My DP says he doesn't want a rescue dog as pedigrees are "better". Are they?

[PedigreeDogs]

I have been discussing getting a dog with DP. We had dogs as pets when growing up in our families, but we haven't had a dog of our own that lives with us yet. DP has said he only likes pedigrees because they are less likely to have behavioural issues than rescue dogs (or dogs that have been abandoned by previous owners). He also is quite selective about the breeds he likes. I am curious what people's thoughts are about buying a pedigree dog from a breeder compared to getting a non-pedigree rescue dog.

My parents bought pedigree puppies. First one had a fantastic nature, a couple of years later, from the same breeder, second one was a very anxious dog, same home environment, same commitment to training etc , just a completely different character.

Get a greyhound and then you can have both.

This, absolutely.

No-one, least of all me, is denying that a lot of breeds (often the most fashionable ones) are in a holy mess.

However, in many pedigree breeds, it is now very straightforward to buy a puppy that has been genetically tested for all the conditions that affect the breed and can be guaranteed not to inherit them. A pedigree bought from a GOOD breeder will be far more predictable for temperament, size, coat care, looks etc. than a rescue.

Breed rescues are obviously an option, but bear in mind that the pedigrees that end up in rescue are often not the ones from reputable breeders, who would have a contract in place with buyers that the dog should be returned to them. (No guarantees on this, obviously - buyers are often too embarrassed to return them to the breeder, or don't think this stands a few years down the line.)

I mean, get what you both agree suits you as a family, be that pedigree or rescue (crossbred or purebred) - it is just frustrating to have it trotted out that all pedigrees are just bundles of disease, when it is scientifically not the case.

IF you decide on a pedigree, just make sure you buy something that is bred for a purpose that will suit you, rather than something you like the look of - don't buy a beagle or a husky if you want to be able to let it off the lead regularly, don't buy a dog from strong working lines if you don't want to put extensive work in on training.

I'm married to a vet. We'll be getting pedigree dogs until the kids are in their teens. They will be one of a very few breeds that DH doesn't see much of at work...

Some of his dislikes are not health based so much as personality (some breeds are clingier) and greyhounds/whippets are very thin skinned (not a health issue but way more cuts to get stitched). He'd always avoid any breed that has a diseases named after it (Sharpei, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever) or with too small a gene pool. Also wouldn't have anything Brachycephalic or a fashionable cross. So we're a bit limited!

I don't like Staffies (needy, whiny, fussy about if it's "wet" for a walk) which kind of limits rescue options anyway. They're not DH's favourites either for similar reasons!

But some rescues aren’t as great at that and there are thousands of shitty breeders... so...

yep. If you don’t do your research you could end up with a very sick puppy from a puppy farm just as easily as an adult with behavioural issues from a rescue.

even with pedigrees you need to be careful. I’ve just got a puppy from a breed I’ve had all my life. I know the breeders, the lines, the characteristics. Got the type of dog I wanted, quiet, trainable, easy. Friend got two puppies same breed, simply went to a local breeder. They’re all the bad things you hear, bark constantly, nippy, anti social…dog reactive…

I’d identify what kind of dog you want first. Active? Clever and needs brain work? Just takes up space on the couch and low maintenance? Then go from there. Look at breeds, breed rescues and rescues. Keep your options open.

The idea that a puppy is a clean slate is incorrect. Most of their temperament and development has been done before you pick them up at 8 weeks.

Breeding and genetics are set pretty solid from pregnancy.

Yes you can have clear evidence of health tests if you go to a good breeder.

One way to look at rescues is that you can see before you buy. The dog will be showing their character and if it is one that suits you. Some behaviour can be changed but many behaviours will be there for life so at least with a rescue you ce see what you are getting.

Yes, we have retired racers as pets.
Nice dogs, they have their pros and cons like all of them. But definitely pedigree, and all related because if you go back far enough you'll reach one of the top winning dogs! They are bred for performance, not looks, so you don't really get breed health problems though.

I think often this view of which is better for many people (not all) comes from a place of wanting a cute boy or girl who looks adorable and will fit into their life as soon as possible.

It's a lottery as to what issues any dog will bring but I think if more potential owners looked at things from the view of "how will we fit our life around the dog" then it wouldn't be too big a problem. And more idiots would realise that actually, they aren't willing to fit around the dog so don't get one, therefore one less poor animal that will inevitably be rehomed later.

There is a third option you're overlooking - a cross-breed/mongrel from a family - they don't all come from rescues.That's what we got! Her mum is a small farm dog and her dad came down from a neighbouring farm and did the business.

Our dog is absolutely beautiful and by some stoke of luck she doesn't shed. we are constantly asked "what breed is she?" which I find nuts, she's just a doggie! There is rumour of poodle in her fathers genetics but it's untested.

I have lots of pedigree dog breeds I prefer over other pedigrees and like your DH I also started out with a list of breeds and I was in the process of getting a family dog and finding the process quite soulless to be honest. Then I heard of this litter via my partner, who incidentally is a vet, and hit the jackpot.

He is right in a roundabout kind of way.

If you buy a pedigree then it's usually a puppy, and won't have some of the behavioural issues a rescue has, due to it being rescued. WiSuch as separation anxiety etc, and you are dealing with other peoples training. We've had both, and our rescue was a nightmare to toilet train (previous owner had used pads and let her 'toilet' in the house), she also had really bad anxiety, especially separation anxiety. But she's the cuddliest, most loving dog I've ever owned. Our pedigree we trained ourselves from 8 weeks old so it was much easier. She's however far more reactive towards other dogs, but that's due to her breed

You can get a pedigree pet from a rescue. I have a pedigree Persian rescue cat, but the rescue don’t give you the papers (if they even get them from the previous owner) - because that continues to enforce the notion that some animals are better and more worthy than others.

I think your boyfriends an idiot tbh, adopt don’t shop. I would never buy from a breeder again, I don’t agree with the commodification of animals to turn a profit. Often the bitches used by breeders are exploited for a few litters and then dumped at a rescue anyway. Hideous inhuman behaviour.

Another thing to bear in mind is that pedigree dogs are far more likely to have health issues than mixed breed dogs

Another thing to bear in mind is that pedigree dogs are far more likely to have health issues than mixed breed dogs

not always. It’s rare you get a true “mixed” breed these days, most are designer crosses and doodles. In’t not unusual for a pedigree cross to inherit the health issues of both parents. So a Cavapoo risks hip dysplasia and poodle issues AND syringomelia and other KC issues.

a pedigree usually has known issues, and with research you can avoid them. I have a breed where collapsing trachea is an issue, the breeder I chose was actively breeding that and patella luxation out of her lines- it was as simple as she was a show breeder and a dog hopping round the show ring was useless, as was one honking and coughing it’s way round.

some breeds I could never support- brachycephalics, KC spaniels as the congenital issues are awful. And that includes crosses as it still encourages the existence of the parent breed, with less requirement for health checks prior to breeding.

Many pedigrees are health tested for known problems within the breed.

I'd definitely bide your time and do a lot more research into dog breeds, training and if you've got the resources to do this . Firstly, what a pedigree dog is, and what a rescue dog might be, and that a dog could be both.

I would like to thank everyone in the Doghouse for their wonderful advice. DP's favourite breeds are Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands and Labradors. Now I think Saints and Newfoundlands are lovely dogs, but unfortunately our house is simply not big enough for them. I would be much happier with a Lab I think! Also he has said he doesn't like Jack Russells or Schnauzers very much.

That's really not the case at all.

A well-bred pedigree from strong lines whose parents and grandparents have had all the necessary health tests and checks is highly unlikely to have any health issues.

Yes, there are anomalies but pedigree really doesn't automatically equal badly bred with health issues, just as rescue doesn't automatically mean reactive or aggressive or poorly socialised.

There are plenty of rescue mongrels out there that have horrendous health problems, which is why the rescues often promise to cover all the necessary vet treatments and medication.

Labs are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia so make sure the parents and grandparents have excellent hip and elbow scores.

Pedigree dogs are more closely bred so more likely to have health problems. It’s a fact. My pedigree dog died this morning aged 3. Get a rescue mongrel.

Absolutely true - but also need to bear in that unlike a lot of conditions which are present or not, HD/ED are multi-factorial. It is vital to buy from a good breeder who can demonstrate good hip and elbow scores for several generations across BOTH parental lines for several lines. It is also then vital to rear the dog according to that good breeder's sensible instructions around nutrition and controlled exercise until mature.

Another consideration if you decide to go for a Labrador is to understand the differences in attitude (and appearance) between working and show lines. Both should be 'biddable', but a strong working line will need something to keep their mind busy.

Pedigree dogs are more closely bred so more likely to have health problems. It’s a fact. My pedigree dog died this morning aged 3

sorry for your loss.

but it’s a fact that badly bred pedigrees are more likely to have problems. Badly bred dogs full stop. A good breeder will not be closely breeding- you can even check the coefficient on the kennel club website to make sure your pup is not interbred.

my last pedigree died at 18. Perfectly healthy dog.

Just because your pedigree dog lived a long time though doesn’t change the fact that pedigree dogs in general are more likely to have health problems.

Mine was checked very carefully before purchase (actually with the assistance on one of the posters on this thread).

It’s rare you get a true “mixed” breed these days

This is such an important factor. It would be foolhardy to assume that any cross-bred dog is more healthy than a pedigree, particularly when so many are from (often very well marketed and disguised) puppy farms.

The vigour of the old day crossbreed/mongrel is not going to be evident in today's designer crosses bred from poor quality parents, with no health testing, sometimes bred for size over anything (in either direction).

The dog breeding industry is a cruel place, and clever sellers and grand marketing can make it very difficult for puppy buyers to buy wisely. However, there are excellent breeders out there and there are very healthy breeds available.

One way to look at rescues is that you can see before you buy. The dog will be showing their character and if it is one that suits you. Some behaviour can be changed but many behaviours will be there for life so at least with a rescue you ce see what you are getting

Wrong. Dogs in rescues are are very different from what they will be in a home environment. They can be anxious, boisterous or simply paralised due to the environment. Think kennels noice lots of other dogs.

I think what OP boyfriend is on about is the fact that most rescues are adults and therefore "set in their ways" while if you get a pedigree you are most likely going to get a puppy that you then will be able to train to your own requirements.

If you're interested in a lab, look into adopting a retired guide dog. They seem like a really safe bet behaviour-wise and it's something I've been researching myself.

Retired guide dogs retire if they get too old to care for their blind person anymore, and the blind person gets a new dog from a guide dog charity.

Occasionally you'll get younger retired guide dogs, who did all the training but don't have the aptitude for guide dog work. They can make great pets but just aren't suitable for guide dog work (e.g. may bark in shops at loud noises, which isn't allowed for guide dogs).

Do have a look into it ☺️