Where or how did you happen to get your dog? Bought from a breeder, dragged out from under the porch, animal shelter, what? We're approaching dog-getting time down here.

One from the animal shelter and one from a puppy mill.

I'm also nearing dog acquisition. We're talking about rescuing one or getting a pup. Leaning towards the former right now.

we were close to getting a dog but backed out last minute. but when we do we'll be going thru a breeder

what kind of breed are you after? you strike me as a weimeraner.

we initially were going to go for a lab. we went so far as to contact the breeder, but then we realized that it wouldn't have been a smart decision for us or the dog to get it at that time. my wife also likes softcoated wheaton terriers, but we'll see. her brother has one and it's kind of an annoying bastard.

I think I have ethical problems with buying from breeders, when it pretty much means that a stray will die as a result of the decision. I mean, do you need a dog that looks a certain way that much?

Not to call out anyone, really, I've just thought about this before and come to that conclusion.

nah, i'd just rather start fresh w/ a dog, a dog that i'm going to be putting potentially a lot of money into. through things i have read and conversations i've had w/ some dog owners, getting a dog thru a reputable breeder decreases the chances that your dog will have problems down the line, such as hip dysplasia w/ a lab. how do shelters handle that w/ strays?

also, i don't want to devote time trying to re-train the dog out of habits that it's asshole ex-owner instilled into it.

has absolutely nothing to do w/ 'how it looks,' but of its family hereditary history and overall demeanor.

I want a pair of Puggles eventually!

I want to stab you now!

You dont know where I live, PUNK!!!!!



uhhh, oh wait!......

Well, strays aren't all rotweilers from broken homes. I'm pretty sure there are a goodly number of puppies that end up in shelters.

i'm sure there are. and i'm sure that you can find bad apples from breeders. all i'm saying is that it seems there would be less mystery in getting one from a solid breeder w/ authentic paperwork to back it up.

probably true.

facist.

yeah i know.

hippie.

No, I need a dog that's not mentally fckd in the head that much. You get an 8 week old from a quality breeder you know what you're getting. Pounds & shelters are buyer beware as far as thier mental health. You have no clue what has happened to those dogs & what kind of issues they're gonna drop on you. I've seen great rescue stories & I've seen some I'd want no part of, in fact I wish I wasn't a part of my sisters second dog.

I have boxer that was being mistreated. The sister of the owner worked with my wife. She told us what was going on and that her sister didn't really want the dog. We basically stole her while they were at some bar. Never met them. Couldn't be happier. But I would have paid for boxer as they have always been my favorite breed. And Haq it's more about personality then appearance when picking breeds.

GF bought hers from some weird old dude who runs a pet store in Chicago. It was bred in Iowa. It's a Corgi-Cocker Spaniel and weighs about 15lbs. Perfect size for an indoor dog. The dog was about 6 weeks old when she bought her.

I think it's good to buy young and make sure that it knows you're the leader from day one, or you'll regret getting a dog in the first place when it turns into a hellion.

If it's a puppy you're looking for, when you find it, turn it over onto its back and see if it just lies there without trying to flip over. That's a pretty good sign that you have a naturally submissive dog that won't cause to much trouble. It's also very important to see how the dog acts when with a pack of dogs.

I'm thinking more of personality and general demeanor for my choice, hence, I'm getting a bassett hound.

chase you strike me as a bichon kinda dude

I know it is, but in the end, you're choosing a route that perpetuates rather than alleviates (however slightly) the dog population problem, in order to avoid the hassle of a longer search and the possibility of a few minor problems. Not trying to demonize anyone, but that's the choice you make when you buy bred.

i understand what you're saying, but in the end, i'm not choosing a dog because I have the world's dog population in mind. i'm choosing a dog because I want a dog.

and i think you are underestimating the 'minor problems' that could come w/ buying from a shelter.

I think the more severe problems can be avoided by educating yourself and spending a little more time looking, which is what I meant by the hassle of a longer search.

I know most people don't care about the larger problem of the dog population, but I've got to think that people want dogs because they think they're worthwhile animals, good companions, etc., and if you think that about dogs, it's got to be worth considering that you COULD save a dog from slaughter rather than create a market for more.

yeah what sorta breed are you looking at? go to the damned pound.

yeah but you're choosing a companion. Do you date an ugly girl just because lots of ugly chicks don't get married?