What is the benefit of Breeding animals? Does purebreds have some special abilities or qualities that I am not aware of?

All breeds have their own issues, It is a huge science project to me when they breed purebreds. They have to have the best looking dog, with the best qualities and etc. I guess it like plastic surgery for humans. If you do not like the way you look, get plastic surgery. Which makes no sense! When there are so many animals in shelters that just need a home with love and respect.

Purebreed dogs even have their problems each breed will shows signs of some form of illness, as has been said why buy from a breeder when there are thousands of dogs needing homes.

There are hundreds of thousands of animals who sit in shelters. If you are wanting to add a pet to your home, please consider your local shelter as a FIRST choice.

I agree that there is no reason to breed or buy dogs while shelter animals die. I personally feel that only true fanciers and show persons should be able to breed dogs due to the present state of overpopulation.

I think there are so benefits of Breeding animals.
All breeds have their own issues, It is a huge science project to me when they breed purebreds. They have to have the best looking dog, with the best qualities and etc.I personally feel that only true fanciers and show persons should be able to breed dogs due to the present state of overpopulation. I also guess it like plastic surgery for humans. If you do not like the way you look, get plastic surgery.Which makes no sense.

All pedigrees have predispositions to certain health problems, e.g. GSDs with hip problems, Dalmatians with eye problems, Shar-peis skin problems etc. Cross breeds are generally far more healthy, with a wider gene pool.
IMO all breeding, whether it's purebreds or crosses, should be licensed. All breeders should be registered, and any unregistered breeding should be illegal. Bring back dog licenses! Your dog should have to be neutered (unless a registered breeder), vaccinated and microchipped, and owners should be fined if microchip details are not kept up to date. Decent owners would be willing to do this to be able to have their dogs.
If everyone stopped breeding dogs RIGHT NOW we would run out. Yes, all the shelter dogs would eventually be adopted, but by then all the dogs in the world would be too old to breed, or dead, and they'd become extinct
I say carry on breeding, if you do it responsibly, with all health checks in place, make sure the pups go to good homes, and are neutered, and you do it for the right reasons, NOT because you think all bitches should have at least one litter, OR because you want your kids to see the miracle of birth. Don't do it to make money, and don't do 'cos you love your dog so much, you want another just like her. Your dog may be the most gentle and loving dog you've ever owned, but that doesn't mean the 8-12 pups will be the same, especially if the sire is just a random entire male met in the park.
There will always be a demand for both pedigrees and mutts, but the rate people are producing litters is stupid. We need to stamp out all the back yard breeders and puppy farms, THAT's where the majority of shelters dogs come from, but also need to monitor and control the number of litters breeders can produce.
*rant over*

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(10-08-2008 11:44 AM)Simplyme Wrote:  What is the benefit of Breeding animals? Does purebreds have some special abilities or qualities that I am not aware of?

Each different breed was 'designed' by selective breeding, for a different purpose.
All dogs are descended from wolves, and by breeding the individuals with the most desired character traits together, the pups are more likely to have those traits. For example, by breeding two indivuals who were the fastest runners in their litter, the pups from the mating are more likely to be able to run fast. Then again, mate the fastest from this litter, and the pups are going to be even more likely to be fast.
People who work their dogs choose a particular breed by the type of work. Collies for herding, terriers for ratting, spaniels and labs as gundogs etc.