According to the ASPCA, “Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized.”  Of those 1.5 million shelter animals put down, 670,000 are dogs. 

It is well known that there are animals in need of homes all across the United States, but still people continue to buy dogs from breeders instead of adopting them from local shelters, leaving many dogs in a deadly situation.

There is an abundance of dogs locked in shelters waiting desperately for a home, and for some it may never come. In Sonoma County alone, 212 dogs were euthanized from July 2016 to June 2017. Most of the animal shelters in Sonoma County are identified as ‘no-kill’ shelters, so this number is actually much higher than it needs to be. 

If everyone who was considering adding a dog to their family first consulted an animal shelter, it would help counter the crisis. In truth, considering a mutt over a purebred dog would help empty out shelters and hopefully stop overbreeding.

Many purebred dogs are not neutered properly or spayed due to an owner wanting to breed them for puppies in order for them to make a profit. Purebred puppies can range from $500 to a whopping $15,000 or more depending on the breed. Shelter puppies range from $0 to $250, and often specials are offered at the time of adoption. Saving money is a plus, of course, but saving animals’ lives is even better. Not only is there a large cost gap between purebred puppies and shelter puppies, but shelter dogs are fixed so that they cannot add to the growing number of unwanted dogs. 

As a result, another downside with buying purebred dogs is their tendency for health problems. A majority of the time, breeders will breed their dogs with other dogs from that exact family line. Many breeders own award winning dogs and therefore do not want to “contaminate” one blood line with an inferior alternative. This way, those winning dogs are kept at the top of their class. 

What is overlooked, however, is how each purebred breed can have their own health issues or genetic defect that is passed on from generation to generation. 

According to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, some purebred health problems include, “dachshunds with herniated discs, pugs with faces so flat and noses so narrow they cannot breathe, skin infections and so on.” These are serious and scary conditions that any fur parent should be concerned about, but fall behind a veil of ignorance when not aware of what particular dogs go through.

If someone is looking for a specific breed of dog and they have the money, then it would make sense to buy a purebred. Understandably, it can be difficult to find a specific breed of dog at the shelter, but not impossible. The search will take time and possibly the visit of many locations, but when looking for the right dog, the search is well worth the wait. 

Imagine seeing the face of a dog finally adopted and taken to their new home. No longer will they have to sleep in a cold and cramped cage, but instead on a warm, cozy bed with new owners and sincere love. While the decision may come difficult, the truth not so much. Shelter dogs are just as beautiful and deserving of praise as purebred dogs. At the least, they are entitled to a safe home too.