General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: We’re Breeding Dogs to Death [View all]Hekate
(90,645 posts)Her original owners paid $1200 for her as a Lhasa Apso /Poodle cross, but gave her up at 11 months because their dream retirement home community didn't allow dogs and cats (I think it's on the edge of a lake). I got her for the rehoming fee. Basically, I was looking for a small, young, mixed breed dog -- one that would fit my lifestyle and be physically and emotionally healthy. She is wonderful, and our vet says she could live to be 18 years.
We've had numerous dogs come and go through the years thanks to the kids, and only the purebred Shelty had persistent health problems so bad he had to be put to sleep at 8 years. He was a sweet boy, but not healthy.
I have read so much about overbreeding in the past many decades that I really would not want to get a purebred anything. I think the "pure" breeding programs should be considered animal cruelty.