guilt over buying from a breeder.

We bought our dog from a breeder for a number of reasons. First, we both have allergies and are sensitive to certain dogs. Second, the dog was raised around children. Knowing that we will be having children we wanted a dog that would be good with kids. Also, this breed is known for its temperament.

I love my puppy but I sometimes feel guilty we didn't rescue one from the shelter. While we made the right decision for us, I still feel bad.

I think the guilt comes out more when people asked if we rescued it or got it from a breeder. I always feel the need to explain WHY we went to a breeder.

I would have loved to rescue a puppy or dog but it just wouldn't have been right for us.

Does anyone who got their dog from a breeder ever get this guilt?

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

I didn't get Ginger from a breeder (from a store ) but Leo was adopted. I got very lucky with him. It is so hard to find a dog from a shelter who meets certain standards.

Try not to feel bad. You made a great decission. You did what was best for you, your husband and your future children.

Think of all the people that need to give their dogs up because they end up not being good with children or end up being allergic to them.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

First from a breeder, second from a rescue. We didn't think we could find a Lab with our needs from a rescue/shelter either. For our second, once we looked out of state, we realized we could with a little more effort.

We took the price of our first purebred and donated the same amount to area shelters and rescues. That was our solution for breeder guilt.

I don't think buying from a *reputable* breeder automatically makes you a selfish b@st@rd. There IS value to keeping breed standards alive and well. It's the BYB's and mill/broker supplied places that are the real problem.

If you are feeling bad, support the local shelters and rescues with donations of money, beds, towels, bowls, blankets, etc. They can always use the help, even if they're borne out of guilt.

Message edited 10/9/2011 11:47:49 AM.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

Message edited 10/9/2011 3:11:11 PM.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

Thank you for your responses! It definitely makes me feel a lot better

I'm hoping in the future we can rescue an animal. It is something I would love to do, although I am weary of it. My ILs have a gorgeous dog who is so sweet and gentle. However, they told them she was a spaniel and wouldn't be bigger than 30 lbs. It turns out she is a mutt and is now 70lbs!! I guess the trouble with the animal shelters is they just don't know 100% what the dog is. Maybe in the future. In the meantime, I will look into donating.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

Oh, & you don't need to explain yourself to anyone. If someone asks where you got him & you feel the need to answer you can say "After careful consideration, we did a lot of research & chose to get him from a reputable breeder & made a donation to our local shelter in his name" ... that's assuming you do make a donation

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

Posted by KittyTheStray

Oh, & you don't need to explain yourself to anyone. If someone asks where you got him & you feel the need to answer you can say "After careful consideration, we did a lot of research & chose to get him from a reputable breeder & made a donation to our local shelter in his name" ... that's assuming you do make a donation

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

No need to feel guilty...Responsible breeders are necessary. Do not feel the need to explain yourself- You made the best decision for you.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

I feel the same way as you. I wanted so bady to rescue a dog. Growing up we always rescued cats, but DH is very allergic and has asthma so thats out. Dh never had a dog, but any dog he was around he usually had a bad reaction too. Since I could not have a cat (which is what I wanted) we considered a nonshedding dog if DH could tolerate them. So we started searching.

Like you, we had to be 100% sure that the dog was the breed they said.
While I kept looking at rescues, we were afraid if we rescued a less allergenic breed and then had to give the dog back, we would be devastated and not want to do that to the dog again. And we knew most likely we could never have given the dog back and DH would just be barely functioning and barely breathing everyday. So we didn't want to take that chance well knowing he had allergies.

I also love that I got to meet my dogs' mamas, where they were born and raised, and knew them close to from when they were born.

I could never have lived with myself if I had to send a dog back to wherever I got him from. So I think I did the best thing I could in the situation. I donate alot to animal charities and animals in need to sort of make up for what I spent on my dog. I figure if I rescued another dog, I would pay for food, vet, etc, and so I spend that on random animals that need help (such as when animals are in need and they post links to help pay for a surgery, etc). Helps me feel better just a bit.

Message edited 10/9/2011 11:25:10 PM.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

Responsible breeders are really important to maintain the intergrity of the breed of dog. I bought my dog from a breeder and sometimes I feel bad because I did and probably always will. But I try to give back to the community of animals that need help by donating money, and doing local walk a thons and other events to support animals that need homes. I tried to volunteer my time to a shelter a couple of years ago but I work between the times that they would allow it and they weren't flexible with changing the times. Breeders are extremely important though. If there were only reputable breeders and no one else breeding pets, we wouldn't have the problems of homeless animials.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

Message edited 10/10/2011 9:24:12 AM.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

I don't think you should feel guilty at all. You got a pet.. you are loving him, taking care of him... and you don't owe anyone an explanation of how you came about him. You made the best decision for your family and that is that.

Yes, i got my dogs from a shelter, but I didn't have to take into consideration the same things you did. If I had, then my decision may have been different.

Personally, I wouldn't judge someone on where they got their pet.... I only judge on how they treat it..

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

My parents adopted our first collie from a breeder. We had gotten a dog from NSAL (I had posted about her previously) who turned out to be a very bad family dog. When we adopted her, the whole family was there (my parents, myself, and my little brother and sister) so they knew we were a family with small children. They adopted us a german shepherd/chow mix and claimed that she would be an excellent family dog. After both my brother and sister nearly lost an eye, we knew we couldn't keep her. My mom paid for her to go to a doggie rehabilitation center that would never adopt her out to a shelter, they never adopt them unless they find them a forever home. Anyway, after that my mom was afraid to get another dog, but we were young kids and we wanted another one. It was/is a miracle that my brother and sister aren't afraid of dogs now. Anyway, my mom was afraid so she did extensive research on family dogs and gentle dogs and came up with collies! She, like other pp, didn't think we'd be able to find a collie in a shelter so we adopted from a breeder. Fonzi was a prince. He was the best dog ever, so gentle and sweet, but not without his issues (mostly medical, unfortunately Fonzi passed last year ). Eventually, my parents decided they wanted another collie. They found one for adoption at the local ASPCA and the rest is history. But I do understand wanting to be certain with getting a type of dog. Don't feel guilty about it. You still gave your pup a great and loving home. And, in the future, if you choose to get another dog, you now know that you can go to a breed specific rescue or look on petfinder and adopt a certain breed.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

Posted by KittyTheStray

It’s so sad that pets, this LIFE, is that disposable to some people

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

During my life, I've bought pets from breeders, I've rescued several pets from the streets, I've adopted pets from shelters, and, before I knew better, I bought a pet from a store. I do not feel guilty at all because my heart has always been in the right place, I've given each of these animals a really good life, and every living creature, no matter where they are from, deserves a good life. Making a habit out of buying a pet from a pet store is not good because you support a bad industry. SHort of that, you should be proud for taking your family's needs into consideration and giving a pet an awesome life.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

Yes, I do. Esp. since I volunteer at my local humane society. I feel that they judge me bc my 3 dogs were all "bought" from a breeder and not rescued.

Thanks for posting this, reading the other posts make me feel better.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

I have never felt guilty about getting my Murphy from a breeder. We lived in an apartment and so the dog had to be small. Once we decided on a Jack Russell, we knew with their personalities, we needed a good breeder for temperament. We have the calmest Jack Russell ever! We got professional advice all through the puppy raising process and even got free grooming and involved in shows. Just last year we went the shelter route for a second dog with disastrous results.... if anyone remembers my issues with rocky and nsal. Next time around I will either foster a dog and then adopt it or go with a breeder.

Re: guilt over buying from a breeder.

I agree with what all of the others said. My family dog was purchased from a breeder - there is nothing wrong with that when you go to a reputable one!

When those who can adopt do, that is great! However, there is nothing wrong with breeders when they are doing it the right way and for the right reasons. Do not feel guilty!