15 Reasons You Shouldn’t Judge Someone For Buying From A Dog Breeder

The debate over buying dogs from breeders versus adopting from shelters or rescues is always nail-biting. Advocates for adoption often cite overpopulation in shelters and the need to save lives as compelling reasons to avoid breeders. Concerns about puppy mills and unethical breeding practices also fuel this debate. While these points are valid and noble, certain realities necessitate buying from reputable breeders. Here are 15 reasons you shouldn’t judge someone who buys from a dog breeder.
Health Guarantees

Sometimes, purchasing from a breeder can mean a healthier pet. Reputable breeders provide health guarantees for their puppies because they conduct thorough health screenings to ensure the animals are free from genetic conditions. Buyers often receive detailed medical histories for peace of mind.
Predictable Temperament

Owners always expect a pet that matches their lifestyle and expectations, a need that’s a gamble if dogs are adopted. Dog breeders always focus on producing puppies with stable temperaments by selectively breeding animals known for their desirable behavior traits.
Breed-Specific Knowledge

Breeders have extensive knowledge about their dog breeds and provide valuable advice on training, care, and health issues. This expertise can help new owners manage their pets effectively, ensuring a better pet ownership experience.
Support System

Dogs may start exhibiting behavioral or physiological symptoms that warrant a steadfast support system. Many breeders offer lifelong support to their buyers, form a community, and are available to answer questions and provide assistance throughout the dog’s life.
Preservation of Rare Breeds

Conservation of the canine population is hardly talked about, and supporting these breeders contributes to its vitality. By purchasing from these breeders, buyers help ensure these breeds’ survival and, in the long run, maintain genetic diversity within the canine population.
Detailed Documentation

Buyers may want to trace their pet’s lineage and verify its background to ensure the authenticity of the breed. Documentations like pedigree information, health records, and registration papers are often unavailable through other means except through breeders.
Early Socialization

Breeders often begin socializing puppies from a very young age, exposing them to various environments, sounds, and experiences. Early socialization helps puppies become well-adjusted adults, making training and integration into new homes easier.
Meeting the Parents

Seeing the parents offers a glimpse into the puppy’s future, and prospective buyers can meet the puppy’s parents when dealing with a breeder. Observing the parents provides insight into the puppy’s potential size, temperament, and health, thereby reassuring buyers about the breeder’s practices.
Matching to Lifestyle

Getting dog breeds that match one’s lifestyle is best to minimize the need for extensive training and realignment. Considering factors like activity level, temperament, space, and family dynamics, breeders help match puppies to suitable homes based on lifestyle compatibility to eliminate the risk of re-homing.
Legal Protections

Purchasing from a breeder often includes legal protections as contracts may specify health guarantees, breed expectancies, and other agreements. These legal protections offer buyers additional security and recourse, ensuring breeders adhere to their commitments.
Return Policies

Many breeders offer return policies if the buyer cannot keep the puppy. This ensures the dog will have a safe place to go rather than ending up in a shelter. Such policies reflect the breeder’s commitment to their dogs’ welfare, and buyers feel more secure knowing they have options if circumstances change.
Genetic Diversity and Health Testing

A vital guarantee buyers receive when purchasing from breeders is that breeders perform genetic testing to avoid inbreeding and hereditary health issues. As the core of their job description, breeders carefully select breeding pairs to improve genetic diversity, reducing the risk of congenital diseases in puppies.
Specific Training Programs

Puppies from breeders get a head start on house and behavior training. This early training can include basic obedience, housebreaking, and socialization. Puppies that undergo such programs are often easier to train further as they integrate more smoothly into a new home.
Consistent Breed Availability

Reputable breeders often have a consistent supply of specific breeds, which can be important for individuals with allergies or other health concerns who require recommended hypoallergenic or low-shedding breeds.
Dream Dogs

The truth is that breeders can give buyers the exact dog of their dreams, from a chihuahua with a husky howl to a German shepherd with a labrador temperament. Many breeders participate in breed improvement programs to improve breed standards by selecting breeding pairs for health, temperament, and desirable physical traits.