Compassion for pets, compassion for people

Our best dog ever was a purebred. Our two mutts now are rescue. I'll probably always have rescue dogs from now on, but I'll probably also rescue purebred dogs, since I'll be looking for specific breeds. I'd like to say that life is too short to be petty, but I sometimes get a bee in my bonnet and am petty myself. :(

I love my two mutts. I wouldn't trade going to an animal shelter or group and getting a dog. That said, with allergies and possible kids in the future I would probably look more for a designer or pure bred dog with low shedding/body dander for our next dog. Not to say I wont check Petfinder but living in Alaska has its draw backs as some shelters have different policies, plus flying a dog up to Alaska has its own set of problems. However someone gets a dog, as long as both lives are enriched, then something good has happened. Like you keep saying, and I think more people need to, its best to keep an open mind about everything. Thanks for keeping the dialouge open!

I agree with your article's point about being understanding of one another. People make uninformed choices all the time, but it is usually because they don't know. Educating them works better if we inform them politely and make valid arguments. No one is going to listen if we hate on them for their choices or try to cram the information down their throats. And we have to remember that a dog can still be loved and a happy member of the family no matter where he came from.

It is a shame that people often can't be flexible in their beliefs.

I think there is a place for purebred dogs. The working dog example is great, although not to say that mutts or rescues can't be good working dogs either! My partner and I bought a purebred dog from a breeder because we are first-time dog owners and wanted more easily predicted characteristics (not too much energy etc etc) from our dog. We felt this would help us provide the dog with the best environment in our home. Too often people get dogs, purebred or otherwise, that don't fit their lifestyles which ends up being bad for everyone. I think you can still make moral choices when buying a purebred puppy, e.g. making sure to buy in person so you can inspect the dog's living conditions, asking about the mother's life and so on.

Being so bluntly against people who have bought from a breeder just shuts down channels of communication between people who love dogs.

Hi Lindsay..I wanted to take this opportunity to say that your blog is one of my bookmarks. I appreciate your open minded approach to all things dog. There is so much dogma floating around the pet world, your blog is a breath of fresh air. I don't do facebook, so I missed your article about buying vs rescuing. From what I gather you took your typical open minded approach...good for you.

I have 3 rescue mutts, and one very carefully bred purebred. (I didn't buy him, but no matter, the person who gave him to me did) The mutts are great pets, but the purebred is all business. If I were a sheep rancher in need of a good border collie, I would seek out the best genetics I could find, there is definitely a case to be made for that. As hard as it is sometimes, we have to learn how to respect our differences. Thanks again for a great blog, I look forward to more discussions.