In this blog post, we answer the question, “Is it better to adopt a dog or buy it from a breeder?”. In the article, we answer the questions relating to the pros and cons of buying vs adoption, how to find a reputable breeder and the psychological effects on the puppy.
When considering obtaining a new dog, many potential owners must choose between adopting a dog and purchasing one from a breeder.
Bringing a new puppy into the family is both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. However, finding the appropriate dog for you (and vice versa!) isn’t easy.
Many pet owners are torn between adopting from a shelter or purchasing from a breeder. So, one of the two options is the better option?
While all choices have substantial advantages and disadvantages, each offers its own set of perks. In any event, a fantastic dog may come from any place as long as it is healthy and well-cared for.
But before you make a decision, read our helpful guide on things to consider when deciding whether to adopt or buy a dog from a breeder.
What’s the difference between adopting a dog and buying one from a breeder?
Breeders are professionals that specialize in raising and selling rare breeds. So, if you’re looking for a certain breed of puppy, they’ll tell you all you need to know about it.
Shelter dogs are frequently rescued from difficult situations and would appreciate a loving home.
You’ll also have a wide selection of canines to pick from. Keep in mind that the majority of dogs discovered at shelters are adults, so finding a puppy will be more challenging.
The Benefits of Getting a Pet from a Shelter
To begin with, rehoming a neglected dog is always fulfilling, and you’ll be providing a pet with much-needed love. Shelters also have a large selection of dogs to pick from, and the staff can provide you with a wealth of information about their traits because they have spent so much time with them.
Shelter dogs are often less expensive than those purchased from a breeder or pet store, but more significantly, you’re providing a new start to a dog that desperately needs one, which is a wonderful feeling.
You’re going to save someone’s life.
While estimates vary, roughly three to four million dogs and cats are killed (“put to sleep”) in the United States each year because too few individuals spay or neuter their pets, adopt new pets, and give up their old ones.
Because shelters have a certain amount of room, staff members must make the tough decision to euthanize healthy animals who do not find homes within a specific length of time.
You’re Going to Get a Fantastic Pet
There are many healthy, well-behaved animals waiting for a home in animal shelters and rescue groups.
When animals arrive at a shelter, they are usually examined and vaccinated, and many of them are spayed or neutered before being adopted.
In addition to medical treatment, an increasing number of shelters and rescue organizations are screening animals for certain temperaments (“personality” characteristics) and habits in order to match pets with prospective owners.
You’ll Spend Less
Buying a pet from a pet store or other sources is far more expensive than adopting one from an animal shelter. Adoption expenses range from $50 to $200, whereas purchasing a pet may easily cost $500 to $1000 or more. Furthermore, many shelter animals are already spayed or neutered and vaccinated, making the shelter’s price a steal.
Although many shelters and rescue organizations have purebred animals, adopting a mixed-breed pet may be healthier (purebred pets are more prone to have genetic disorders) and hence cost less in the long run.
The drawbacks of adopting from a shelter
The biggest downside of adopting from a shelter is that many dogs come from tough or abusive backgrounds and maybe severely harmed if adopted.
It’s difficult to predict how your dog will respond in a new situation or even when going down the street. If they have been mistreated, they may be traumatized and require longer to heal.
Your new pup should gradually feel at ease in your house with a lot of love, care, and most importantly, patience.
Furthermore, the adoption procedure might be lengthy, so don’t expect to take your beloved dog home right away. But it will be well worth it in the end.
When it comes to adopting a dog, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Loneliness
Shelter dogs are accustomed to living in tight quarters. They even sleep in the same cage or close to one other in certain shelters.
If you don’t have another dog and have no plans to obtain one, you should expect some distress from your new best friend once he realizes he’s on his own.
Walks are a terrific chance to meet new people if he gets along with other dogs. You may kill two birds with one stone by enrolling in group training, which can enhance your relationship while also allowing you to socialize with other pet owners.
Make sure you give your dog a good treat or some interactive toys before you leave to distract him from his loneliness. Kong toys are a fantastic choice since they are both durable and enjoyable. Fill them with treats or Kong paste, and your dog will enjoy scooping it all out.
You may also notice that your dog seems introverted or timid in the beginning. Be patient, and make sure the animal has a safe place to go if he becomes overstimulated. You must recognize that most shelter dogs have had a difficult past, but that does not exclude them from having a bright future ahead of them!
Behavior that is possessive
It’s easy to acquire possessive behaviors, whether it’s with food or toys, when you share your food and living resources with a dozen other dogs.
Zeus, our adoptive dog, ate his food and any leftovers left on the floor as if his life depended on it during the first week or two after he returned home from the shelter.
If he exhibits any aggressive behavior, see a qualified expert about the situation.
Do not utilize punitive tactics (at least until you consult with a professional), since you have no way of knowing if they are a trigger for your dog.
Breed Unknown
Only a small percentage of purebred dogs wind up in shelters. If they succeed, they will have a higher chance of finding a family than other puppies.
The majority of the dogs available for adoption are mixtures, and even though the shelter workers say they know the genetic makeup of each dog, it’s nearly difficult to discern which breeds they came from.
Adopting may not be the greatest option if your appearance is important to you. Nobody loves a visitor who just wants to view pure breeds at the shelter.
The Benefits of Purchasing from a Breeder
Responsible breeders focus on raising a small number of purebred dogs and devote a lot of attention to them. They’ll know all there is to know about your puppy’s origins, parentage, and medical history.
If you have a certain breed in mind, this is a plus, and your breeder may assist you in selecting the best dog for your family. They will also provide you with sound advice on how to care for your new puppy as it grows.
Your puppy should be clean, healthy, well-socialized, comfortable in new situations, and have basic house training if purchased from a reputable breeder.
You’ll Know Everything There Is to Know About Your Puppy’s Background
Responsible breeders examine their breeding dog’s ancestors using pedigrees, going back many generations, to identify the finest possible matches that will produce healthy puppies that are good examples of the breed.
A Health Guarantee Is Included With Your Puppy
Reputable breeders care so much about the health of their dogs that they provide health warranties. When asking about a puppy, make sure to ask about the conditions of the breeder’s health guarantee. In general, health guarantees may indicate that if the puppy develops a condition covered by the agreement, you will either receive a refund on the puppy’s price, a new puppy, or the breeder will donate a set amount of money toward the dog’s health issue’s treatment.
A puppy breeder will assist you in selecting the best puppy for you.
Puppies are all unique. It’s difficult to predict whether a puppy in a litter will grow up to be forceful or gentle, high-energy or laid-back.
Good breeders are knowledgeable about their breed and their babies. They will assist you in finding the right puppy for you and your family.
You’ll have access to expert assistance for the rest of your life.
Even when their puppies leave their house, good breeders take care of them.
A good breeder will urge you to keep in touch with him or her and will provide advice on health, grooming, training, diet, and behavior throughout the puppy’s life.
The disadvantages of buying from a breeder
While the majority of breeders are trustworthy, there is a risk of irresponsible breeders that engage in unethical behavior.
These breeders are usually simply concerned about making money and may not actually care about their pets’ well-being.
Poor breeding can cause congenital health problems in pups, which are not covered by pet insurance.
Purchasing is also more costly than adopting from a shelter. Breeders might charge anything from $500 to $1500 for a puppy, depending on the breed. Reputable breeders, on the other hand, are frequently willing to negotiate a fair price for you.
Dog breeding also has a dark side that fosters illicit selling, smuggling, and other criminal behavior. That is why it is critical to choose a reliable, licensed breeder.
You don’t have to acquire a dog just because you want one.
First and foremost, even before the puppies are born, there is generally a big waiting list, so keep an eye out for planned litters!
To improve your chances, I recommend contacting many breeders and then narrowing down your selections (if you are lucky enough to be able to narrow down your options…I wasn’t!) to two or three that you like the most.
Furthermore, you will most likely need to visit with the breeder first and make a strong first impression in order for them to agree to sell you one of their puppies.
The overall cost of the procedure will be significantly higher.
Unless you live in a neighborhood with a lot of breeders, most breeders will not live right next door to you.
Additionally, most breeders would want you to visit them at least twice (usually more) to socialize with the puppies and select the ideal partner for you.
This implies you’ll have to spend more money on petrol and devote more time (as well as theirs)
How can you tell whether a breeder is reputable?
All dog breeders must have a current license, so double-check. You may verify under the USDA Dog Breeding License in the United States, and the Kennel Club Assured Breeders in the United Kingdom (KCAB).
The breeder must have authentic kennel registers that comply with the legislation governing the breeding of certain breeds.
Always pay a personal visit to view the environment in which the dogs are reared and to check that the dogs are well-cared for and healthy.
A good breeder will always be honest and forthright about your pooch’s history, background, and health issues, and will have all of the necessary paperwork available.
It may be easier to manage an older dog.
Some of the challenging puppy stages, such as severe boisterousness, may have been outgrown by a much older dog.
He may or may not be housetrained, and if he isn’t, housetraining an older dog is typically simple. He may have progressed past the gnawing and destructive period that many puppies experience.
It’s possible that your older dog has received some basic training.
If you adopt an older dog, he may be quieter and more peaceful than a puppy you raised yourself. And he could be content to be left alone for a few hours each day.
An older rescue dog is an excellent choice for a household where everyone works part-time and cannot devote the hours of constant monitoring and housetraining that a little puppy requires.
Rescue vs. breeder: which is better for the dog?
Adopting a rescue dog may not only be a satisfying gesture in and of itself, but it may also save the dog’s life.
Many dogs in rescue homes have had a dreadful start in life. If they are not adopted into a new home, they will be put to sleep as a result of their abandonment.
Adopting a dog like this provides him with a second opportunity, a home, and a family. And what could be more pleasant than that?
If you can discover a young puppy in a shelter, you will have the joy of seeing him grow up as well as the satisfaction of knowing that you have spared a dog from an unknown life.
How will my puppy turn out if I adopt rather than buying from a breeder?
The biggest downside of adopting a young puppy from a shelter rather than a breeder is that you will have no idea how large the puppy will grow or what disposition he will inherit.
Temperament, in my opinion, is by far the most essential of these considerations.
At the present, there is a popular belief that appropriate socializing may prevent any temperament disorders in pups.
While this viewpoint has some merit, particularly if you can bring your puppy home when he is nine or ten weeks old, there are some qualities of temperament that are inherited.
These factors may have an impact on your dog’s behavior in the future.
Ask to see the dog’s mother if the shelter where you discovered the puppy still has her. It’s possible that she’s nervous because she’s been mistreated. However, if she is warm and sociable despite her past traumas, that is a good sign for your puppy.
Breeder vs. Adoption – Disabled Dog Breeds
Another crucial factor to consider when deciding whether to adopt or purchase a puppy is the breed decision you’ve selected.
Consider adopting one of the handicapped breeds, such as a bulldog, pug, or dachshund, if you have your heart set on one. Of course, you must evaluate your financial ability to pay for medical treatment.
