robinb
DIS veteran
- Joined
- Aug 29, 1999
I have purchased 2 dogs and 4 cats from breeders and one dog is adopted from the shelter.
My first dog was a Japanese Akita and the breed had just started to take off in popularity (OJ Simpson's wife Nicole's dog was an Akita) and I wanted to make sure that I bought a well bred dog and not a backyard "pure bred". My dog's parents were both tested and the father was an AKC champion. She lived to be 16 years old. I realized part way through those 16 years that I was terribly allergic to the dog (double-coat, shedding all the time) and I also developed more of an allergy to my DSH cat who also eventually crossed the rainbow bridge.
I love cats, so I researched breeds that were good for people with allergies and found out about Japanese Bobtails which are a pretty rare breed. My allergies are much better with JBTs and my last 4 cats are all JBTs purchased from breeders ... all but one as adults. My last two (who are still alive) are both former champions. It is nearly impossible to find JBTs in shelters. JBTs are doglike cats, very affectionate. They are fun and athletic animals smf they seem to stay young. And they have the cutest little tails!
When we were ready for another dog after my Akita died, I knew we wanted a Standard Poodle for my health. They are pretty much a dime a dozen and backyard breeders don't give a crap about the health of the animals as long as they can say they are "purebred AKC". I again did my research and purchased a puppy from a reputable breeder and made sure that both parents were extensively tested for traits that could be passed onto the puppies. My poodle's mom and dad were both confirmation champions and the dad was also an agility champion. My poodle's a great dog. She's beautiful and sweet and everyone who meets her loves her.
I adopted a "little white rat dog" from the shelter about 4 years ago. We think he might be a malti-poo but I really have no idea. He's a great little dog and a real clown. I have had no health issues with him from his crappy breeding (knock wood).
I would NEVER buy a dog from a pet store. Ever. I believe that purchasing dogs from pet stores is the same as purchasing dogs from a puppy mill and I can't support that. I *have* been tempted to buy a cat from a local pet store that places local litters. They allow the kittens to have free range of the store and I have cuddled some incredibly affectionate kittens more than once and wanted to bring them home. I don't because I am afraid that I would develop allergies to the cat which would be terrible ... plus I have a 2-cat limit.
My first dog was a Japanese Akita and the breed had just started to take off in popularity (OJ Simpson's wife Nicole's dog was an Akita) and I wanted to make sure that I bought a well bred dog and not a backyard "pure bred". My dog's parents were both tested and the father was an AKC champion. She lived to be 16 years old. I realized part way through those 16 years that I was terribly allergic to the dog (double-coat, shedding all the time) and I also developed more of an allergy to my DSH cat who also eventually crossed the rainbow bridge.
I love cats, so I researched breeds that were good for people with allergies and found out about Japanese Bobtails which are a pretty rare breed. My allergies are much better with JBTs and my last 4 cats are all JBTs purchased from breeders ... all but one as adults. My last two (who are still alive) are both former champions. It is nearly impossible to find JBTs in shelters. JBTs are doglike cats, very affectionate. They are fun and athletic animals smf they seem to stay young. And they have the cutest little tails!
When we were ready for another dog after my Akita died, I knew we wanted a Standard Poodle for my health. They are pretty much a dime a dozen and backyard breeders don't give a crap about the health of the animals as long as they can say they are "purebred AKC". I again did my research and purchased a puppy from a reputable breeder and made sure that both parents were extensively tested for traits that could be passed onto the puppies. My poodle's mom and dad were both confirmation champions and the dad was also an agility champion. My poodle's a great dog. She's beautiful and sweet and everyone who meets her loves her.
I adopted a "little white rat dog" from the shelter about 4 years ago. We think he might be a malti-poo but I really have no idea. He's a great little dog and a real clown. I have had no health issues with him from his crappy breeding (knock wood).
I would NEVER buy a dog from a pet store. Ever. I believe that purchasing dogs from pet stores is the same as purchasing dogs from a puppy mill and I can't support that. I *have* been tempted to buy a cat from a local pet store that places local litters. They allow the kittens to have free range of the store and I have cuddled some incredibly affectionate kittens more than once and wanted to bring them home. I don't because I am afraid that I would develop allergies to the cat which would be terrible ... plus I have a 2-cat limit.