Small rant...

well I say good job for looking for responsible breeders! I adopted Bug from the HS but when I wanted to get into terrier work I needed a dog who would meet those needs. If your looking for something paticular that you want then I see no problem with researching for good breeders and getting what you want. Good luck and I hope they will get use to the idea, I mean shoot they have years before you even want one. Lol

When I decided I wanted a terrier I researched for months untill I found the right breeder and then it was close to two years untill I got Kuniva, I had to fly him in too, hes from florida. So i think its best to look around early because sometimes it takes a while to pinpoint a breeder who you feel comfortable with.

It isn't wrong.

Right now I don't, but for many years I've been active in rescue and fostering, yet I own purebreds.  This is the first time in many years that I haven't had at least one mixed breed, but three of my gsds are from litters I fostered.

The two are not mutually exclusive.

 Thank you! At least you guys understand. I mean I wouldn't mind rescuing a Cavalier, it's just because they can have tons of health issues I'd rather get one from a breeder first, knowing the parents and what possible health issues my dog could or wouldn't have.

The specific problem with Cavaliers (the predominant problem anyway) is with the heart -- there is actually a heart problem that is PART of the breed.  Not "bad breeding" just part OF the breed.  The really good breeders at this point are actually trying to change THAT problem - but that's tough because it's a problem that really doesn't even manifest itself until they are 3-5 years old (which is almost too old to breed a female) -- in other words by the time they allow a sire/dam's pups to get old enough TO show whether the problem will surface the sire/dam are late late late to be bred.

Hence -- it's not uncommon to see Cavalier breeders be among the most expensive out there (like you can pay thousands for a really well bred Cavalier from a breeder really trying to attack this problem). 

I agree with you -- they are a stellar little dog and would be literally among MY top choice if I were picking a purebreed.

However -- I'm also going to say this.  After the years I have read and read and read on here you sort of have a problem a lot of folks would die for.  You have family who UNDERSTAND how many animals die in shelters and how needful good rescue is at this time.  A whole lot of folks who post on here have families who just don't "get it" why you shouldn't just grab a pup from Mr. and Mrs. Schmuckatella down the block who "just happen to have" a few pups left over (cos they're back yard breeders or just didn't spay/neuter) or families who want to

 And to be honest -- if you are years away from adopting any research you do now may or may not be accurate later (altho you can keep track of a breeder's name and see how much rescue they DO out there).

Why not meet halfway -- why not look into **breed rescue**??  Really often it's the better breeders who ARE active in breed rescue and who care about the breed.  It's the best place to learn about the problems with the breed and what breed rescue has to do in order to operate on behalf of the dogs.

Often breed rescue groups are called by shelters when a purebreed comes INTO the shelter -- so breed rescue does take some of the load off the shelters. 

But I'm not going to totally say your family is wrong for being concerned.  The two are not mutually exclusive (I've always wanted a pug but I sure as heck was NOT looking when we got Tinkerbell -- and she's honestly darned near as badly bred as they come, but I wouldn't trade her for anything!!)  But it's not a really bad thing to have family concerned about shelter dogs.  A lot of us wish more folks were -- so if you can figure out how to communicate to them so they're assured that you're not forgetting Simba's roots but that you're also trying to be responsible, it may help you a bit.

 You've got a fair point. I am looking at site that does cavalier rescues as well. I'm just worried mostly about the heart issues. Never thought of how the parents can't be bred when they reach the age where their health issues start to appear. Thanks!

Callie makes a good point, that I myself should have made.  As I said, three of my GSD's are due to my fostering for a breed specific rescue.  But, you wouldn't HAVE to foster to adopt from one.

I have a difficult time explaining to people that although I do a lot of work in animal rescue, I still support proper breeding.  In fact I was on a waiting list for over 3 years for a Bearded Collie from a breeder who I trusted.  When the pups where born I just wasn’t in the position in my life to take in another dog.  For so many reasons that is the exact dog I want, my dream dog as I call it. I have no problem that he is going to come from a breeder. 

I mean, in my opinion, the future of each breed depends on people who love the dog and can properly produce pups loyal to the standard of the breed.   There are some breeds I would hate to see become extinct.  We also need a large enough gene pool to pull from to produce healthy dogs.  I could go on with reasons why breeding is not bad but it all comes down to the person or people who breed the dog and how much effort they put into it.

punkchica321

Never thought of how the parents can't be bred when they reach the age where their health issues start to appear. Thanks!

The breeder I happened to meet said it literally means they sometimes can get only ONE litter out of a pairing.  and even then there is no guarantees they won't develope a murmur or worse later in life.  *and* for a small dog they have incredibly short life spans (like 12-13 is considered "old" for a cavalier and most dogs that size live far longer) -- partly that's b/c of the heart issues but they just aren't a hardy breed -- darned sweet tho. *sigh*

They also can have some pretty serious digestive issues as well -- Monica Segal has had Cavaliers since I've known her and that is how SHE got started as "Doggie Dietician" -- simply because she had one who just couldn't eat anything -- and she ran into brick wall after brick wall trying to feed her.

Another book you might really want to read is "Amazing Gracie" -- have you ever heard of "Three Dog Bakery"??  Gracie was a dane that Dan Dye (co-founder of TDB) adopted as a spur of the moment decision and it changed his life.  Gracie was a "lethal white" dane -- culled by the breeder and Dan saved her from getting put to sleep.  Not only was she deaf ... but SHE had mega digestive issues as well -- hence the beginning of TDB. 

I'm not promoting danes to you -- but it is an eye-opening book and just an awesome story.  Mostly about how dogs can truly change your life if you let them.

Also -- since we're kinda on the subject -- ask your Mom if she ever read "Beautiful Joe" by Marshall Saunders.  It's an OLD book (from the same time period as Black Beauty -- at the end of the 1800's) - but that was a really pivotal book about the beginnings of the shelter movement.  It's hard to read -- because the beginning of it is sad. 

You can actually go to the Guttenburg Project online and download it for free (you can read it on your computer, in fact).  But it would give you something "dog" to read and it would also be a good focus for conversation for you and your Mom. and sister.  It might truly smooth things over and give them the understanding that you aren't "forgetting" shelter dogs.

glenmar

But, you wouldn't HAVE to foster to adopt from one.

Absolutely not -- but there are times when having some real life hands on experience with a breed can come in danged handy.  I would be completely scr**ed if it wasn't for Rita -- she KNOWS pugs -- inside and out, and there are times when having someone to go to like that has really been helpful in doing our best for Tinkerbell.

Besides -- part of my point is that if Punkachica is having some issues with family over the whole "breeder" issue, taking some steps (like getting involved in breed rescue and even just helping them in adoptions and stuff) that can help the family understand that there's more to "shelter dogs" than just a $20 adoption from Animal Control.  I was suggesting it more as a point of compromise and understanding since we're talking about a family here.

 Many good breeders (most?) are very active in rescue.So by supporting the RIGHT breeder, you ARE supporting rescue.  Maybe your family don't realise that?

I agree, nothing wrong about getting from a good breeder.. If I could have, I would have myself.. I dont have the money for that kind of breeding, so I have my oops litter mutts because I dont want one from a back yard breeder either.

My 2 were given to me. But I dont let that make me feel bad when people say that. These pups could have been given to people that didnt care for them, but they did get care because they are mine.

 I own a purebred. Yes, you can find some Flat Coated Retrievers in rescue - however it's highly unlikely they would have adopted to us (no experience with the breed, no fenced in yard, 2 people who work full time). I wanted to find a good breeder who was strict with their home requirements but would understand that I have familiarity with dogs, and things like a lack of a yard should not write me off the list. I also wanted to find a breeder, b/c of the high prevalence of cancer in the breed.  I wanted to find someone who would provide me with healthy history, several generations back. Not a guarantee by any means, but it sure does provide some peace of mind.

The other dog I lived with is a purebred (likely from a puppy mill) who was adopted by my Mom. Before that there was a childhood dog that was also rescued. Sure, I feel a bit bad I went through a breeder, but not that bad. After all, the Ari's breeder is committed to the breed and treats her dogs and litters wonderfully. Also, I WANTED a flat coated retriever. I fell in love with the breed many years ago when I met one. Ari (for all her naughtiness lol) is perfect for us. Her typical flat coat personality is a great match. Both the SO and I also love the way the Flat Coated Retrievers look. Sure, it's superficial, but I firmly believe people should own the dog they want, even if that means going through a breeder.

Our next dog, I would like to adopt, however. That was always the plan, since there are no other purebreds that call to me so strongly to seek out a breeder.

 I know you and I have been chatting over PMs. Anyway, yup, there are definite heart issues in the breed. I know that, and the breeder made that quite plain to me. I paid a lot of money for my dog. I could have had one for less, but I was quite happy to pay that much for him. In the breed, 50% have this condition by age 5. One parent was 5 with no signs. The other was 3 with no signs.  If your breeder doesn't make this problem apparent, and make sure you are aware of it, you probably want to pick someone else. He is the first dog I bought from a breeder. One of the things I know about breed rescue is that many of them are extremely picky. They don't want you if you don't have a fence, don't have the perfect home, and haven't had one before. 

They can judge you all they want on this, but if you don't live there anymore, there's little choice in the matter. 

There is nothing wrong with researching a breed and finding a reputable breeder.  Rescue vs. purebred dogs is not mutually exclusive, it's not one or the other.  When I got Nikon, if I'd not found the dog I was specifically looking for, I would still only have two dogs.  It was never between him or a shelter/rescue dog, as much as some people will insist.  You should not feel guilty about what you are doing or feel like you have to foster a dog or look at rescues first.