jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

This is really a no brainer, but breeding dogs for specific traits can be very bad for the dogs, but people keep buying them.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2016/08/02/why-breeding-bulldogs-is-borderline-inhumane/?wpisrc=nl_rainbow&wpmm=1

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

For the most part I've only had pure breed dogs, all but shortie, he was a cross between a German Shepherd and something small. He was like a 1/3 scale shepherd with floppy ears. Never had any problems with him. After Shortie, I've had two Maltese and currently have two Coton De Tulear puppy's.

I've always felt, if it didn't happen naturally, it probably shouldn't happen.

Personally I feel people who breed Tea Cup dogs are just shy of criminals.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

We have had both purebred and cross. we actually had 8 at the same time. They were all sweet lovable souls. The German shepard dog was special. He wasn't Lois"s dog, Lois was his person. If he didnt know yoy getting between him and Lois,was an event that would never happen. He used to wake me up with a good morning slurp. I miss all of them.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Keldon Loc: Yukon, B.C.

German Shepherds have been physically bred and altered to their extreme detriment simply to reach an ideal look for some idiot judge at a Kennel Club show. What these breeders have done to some breeds is nothing short of criminal and they should be prosecuted for animal cruelty. It's heartbreaking to watch a Shepherd try to walk in such obvious pain caused by breeding his hips and spine to slope in a manner no dog was ever meant to assume.
The breeders should be jailed and the entire American Kennel Club hierarchy disbanded, if not the organization itself. And anyone who takes part in perpetuating this cruelty by showing or purchasing these mutelated dogs should be held to account and shame.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I don't like any kind of shows or displays based on animals.

2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

I was REALLY upset when a while back the AKC decided to accept Border Collies as a breed, and then proceeded to define what made a show quality Border Collie.
Border Collies vary greatly in size, color, and coat length. Border Collie breeders are more interested in breeding for brains than for what the puppy might
actually look like as an adult. I've seen these dogs work and I was fortunate enough to have one, and their level of intelligence is incredible. I just hope that
the Border Collie doesn't go the way of other AKC breeds and end up with genetically engineered physical problems all in the name of breed appearance. Frankly,
I could never see the appeal of any breed with a pushed in face. Most of them end up with breathing problems and do not do well on hot days. When I worked
as a Vet Tech most of the dogs that came in with heat prostration were of the flat nosed variety. In those days boxers, Boston terriers, Pekinese, and bull dogs
were very popular, so we saw a lot of respiratory problems directly related to those pushed in little faces.

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

On the other hand:There are good reasons to breed dogs for specific purposes... e.g., herders, hunters, or guide dogs. In my area Guide Dogs for the Blind now uses Labs and Goldens and Lab/Golden crosses.They breed for temperament, intelligence, and trainability. They used to use German Shepherds, but found that, while intelligent and trainable, the dogs often became too protective of their person. They keep extensive breeding records to ensure a minimum of in-breeding.

cameranut Loc: North Carolina

You took my thoughts and printed it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

My Ruffian (The shepard) was a stray when he aopted us. He was the "old" breed type and not overbred. We also had a collie also of the old type, he loved cats. Youare so right about the overbreeding to show appearence. The new collies have been bred for narrow heads, as a result their brains have been bred right out of them, they are no longer the Lassie of the past.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

This is why Leader Dogs for the Blind do not use pure breeds but mixed dogs.
Substantially healthier, far better temperament and just plain work better than the so called pure bred dog.
Pure bred is sort of like royalty inbreeding over the centuries culminating in WWI where all the inbred cousins went insane and declared war against each other.
Puppy breeding mills should be illegal and the same with breeding dogs as Pure Bred to their detriment.
I have always believed in adopting dogs and cats rather than breeding more. And these animals are the most loving I have ever had.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

There's a big difference between breeding service dogs and show dogs or specialty arm candy dogs. Service dogs are carefully breed to inherit the best of all their blood lines, to serve a useful purpose to their human companions. Tea cup poodles or whatever are nothing more than genetically unenhanced live jewelry for their wealthy, usually celebrity owners to show off.

Many of these arm candy dogs are so darn inbred, more often than not, the animals are prone to health issues far worse than the dogs they were bread from, also an issue with many puppy mills.

We usually don't get our puppies from a breeder but the dog I wanted is still fairly rare in the USA and the odds of finding one in a shelter are slim to none. When went breeder shopping, I had a specific list of questions/requirements for the breeder.
One was the parents of the puppy can't be close relatives. The few breeders closer to my home that have the dog I was looking for either wouldn't supply me with proof of the parents blood lines or didn't pass some of my other requirements.
I eventually found a breeder about a 3 1/2 hour drive from home that met every requirement, and more. The entire facility is air conditioned; there were no stacked cages and the cages were more than large enough; and the place didn't smell of dog at all, very clean and tidy. The owner kept really good records on all the dogs, including the sire for hire dogs.

The place was so nice, we went home with two puppies, double the trouble, twice the fun.

Another opportunity to show off my puppies...

jct842

My last two dogs were great Pyrenees that lived 9 and 12 years. My new puppy is 1/2 Anatolian and great Pyrenees. Just a pet. He was bred for guarding goats. I have 5 acres fenced and the only thing he has to guard is his cat. I just like the temperament of a big dog verses an ankle biter! He is 8mo. old, short hair, and 90lbs and a house dog. Totally socialized and loves people and would help a burglar carry out my stuff.