[lovsthosebigdogs]

I totally understand what EVERYONE is saying about having difficulty with breeders and what goes on with rescue groups. I have fostered for rescue and have had rescue dogs myself from breed rescue. I also have shown dogs (have my dogs and picture in a "How to Raise and Train a ..." dog breed book from when I showed dogs) and am currently on the board of directors of a breed club, however I do not breed dogs. I have gotten several dogs from show breeders and they have been healthy, well adjusted dogs, living long, healthy lives and although not show dogs due to cosmetic faults they were/are not dogs that have physical issues that caused me to pay for a wing on my vet's hospital. I also lost a 20 month old pure bred dog we got from breed rescue to a sudden heart problem (DCM) and, let me tell you, that ripped my heart out. Would I buy from a breeder again? Yes, but I would be careful who I bought from and I would make sure I knew what tests were done before I contracted for that puppy. And all good breeders SHOULD take their puppies back as a condition of sale. Would I take a rescue dog even after the tragedy we lived through? Yes, but I would try to make sure to the best of my ability that it was healthy before I gave it my heart. Bottom line, things can happen with any animal. I personally like the breed I chose because of the personality and I am not willing at this time in my life to change breeds so I do the best I can to work within the parameters of that breed but I still try to get a healthy dog. I also trust the breeders I know that are trying to work on improving the breed. Not all breeders are doing that, but I know a lot of them that are. Just because you show a dog or register it with AKC doesn't mean that you are a reputable breeder. AKC is merely a registry, like registering your car doesn't mean it is in great shape. The Dept of Motor Vehicles will register a clunker. As with anything else, it's still buyer beware. Unfortunately, it's lives we are dealing with and I love my dogs as much as you all do and I hurt as much as you do when there is a problem with one of my dogs. It's just not as black and white as it looks sometimes, but you can't paint all show breeders with the same brush.