While there will always be activists that may seem extreme for every cause, perhaps the response you have been receiving is secondary to your glaring misconceptions about shelter animals. To equate them all with being troubled is pure ignorance. The majority of shelter animals find themselves homeless through absolutely no fault of their own. People move, people lose their homes, people get divorced, people have allergies, people have babies and surrender perfectly healthy, well behaved, often pedigreed animals to their local shelters. Any animal with teeth can be dangerous in experienced or inexperienced hands and this does not exclude Jericho just because he is not from a shelter. The very way you have felt judged is how you are stigmatizing and sterotyping shelter animals. It is certainly your prerogative to have purchased a puppy from a breeder, but you can still help out by visting and volunteering at your local shelter, donating to the local shelter or to the pet food bank in your area. Perhaps what you are getting is precisely what you have been giving...

I was going to add a comment, but Kristen Ehlers said everything that needs to be said. Thank you Kristen for being the voice for shelter animals.

Although I do not condone ever purchasing a dog, I do not pass judgement on those that do - like you are passing judgement here on those that try to get as many people to adopt as possible. Shelter dogs never cease to amaze me with their ability to love and not hate - but you will never understand what they offer because of your attitude that they are "deadly in untrained hands" - where would you get that misguided information? I am pretty sure in all of my years involved in shelters I have never seen an adopted dog kill someone? Can you back up that information? Did you know that there are German Shelter rescues? Did you know a shelter locally just HAD a wonderful German Shepherd that sat there for weeks that you could have adopted and trained. That dog you purchased, took the life of another do somewhere else - and that is the sad truth. You talk about arrogance and being tired of it all - well, maybe those of us that actually care about animals and view our animals as family members and work with the homeless and not get our dogs for "protection" see the daily abuse, murder and inhumane conditions at a majority of the breeders that these dogs come from. Oh, and the person purchasing a dog will never see these conditions, they will be hidden from public. So, my recommendation to you is to keep the dog, you sound like an arrogant and uneducated women who passes judgement on many without even knowing all of the information - sounds like you need the protection.

I don't mean to sound horribly mean here, but come on.. You have to see where they're coming from, as well as they need to consider where you're coming from as well. Your post is doing nothing but criticizing others, just like you think they're criticizing you. People are going to judge, you just have to get over it. If you can't, then just don't tell people where you got him. It's okay to tell white lies sometimes. Just say you got him from a friend. There's no sense in creating needless stress for yourself. We all already have too much stress to deal with. Regardless of where a person buys a dog, whether it's a shelter, breeder, or pet store, they still saved a life. So you did save one. I'm sorry to hear about your break in, however I hope Jericho isn't your main means of protection. I hope you got a security system and a gun instead for robbers...

Wow what an idiot....
For the record, my pitbull terrier is a rescue dog, and is also my personal service dog (medical alert), also trained in protection and sniff work....did I mention therapy dog for special needs kids and veterans? I rescued a dog because its the right thing to do, and best believe I had very specific and demanding traits I needed and it took some time but I found a homeless dog that fit the mold.

As for this writer....i hope you are guilty and ashamed that you supported overpopulation of dogs instead of taking the time to give a homeless dog a chance to change youre life for the better!!

AND, plenty of educated and logical people adopted a homeless dog as their first dog and nothing bad happened....
Sounds to me like you just wanted a purebred dog for the sake of saying you had one. Lastly....at 3.5 months old you cannot honestly know if he will ever be a suitable guard or protection dog.

I have a purebred gsd sitting at my feet right now.......from a rescue. would not have dreamed of buying one when there are SO MANY available in rescue INCLUDING PUPPIES! I also have two mutts from rescues and a cat from a rescue. You can find any kind of dog of any age in rescue there is absolutely no good reason to go to a breeder.

Hi Tamara....
Purchasing or adopting is YOUR personal choice. WOW, didn't anyone read your article about how UNWELCOME is the fanatical comments towards you? I see you got a hand full of them. Figures.

It's NOBODY'S business where you got your dog. As long as YOU'RE happy. Maybe some people should just mind their own business but instead they feel the need to "educate" you. I'm sick and tired of that attitude too. Yea I get it too. So I just say "OK, Thank you" and I walk away leaving them in mid-sentence.

As long as you didn't buy Jericho from that convicted FRAUD Rocco Garruto/ Fancy Pups and he ripped you off like his many victims. Go buy your dogs where ever you wish.

Smartzonemary ... you are absoulely right that adopting vs. buying is her personal choice. What I find funny is that she is doing exactly the same thing she is accusing others of doing. She feels that adopters push their choice in her face, but she is doing the same thing about her choice to buy a dog. She wrote this blog with the obvious intent to get a reaction and that's exactly what happened. If it is truly her business, why blog about it; she should keep it to herself. If she doesn't want to be judged, she should plaster her view all over the place. It she wants people to mind their own business, she shouldn't bring her business up in a public forum.

Before you go around making such profound comments/judgments/generalizations/accusations about shelter dogs, you should really do some EXTENSIVE research first. Your perceptions and perspective are misguided and misinformed and unless you have had PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with shelter dogs YOURSELF, then what you claim is truly unfounded. What you have accused others of (as being judgmental, self-righteous, conceited, arrogant, etc.), well, YOU are also guilty of from all that you have written above. And for the record, "troubled animals" are NOT born into this world that way, HUMANS make them like that, and it is NOT a result of them being a "shelter dog," either. You are entitled to your opinions. It's just sad to me, and yes, somewhat scary, too, that you can have a forum like this and make such UNSUBSTANTIATED conclusions about something you clearly know NOTHING about!!

Also for the record, it is NOT my business where people choose to get their pets from or the reasons why. That is each person's individual preference. My comment above is solely towards the remarks you made about shelter dogs. I just wanted to make that clear.

I get it. I really wanted an English Bulldog. The rescues are extremely particular about who they adopt to because of the money, time and special needs the breed has. I knew I could handle it because of all the research I had done but without having been a bully mom beforehand, it would be extremely difficult for me to "prove" myself.

I got my first two (together) from a breeder. As I said before somewhere on this site, that breeder put me through the ringer herself. I don't fault her for doing so, either. EBs are funny to look at, friendly, and demand attention wherever they go. If I didn't understand the huge amount of care they require behind the scenes, I would have had very sick dogs, very quickly. GOOD breeders and rescues know this and want to prevent someone from being overwhelmed and having their dogs suffer.

After 4 years with my "bought" puppies, I adopted my first shelter bully. He's extremely stubborn and had I not had my first two, I'm not sure I would have known how to handle him. We are doing intensive obedience training and he's already done a 180. Not all shelter dogs are perfect. They've been abandoned by the family they knew and like us need to build trust. There's plenty of help out there, too.

I think the thing that has been stated over and over again on these breeder vs. store vs. shelter/rescue posts is EDUCATION. Learn about the breeds, research the breeder/rescue and make sure it's the right choice for your future pet - not just you.

smartzonemary - the issue about the derogatory comments are not about the fact that she purchased a dog...its about her attitude about shelter dogs and alluding to the fact that they are all "deadly in untrained hands"....which is just ridiculous. She wants to spend thousands on a puppy then so be it.

Her line about "no one cares I need a guard dog" - that is crap. No one NEEDS a guard dog - and if that is the only reason you got this poor dog then my heart breaks for it.

Her arrogant writing is why we are responding back to her - I don't care that she bought a dog - would I educate her for the future..probably, as someone who is involved in the shelter world - it is my responsibility to work hard on behalf of those that cannot speak for themselves as it could save a life. There are many that do no understand anything about shelters - and although some people may go about wrong, the people that spoke to her believe in adoption - there is nothing wrong with that. But for her to make these beligerent, arrogant and uneducated comments is unacceptable on every level.

Don't you all think we are all tired of hearing the "Adopt Don't Buy" lectures? I applaud her for writing this story. If I had a forum of my own, I'd be venting off some steam too. Obviously Tamara's story hits home to many. 1. The ones who feel the need to beligerently and arrogantly lecture (which by the way is unwelcome) and 2. the ones who are tired of hearing the beligerent and arrogant lecture. I sympathize with Tamara, nobody needs to hear they are WRONG because we don't share in their opinion.

Smartzonemary - What you are completely missing in these responses is that everyone pretty much concurs that Tamara has every right to purchase a puppy, but she has zero right to make unsubstantiated and derogatory statements about shelter animals. In the same breath that she is referencing conceited and passive aggressive people she is making condescending and inaccurate statements of her own. Let me clarify... 1. all shelter animals are not troubled 2. shelter animals are not particularly "deadly" last I checked 3. the fact that an animal is from a shelter does not diminish its ability to be loyal or obedient. REGARDLESS of how she acquired her current pet, these statements are just not factual so when she presents them in a PUBLIC forum how can you expect that they will not be challenged?

@Kristen Ehlers
OK....WHATEVER...Thank you.....Good-bye....

@Tamara Winfrey
Example how to address the fanatics!!!!...then walk away!!!

I was going to just let the comments fly, but my words are being minced and diced worse than George Zimmerman's phone call to 911. I NEVER said that *all* shelter animals were troubled, nor did I say they were *all* deadly and I never said that being from a shelter diminished an animal's ability to be loyal or obedient. I NEVER said any of that. You can scroll up & re-read if you don't believe me. This is about arrogant one-liners and lectures from complete strangers who have the audacity to tell me how to live.

Oh, and DK9: A pit bull? Really? Why not a tiger?

OK, folks, let's chill a bit. Tamara is allowed her opinion; you are allowed yours as well, which is why you see it above and why it's not deleted. Let's not go to the edge with the namecalling; we're all adults here. We all love dogs. We all have different opinions on how one should acquire a dog.

Tolerance for diverging opinions is a great virtue. Let's practice it as we post.

You know... Why doesn't someone write a blog about how great rescuing an animal is or how pitbulls are not dangerous in the right hands? This post, and the comments are all teeming with negativity. Why feed the troll(s)? Just write a piece to contradict any ignorance presented. JMO

Hahaha.....comparing a pitbull to a tiger is only more clear evidence that you are ignorant and uneducated when it comes to dog breeds and behavior. I highly reccomend this be your only and last 'article' on the subject of dog ownership.

Facts: German Shepherds have more bite pressure than a pitbull and also have an overall lower score on temperment tests as a breed than pitbulls do.

Obviously you are already very guilty and feel the need to defend yourself with all of these untrue and fabricated excuses for your poor decision making skills. I feel sorry for your pup, who is simply a 'guard dog' to you, and I truly believe that you do not deserve to experience the incredible fulfillment, joy, loyalty, devotion and unconditional love a homeless dog is so desperate to give to someone.

Best way to say you can see both sides is to spend some time at a High Kill shetler. Once you do that you can use fresh perspective to write this blog and maybe then you will understand why the back lash. Are there some animals that have so wronged and abused, unsocialized that they cannot be adopted out, yes. I had pretty much the same opinion of the general public on Pitties until, not when I started volunteering at my local High Kill shelter, but when a stray PB found it's way into my back yard with my dog. I was completely off my rocker scard! I latterly threw my kids in the house shut all the door and honestly thought that my own mutt mix was a gonner being in the same space as the PB. Turns out that Sash (the PB) was too tired, thirsty, and hungry to do much else but lay down in the shade.. I took her a bowl of water and some food which she gobbled and slurped right up and then she crawled in my lap. Shocked doesn't even begin to describe my reaction to this sweet girl. She had been tied up to something in her yard, evidence by the broken rope (no collar, no leash, no tie-out, just a rope) around her neck.

Bottom line, don't judge based on situations that you have no experience in. From the rescue/shelter standpoint, back yard breeders and puppy mills are the enemy/issue. RESPONSI;bLE breeders that only breed their dogs once a year (or even better, every other year) and have as strict a screening process for their buyers and rescues do their adopters

are not the issue.

Again, I implore anyone who does not understand the animal welfare community's perspective to spend a couple days in it.

Oh, and you might want to check with your homeowners insurance. Most group GSD's right up there with PBs on dangerous dog breeds. They will not only NOT cover you in the event there is an accident, but will just flat cancel your policy when you tell them you own one. This is just an FYI........

As far as temperament testing on specific breeds, please visit this link.
http://atts.org/breed-statistics/

Tamara- The above statement just solidifies how little you know about the Pit Bull Breed. I have been volenteering at a shelter for a year now, and during that time I have met some of the most amazing pit bulls not to mention wonderful kind hearted people there. Everyone says they don't want to hear people "educate" them on the subject, but that is exactly what you and other's with this mentality need. Did you know that the Pit Bulls' Were Historically Hired As Baby-Sitters back in the day? Pit bulls get a bad rap because of irresponsible owners today, and we who have grown to love them will stike up for them every chance we get. So keep it coming.

I have been attacked by a German Shepard and chased by chi's when I was little. I am more scared of them than any other breed. Smaller dogs like Poms are nicknamed baby killers. Shepard's have unpredictable temperaments. Any dog can be aggressive in the right hands. If you walked in my house today, my Pittie mix may lick you to death and beat you with her tail. My toy poodle mix will jump on you and scratch your legs. My little Pom will bark and snarl and then cower. We believe that she was abused. If you try to pet any one of my dogs, the only one that will nip is the Pom. They were all 3 rescues. They were all 3 found in different situations and only one is pure bred...the aggressive one.

There are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners. Pits, GSD, Poodles, Chis, Labs...they all can and will bite if they feel they need to. I have purchased dogs from breeders and unfortunately one from a puppy mill. We couldnt keep her. Even after a very long time and hard work she just never came around. We found her a great one person household. The GSD died within 2 years due to cancer. We now have a mixed breed mutt. I have been looking for a Lab puppy or Golden Retriever puppy. I cannot find one anywhere remotely close to me, unless I want to pay over 400.00 dollars. There are NO rescues anywhere close by either so they wouldnt consider me because I live to far and the application and interview, etc...its like a job interview. I do understand their reasoning but they should also loosen up a bit. Our local animal shelter is for people who live inside the city limits onlly, to drop off I mean. And the do not vet them or know anything about them so when adopting you have NO idea what you are getting. It really is sad. Most people in my area just take the dogs out to the country and dump them, or dump them on the interstate median. We have rescued so many on our county road and found homes for them. Someone even dumped 2 purebred Pug puppies. I understand people's fear of Pits. I admit, I'm a little fearful of them myself. I do not know much about the breed as I have never owned one. I have had Labs and GSD and know those breeds very well. I have even bred Labs. My 2 cents worth.

Oh yeah, I also want to share this link from a rescue. This is why I dont adopt from them...sadly I know...but if I were to pay this kind of many for a puppy I better get some good papers on the darn thing...LOL...kidding of course. But this is just wrong, IMO

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/22627453

Oh, and one more thing, Tamara, your pup is gorgeous. I bet he will be stunning when he is an adult. If he has great bloodlines he would make a great stud as well.

I don't care how this woman got her dog. More power to her, my family had 3 pure-breed Shepard, and a pure bred English Springer Spaniel, all amazing animals. I personally have an glorious rescue pit/mix that is great with people, cats etc. Only thing she isn't good with is her poor rope toy... she beats the crap out of that thing!

She protects me, listens to me, cuddles with me and is a great girl. Assuming a shelter can't be a loyal or obedient companion and guard dog is like assuming an adopted child is going to end up in jail or pregnant at 14, that is just ridiculous, you get what you give. Obviously, you're not going to get a timid shelter dog and expect a guard dog, but you're not going to get a timid pure bred Shepard and expect a guard dog either. (Not all shepards are great guard dogs, there is testing that goes into selling a dog for guarding, hunting, tracking, seeing eye qualities, etc.)

Just in case anyone is interested.... here is a list of all of the 75 banned/restricted breeds. Yes, that is 75!!!! So since Pits make up 1, who are the other 74??? Is YOUR dog on the list? There is a good chance it is!

http://peekaboo420420.hubpages.com/hub/List_Of_75_Banned_Or_Restricted_Breeds_Is_your_Dog_On_The_New_List

That list is bogus. I see its from an organization for the western states. The west coast states do have higher restrictions then the midwest obviously. But to put breeds like the Labrador or Golden Retriever on that list is ludacrous. They are the number 1 dogs registered with AKC. I have owned several and never have they given a reason to be banned for any reason, well maybe size reasons. Like I posted, there are NO BAD DOGS, just BAD DOG OWNERS!

Actually there are "bad dogs" out there. Dogs have been bred for certain traits. Some of these breeds are bred for the aggressive behavior. They did research spanning 50 + years on silver foxes. They would separate the timid pups from the more aggressive ones. They did this with every litter and bred timid with timid and aggressive with aggressive. There is a remarkable difference in the foxes from 50 years of doing this. The aggressive ones are extremely aggressive. One of the people there just put her hand up to the cage and was bitten. The timid ones are extremely timid, as well as they started to change physical characteristics. For example, their tails would curl onto their backs. So yes some dogs who are bred certain ways can be "bad". Because of bad owners.
As in regards to the lab being dangerous. Any dog can be dangerous. My niece had a lab. She was leaving to go to work, and she kissed the dog as she always had for many years. The dog then attacked her. The dog showed no signs. My niece had to have several plastic surgeries to fix her wounds.
I am all for "rescuing" a shelter dog. I have for the most part only had shelter dogs. It doesn't matter where you get a dog from, all that matters is doing research. Research on the breed of dog, research on the shelter or the breeder. If you get an animal from a breeder you should be able to see the parents of the pup. Puppy mills in my opinion are the worst thing ever. If you do not know what a puppy mill is, do some....

research. There are a lot of reputable breeders out there. You need to be cautious of the ones who do not let you see the parents or walk freely around to see all the animals. That means they are hiding something. Dogs from puppy mills tend to be more difficult to "rescue". Since they have been locked up in a cage their whole lives or their parents are siblings, you never know what kind of issues they will have. I will shut up now. Your GSD is gorgeous. But what is up with his ear?

One more thing. I think you need to remove the chocker coller if he is already trained. Get him a harness instead. JMO.

choker* collar*

@Saanco3 His ears have straightened themselves out since that photo. He is still at an age where the cartilage is developing. We're looking at harnesses. ITA about meeting the parents & walking around freely to see all the animals.

Ohh, I thought it looked cute like that (his ear). I really like the harnesses for pets. ITA= ???????

ITA = I Totally Agree

Oh, ok. Duh on my part. lol