I have wanted Newfoundlands since I was able to talk. I have put my name and application in for 5 different rescues. I have received 1 email in 4 years. I am also one who can't pay huge money for a dog and rescues do charge over $500. I have researched many breeders and have found some wonderful dogs, but the $ is too much for me personally. Well 25 yrs later, I found an ex breeding pair in the local shelter for $80.00 each. Both fixed and up to date with vacs and chipped. I have finally found my dream dogs! They are not of breeding quality, they do have conformation faults and the original owner paid $1500.00 for each dog and bred them 3 times before giving them to the shelter. I knew if I looked in the right place I would eventually have my Newfie. AKA the doofies
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My lab is purebred, paid very little for her and she has been wonderful. My daughter wanted a smaller breed and I looked for 2 years for the right fit. Found our boy Lucky- Sheltie/Poodle mix. He looks pure Sheltie and when people ask, I do say he is a Sheltie mix. I never say Sheltiepoo. Paid even less for him. He is my daughters best friend.
My daughters friend had an older sis that picked up 3 puppies and did nothing with them. I really liked one and said I would take her when she was ready to dump her, because that is what sis did with the last 5 dogs she had gotten. She called me a month later and said "I'm tossing her out, come get her" She was tossed out because the pup pooed in her favorite shoes. I brought her home and she fits in perfect. She is a Beagle/Doxie mix and my little chicken hunter. She has to be on the line at all times when the chickens are out and spends the whole time whining and licking her lips. She is my sons best friend. I paid nothing for her.
I really think when it comes to dogs, education is the biggest must have. Many people think Labs are hyper and stupid. That is not breed standard. They have been bred to death by uneducated people. Labs are docile, patient, smart and all around dogs. My lab is quiet, calm (until the food bowl comes out) and has a very soft mouth. I don't see the need to make up breeds based on money gained, cute names, or just because. Every breed has a purpose and should be scrutinized excessively before pairing them with something to make a new line. Buyers must be as educated in the breed as breeders.
Unfortunately our society has created too may choices and with the lack of education and many breeders just not caring about what they produce, we have created the problem with designer breeds and dog fads. If done correctly some of these mixes can be a benefit.
I love all, whether mix or pure. I applaud the breeder that realizes their mistake and does something to educate people on what the mistake was and how it may be fixed. There will always be the group that just doesn't care. We have a store in our mall that sells mixes for 1-3K. One was called a "Fuzzy Walrus". It was a cocker spaniel/sharpei cross. Who thought of that and why? But some uneducated individual paid 2K for that pup. All I could say was WOW!
Some of the best dogs are pure mutts, but why breed them intentionally with no purpose?
Sorry for the novel