When you have decided you want a new dog in your life, one of the most important decisions you then have to make is where to get it from. There are always dogs in need of adoption at local shelters, or you can source the kind of dog you want from a professional breeder. While a rescue dog is a nice choice because you are giving a loving home to an animal who really needs it, there are also some good arguments from getting your pet from a breeder. Here, we look at the pros and cons of buying a new dog from a local breeder or an online company like Little Puppies Online:
Advantages of Getting a Dog from a Breeder
One of the key benefits to getting your new pet from a dog breeder is that you can have your pick of any breed or cross breed you want. If you have your heart set on a specific type of dog, like a husky or greyhound that is not especially common, you are very unlikely to find what you want at a shelter. While plenty of pure bred dogs and dogs of all varieties end up in rescue, the chances of there being the exact type you want at your local shelter on the day you go will be slim if you have a very specific breed in mind.
Another advantage is you will know the dog has been treated properly so far in its life if you buy it from a reputable breeder. With rescue dogs, unless they were born at the shelter, it can be hard to know what has happened to them in the past, and they may have behavioral issues as a result of mistreatment.
Disadvantages of Getting a Dog From a Professional Breeder
While with a breeder, you have plenty of options when it comes to the type of dog you want, you don’t have options, usually, when it comes to the age. You can very easily find, for example, yorkie puppies from breeders, but if you want an adult yorkie dog because you prefer a more mature dog or don’t have the energy to keep up with a puppy, it can be difficult – shelters, however, always have plenty of older dogs who need homes.
Another disadvantage is cost. While your rescue dog costs no more than a donation or a small admin fee, a dog from a breeder can cost thousands of dollars.
Making Your Choice
If you definitely want a puppy rather than a more mature dog, and you are very particular about the breed, or even size, of the dog you end up with, then a breeder is the best option – though be sure to make sure you find a responsible one. If you simply want a dog, and only have a vague idea of the kind (for example you want a large dog but don’t specifically want a given breed), then a rescue can be a better choice for many people, and will certainly cost you less!
