Discussion: Feeling Guilty About Buying A Purebred As Opposed To Rescuing From Shelter

Hiya friends. Today we'd like to address this super relevant question that many folks looking into getting a dog come across. Should you feel guilty about buying a purebred as opposed to rescuing a mixed breed dog from a shelter? And in general, regardless of breed, should you feel guilty about buying a dog? 

Many chimed in to voice their opinions on this heated subject after the discussion emerged in the depths of Reddit. We'd like to quote Reddit user Mbwapuppy as we voice our own opinion on the subject: "Getting dog from shelter/rescue: Good. Getting dog from responsible breeder: Also good. Getting dog from puppy mill/broker/pet store/backyard breeder: Bad. How do you make these judgments? By considering how these choices do or do not affect the welfare of dogs overall." And that just about sums it up! At the end of the day, what really matters is the love you give your doggo, regardless of whether or not you adopted or rescued. 

Author image for kalilacourban kalilacourban
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  • 01
    Font - Should i feel guilty for buying a dog (purebred) instead of adopting one ? [Discussion] I bought my dog five years ago i was a teenager i love him and take care of him , guys he is literally the love of my life BUT however recently my best friend has been shaming me for buying instead of adopting and the more i think about it the more gulity i feel. Help me out guys what are your thoughts ?

    How could you possibly feel guilty about something that is literally the love of your life!! You've adored and taken care of this dog for five years and a thoughtless comment from a friend gets you down? Chin up, sis!

    Via pongo1200
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  • 02
    Font - MoreNapsPls • 1d I've owned both kinds of dog. Turns out they love you unconditionally either way. You're fine. As usual it's people who suck and your friend should just chill out and pet a dog.

    PREACH. As usual, no animals are at fault here, just humans. Chill out and pet a dog. Turns out, both adopted and rescue dogs are capable of unconditional love and every dog is unique in his or her own special way. 

    Via MoreNapsPls
  • 03
    Font - Mbwapuppy · 1d 3 2 Awards Lord, this again? Getting dog from shelter/rescue: Good. Getting dog from responsible breeder: Also good. Getting dog from puppy mill/broker/pet store/backyard breeder: Bad. How do you make these judgments? By considering how these choices do or do not affect the welfare of dogs overall.
    Via Mbwapuppy
  • 04
    Font - joe5joe7 · 1d I'll add to this that if it's 5 years ago you shouldn't be shamed for whatever choice you made. If you got it from a shady breeder learn and don't do it again, but move past it and love the dog you have! 161 3 TheMobHasSpoken · 1d Right--what is this person supposed to do, get rid of the dog? 56 3 squishbunny · 1d "Wow, I never thought of it that way, I guess you're right. Wanna help me take him to the shelter?"
    Via joe5joe7
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  • 05
    Font - Aerodynamics • 1d It's cause a lot of people (incorrectly) associate buying a dog with getting a dog from a backyard breeder. They genuinely don't know that reputable breeders exist. I've had to educate some friends about it after getting shamed like OP about getting a dog from a reputable breeder.
    Via Aerodynamics
  • 06
    Font - Worldly-Zucchini-922 · 1d Exactly. My friend is a dog trainer and she wanted to have a dog to train for pet therapy. She got a puppy Labrador from a reputable breeder and she trained this dog amazingly. She wanted a pure bred because of certain characteristics due to the job she was going to teach her. Nothing wrong with that. +
    Via Worldly-Zucchini-922
  • 07
    Font - Whisgo • 1d no... your best friend is in the wrong here... I have both a purebred and a rescue - they are both wonderful dogs. I have no regrets from purchasing our Toller from a breeder - and no regrets of rescuing our shepherd mix off the street. https://bedogsmart.org/ is a great website you can provide your friend - it talks about both how to both buy a dog from an ethical breeder and how to properly adopt a dog from an ethical rescue. Next time your friend brings it up, ask them how
    Via Whisgo
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  • 08
    Font - DianeMKS • 1d New puppy owner here - can a backyard breeder not also be responsible? I thought a family/backyard breeder can be very loving, many only have one litter at a time. When looking for my puppy, all the recommendations I received were this type.
    Via DianeMKS
  • 09
    Font - atlantisgate · 1d shih tzu mystery mix There's nothing wrong with buying a dog from a responsible breeder. That means a breeder who is conducting all recommended OFA health tests on the dogs they're breeding (which you need to independently verify) and be doing some kind of temperament testing, among other things. 6 Reply 1 182 3 wickedcricket2187 · 1d PREACH!! Many rescue groups buy mill mommas (and papas) and adopt them out. While this seems noble on the surface, it also means that folk
    Via atlantisgate
  • 10
    Font - reshp2 · 1d I'm a former shelter volunteer. I always encourage people whose situations allow to at least consider adoption. I will never shame people for buying from a reputable breeder, though. Really shaming people is never the answer, I try to educate and discourage people from buying from pet shops and backyard breeders, but certain situations a purebred pup from a good breeder is a better fit too. I'm actually about to get my first pure-bred pup because we have young kids and cats, w
    Via reshp2
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  • 11
    Product - AJSings85 · 1d I just wanted to add; you can't change the past, it's done. You have your dog, you seem to be a loving dog owner, so enjoy that!! We do the best we can until we know better, and then we do better. You gave that puppy a home and love, no matter where it came from! G Reply 1 114 3 0oohaname • 1d Get the dog you want and stop caring about what other ppl think.
    Via AJSings85
  • 12
    Mammal - hobby_jogger1 • 1d I bought a purebred from a reputable breeder and have no second thoughts. I have very specific criteria that my local rescues couldn't meet so I decided to go with a breeder.
    Via hobby_jogger1
  • 13
    Font - blu-juice · 1d I've been shamed by people on the street for buying a purebred from a reputable breeder. Once they hear you bought from a breeder the conversation goes stale though. At this point, you've had the dog for 5 years and you're a great owner, so regardless it doesn't matter what they think. I'd ignore anyone without a nuanced opinion and who's generally unaware of what 'adopt don't shop' really means. The slogan started as a way to shut down puppy stores and puppy mills. G Reply

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    Via blu-juice

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