[CFrance]

You must research the breed, and you must research the breeder. Talk to your vet. Talk to your groomer. We've had two healthy purebreds. We had three healthy purebred Siamese cats, whose breeders can be known for too much inbreeding. Do your due diligence. Each registered purebred has a traceable AKC number and a family tree with AKC numbers. My vet helped me research the line of our goldens through these numbers, plus their health ratings and those of their ancestors. I wanted a dog I would not have to be leery of around strangers or kids or other pets. My research brought us to the golden breed.

Like I said originally, the debate over this will rage on and on. Some breeders will be subtly disreputable, breeding for show points. Some shelters will misrepresent the temperament or issues of a rescue dog. Our friends rescued a keeshond mix who had been running around the streets of Battle Creek for a couple of years. The dog bit people at the shelter, and yet they allowed him to be rescued by our friends. This dog was totally uncontrollable, despite four weeks with a dog trainer/psychologist. It continued to bite and destroy their house, but when they went back to the shelter owner, she said if they turned him back to them, they would euthanize him. That's a heckuva burden to put on two dog lovers trying to do the right thing.

Anecdotes exist on both sides. Pluses and minuses on each side. I would not label acquiring either purebreds or rescues as something not to do. I believe it's a personal decision.