It isn't the same though. And here's why I say that: There are all these dogs in shelters, languishing away with no homes. For every dog that a back yard breeder produces without regard to the science that reputable breeders try to go by, that's one more shelter dog that is not adopted. When someone buys a pup from a back yard breeder or pet store, those people then are "reinforced" for producing puppies. They benefit and so repeat the whole thing over again. If more people become aware of this concept, the more people will avoid choosing pups from these irresponsible breeders and they will not profit. Therefore, they will be forced to stop producing on account of not being reinforced.
There are breeders a plenty who breed with genetic health and temperment in mind, who really know how to find a compatible match for their breeding. Those are the only breeders who have any business producing puppies, those who only breed to improve upon the last generation. People who advertise in newspapers for all the public to have access to...and sell purebred puppies for $50.00, who don't make a study of the genetic health and temperament of their dogs' ancestors should not be rewarded. If there were not enough dogs in this world and it was extremely difficult to get a dog, then one might say, "okay....lets get some more dogs out there." But the over population of dogs in this world is, as you know staggering, astronomical and horribly, horribly sad. Just take a stroll through any shelter and multiply that thousands upon thousands of times over.
This is not to place blame on the OP for going to this breeder. Not in any way. It is very prevelent that the word just hasn't gotten out enough. Most people aren't aware and to fall into that situation. It is not unique. But it can only help for the future to become aware and to pass the word along. It does not have to be true that if one person doesn't acquire a puppy through a b.y.b or puppy mill, another one will. The cycle must stop somewhere. The chain has to have a link broken here and there in order to have hope for all these homeless and in many cases, screwed up dogs.
Of course I look past it at this point for the most part, don't place blame on you and truly wish you all the best with your adorable puppy. I'm sure everything will be fine. But for the future....I too got two Chihuahuas from a back yard breeder. I know what a mistake it was now. I could have rescued from a purebred rescue or a shelter and reduced the number by two. Of course, I wouldn't trade them for the world and I ended up with dogs that are healthy and have fantastic temperaments, (but soooo many don't) although they aren't terrific representations of the breed physically...or in form. If I were to breed my dogs, the uniformity of the breed would be further lost. And conversely, I went to a "reputable" breeder with a terrific history and ended up with a fine dog in every way except his physical health, which was terrible. He died at age 4. So, I guess there might be a fine line sometimes and exceptions to the rule. But over all, there are just too many dogs being bred. And it is important to be very selective.
