Doug M.
Member
I am aware of the puppy millers in the Lancaster area. A pox. As for well bred purebreeds, they serve a niche purpose. As described by our hunter who buys that way - you gotta consider the purpose. My dogs are couch hounds, so I don't need that. A working rott for police service, I would consider $20K as a cheap one, and not be too bothered at closer to $40K, but the stakes are way different.
I said this somewhere else and will edit to address tense and the like:
There is a big advantage to purebreed dogs, if one pays attention to the purpose of the breed (and some don't): predictability. If one wants a dog of a certain size (range), temperament (range) and coat type, let's say, an informed consumer can predict or learn from research and consulting with a breeder what dogs are most likely to fit their life. We have had 3 mixed breeds, and all were/are great dogs, but they could have been completely different. Our first was a RottXSpringer, and she did have both modest physical (hip) issues related the cross or her ancestors' hips, and of course the sometimes iffy Springer temperament problems. The 2nd was a RottXPit, and a great dog in every way once she got over her separation anxiety, even after being neglected before she ran away to the person who brought her to us, but I know some very sharp rott people who have kept data on the crosses they have rescued and said every other one but Sasha was cuckoo in a very bad way. Bozo, of course, is an unholy pain and a serious responsibility. Rescue thought (understandably) he was a RottXDane, but he at best has a good bit of Fila in him, and displays a lot of Fila temperament. He loves us, and is easy going and submissive with us and our Terv, but his hatred for strangers and its violent display has to be seen to be believed. I have little doubt he would be dead by now as a result of the owner not having a clue if he was not with us – he did get returned to rescue at least twice as I recall because adopters did not understand his response to strangers. See the avatar picture? That muzzle is not for show.
Our Terv is purebred and given to us when the man who had her learned the hard way how high strung she is. She's great for us, but we're odd ducks. He had lost a prior dog to an accident while being boarded, and I think did not do enough research to understand what a dog like her could be like.
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All of our dogs have been rescue, whether formal or informal (re-home). We prefer dogs to people, so we adjust more easily than some other folks might to the oddities and demands of a dog. Our rotties have been great dogs, generally both social and protective, and they are likely my favorite breed. When I was still running seriously, I considered a Rhodesian Ridgeback as a great choice for a companion, and they are a great breed, too.
I was on a very active Rott list for years, but it is shut down now. I still have some rescue contacts if you would like me to reach out - send me a PM and I can help. Breed rescues often have a better idea of the right dog for a person, have assessed them, and know what they are working with. Sometimes, all-breed rescues and local pounds simply don't have the resources and background to see subtle points (hence our experience with Bozo - the rescue rep had no idea what a Fila is and Bozo never displayed temperament at his home there). I do consider buying a purebred, and in theory my next generation of pets will be a female Boerboel, a male RR, and a cat, all raised more or less together. More likely - a rescue RR or rott and a cat.
I said this somewhere else and will edit to address tense and the like:
There is a big advantage to purebreed dogs, if one pays attention to the purpose of the breed (and some don't): predictability. If one wants a dog of a certain size (range), temperament (range) and coat type, let's say, an informed consumer can predict or learn from research and consulting with a breeder what dogs are most likely to fit their life. We have had 3 mixed breeds, and all were/are great dogs, but they could have been completely different. Our first was a RottXSpringer, and she did have both modest physical (hip) issues related the cross or her ancestors' hips, and of course the sometimes iffy Springer temperament problems. The 2nd was a RottXPit, and a great dog in every way once she got over her separation anxiety, even after being neglected before she ran away to the person who brought her to us, but I know some very sharp rott people who have kept data on the crosses they have rescued and said every other one but Sasha was cuckoo in a very bad way. Bozo, of course, is an unholy pain and a serious responsibility. Rescue thought (understandably) he was a RottXDane, but he at best has a good bit of Fila in him, and displays a lot of Fila temperament. He loves us, and is easy going and submissive with us and our Terv, but his hatred for strangers and its violent display has to be seen to be believed. I have little doubt he would be dead by now as a result of the owner not having a clue if he was not with us – he did get returned to rescue at least twice as I recall because adopters did not understand his response to strangers. See the avatar picture? That muzzle is not for show.
Our Terv is purebred and given to us when the man who had her learned the hard way how high strung she is. She's great for us, but we're odd ducks. He had lost a prior dog to an accident while being boarded, and I think did not do enough research to understand what a dog like her could be like.
... * ...
All of our dogs have been rescue, whether formal or informal (re-home). We prefer dogs to people, so we adjust more easily than some other folks might to the oddities and demands of a dog. Our rotties have been great dogs, generally both social and protective, and they are likely my favorite breed. When I was still running seriously, I considered a Rhodesian Ridgeback as a great choice for a companion, and they are a great breed, too.
I was on a very active Rott list for years, but it is shut down now. I still have some rescue contacts if you would like me to reach out - send me a PM and I can help. Breed rescues often have a better idea of the right dog for a person, have assessed them, and know what they are working with. Sometimes, all-breed rescues and local pounds simply don't have the resources and background to see subtle points (hence our experience with Bozo - the rescue rep had no idea what a Fila is and Bozo never displayed temperament at his home there). I do consider buying a purebred, and in theory my next generation of pets will be a female Boerboel, a male RR, and a cat, all raised more or less together. More likely - a rescue RR or rott and a cat.
