I suppose that depends on each individual and what their preferences and their level of commitment is.
Heres what I mean...
I absolutely think it's great that there are animal rescues and shelters. And if you are looking for a dog to call your own and you decide to go to a shelter to pick one out, bless your heart! That's wonderful and one less dog sitting in a kennel inside a noisy shelter. I think its wonderful.
But shelter dogs aren't for everyone. There are very ethical and responsible reasons why some people prefer a puppy from a breeder. When you buy a puppy from a responsible breeder, you know exactly what you're getting. Theres no guesswork involved. Perhaps you want a working dog for on your farm. Well then it makes sense to buy a dog that was bred for that. That's just one of many examples. Different breeds are bred for different reasons.
Also, when you pick a dog from a shelter, you dont usually know its background, or what it's been through, what it might be sensitive to, etc. The workers at the shelter work with the dogs and try their best to determine if the dog is safe with kids, safe with pets, etc. But they still dont really know what that animal has been through and what its triggers could be. Now this is of no fault to the shelter. And it's no fault of the dog. It's due to unfortunate events that happened in the dogs life. I know this from a personal experience my mom had. She wanted a dog for a companion. She didnt want a puppy, she wanted something that would be laid back and happy to just be there with her. So she went to the local dog shelter. She picked a dog that the shelter said would be good with people, good with kids, good with other dogs, etc. He was a beautiful German shepherd. He was so sweet there at the shelter when she went to see him. Finally once all the paperwork was in order it was time for her to pick him up and bring him home. She was excited to get him! She took him home and a different dog emerged. He bit her in her face! Hard enough to brake skin. Thank God that wasn't one of my kids! She called the shelter and they took him back. No one knows what his history was. Maybe he was a nervous biter. Maybe he was abused. My mom found out the hard way. I sure hope that beautiful boy found a forever home with someone who knew how to handle him. Not every dog is for "any" person.
If a breeder is responsible and knows their dogs lineage well and the behavior and health of the pups parents and grandparents, then they know what they can expect with their pups. Also a responsible breeder should get to know their puppy buyers, and even remain in contact with them. This helps ensure that puppy goes to and has a good loving home.
Now i dont condone irresponsible breeding. I dont think dogs should be used just to breed and make money. I don't believe in keeping dogs penned up or heaven forbid on a chain or tied. Personally I don't even think dogs should be kept in a kennel for breeding.
My interpretation of a responsible breeder is someone who has their dog/s with them, spending time with them, caring for them, playing with them, looking at their dog and treating them as a member of the family.
Someone who knows their dogs health history and is breeding healthy dogs. That is what produces amazing puppies.
And while there are some people who prefer a rescued dog from the shelter, there are also many people who want a specific breed from a breeder. And theres nothing wrong with that.
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