How do you know if you’re getting your dog from the “right” place?

I used to be a huge advocate for the whole “adopt, don’t shop” movement. I’m sure most of you have heard this phrase before, and for the record I still 100% advocate adopting from animal shelters and rescues (my three kitties are from shelters). These options are absolutely crucial in assisting families in finding their furrever friends and giving literally MILLIONS of animals second chances and happy endings. The issue I’ve come to realize with this “adopt, don’t shop” thing is that it essentially and unfairly polarizes the options of adopting your next pet or buying from a breeder. Basically what started out as a well-intended campaign to bring awareness to the growing problem of homeless animals has quickly twisted into crucifying anything but adopting. Essentially, adopt your next dog or cat from a shelter… or you’re a heartless human being.

Once I really thought about this, I realized that buying a purebred dog is not wrong. Could you be helping a shelter dog find a home? Sure. And that’s fantastic if that’s what you choose! But you buying a purebred dog didn’t put that shelter dog there, nor does it add any more dogs to the shelters. The blame for those homeless dogs is on irresponsible breeders and uneducated buyers. The animals that are in shelters and rescues are there for many reasons, and you buying your dog from a reputable breeder is NOT one of them. Ironically, supporting reputable breeders can actually prevent many animals from ending up in those shelters and help accomplish what the whole “adopt, don’t shop” thing set out to do—minimize the number of animals that end up in shelters.

But how?

Let’s do the math together here. First off, why do animals end up in shelters? There are many reasons including some that unfortunately can’t be controlled like an owner passing away. However, some of the most common reasons are:

• Lack of training
• Not enough time for a pet
• Cost of pet ownership
• Too many animals
• Health issues

Due to reasons like the ones above, an estimated 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters every year according to the ASPCA. The good news is that they also report approximately 4.1 million annual adoptions and that intakes have gone down by an estimated 900,000 annually. So where does buying from a reputable breeder come into play? Reputable breeders put A LOT into their animals and breeding programs. I’m going to use dogs as examples here because we’re ultimately here because of our Boxers…right? But know that the same goes for cats.

Reputable breeders put countless hours (and dollars) into their dogs. They take the time to properly train their dogs, research their pedigrees and family histories, research their genetics, properly health test their dogs, and so much more. A breeder’s main goal is to produce healthy, happy, well-balanced puppies that are in line with the breed standard and will positively reflect their hard work and lineages. On top of that, they put just as much into prospective owners to make sure they’re good fits for their pups and are going to provide loving and forever homes.

A responsible breeder sets its puppies up for success. They’ll start as much training as they can, giving them a good foundation for the new owner to build on. They may start potty training, crate training, and more. They also can offer advice and should be available to help with training when needed, given this is their area of expertise. -Lack of training 🗹

A breeder also gets to know their prospective owners; they typically interview/screen you, your family, and your family’s lifestyle to make sure that your puppy will fit into your household. They might ask what you do for a living, ask if there are children in your household, ask if there are other animals in the household, where the dog will be when you’re at work, etc. Breeders don’t want to see their dogs in shelters any more than you do, so they’ll do everything they can to make sure they’re going to the right home and for good. -Not enough time for a pet/too many animals/cost of ownership 🗹

A good breeder knows their dog well. They’ll educate you on breed traits and tendencies, common health issues, recommended feeding and healthcare, and what to expect out of your dog. Although every dog is different, a breeder should be able to pretty accurately predict your puppy’s personality and temperament. More importantly, your breeder should know common health problems associated with their breed and specifically any that affect their dogs. Part of responsibly breeding is recognizing health and genetic issues and making sure they aren’t passed down into future generations. Not only is this important for their breeding program, but for the overall betterment of the breed. -Health issues 🗹

I personally believe that adopting a dog is wonderful and everyone should consider it. I also believe that buying your dog from a reputable breeder is just as acceptable and that you should choose what will be best for you and your family. If you’re wanting to compete in events or dog shows, I’d recommend purchasing from a responsible breeder—perhaps one with dogs that have a history of competing or championship bloodlines. If you’re simply wanting a new pet and family member, I recommend either adopting or responsibly shopping. There’s no shortage of amazing dogs waiting for their forever home at your local humane society or rescue, but there’s also no shame in buying a purebred dog and knowing what you’re getting.

How To Spot A Reputable Breeder:

My Buying Experience:

Before Bowie, I had never worked with a breeder, nor had I bought a purebred dog. I couldn’t be happier with Bowie and how our buying experience went. Before Bowie was even born, I had done some research and found a breeder that intrigued me. I visited her website and the more I saw, the more I liked. I actually started by reaching out via email with a zillion questions. Not only did she respond very quickly, but answered every one of my questions in extreme detail. She was so incredibly thorough in explaining her breeding program, dogs, and application/purchase process that I immediately knew that this was the right breeder. I felt like I knew her and her dogs already, and it sounds corny but it felt like home. I was immediately put at ease, comfortable, and confident that she would be giving us a great dog. What I didn’t realize at the time was that she’d be going above and beyond every step of the way and ultimately providing us with the best pup we could possibly get. She was in communication before, through, and after the birth of the puppies. She gave constant updates on weights, milestones, and pictures as the puppies grew through their first weeks. The day we picked Bowie up, he was up to date on all of his vaccines and even got a fresh bath and nail trim before we arrived. She had a little “welcome home” package with all of his records, puppy food to ease him into his new food, and some of his favorite toys and treats. We got to meet Bowie’s mom and dad and it was evident that our puppy had the absolute best upbringing so far. He was in our hands at that point, but we still keep in contact with our breeder and littermates through a Facebook group she created for prospective and previous owners. We’ve had such a positive experience and couldn’t be happier with how everything went.