Adopting a Dog Versus Buying From a Breeder

All of us here at Pickle & Polly believe ALL dogs are special and deserve a loving home, regardless of if you buy from a professional breeder or adopt a dog from the local shelter. 

However, adopting a dog versus buying from a breeder will weigh heavily on some people's minds when deciding on dog ownership. These pros and cons of each should help you decide.

Why Buy a Dog From a Breeder?

For some people, having a dog is a way of life. These dog enthusiasts have fallen in love with a particular breed of dog and nothing else will do.

They will spend a lot of time training their four-legged friend, fuss over her food, and ensure her coat sparkles and shines. 

Nothing is too good for their dog for these owners, and their pet receives the best of the best, as well as a lot of love and attention. 

Showing off the dog in competition and coming home with the coveted blue ribbon every time is their life's mission. 

A professional breeder for this type of dog owner is the only choice. They will get to see the puppy's parents, review the environment where it spent its first few weeks, and know their new family member has received the very best in care and is mentally well-adjusted. 

They also know their pup is prepared for social life in their new home and won't be startled by the noise and traffic. The new puppy may even be toilet trained and understand some basic commands. 

Responsible breeders care for the dogs they sell and know a lot about them. They can advise you about the best breeds suitable for the environment you will provide, and how to care for your new puppy so it grows up healthy and happy. 

You should research a breeder carefully before choosing a dog. There are some who are more interested in the money and don't care too much about the quality of the breeding, which can lead to congenital health issues. Always check for a license to ensure you are dealing with a reputable breeder

Budget-conscious owners should know that pure breeds from professional breeders typically cost a lot more than purchasing from a shelter. 

Why Adopt a Dog from a Shelter?

The biggest advantage of adopting a dog from a shelter is that you are rescuing a dog that has fallen on hard times, which always feels good. 

Most of the dogs passing through shelters have been treated poorly or neglected by their previous owners and just want to be a part of a loving home. 

Providing you select a breed that is suitable for your lifestyle but otherwise aren't too fussed on what type of dog you end up with, a dog shelter is a good choice. Keep in mind that most of these dogs are well past the cute puppy phase. 

Another thing to keep in mind when adopting a dog is that you don't know the dog's history. The staff will be able to give you some details about how the dog has behaved while they cared for it, but there's still a chance some past trauma may trigger the animal into undesirable behavior.

However, with lots of love and attention, almost all shelter dogs respond well after acclimatizing to their new home and understand they are safe and amongst friends.  

Unlike breeders, dog shelters are often choosy about who they allow taking a dog home. Many will do a background check and review your property before giving you the go-ahead. In short, prepare yourself for a relatively longer adoption process than the time it will take to buy from a breeder. 

In the end, it depends on what type of dog owner you want to be when deciding between adopting a dog versus buying from a breeder. Whichever method you choose, we are sure you will all get along famously and your dog will be well loved.