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What do you say to people, who upon finding out you're buying a purebred registered dog, give you grief and tell you that you should be looking at the local shelter for a rescue dog?
What do you say?
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dwecks answer is great to passerbys - if it's somebody you have a more ongoing relationship with something like
it's great that you are so well educated
we have chosen to buy a purebred dog at this time because (whatever fits- we want a puppy- we have always wanted a lab whatever)
we have done our research very carefully and are buying a well bred lab (I hope thats true) not from a puppy mill or petstore
it's great that you are so well educated
we have chosen to buy a purebred dog at this time because (whatever fits- we want a puppy- we have always wanted a lab whatever)
we have done our research very carefully and are buying a well bred lab (I hope thats true) not from a puppy mill or petstore
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Personally, I would tell them that I have two rescues now, will have more in future, but that at this point I want a pure-bred puppy from a reputable breeder. If they know me, they'll know the reason. If they don't know me, the reason is none of their business
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Those are the answers I've given.
When told I'm only contributing to the over-population of dogs in the world by buying from a breeder, I say something along these lines ...
"I don't believe ALL breeders are only adding to our overpopulation problem because RESPONSIBLE breeders do not breed for money, they breed for a purpose, whether it be for showing, for hunting, for service/guide dogs, but a RESPONSIBLE breeder breeds to demand and generally isn't in it for the big bucks. I would never buy a dog from a puppy mill, a pet shop or anywhere the dogs are not CKC registered (and even then there are CKC breeders I won't support). If I were looking for a mutt I'd be looking at a shelter for a puppy rather than spending money on a "breeder" who thinks his lab/shepherd dogs are worth $500 or the people who sell Labradoodles as "purebred". Those people are the people who are contributing to the over population. Them and the people who refuse to have their dogs spayed or neutered and let them roam."
That being said, I know there are perfectly good reasons to NOT have a dog spayed/neutered that have nothing to do with breeding.
I hate to sound so snobby, and I know every lab has its own personality, but I can pretty much guarentee I'm going to get a great family pet who loves kids and will be loyal and loving. A dog who will enjoy the company of the cats and be friends with the other dogs in the family (my sister, parents, aunt, cousins all have dogs who meet and play). That's a lab! With a shelter dog I could end up with a pup with not such great traits! I know, too, I could end up with a great dog from a shelter, but that's not what I want.
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AWESOME! Yup, some of them are "I only get my pets from shelters" type people and are telling me what I'm doing is basically wrong. I think 'BITE ME' is a fair response in that situation. LOL
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I hope you find a great lab - I have known many wonderfully bred dogs who have had pretty serious issues one way or another so it's all a bit of a crap shoot to me. However I do not think that buying from a good breeder contributes to the overpopulation issue at least not in my neck of the woods 
I think your answer is great - but I do think the people who advise not engaging the nutbars are making a point too.
Hang in there - once you have cute puppy pictures people should shut up and go awwwwwwww
I think your answer is great - but I do think the people who advise not engaging the nutbars are making a point too.
Hang in there - once you have cute puppy pictures people should shut up and go awwwwwwww
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My REAL response would be, and has been : I would in a ssecond, however, I've been down that road before and my heart just can't handle the problems and illness we went through before. I carefully chose a breeder who breeds responsibly and has all necessary health clearances, etc.".
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I would just tell them that it's my choice and not thiers.
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All of my dogs prior to the puppy I have now have been rescues. Including the 3 year old Lab I have who was diagnosed with diabetes at 18 months old.
I am pretty much at my limit in paying for and managing a chronic medical condition - which is why I went with a puppy from a reputable breeder. I know that it is not a guarantee that there will be no problems with this animal, but I feel that knowing his lineage and his having come from cleared stock, I am being as careful as I can be.
The problem of overpopulation is not being driven by responsible breeders. This person's energies should perhaps be directed towards those who are truly the source of the problem - the puppy millers, the BYBers and the average pet owner who feels that their dog needs "just one litter".
I am pretty much at my limit in paying for and managing a chronic medical condition - which is why I went with a puppy from a reputable breeder. I know that it is not a guarantee that there will be no problems with this animal, but I feel that knowing his lineage and his having come from cleared stock, I am being as careful as I can be.
The problem of overpopulation is not being driven by responsible breeders. This person's energies should perhaps be directed towards those who are truly the source of the problem - the puppy millers, the BYBers and the average pet owner who feels that their dog needs "just one litter".
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I like that answer better - sheeeeeessssssshhhhhh - can't help being me
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"Mind your business"
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