Why Breeders Are Better Than Shelters (14 Reasons)

When you buy a dog from a breeder, you can train it exactly how you want. In addition, you will know exactly what breed it is and what temperament it has. All in all, the pros of buying from a breeder outweigh those of buying from a shelter.

The following sections will discuss 14 reasons why buying a dog from a breeder is better than adopting from a shelter.

1.   You Can See the Puppy’s Parents

Buying from a breeder allows you to see the puppy’s parents, which can give you insight into how your puppy will look and behave. It is important to ask the breeder what kind of temperament the parents display so you have a better idea of what to expect from their offspring.

2.   Puppies From a Breeder Are Purebred

A study by the National Animal Interest Alliance revealed that only about five percent of shelter dogs are purebreds, which disproves the misconception that you can easily adopt a purebred dog from a shelter rather than choosing a breeder. Owning a purebred dog is beneficial because the breeder can share the puppy’s genetic heritage and medical history, which are the next two reasons.

3.   A Breeder Can Tell You the Puppy’s Breeding History

When you meet with a breeder, they can share their knowledge of the puppy’s pedigree, perhaps even going back several generations. A detailed pedigree contains valuable information about a dog’s phenotype, or its predictable patterns of behavior, and body composition.

4.    You Can Learn the Puppy’s Medical History

Once you have chosen a responsible breeder, you should ask whether genetic testing has been done on the dog’s parents; this can reveal information such as weak hips or joints. In addition, it is important to clarify how the sale contract will handle health concerns or under which conditions the breeder will reclaim the dog. The American Kennel Club recommends meeting the breeder in person to ask these questions and get a full medical history.

5.   You Can Take Time to Research the Perfect Breed

When you choose to buy from a breeder, you can take your time to research different breeds and carefully consider which dog will best fit your lifestyle and home environment. For example, larger breeds require more space and thrive in families with an active lifestyle, while some breeds might be more anxious at being left alone if you spend long hours at work.

6.   A Shelter Won’t Have The Breed You Want

No one can predict which breeds will be available at a rescue shelter at any given time. Often, a shelter will not have the specific breed you are looking for, and you will be forced to wait, possibly a long time, before bringing home a pet to join your family.

7.   You Can See the Puppy’s Environment

Another challenge of adopting from an animal shelter is not knowing what type of behavior to expect once you bring the dog home because you have no way of knowing its prior experiences. When you buy from a breeder, you can visit the environment in which the puppy was born.

8.   A Little Research Can Help You Avoid a Puppy Mill

Puppy mills are facilities that breed dogs in confined areas under inhumane conditions. PAWS advises pet owners to watch out for these red flags: breeders who do not want to show customers where animals are being kept, puppies being sold at less than six weeks old, and a breeder who pressures buyers rather than asking them questions about their lifestyle and plans to care for the puppy.

9.   You Can Oversee the Puppy’s Training

Dogs from a shelter are often past the puppy stage and have already been trained and accustomed to certain behaviors. This can be a good thing if the dog is well behaved, or it can be dangerous if the dog has become aggressive; therefore, being the one to oversee the dog’s training can give you peace of mind.

10.  You Have More Control Over the Dog’s Behavior

There is no way to know what past trauma a rescue dog may have experienced and what situations might trigger undesirable behavior. Because buying a dog from a breeder gives you more information about its pedigree and environment and allows you to oversee the majority of its training, you will have more control over its behavior.

11.  Dogs in Shelters Can Develop Bad Habits

Dogs who live in a small shelter with many other dogs for a long period of time can grow accustomed to competing over food, toys, and attention, which can cause aggressive behavior, especially when the animal is eating. They can also become dependent on other dogs as they learn to live as part of a pack. If you do not own any other dogs, they could become lonely when you bring them home.

12.  Only A Small Percentage of Owners Adopt

While adopting a pet from a shelter can be an ethical choice that most animal non-profit organizations will recommend, the majority of pet owners do not adopt. According to a survey of pet owners from The Zebra, 12.8 percent of people adopted a pet in 2020 despite the adopt-don’t-shop campaign.

13. There Are Other Ways to Support Local Shelters

You can be involved in your community’s efforts to support stray animals even if you decide not to adopt. You can volunteer your time, donate money, or host fundraisers; most animal shelters depend on monetary donations as well as volunteers to continue functioning.

14.  You Get To Watch the Puppy Grow As Part of the Family

While it can be nice to bring home an older dog that is already potty trained, there is something special about bringing home a puppy, knowing that it will grow alongside your family. Many owners choose to buy a dog from a breeder because they get to experience the cute puppy stage, and get to share the experience of that dog growing old with them.

Kevin "Ken" Davies

My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.