“Adopt Don’t Shop”. It’s Not That Simple…
“Adopt don’t shop.”
“All breeders are bad.”
You’ve heard it and you’ve probably felt the pressure behind it too. And while I understand the heart behind those statements, they are not the full picture. Not even close.
This conversation deserves more honesty than a “slogan”.
Before anything else, I want to be very clear about something, I am not anti-rescue.
I currently have seven rescues across my animals; horses, dogs, and a cat. I’ve seen firsthand what neglect, abandonment, and poor breeding can do. I’ve also seen how incredible rescue animals can be when given a chance. Mine are the absolute BEST!
The shelter crisis, overcrowding and euthanasia are real. And yes; whenever possible, I do believe people should consider adoption, even as a first option, if it aligns with their lifestyle, financial capacity, and skill set.
But that’s exactly the point… It has to align!!!
Not every home is equipped for every dog and this is where the conversation usually gets uncomfortable, but it needs to be said.
Some rescue dogs come with:
Medical conditions
Trauma
Reactivity
Resource guarding
Behavioral challenges that require significant time and training
Some people are equipped for that but many are not. And there is no virtue in placing a dog in a home that cannot responsibly meet its needs.
Training alone can cost thousands of dollars and require a level of consistency that not everyone can realistically provide. That doesn’t make someone a bad person. It means they need to make a responsible decision. Because when that mismatch happens, the dog often ends up… right back in the system.
Let’s talk about breeders….
Not all breeders are the same. Lumping them together is one of the biggest problems in this conversation.
A reputable breeder is not:
Producing litters for quick profit
Selling to whoever shows up with cash
Ignoring health or temperament
A reputable breeder:
Health tests their dogs thoroughly
Breeds with intention and purpose
Selects for stable temperament
Raises puppies in enriched environments
Screens buyers carefully
Requires contracts; including taking the dog back at any point in its life if the owner can’t keep it
That last point is worth reading again. Dogs from reputable breeders are rarely the ones filling shelters.
Also, preservation breeders matter!
If all breeding stopped tomorrow, we would not end up with a perfect world full of rescued dogs living happily ever after.
We would lose:
Working lines
Predictable temperaments
Breeds developed for specific purposes
Preservation breeders exist to:
Maintain breed integrity
Protect health and structure
Preserve working ability and temperament
And yes… most of us do not actually want to live in a world where dog breeds disappear.
At the same time, we also do not want a world where dogs are suffering in shelters.
Both things can be true.
The purpose of the dog needs to be taken into consideration too. Not all dogs are the same.
Different dogs are wired for different things.
Some dogs are naturally better suited for:
Service work
Protection work
Herding
Search and rescue
And while there are absolutely incredible rescue dogs doing these jobs, the reality is:
Predictability matters in high-stakes roles. Period, end of story. That’s why many service dogs and working dogs come from carefully bred lines. Not because rescue dogs aren’t worthy, but because:
Temperament stability
Health predictability
Trainability
…are critical when a human is relying on that dog.
Now Let’s Talk About the Arguments People Bring Up….
1) “You’re taking a home away from a shelter dog”
Only if the person adopting is actually equipped for that dog.
Placing a dog in an unsuitable home does not save it; it delays the problem.
Also, maybe that person wouldn’t even adopt from a shelter anyway, if purchasing from a breeder wasn’t an option.
2) “Breeders are the reason shelters are full”
Backyard breeders and irresponsible ownership are a huge part of the problem.
Reputable breeders are not.
They:
Do not mass produce litters
Do not sell indiscriminately
Take their dogs back
The shelter crisis is far more connected to:
Unplanned litters
Lack of spay/neuter
Impulse buying
Owners who are unprepared
3) “Mixed breeds are healthier”
Sometimes, but not always. I’ve actually heard of scenarios where a mixed dog gets the bad traits from both of the dogs it was mixed with, so there’s that too. It can go both ways with genetics. You can breed out to bad or breed in the bad. It’s a crap shoot. That’s also why health testing it’s important to good breeders.
Genetics are not magically fixed by mixing breeds. Without intentional health testing and selection, you can still end up with:
Genetic diseases
Poor structure
Unstable temperament
Well-bred dogs are bred with health in mind, not just appearance.
4) “You just want a certain look”
I agree with this one… to a point.
Wanting a dog purely for aesthetics is not a strong enough reason to purchase from a breeder. Those are the decisions that often don’t end well.
But choosing a breed based on:
Energy level
Temperament
Size
Working ability
That’s not selfish, that’s responsible.
So, I am not here to tell you to shop and I am not here to tell you to only adopt.
I am here to say:
This decision should be made thoughtfully, not emotionally or socially pressured.
Adopt if:
You have the time, resources, and skill to support that dog
You’re prepared for the unknowns
Work with a reputable breeder if:
You need predictability
You have specific lifestyle or working needs
You are committed to supporting ethical breeding practices
Both can be done responsibly.
What I ABSOLUTELY DON’T support…
Backyard breeders
Puppy mills
Impulse buying
People getting dogs for looks or trends
People unwilling to take responsibility for the life they bring home
Also, a big thing that doesn’t get talked about enough… A huge part of the shelter crisis comes down to a lack of long-term commitment.
People get a dog without fully considering:
That this is a 10–15+ year responsibility
What their life will realistically look like over that time
How their schedule, finances, or priorities might change
Or they get a pet for their children without thinking ahead.
Kids grow up. They go to college, start full-time jobs or lose interest. And instead of asking, “Am I ready to take full responsibility for this animal when that happens?”… the dog gets rehomed or surrendered.
That is a major driver of overcrowded shelters.
This should never have been “adopt vs shop.”
It should have always been:
“Do what is right for the dog in front of you… and the life you’re able to give it.” Because at the end of the day, that’s what actually matters.
Now let’s talk about breeders…
How to Identify a Reputable Breeder
This part might not be what you expect… and it might not be what you want to hear either.
“reputable” doesn’t mean convenient. It doesn’t mean fast. And it definitely doesn’t mean you get to walk in and pick whichever puppy you think is cutest.
It means intentional and accountable. It means putting the dog’s long-term wellbeing above your immediate wants.
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First; a quick note about AKC
American Kennel Club registration alone does not equal a reputable breeder.
AKC simply means the dog is registered as a purebred. That’s it.
It does not guarantee:
• Ethical breeding practices
• Health testing
• Good temperament
• Proper care
There are excellent breeders who use AKC… and there are terrible ones who do too.
So no, contrary to popular belief, AKC by itself is not a green flag.
What to Look For…
A reputable breeder will check more boxes than you probably expect.
1) Health testing; not just a vet check
They should be doing breed-specific health testing, not just saying “the vet cleared them.”
This often includes:
• Genetic testing
• OFA or PennHIP evaluations (hips, elbows, etc.)
• Eye and heart screenings depending on the breed
And they should be willing to show you proof without hesitation.
2) Temperament matters just as much as health
A good breeder is not just producing dogs; they are producing stable, predictable temperaments.
They are:
• Observing each puppy closely
• Noting confidence, sensitivity, drive, and energy levels
• Matching those traits to the right home
They choose the puppy; not you. This is one people don’t like… but it is important.
A reputable breeder will not let you pick a puppy based on looks alone.
They will:
• Ask detailed questions about your lifestyle
• Understand what you want and need in a dog
• Match you with a puppy based on temperament and fit
Why? Because a good match leads to a dog that stays in its home for life.
3) Puppies stay with mom long enough
Puppies should not be sent home too early.
Generally:
• 8 weeks is the bare minimum
• Many reputable breeders prefer 9–10+ weeks, depending on the breed
Early separation can impact:
• Social development
• Bite inhibition
• Emotional stability
4) Transparency is non-negotiable
A reputable breeder should be open and willing to share:
• Health testing documentation
• Pedigree information
• Living conditions
• Contract details
If you feel like you’re being brushed off or blocked from information… pay attention to that.
They should also be honest about their lines. No dog is perfect, and a trustworthy breeder will acknowledge potential weaknesses, not pretend everything is flawless.
5) They have a contract; and it protects the dog
This is a big one.
A reputable breeder will have a contract that includes:
• A requirement to return the dog to them if you can’t keep it
• Spay/neuter or breeding terms
• Health guarantees
They don’t just care where the dog goes… they care where it ends up for life.
6) They don’t always have puppies available
Good breeders are not producing litter after litter.
You will often:
• Be placed on a waitlist
• Have to go through an application process
• Wait months, sometimes longer
That’s not a red flag. That’s a sign of intentional breeding.
They also typically do not breed every heat cycle. Ethical breeders give their females time to recover and prioritize their health over output.
7) They care who you are
You should feel like you’re being evaluated… because you are.
They will ask about:
• Your schedule
• Your experience with dogs
• Your home environment
• Your plans for the dog
A breeder who will sell to anyone with money is not a reputable breeder.
You should also never feel rushed. A good breeder will not push a sale and may even tell you that a specific puppy, litter, or even their breed is not the right fit for you.
8) They prove their dogs, not just breed them
Strong breeders are usually doing something to demonstrate the quality of their dogs.
This might look like:
• Conformation shows
• Working titles (herding, protection, hunting)
• Sport titles (obedience, agility, scent work)
They’re not just saying their dogs are well-bred; they’re showing it.
9) They breed with a clear purpose
If you ask why a specific pairing was done, there should be a thoughtful answer.
Not just that both dogs are nice, but something intentional like:
• Improving structure
• Strengthening temperament
• Preserving working ability
• Complementing strengths and weaknesses
Breeding should be deliberate, not convenient.
10) They start socialization early
Puppies should not spend their first weeks in isolation.
Good breeders are intentionally exposing them to:
• Different sounds
• New surfaces
• People
• Mild, safe challenges
This early foundation plays a huge role in how a dog develops long-term.
11) They offer lifetime support
A reputable breeder doesn’t disappear once the puppy goes home.
You should feel comfortable reaching out:
• Weeks later
• Months later
• Even years later
Because they care about the outcome, not just the placement.
12) They keep or co-own dogs from their litters
Not every puppy is produced just to be sold.
Often, breeders will:
• Keep a puppy
• Co-own dogs
This shows they’re building and maintaining their lines with intention.
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Red Flags; Avoid These at All Costs
If you see these, walk away.
• Selling puppies with no questions asked
• Letting you pick based purely on color or appearance
• No proof of health testing
• Multiple litters always available
• Willing to meet in a parking lot instead of their home or facility
• Puppies going home before 8 weeks
• No contract or no return-to-breeder clause
• Poor living conditions or unwillingness to show where dogs are raised
• Breeding multiple different breeds without clear purpose
• Prices that seem too good to be true
Choosing where your dog comes from is so important.
Whether you adopt or go through a reputable breeder, the goal should always be the same; a stable, healthy dog, placed in a home that can care for it for life.