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it really depends on what you are looking for--on what you want. the positions have already been outlined---breeders are diverse, there are good and there are bad (and there are very bad) and generally it's not that difficult to work out which breeders fall into which categories--and if you can't figure it out up front, generally you'll know when you turn up. breeder is a very vague category--it lumps together puppy mills with very attentive and considerate operations. a blanket statement about such a vague category is worthless.
if you want a purebred dog--if you want to show--there's no alternative to a good, reputable, considerate breeder.
rescues are a very good alternative to a breeder--but again, it depends on what you want.
pounds or shelters are certainly a fine alternative, particularly if you just want a dog because, well, you want to have a furry pal. if you're not interested in showing, if you're not interested in what goes along with that, then it's an excellent alternative. the problem pounds present is self-evident if you've got a dog from one--you don't know the background--by which i mean not bloodline etc,---but simply what might have happened to the dog while it was with the previous owner. so you may find yourself with more than you bargained for.
at the same time, i got su tong the wonder husky from a pound and he is fantastic.
i consider myself lucky, however. i know lots of folk who have been less fortunate.
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a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear
it make you sick.
-kamau brathwaite
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