Cross Breeds

Why do people breed certain types of dogs when there are already so many abandoned dogs in shelters everyday?

My husband and I recently picked up a rottweiler/sheppard mix at the shelter, and after doing a little research on the breed on the internet it seems as though people are breeding these dogs intentionally. There were several of this breed at the shelter, and others that we wanted were already adopted.

Public Comments

1. They're selfish, heartless people that don't care about anyone else besides themselves adn thier "right" to bring unwanted puppies into this world so the taxpayer can pay to kill them.
2. thats how some people make their living, their career is to breed dogs. (reputable breeders only) they do great jobs and the know exactly the bloodlines and health of the dogs. they are actually good. i would rather buy from a reputable breeder than a shelter because you would know what youre getting. alot of people want the same. thats why they are in business.
3. It usually comes down to the almighty dollar. I can't think of any other reason, it certainly isn't promoting or helping the breeds by mixing like that on purpose.
4. Greed is the answer. All this talk about "designer dogs". The backyard breeders that produce them are going to try to tell you they are healthier then purebreds. Which of course is baloney, as what you now have are TWO different gene pools of health issues rolled into one dog.!!! The nice thing about a Rottie/Shep mix is your extra high chance of bad hips and elbows, as both breeds carry those issues. Obviously you know if someone is intentionally breeding these mutts, they are not doing OFA on the hips and elbows.
5. No one should ever be breeding mutts. End of story. However, if no one ever bred any dogs in 15 years or so there would be no dogs. Responsible breeders ensure that they are only breeding to improve or maintain the breeds. The dogs that they breed are not the dogs you would be able to find at a shelter. They also do everything they can to make sure their dogs never contribute to the pet overpopulation. Irresponsible breeders (aka Backyard Breeders (BYB)) breed for profit or to provide people with 'cute pets'. These are the exact same dogs you find at shelters. They are often nowhere near breed standard (if they're even purebred) and also could have some serious genetic diseases/disorders. They do absolutely nothing to keep their dogs (or their dogs puppies) from ending up at shelters and are completely responsible for the 5 million dogs euthanized yearly. ETA: However, there is actually an idiot that comes on here often who thinks they're doing the public a wonderful thing by being a BYB. In fact their name is something like "BYB's are the best kind of breeders".
6. There is no reason to breed cross breeds unless they are for a specific working purpose (ie Alaskan huskies and lurchers) If you are asking why people continue to breed purebred dogs...responsible breeders breed purebred dogs to conform with the breed standard and keep the characteristics of that specific breed. If they stopped breeding then those breeds or at least good examples of them would die out. Responsible breeders aren't the problem their dogs don't end up in shelters because they take them back no matter what
7. A lot of people are intentionally breeding mutts now a days, its the current fad, as long as they can make money off of stupid people they wil keep doing it. (Stupid people think dogs like Cockapoos and Labradoodles are real breeds and pure bred.) EDIT: to the people talking about "responisble breeders" A responsible breeder should: *create fewer litters and fix all the non-show pups before they are sold *microchip their puppies before each sale in order to make sure they came back safely if they're ever lost *breeders make sure that homes were 100% prepared to own the breed before giving them a dog This is the best way to create a neutral ground in between people who want to keep pure breeds alive and shelters/animals rights group, this way dogs will not be "wasted" by irresponsible ownership and breeding and dogs "unfit" to breed of who have owners "unfit" to properly breed the dog to not breed the dog
8. To preserve the lifeline and the good traits of the dog being bred. There is nothing wrong with providing a customer with exactly the kind of dog that he/she desires.
9. I assume you mean this particular mix of dogs? Not Rottweilers and Shepherds themselves, but the mix? A lot of unscrupulous people out there breeding dogs for the money they can make off of them. And, yes, there are far too many irresponsible "breeders" breeding "purebred" Rottweilers. Money would be the main reason people do it. Certainly for no other reason. Responsible (COE) breeders do it for the betterment of their particular breed, and they do whatever they can to prevent one of their pups every ending up in a shelter. They screen potential puppy buyers, they make them sign contracts, and they require spay/neuters on the ones they believe should never be bred. Also they put strict requirements on those wishing to breed. And, they require that any puppy they produce be returned to them no matter its age, if the owners can not keep it, for whatever reason. Anything less is unscrupulous.
10. I would say a large majority of the problem is the dog's owners, not the breeders. People buy a breed without doing enough research first. Poor dogs can end up neglected and left in a shelter. I agree that it is sad and it is a good thing you have done, but don't be so quick to put all breeders in such a generally negative category without looking at the other side of the story.
11. I'm not sure why so many people blaim breeders for the dogs in the shelters.Most dogs are in the shelters because the owner grew tired of them,they weren't cute puppies anymore, or didn't want to take time to train them and so they became problems.Purebreds also find themselves in shelters too.I believe people need to be educated before buying any puppy ,a mix or purebred.Unfortunately some people do what they want when it comes to getting a puppy and do not really research or think before getting a puppy..That is why dogs are in shelters
12. That, my friend, is the million dollar question. The answer seems to be: greed and ignorance on the part of BOTH the "Breeder" and the buyer.
13. That is ****NOT**** a breed! That is just a MUTT/MONGREL....made by IDIOTS & CROOKS!!! Idiots & CROOKS only want the SUCKERS MONEY,dear. DUH? &...it's SHEP*HERD*=HERDS SHEEP!!
14. Anybody who breeds mutts should get a nice whack over the head and a free spay/neuter appointment for themselves. [Unless they're strictly working dogs and go through a rigorous program/excessive testing to make sure they're healthy and excel amazingly at the job.]