posted November 14, 2005 12:02 PM         

Those that breed for profit often don't care so much about genetic lines and health, so you can virtually count on getting an inferior animal that may not be properly socialized as a puppy or could have transmutable diseases or very serious genetic problems. Some of these are individual breeders while others are "pupply mills" (which supply pet stores - don't ever buy a dog from a pet stores, even if they come with papers).

When a breeder who breeds for show has a litter, there are show-quality puppies that they either keep or sell for premimum prices and pet-quality puppies that don't meet show standard. The problem is while often times pet-quality purebreed do make fine pets, dedpending on the breed, you may be getting an animal with inferior conformation or genetic problems that don't show up until adulthood. Do to so much interbreeding Many purebreed dogs have serious genetic problems that can cost you lots of $$$ in vet bills down the line.

An list of genetic problems common among various breeds (all due to interbreeding):

- Hip problems (mostly medium-large to large breeds like dalmatians, labs and great danes. Hip surgery to fix these problems usually cost from $800 and up)
- Knee problems (nearly all breeds, but especially small and toy breeds. Hip surgery on a toy dog whilel run about $500 for one knee. It's a lot more for a larger breed)
- Eye problems (mainly those small Asian breeds with the bulging or over-sized eyes, but also all varieties of bulldogs, chihuahuas, dalmatians, and some spaniels, among others. Sometimes these cannot be fixed with surgery, and if they can is very expensive)
- Sinus problems (any breed with a shorten face/muzzle, but especially toys. These are usually chronic problems)
- Various digestive and other organ problems (toys, bulldogs, bloodhounds and other breeds with compact bodies, among others. Most of these problems cause the dog a lot of suffering, can be chronic and cost enormous amount in vet bills)
- skin problems/allergies (shorthair and hairless breeds often, but most purebreeds can develop these)
- Breed-specific cancers (German shepherds, labs, and dalmatian are the most common, but not the only ones)

And this is just the genetic problems - we're not talking about the specific traits of certain breeds that may make them a problem pet! Bear in mind that over half the breeds were bred to work or perform specific duties, like guard, herd or protect. In some of these breeds these traits make a dog a difficult housepet, because these traits are bred into the dog and thus part of its nature and cannot be "trained out" of the dog.

To give you an idea what this is like for the owners: My mom has two dogs, a mixed mutt and a yorkie. The mixed mutt has been in prefect health for all of her 8 years so far, except for a sprained back muscle once. The Yorkie, which came with papers and the whole shambang, has cost my mom thousands of dollars in vet bills in the 4 years she had her: throat problems, stomach problems, skin problems, cysts and 2 knee surgeries.

Getting a mutt is no guarentee that the dog hasn't inherited these purebreed problems, but because mutts often come for a more varied genetic pool, they chances are actually better. You also get an animal that isn't specifically bred for a specific task, so its personality and behavior is often more trainable to being a family pet.

posted November 14, 2005 12:17 PM         

if you adopt, you must really know dogs in general, there can be no fear, they sense this
you are the master, they are like children in some respects, they'll push to get there way,
so with an adopted dog, you must be very firm, and have no fear at all,
otherwise, they have the advantage
go by how you feel, spend time with the dogs, they allow you to take them for a walk and get to know them, spend an hour and see what you think, it takes a couple of days also for your application, this gives you time to sleep on it

Peace, do you have any children?
that is a big facture.

posted November 14, 2005 02:34 PM         

My dog was a rescue ... she is a mix of sorts (not sure what) but shes the best friend i never had. She's not even a year old and has had some complications with her elbow (which GN spoke of, regarding hips) it was costly ($2000.00+) but well worth every penny. I treat my animals as if they were my kids and i wouldn't have it any other way.

Either way you choose, i know the dog will be well loved and taken care of ... in which it will reward you with the same respect and love! Have fun choosing and Good Luck!!

posted November 22, 2005 04:43 PM         

I rememebr an episode form about 2 years ago. About a dog with a huge tumour hanging on its neck. I had seen the dog before in Huntspoint, The Bronx. When my friends and I were younger we use to go to car races there every weekend and I saw him there. i felt so bad.