Buying purebred means you know indeed that your labrador has a legitimate pedigree and comes from pure labrador bloodlines with documented genetics.
For hundreds of years, mankind has bred strains of dogs with desired characteristics and abilities, and instincts to perpetuate and enhance these characteristics. All breeds were developed for a specific purpose and documentation is available on their history. Offspring of purebred dogs are predictable in appearance and instinct, and are more reliable in temperament. You know what you should expect in the adult dog.
Registered purebred dog breeders will breed according to a Breed Standard (see our Breed Standard page), which is essentially a ‘blueprint’ describing the desired ideal traits of each purebred dog breed. The reason that breeding to a standard is important is because each breed of dog was created originally for a specific purpose with specific traits. That’s what makes the dog ‘its own breed’ and predictable.
Cross breeding produces changes in the offspring temperament, abilities, and structure. Changing a dog’s structure, genetically and physically, leads to many unknowns and potential problems with growth, joints, bones, health, and temperament.
Benefits of owning a purebred dog:
- You know what to expect in the adult dog. The temperament, structure and appearance, and characteristics are predictable.
- You want a puppy whose parents have been carefully selected for health, and have gone through a series of genetic tests to ensure the puppies will have the best chance of being healthy and well-adjusted. Both your puppy’s parents will have had health and genetic testing to screen for inheritable disease.
- Your puppy will come with a written health guarantee from the breeder.
- You know your puppy has had great care since the day he was born. Nutritionally, socially, and developmentally he has been raised in a nurturing environment.
- Breeders of purebred dogs have a registered breeding license (called a prefix). The Australian National Kennel Council (the only official registry body in Australia), oversees breeding programs and the breeder’s ethics. You can be sure you are buying from a responsible breeder who upholds state legislation and the National Code of Ethics of Responsible Dog Ownership and Breeding.
- An ethical breeder will apply themselves to knowing and learning about each dog’s genetics and bloodlines, and carefully plan litters, not just put any two dogs together ‘because puppies are cute’ like backyard breeders do.
- Responsible breeders will answer your questions and share their experience and knowledge with you. They can provide background on the breed and discuss characteristics of the adult dog.
- You become part of the breeders ‘extended family’. Breeders will guide you in the proper care and feeding, health care and training. They are there to help you and will continue to provide information and support as your puppy grows into adulthood.
- Owners of registered purebred dogs can join Dogs Victoria and participate in a variety of activities and events with their dogs. These provide an opportunity for social interaction with others who have common or similar interests.
- Purebred dog breeders put a lot of time and money into ensuring their puppies are healthy, and genuinely do it for the love of the breed.
- There is nothing more fun than to watch your purebred dog do what he was bred to do!
Clearing up a few things
Do purebred dogs have better temperaments?
This is one of many ways in which purebred dogs are more predictable. When you get a crossbred dog you do not know how it will turn out. Alongside health checks, responsible breeders make sure they only use dogs with good temperaments in their breeding programs.
Are purebred dogs healthier?
Crossbred dogs are unpredictable in many ways including health and particular inherited diseases. Purebreds are screened for issues known to affect that breed and make sure only healthy, fit dogs are used for breeding. Many diseases are eradicated in this way. Crossing breeds creates a genetic lottery with unknown results that therefore cannot be tested for in advance.
Where do purebreds fit in?
Most registered breeders’ puppies are chosen for loved family pets. People choose purebreds because of their predictability, health, and specific traits.
They make amazing family pets.
Purebreds cost more, why?
In a nutshell, you get what you pay for.
The answer to the costs are that there are many expenses for responsible registered breeders. The registration of kennel, ANKC registration of each dog, local council registrations, hip and elbow dysplasia screening, DNA and genetic tests, eye tests, stud and insemination fees, importing semen or new bloodlines, pregnancy care (ultrasounds, blood tests, c-section when necessary), kennel maintenance, feeding and raising puppies, registering and care of the litter, parasite control, microchipping and vaccination, … the list is long and amounts to many, many thousands of dollars for the breeder to produce pups that are healthy. Generally, people understand that they are paying for the quality of the puppy that they are adopting. Health and temperament are what pet owners consider the most important aspects when considering where to buy a puppy from. Responsible breeders will give a health guarantee with their puppies.