Most people would think that since we are breeders, we would obviously be all for buying from breeders and anti-rescue, right? But that is definitely not the case. The term "adopt, don't shop" was made up by rescues to guilt people into buying from a rescue and makes you feel bad if you want to buy from a breeder instead. The term should really be "adopt OR shop" because it is your choice! There are dogs out there from rescues and breeders that fit certain needs for everyone. Getting a dog from a shelter is a great thing to do, you are potentially saving a dog's life! You can also skip the puppy age and go straight to an older dog if you wanted. If someone gets a puppy from a reputable breeder, they know what kind of dog they are getting in terms of genetics, temperament, size, etc. Reputable breeders health test their dogs, so you know you are getting a healthy puppy free from genetic diseases/problems. Some people may need a dog for a specific job as well. If someone needs a dog to herd their livestock, they are going to want an Australian Cattle Dog or Border Collie that comes from great herding lines. If someone needs a service dog, they need to get one from a breeder that specializes in producing service dogs that knows how to tell if a puppy is going to fit their needs. If you want to buy a dog from a rescue, do your research! Not all rescues are the same, find one that has good reviews, is willing to answer your questions and even take the dog back if needed. If you are going to buy a dog from a breeder, the same applies! You need o do your research and find a REPUTABLE breeder that is willing to mentor you if needed, health tests their dogs, breeds to their breed standard, and is willing to take their dogs back if needed. There are also a lot of breeders that do breed specific rescue! Be careful when looking for a breeder because there are a lot of "backyard breeders" out there; which are breeders who breed for quantity over quality and have a large price tag on their pups with no health testing, breeding standards, etc. Long story short, ITS YOUR CHOICE! You may get your dog from wherever you like and do not have to feel guilty for your choice, just make sure you do your research.
This is our Levi, he is a double merle cocker spaniel. He is from a pet store that bought him from a puppy mill. Levi is deaf, vision impaired, has a crooked lower jaw, is much larger than he should be for an American Cocker Spaniel, and overall is a terrible representation of his breed; but we love him to death and he is apart of the family!