Buy or rescue a dog?

Hello everyone,

All my life I have only adopted dogs from shelters and I just don't understand why so many people buy dogs from breeders. There are so many dogs that desperately need a home and are waiting in shelters for their chance.

I understand the appeal of a purebred dog, but what many don't consider is that mixed breeds are often more robust and have unique personalities that you won't find at a breeder. Not to mention the fact that you can give an animal a second life.

I often wonder if it's because some people believe the myth that shelter dogs are “problematic” or perhaps they think they won't be able to form the same bond with a shelter dog. But my experience shows the opposite: these dogs are so incredibly grateful and loyal.

Imagine how many dogs could find loving homes if more people considered adopting instead of buying. There are so many ways to give a dog a second chance, whether it's through adoption or fostering. You can even work with animal shelters and collect donations or volunteer.

What do you think? Why do so many people choose to buy from a breeder? Have you ever thought about adopting a dog from a shelter? I would love to hear your thoughts on this!

I understand what you mean and I think it's great that you adopted your dogs from shelters. I have a mixed breed from a shelter myself and couldn't be happier. But I think there are several reasons why people buy dogs from breeders.

For some people, choosing a breeder is a matter of safety. They may want certain traits or behaviors that are more common in a particular breed. Health issues also play a role, as reputable breeders often test for genetic diseases and make sure the puppies are healthy.

Another point is that many people are afraid that a dog from a shelter might be traumatized or have special needs that they can't meet. I think there is a lot of education needed here, because many shelter dogs are simply victims of circumstance and not “problem cases”.

What I can also imagine is that for some people it is simply a matter of convenience. A breeder is often less complicated and you get exactly what you want, whereas with a shelter dog you might have to be a bit more patient and flexible.

But you are absolutely right that there are an incredible number of dogs looking for a loving home. Perhaps we could do more to educate people so that they can see that a dog from a shelter brings just as much love and joy as a dog from a breeder - if not more.

How do you see it? What could we do to encourage more people to give dogs from shelters a chance?