I don’t want a show dog, I just want a pet...
adapted from J. Kimball - Signet Kennel · 16. juli 2021 ·

This is one of the most pervasive sentiments that puppy buyers, especially families, express when they're looking for a dog. What they really mean, of course, is that they don't want a show BREEDER – don't want to pay the high price they think show breeders charge, don't want to go through the often-invasive interview process, and think that they're getting a better deal or a real bargain because they can get a Lab for $300 or a Shepherd for $150.

I want you to change your mind. I want you to not only realize the benefits of buying a show-bred dog, I want you to INSIST on a show-bred dog. And I want you to realize that the cheap dog is really the one that's the rip-off. And then I want you to go be obnoxious and, when your workmate says she's getting a puppy because her neighbor, who raises them, will give her one for free, or when your brother-in-law announces that they're buying a goldendoodle for the kids, I want you to launch yourself into their solar plexus and steal their wallets and their car keys.

Here's why:

If I ask you why you want a Golden Retriever, Corgi, Lab, Poodle, Husky, Sheltie, or a Basenji, etc...I would bet you're not going to talk about how much you like their color. You're going to tell me things about personality, ability (to perform a specific task), relationships with other animals or humans, size, coat, temperament, and so on. You'll describe playing ball, or how affectionate you've heard that they are, or how well they get along with kids.

The things you will be looking for aren't the things that describe just "dog"; they'll be the things that make this particular breed unique and unlike other breeds.

That's where people have made the right initial decision – they've taken the time and made the effort to understand that there are differences between breeds and that they should get one that at least comes close to matching their picture of what they want a dog to be.

Their next step, tragically, is that they go out and find a dog of that breed for as little money and with as much ease as possible.

You need to realize that when you do this, you're going to the used car dealership, WATCHING them pry the "Audi" plate off a new car, observing them as they use Bondo to stick it on a '98 Corolla, and then writing them a check and feeling smug that you got an Audi for so little.

It is no bargain.

Those things that distinguish the breed you want from the generic world of "dog" are only there because somebody worked really hard to get them there. And as soon as that work ceases, the dog, no matter how purebred, begins to revert to the generic. That doesn't mean you won't get a good dog – the magic and the blessing of dogs is that they are so hard to mess up, in their good souls and minds, that even the most hideously bred one can still be a great dog – but it will not be a good Shepherd, or good Lab, or a good Retriever. You will not get the specialized temperament, abilities, tendencies, or talents of the breed.

If you don't NEED those special abilities or the predictability of a particular breed, you should not be buying a dog at all. You should go rescue one. That way you're saving a life and not putting money in pockets where it does not belong.

If you want a purebred and you know that a rescue is not going to fit the bill, the absolute WORST thing you can do is assume that a name equals anything. They really are nothing more than name plates on cars. What matters is whether the engineering and design and service department back up the name plate, so you have some expectation that you're walking away with more than a label.

Keeping a group of dogs looking and acting like their breed is hard, HARD work.

If you do not get the impression that the breeder you're considering is working that hard, is that dedicated to the breed, is struggling to produce dogs that are more than a breed name, you are getting no bargain; you are only getting ripped off.

Please educate yourself on what a good breeder actually is. ANYONE can make themselves seem wonderful on a website, via email, or online. Learn the right questions to ask to determine whether a breeder is really as good as they say they are and DOUBLE check everything they say! Unethical breeders are SMART! They know what to say to sound legitimate and fool unsuspecting buyers. While we are at it, any pet purchased from a pet store is a “puppy mill” puppy. No ethical or reputable breeder sells to pet stores regardless of what the pet store tells you.

Stating dogs are healthy because they’re checked over by the veterinarian means nothing when it comes to genetics and breed specific health testing. A person with cancer or HIV can seem healthy too, but you won’t know the truth without health testing. Without breed specific health testing there is no guarantee something isn’t lurking in the background.

Things like “state licensed” really only means they breed so many puppies their state requires them to be inspected. (I.e. Puppy mill!) It also doesn’t mean they pass these inspections as you can often find lists of violations readily available online.

If the breeder states health guarantees or health testing, verify it! OFA health testing is public knowledge and available for free via an online public database. I’ve heard countless stories of unethical breeders falsifying health records or showcasing health records for different dogs. Also look up what health tests are recommended for your breed...don’t settle for the bare minimum.

On another note, if you’re going with a rescue, please also investigate your rescue. Some are completely unethical and run a rescue scheme where they “rescue” only highly adoptable dogs or puppies and sell them for much more than they get them for, effectively running a very profitable retail rescue. They often get these dogs/puppies from online ads and animal auctions. Non-Profit status allows them to fly under the radar and completely rip people off. Often puppies that don’t sell get dumped back in shelters or with other rescue groups so please verify the rescue you’re working with is really in it for the animals and not just for profit.

The only way to reduce the amount of homeless pets is responsible breeding, responsible purchasing (whether from a rescue or breeder), and responsible ownership.

Be the change. Be educated. Be informed. Don’t get ripped off.