Buying from a breeder vs adopting

“I’m buying from a certified breeder so I know I’ll get a healthy animal” Is a statement that I hear often. This isn’t an attack on breeders, I’d like to think that most of them breed cats and dogs because they love that particular breed so much (Although I’ve encountered some with less noble intentions). This article is to dispel the fallacy that animals from breeders are healthier than what can be found at your local animal shelter.

Animal breeds have been designed by humans, there weren’t little chihuahuas running around, we made them that way. Same goes for the pug, same goes for any other common dog we see. We get these breeds by breeding dogs with similar characteristics, this way we get more of the characteristics we want and less of the ones we don’t. The problem is, even when we try to make sure a close relatives aren’t bred together,..there really isn’t a heck of a lot of separation. The other problem is most of the things we have historically selected for are appearance. What we have found is that appearance doesn’t always walk hand in hand with health.

Now mutts, mutts is where it’s at, good ol’ what they call hybrid vigor, a mix of genetic diversity which also helps with some health outcomes and avoids bottle-necking your dogs genetics. NO this is not an excuse to go to a breeder that specializes in Pomskies, shi-poos or whatever monstrosity they have thought up. This is the call to find the animals in your local humane society or local shelter that hasn’t been the victim of our twisted human genetic intervention.

I don’t want all dog/cat breeders to hate me, so I will concede some breeders have good intentions and are being diligent. I know of some who try their hardest to look beyond appearances and are also focusing on behavior and do quite a bit of testing of their litters to make sure poor genetics aren’t further bred. I just think it will be a tall mountain to climb, especially considering what they have to work with: A small subset of genetics to keep within the bounds of the breed associations definition.

If you are super stuck on getting a particular breed, just do your research, don’t just ask the breeder, or your friend, make sure to ask a veterinarian. Remember that the illusion that purebreds are healthier is exactly that, an illusion. There are a tonne of animals within the shelters and humane societies that need homes as well.