I did read it back and you said you ALWAYS go to a reputable breeder!

This is a common misconception as my Podge is an example of!

Whats a common misconception? that responsible breeders take responsibility for their stock and will take it back? or that they wont? If they dont then they dont fit the responsible category do they?

As i said earlier if we could ever home all the dogs which are destroyed, then breeders should be allowed to breed, but in a much more regulated manner and only when we are not destroying innocent animals.

Of course its adding to the rescue problem! if they couldnt go to breeders and ther genuinly wanted a dog they would go to rescue, or then they dont want a dog enough!!

I own two rescue dogs, so you can't accuse me of being against this method of getting a dog. However, your arguments are coming over as naive and not properly thought through.

Firstly, if everyone stopped breeding, there would be no dogs at all within 10 or so years. Surely you don't mean this?
Secondly, if the ethical breeders stopped, all that would be left is the byb, puppy farmers and the like and almost certainly the result would be unhealthy dogs with poor tempraments. Again, is this what you want?

Thirdly, specific breeds were bred for specific reasons. Now, whilst not all of them still do the job they were bred for, many still do. How would the shepherds & gamekeepers etc. get on if they were unable to select healthy, quality pups from a known breeder?

Fourthly those breeds who don't now do the jobs they were bred for still have specific traits which makes it easier for people to decide on a type of dog to fit in with their lives. For example, someone living in the heart of a city with no open space would be daft to get a border collie. If we ended up with just mixed breeds, you would stand little chance of guessing what traits/temprement your dog would have.

Fifthly taking on a rescue is more of a risk. If I'd have had young children I don't think I would have taken either of mine...as it turns out they are fine with children, but Hoki particularly had some real issues when we first got her which would have frightened me to death if I'd have had young children in the house.

You can't blame people for wanting to take every possible step in reducing the risk of having an unhealthy or bad tempered dog. Removing their choice of going to an ethical breeder would not mean that they would turn to a rescue dog instead.

I do agree that there are too many dogs in rescue, but IMO attacking ethical breeders is not the answer.

As i said earlier, my dog was from a so called resposible breeder (she was not though) how do you distinguish????

Hi Tinkladyv you distinguish by using your eyes/ nose/ ears/ common sense and by doing a lot of research before you buy a puppy !

I have just bought a puppy of a breed I have owned for 40 years, I wanted a puppy that I could ensure was health tested from the best stock with a good temperament.
I didn't want a rescue that may have behavioural problems because my dog has to come to work with me in a school, so it is essential it is well socialised and trained. (I have had a rescue dog and would consider a rescue under certain circumstances say when I retire ) .

I wrote an article on the subject of responsible breeding
http://www.dogsey.com/dog-articles.php?t=12882

I am not nieve and i have thought through, my idea is not a new one and supported by many animal welfare organisations.

Again i never said breeding should stop altogether, but that all the healthy dogs already around should be homed first!

I dont think puppy farms should be allowed either, as i have said before.

There are many pedigree gun dogs, sheep dogs in rescue and lots of puppies too, for farmers and shooters etc. Unfortunatly many many rescue collies come from farmers and they are the lucky ones, most are shot if they dont make the grade.
But they could be bread for work as blind dogs are etc and then would be monitored and these terrible things wouldnt happen.
Again a common misconception, it is fairly easy for staff at rescues to get to know dogs and decide on their temprement, they are very good at this.
Mixed breeds make excellent dogs!!!!!!!!!!

I have always had rescues and my child is actively involved with their care at only 7 months old. It is me who has to be responsible with my son and that means never leaving him alone with a dog and that means any dog!

I have also worked with many "so called" bad tempered
dogs etc and have never not found a cure. I think its mans excuse.

If this was a human child would we think of putting them down, because they were not 100%

I think that clarifies my naivity.

Im sad to think that you beleive all rescues have behavioural problems! some do some dont, the same with dogs from breeders. To me your dog is what you make of them.
My rescues are to be PAT dogs and are the best dogs in the world!

I myself have a puppy who I admit was not from a reputable breeder, I have no secrets, her mother was a collie and I did see her, her father on the otherhand was a crossbreed from the same street...and you can imagine the rest..Flower is my world and she is a perfectly healthy puppy!!

I admit I have no idea where her brothers and sisters went, I would have had all 9 of them if I could, and I do agree that her breeder was irresponsible..but that didn't prevent Flower and her siblings being born!

I believe reputable breeders do an excellent job, having had 3 westies in the past from reputable breeders, I think suggesting nobody breeds purebreds anymore is rather silly??

I do hate the thought of all the rescue dogs in the centres, and we are hoping to rescue a greyhound as soon as Flower is a little more trained and we have our second garden all fenced securely, but many of the dogsey members and my friends and family own purebreds...it's a personal preference I think!!

I love all sorts of purebreds, I unfortunately could not afford one and Flower was exactly what I was looking for!!