Adoption From Shelter Vs. Buying From a Breeder: What’s Best For You?

Pros of Buying from a Breeder

You can see your puppy’s parents and have a good idea what your puppy will look like as an adult. You’ll also be able to see the environment where the pup spent the first few months of life.
You know exactly what you’re getting in terms of the dog’s breeding and lineage. No surprises!
You will have the opportunity to mold your puppy as it grows.
If you’re buying from a good breeder, the puppy will already come socialized, be comfortable with household noises and traffic, and may even know some basic training commands.
Many breeders offer genetic health testing to confirm that your puppy is unlikely to develop any inherited diseases.
Most breeders not only breed for conformation, but for solid temperaments. While this doesn’t guarantee your dog won’t grow up to be a nut, it improves your chances they will be a solid adult.
Breeders are essential if you plan to take your dog to the show ring. They must be papered to compete.

Cons of Buying from a Breeder
1. You’re buying a puppy. They are a lot of work, just like a human baby. Prepare for the perils of potty training and corralling little life forms whose sole purpose is to poop, pee and chew all over your home. They will also need to be fed multiple times per day and taken out at all hours.
2. You are responsible for the training of your puppy. They are a blank slate; be sure that you know what to write on it.
3. Breeders are usually much more expensive than getting your dog from a shelter. Depending on the location and breed, most breeders run from $500 to $1500 for a pup.
4. Puppies need multiple vet checks and vaccinations during their first year of life. In addition to this expense, you will need to cover the cost of sterilization. This means that you could pay higher upfront costs just getting your puppy to adulthood.
5. Finding a truly reputable breeder that cares more for about quality than quantity can be difficult.