ALL major faults/hereditry disease do not show up.
MOST registered breeders charge what they do..BECAUSE they have taken THEIR time and effort to give only the best start in life for the pups. WE only breed when we want something ourselves for the show ring, and the rest are found decent loving homes (which are screened BIG time)
Pups from pet shops "may" come from "so-called" breeders BUT in all honesty...they are from LAZY BACK YARD BREEDERS/PUPPY FARMERS who DO NOT put in the time/effort.
The Jack Russell Terrier Club in NSW rescues and rehomes JRTs that have been in pounds (and other rescue orgs sometimes). We got our two through them and they are very careful to rehome them to a suitable family.
Great thread!
Just wanted to add that if you are after a specific breed but don't have the $$ for a puppy from a reputable breeder, it's still worth checking the breed clubs and local registered breeders in your state. They will be able to point you in the direction of specific rescue programs (such as the Jack Russel and Greyhound ones that have been mentioned - these organisations exist for most breeds) and/or might have an ex-show dog needing to be rehomed. Much cheaper, but you're doing a good deed and likely getting a dog with fewer health issues. Plus you get to know a reputable breeder and have a new support network with a wealth of breed-specific information
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks