If you are not going to show or work your dog, please just get one from a shelter.

This is a good point! Or a rescue! And if you think there aren't gorgeous, blue tri dogs in rescues...

http://www.mprgroup.net/pictures/sarge/11.jpg
http://www.mprgroup.net/dogs/sarge.html

THINK AGAIN!!

Wow, look at that cutie! Can't believe someone dumped him

Some people look for "pet quality" dogs from breeders. Where I personally would get a dog from a shelter if I wouldn't show or compete in any way, some people want to know where their dog came from.

Breeders that breed pet quality dogs don't realize how stupid that is. There are plenty of animals DYING in shelters when people are out there getting a puppy just like them just because they want papers or a history..

Nothing wrong with wanting a papered dog and history.

Even though I would prefer to adopt from a shelter, I don't think it's stupid. Some people like knowing a bit of back history. You know a bit more about what your getting when you go to a breeder and if that's what you want, go for it. That would have helped with my dog..

If you're speaking of people that breed purely pets with no mind on show, sport or preferably work, I'm inclined to agree. I don't see how it betters the breed any to strive for second and third best.

However if we're talking about pups from a breeder that just didn't happen to make the cut as a show, working, or sport dog and as "pet quality" animals often do, are sold under a no breeding spay/neuter contract, then I'm less inclined

IMO you are much more likely to get a dog with issues (mental or physical) from a dog you get from a shelter than a breeder.
These breeders do not specifically breed for pet quality dogs, they breed for show/work quality but some dogs wont make the cut. Usually those dogs are sent out with a spay and neuter agreement (At least that is what I have seen/heard)
But that is a different argument for a different day.

I think i am being misunderstood. PPeople that breed to better the breed is all fine and dandy, but people that breed just for good looks or to make a few dollars, AKA backyard breeders...that's stupid. Like I said at first, if they are not planning to show or work their dog, and just want a pet, why not look into a shelter?

Because some people want more of a guarantee of a stable dog because they'll know the dog's pedigree and where exactly it came from. Nothing wrong with getting a PET from a good breeder.

I know MJJean went to breeders after she got 2 unstable shelter dogs.

Please don't turn all AR nut and say that everyone must rescue.

I work with shelter dogs, the vast majority of the time, they're awesome animals. I've seen numerous LOVELY Pit Bull type dogs come through our local shelters (including tri's). See:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net..._5816303_n.jpg

http://kadysturtsman.smugmug.com/Ani.../0/L/Em2-L.jpg

and just another example:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net...20025512_n.jpg

Sorry, a bit OT but I can't stand it when people have that mentality about shelter dogs. I've known plenty of dogs from breeders with crappy temperaments and health. I have to agree with Barbara, if you aren't planning on showing, there is no reason not to at least check your local shelters for a dog. I got Piper from a BYB, paid $50 for her, she probably would've ended up at a shelter if I hadn't taken her..

http://kadysturtsman.smugmug.com/Ani.../IMG8294-L.jpg

http://kadysturtsman.smugmug.com/Ani.../IMG8279-L.jpg

And I think that if someone wants a dog from a breeder, they should be allowed to get a dog from a good breeder without worrying about being ridiculed.

As far as rescues go, responsible, truthful rescues seem to be few and far between.

I would rescue a dog from a shelter, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it but I can also see the other side of the story where someone would want to know the history of the dogs involved in the breeding.

I've yet to find a truthful rescue around here that I would trust getting a dog from. They all so far have been saying that all of their pit bill type dogs were fighters. Ugh. Total bullshit the way some shelters/rescues try to scam and lie.

Yup. I had one dog from the Humane Society and one from a "free to good home" Craigslist ad where the owner said he had to rehome his dog due to a divorce and moving to an apartment that wouldn't allow the dog. Both were unstable and both bit a human. Both were PTS.

After those sad experiences, I was still trying to rescue and ended up dealing with animal nuts and rescues straight up lying about a dog's health and behavior including one rescue that was trying to adopt out a dog that had already been returned 3 times for biting it's adopters.. That's when I decided to go the breeder route and lessen my chances of a dog with mental and physical issues.

3 of my 4 dogs came from working/showing breeders. Owen is from hunting lines and his parents are still used in that capacity. Ike came from a breeder who shows. Renee came from a breeder who does weight pull and occasionally shows. The only one I have that came from a BYB and could be considered a rescue is Rita. The only reason I felt comfortable taking her in is that she was owned by my brother and I had known her since she was a pup and knew she was solid.

I very much like knowing the temperament and physical traits I can expect in my dogs. The only one I have that has surprised me was Ike. He's on the small end for his breed which was a surprise considering how massive his parents are.

---------- Post added at 08:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:02 AM ----------
I don't have anything against a "pre-owned" dog, but since I have kids I didn't want to risk lightning striking a 3rd time. I think I will get a shelter dog from the local AC pound in the future when my kids are older and I have the room. The dogs at the local AC only have a few days at most, so they are have the biggest need and I wouldn't be going ito it with any set expectations given to me by someone else. If I ever go the shelter route I will be the one evaluating the dog so I know what I am getting into and not relying on some rescue or evaluation done by someone I don't know is truly qualified to do it.

I think my husband is reasonably nice and he actually said something very similar to "someone else's raggedy ass used up" dog back when we were looking. He was open to a "used" dog if things felt right, but he made it pretty clear that he preferred having a pup because he didn't want to have to clean up someone else's training and socializing mistakes.

---------- Post added at 08:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:23 AM ----------

Not like he would have been cleaning up someone else's mistakes anyways, lol. Dog training is my job. His job is to wait until said dog is trained and then brag about how well trained "his" dog is...

LOL, I dont have a problem with shelter dogs at all. Damn,tough crowd.

Not all shelter/rescue dogs are bad, not all dogs from breeders are flawless... sometimes you can get a great dog from a shelter, sometimes, you can get a lousy dog from a breeder. Take your time, look around, ask questions and invest effort to ensure that you get a great dog, whether it's from a shelter or a breeder. http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/wink.png

Thanks for putting for the effort to find a good quality dog and not just jumping in with both feet first without doing any research. http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Here's a great breeder, and they even have a website!: petfinder.com

Im not against shelters but temperment, health and training is of the upmost important things for my house hold. I have kids, so gambling with a un proven bully is not an option. Health, because it seems like more and more bully breeds are having health problems, and training for the simple fact that I love doing it and taking credit for a well trained dog.

If my situation was diffrent, I would get a rescue, but its not.