Most well-bred puppies take their first breath in their breeder’s hands. Your purchase of a well-bred purebred puppy did not sentence another dog to death. Your purchase of a well-bred purebred puppy did not cause an increase in the number of dogs in the shelters. You, wanting a dog with a predictable temperament from healthy lineage did not cause another dog to not get adopted.
Your research and support of only the most responsible breeders is not the problem. It is not what you should be mad at.
You are not the ones who brought these dogs into the world irresponsibly and left them in a shelter. Responsible breeders are not the ones who put dogs into shelters either, they take them back, no matter the circumstance.
It is your home, your life, and your choice of what kind of dog to bring into it. Maybe you want a working dog, a sporting dog, or simply a companion puppy to raise as a breed you enjoy. No matter the reason, your choice to support a reputable breeder did not send a shelter dog to its death.
America does not have an overpopulation of dogs. Millions of dogs and puppies are imported from other countries. During the pandemic, when flights were shut down, many shelters went empty and pet stores had no purebred puppies available. Many countries are breeding and supplying American consumers with puppies.
A breeder who health tests, temperament tests, studies pedigrees, and proves a dog worthy of being bred, is of benefit to the breed and is not contributing to the number of homeless dogs.
The number of homeless dogs in the world is a problem, but it is not a problem caused by reputable breeders and those who purchase from them. The one who refuses to contain his unaltered dogs is contributing to the problem.
The one who impulsively bought a dog at Petland is contributing to the problem That guy on Craigslist pumping out the trendiest designer mix as fast as he can is contributing to the problem. The one who just has to let their dog have one litter “so she can experience motherhood” or because “she’s just so sweet” is contributing to the problem. The who bought a high energy working breed without taking the time to research its needs and realize it was not a good fit for their household ahead of time IS contributing to the problem.
A reputable breeder offers its lifelong support. A reputable breeder would never allow their dogs to end up in a shelter, to begin with. A reputable breeder makes it a contractual obligation to return dogs they have produced back to them, should you find yourself unable of keeping it.
It is understandable to be angry about the number of homeless dogs in the world, but if you take a deeper look, you will find your anger is misplaced.
Reputable breeders and owners are not the problem!.
