It should come as no surprise that any dog lover, any veterinarian out there and any decent human being would tell you that shelter dogs are the way to go if you have the option to do so. Dogs from the breeder are all right too, they alsoneed a home, but the practice should be discouraged from catering to the general public. You can get purebreds or specific breeds of dogs from a shelter too, if you’re lucky, but that’s not what you should be looking for in a dog in the first place, unless you want to get into the competitive, showroom type thing, in which case this article may not be for you.
Pros and Cons for Shelter Dogs
Well, the obvious answer is that they need a home. These are either abandoned, lost, or unwanted dogs and puppies. And we all know that dogs have one purpose: to find a loving home to care for them, and which they can love back with all their being. But there’s also some practicality in all th
is: did you know that mixed-breeds or mongrels are generally healthier? That’s because they have a bigger gene pool from which they come from, often ending up in healthier, smarter and sturdier specimens?
There are, however, some cons as well. Depending on the age of the dog you choose to adopt, the warm up period may be easier or more difficult to manage. Eventually any dog will accommodate, barring some exceptional circumstances. But older dogs tend to be more reluctant at first in new environments. Tempers are also something you should keep an eye out for; dogs who have been abused in the past may have a hard time adjusting or trusting people again, although in most cases they’ll eventually warm up to you if you take the time, have the patience and invest a little in training both the dog and yourself.
Pros and Cons for Purebred Dogs from Breeders
When considering shelter dogs versus purebred dog from breeder, you initially may think that getting your dog from a certified breeder is the best option. It comes with a certificate, it usually has its shots, it belongs to a breed so there’s some sort of familiarity in terms of what you can expect from it in the long run. And these are indeed the high points of getting a dog from a breeder, alongside having a specimen you can show off at contests and win prizes with.
But there’s some significant downsides to almost all breeds, especially when they’re purebreds. And it goes back to the gene pool – breeders will choose dogs which match some physical qualities, fewer temperamental ones, often in spite of developing underlying health issues. Consequently, you’ll need to invest more in maintaining their health, in better food and medical expenses.
All things considered, it’s pretty clear that shelter dogs should be a priority. If there’s really nothing in a shelter you’re comfortable with, or no dog which is a good fit, then you can resort to a breeder. But that should always be the second choice of any real dog lover.