Introduction
Everyone knows the phrase “Dogs are man’s best friend.” And the statistics prove it to be true: more than 78 million dogs currently live in homes in the United States alone. Those of you reading this might even have your own Fido or Sparky at home. There are hundreds of dog breeds in all shapes and sizes. Every person can find the perfect puppy! Only one question remains: where to get one?
Dogs can be adopted from animal shelters or bought directly from a breeder. There are many pros and cons to both sides which should both be considered before making a decision, but the answer is clear: Potential dog owners should adopt from shelters as long as they are thoroughly prepared to take care of the animal. Let’s talk about some reasons why.
Dog Breeders vs. Dog Shelters: What’s the Difference?
As explained in an article from Dogster, dog breeders specialize in one breed and are usually privately run. On the other hand, dog shelters have dogs of all breeds and ages and are run by a city or an organization such as the ASPCA.
Dogs that come to shelters are either owner-surrendered, strays, returned after adoption, or confiscated from a cruelty case, according to an essay written by Lisa M Gunter and Alexandra Protopopova. Overall, shelter dogs come from a sad background.
Gunter and Protopopova go on to write nearly 4 million dogs enter shelters in the United States each year. They also explain that about 20% of the dogs living in the United States came from shelters.
These statistics show that most owned dogs in the United States come from breeders rather than shelters. However, because of the many benefits of adopting from a shelter and the negatives of breeders, this needs to change.
Put an End to Euthanization!
As previously stated, around four million dogs enter shelters each year in the United States. Sadly, more than 1.2 million of these dogs are euthanized.
This heartbreaking statistic is the first reason to adopt a dog from a shelter. If potential adopters are open to the idea of saving a dog from an unfortunate fate, then adopting from a shelter is definitely the correct decision.
Save Money and Effort!
Not only can adopting from a shelter save a dog’s life, but it will save money and work for the owner. When buying a dog from a breeder, potential owners must wait months for a puppy. However, adopting from a shelter allows near immediate choice of a dog. Potential owners can visit shelters, play with dogs to get to know them, and then adopt them almost immediately.
Adopting from a shelter is not only more convenient to any potential owner, but it is less expensive and can save potential owners up to thousands of dollars. Shelters will often adopt dogs out from anywhere between $0 and $100, whereas purebred dogs can start around $500 and be as expensive as $5,000.
Add to that the fact that most breeders will not give the dogs immunizations—the responsibility falls on the owner—and the cost increases by another few hundred dollars. On the other hand, nearly all shelters give dogs immunizations, so any owner adopting from a shelter will not have to cover these expenses.
For owners who want a dog but perhaps aren’t able to spend thousands of dollars just to buy one, adopting from a shelter is definitely the better option.
Breeders = Genetic Issues and Puppy Mills? Not a Winning Combination
Dog breeding can cause many genetic issues that negatively impact both dogs and their families further down the road. On the other hand, this article from Dogster explains that “shelter dogs are often mutts, or mixed breeds, which decreases the likelihood of having a genetic issue”.
In addition to genetic problems, some breeders bring a bad name to the dog adoption industry as a whole. As explained in an article from Scholastic, Inc., many dogs in pet shop windows are sold by breeders who run puppy mills, where hundreds of animals live without enough space, food, water, or medicine.
Of course, many breeders do run completely responsible businesses. Pati Anderson, a former professional handler for dog shows, gives the reminder that responsible breeders should take care of their dogs and register with a breed parent organization like the Siberian Husky Club of America.
The responsibility for ensuring a puppy’s health and safety lies with the potential owner. Adopters must research breeders before buying. However, the entire issue could be avoided by simply adopting from a shelter….
But What About Bad Habits?
Some may worry about behavioral problems in shelter dogs. However, research suggests that it is the owners, not the dogs, who are the problem. Most dogs relinquished to shelters are puppies less than two years old. These dogs can’t control their own behavior if their owners haven’t trained them properly.
Whether adopting a dog from a shelter or a breeder, owners should never get a dog unless they are fully and thoroughly prepared to put in the resources necessary to take care of it.
So What is the Answer?
There are multiple options available to potential dog owners. Buying from a breeder may allow you to get a young puppy, but that doesn’t make it the best choice. Adopting from a shelter, in addition to saving money and time, can save puppies from an awful fate, whether living in a puppy mill or ending up being euthanized in a shelter. Owners must keep in mind, however, that they need to be fully dedicated to training and taking care of their dogs. If all potential owners realize these facts, many dogs will have happier lives.
