When you're in the market for a dog, do you look for a pure bred dog or a Heinz57?
I have never wanted, nor had (with one exception) a pure bred dog. They can have so many problems due to inbreeding. The only exception was the most beautiful, white German Shepherd in the world, and we only had her because her original owner gave her to Rick when I wasn’t looking.
Other than Dakota I’ve only had mutts and it is so interesting to see certain traits emerge that can be attributed to a certain breed that you can see is part of the mix.
For example, we had a dog, from a random farm litter, who I always called some manner of Spaniel, until Fluther pinpointed as mostly border collie when she was 10 years old. That explained some of her amazing behavior!
Anyway, pure bred or mutts? That is the question.
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Adoption dogs. Anything from a breeder is a sin.
The last four dogs we’ve had have been German Shepherd Dogs from a breeder but have had mutts as well.
It’s a matter of preference for us.
I’ve had four dogs. Two were rescues. One was from a friend who bred her two dogs. One was from a breeder. All were mixes except the Basset Hound who was a pure bred, but she was one of the rescues.
I have a friend who gets his hounds from a Basset rescue who travels all over saving the long eared galoots. They’re all pure breds (mine even had a show name), but I was surprised how many Bassets get abandoned.
Some sort of Doxie. I wouldn’t get one from a breeder. You can get Doxies or Doxie mixes from rescues all over.
I have never dealt with a breeder.
@cookieman…. ” the long eared galoots.” exactly defines Cato too. Tonight he was shoveling his nose through the living room carpet like a blood hound…... just like a galoot.
My wife is allergic to most animals, so we can’t get just any dog. However we did have a little cutie show up in the neighborhood about 8 years ago that thought we would be a great home to join. He didn’t shed, was hypoallergenic, and was already housebroken. A Yorkie mix, so mutt, but bigger than most yorkies. I guess he qualifies as a rescue since he was wandering lost (more like abandoned), and no one claimed him after a month of searching for an owner.
I’m a Heinz 57 fan!!! In my lifetime, I think I only ever had 2 pure bred dogs. ALL the others were rescues!!! My ex insisted on having a Doberman. We bought him from an individual who showed dogs. This dog had a bloodline that made the Royal Family look like tramps. After we divorced, I was gifted a Mini Pinscher (aka a Toy Manchester Terrier). People feared my ex’s Doberman, but the Mini had an attitude born of the devil!!! He was loving with me but he had a vindictive streak when he didn’t get his way or you left him home alone. After a while, I couldn’t keep him any longer, so I got my parents to take him. They had an acre of land & I thought he’d be happier outside where he could run & roam. He enamored my dad & ended up back inside where he could be pampered. My Mom sewed for the public. When Mom & Dad left him home alone even for a short time, he tore up anything that belonged to them. Long story short, he asked to go out one day, ran out in front of a car & that was that. Dad was devastated as he loved that dog.
I’m of the opinion that rescues KNOW that you’ve saved them from a miserable life & they appreciate it so much that they shower you with extra love!!! Since my experience with the pure breds, I’ve ALWAYS chosen to go the rescue route. I’ve had some wonderful rescues & NOT one that I ever wanted to send back!!! These dogs are VERY special in every way. They offer tons of love IF only you’re willing to accept it!!!
If I want a specific set of traits, I go for a puppy from a well vetted breeder. Your assertion, @Dutchess_lll, that ”they can have so many problems due to inbreeding” is false, as reputable breeders work very hard to improve the health of their dogs.
I have also rescued dogs, and been as delighted with them as the puppies I’ve raised, it’s just a different situation.
Mutts. Although I end up with some beautiful dogs. Rescues get owner surrenders often, so the selection is very wide here.
@Dutchess_lll a Doxie is a dachshund. (A doxy is a fancy hooker.)
@zenvelo Our shelter had four mini doxies puppies dropped off. Think those were gone in two days.
The specific set of traits that I look for is a loving dog. Living closer to the country than the city, we get all kind of strays dropped off near our home. We’ve had many a loving dog appear at our door that we let stay. Never had one that we couldn’t love back
Mutts are generally healthier.
I look for a peaceful nature. I picked 2 of my dogs by going and sitting in the middle of a litter and checked which one came to me first and which backed away or acted growlly.
Both times I chose the one who came and curled up in my lap.
I know @kritiper. Dakota was healthy right up to the end, with the exception of hip displasia which is a very common problem with GSDs. She had that for at least 5 years before she died.
I’m confused. Aren’t all German Shepherds dogs?
I take whatever comes my way. My two dogs were gifts to me and I love em both, no matter how goofy they are. They are not full blood anything. The male is Collie and Boxer. The female is German Shepard and Pointer.
Cato is at the vet’s until tomorrow. ;(
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