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Pour this girl a glass of our finest!!! <<BRAVO>>

I am so glad that you are aware about Back Yard breeders and Puppy Mills. I am sure you know that No reputable breeder, would ever breed a mutt! If you really want a cross breed, the only way to go is to adopt. Like you said, try petfinder. You cold also contact some of your local shelters and tell them what you are interested in. They can guide you in the right direction. Overall, never buy a mutt from a 'breeder' or a pet store. I have NO idea as to why some people pay that much money! Don't they know that you could adopt a dog for 1/10 of the price from a 'breeder?' It IS ridiculous! Good Luck!

Good points.

However, I take issue with the statement someone said that "shelter dogs have issues"

Shelter or rescue dogs are no more likely to have issues than a pup or dog you "purchase".

"IF" you work with a "reputable rescue or shelter", they will introduce you to several dogs that match your lifestyle, wants and needs. You should be able to ask questions, meet the dogs, see how they act etc.

Reputable rescues and shelters will tell you if the dog has "issues" and if so, what they are. You do not have to adopt a dog if it has "issues".

Now if you "buy" a puppy, a reputable breeder will tell you the same thing as a reputable shelter or rescue. They should know if the pup is high, med or low energy etc.

Please do not knock shelter dogs as a whole as dogs with "issues". That's unfair to them. That's like me saying that all dogs from breeders are inbred and that's not true either.

You had to do your homework, research and spend time with any dog or pup and not make an impulsive decision - like buying the latest "doodle" dog or whatever hybrid is in fashion now.

The right match for you and your family can be found at a reputable shelter, rescue or with a reputable breeder. All 3 are equally good. And Reputable breeders don't create hybrids.

There should be a law against it!

I saw a "teacup Malti-Poo" the other day for $1,500 in a pet store. There was one at the shelter for $125. Of course the shelter one did not have the fake "teacup" lable. Thankfully the shelter one was snapped up the day he went up for adoption and the one in the pet store is still there. I'm sure some sad person will be happy to pay the price though.

kit_kat- for $150 to $250 from a 'breeder' you get a dog who has it's first set of puppy shots.

For $175 from the shelter you get all their shots, a spay/neuter, heartworm test, sometimes even microchipping.

My dog (if I had to give it a designer name I guess it'd be a doxie-pin) is from the shelter and other than a little anxiety which he is really getting better about- he has NO behavioural problems- he even came housebroken.

I agree 100%, several nice dogs get euthanized in shelters daily. Save your money & get your "designer dog" at a local shelter !

Your totally right. I wanted a designer brand like that but my mom said I should help a dog in need. So we went to the pound and I got the cutest miniture lab cocker. He wasnt expensive and is still really small like a designer dog. He isnt very nice, (only really lets me pick him up and carry him). Put he is still my pocketbook dog!!!!!

He looks alot like this.

http://www.pups4kids.com/pupssold/Katie%20Reap%20C...

Amen to that. To those who say they breed "hybrids" so people can afford dogs, I reply: THE SHELTER. Not all shelter dogs have behavior problems.

Alas, mine did. She has this habit of putting her butt on the ground whenever I say "sit," giving me her paw when I say "shake," and not moving when I say "stay." I didn't teach her these things.

EDIT: Kit_kat, my dog's issue is she was abandoned. This makes her a great companion dog for me. The dog loves me to death. I don't think that's a bad thing. Most shelter dogs are GOOD DOGS left behind for BAD REASONS.

ETA: Is a Yorkel a yorkie/snorkel mix?

like this?

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c277/thenena/yor...

Thank you someone else see it the same way I do. I always see ads in our local paper selling mutts for high dollar amounts and it makes me sick!

Amen -- and you won't be supporting or perpetuating BYB's, FPBs, holly mills and puppy mills either.

My Jack-a-Chi (see avatar) and Jackanny Spussel were both death row shelter dogs, and they are worth their weight in gold to me.

Agreed!