The Looming Dog Shortage

[Translucent_Daydream]

There is an overabundance of pitbulls in Oregon Because unless you’re a homeowner you can’t have one. There are breed restrictions in almost every rental in the state. Also in other states that we have lived in. Hard breed restrictions. If we had had a pitbull I would never have been able to move the last seven places I’ve lived in. Or whatever someone thinks a pitbull is. A lot of people can’t afford to buy houses anymore.

[Melbourne]

@Dangerosa

I’m having a hard time buying that people will drive hundreds of miles just to see a puppy mill dog. I know people who will drive hundreds of miles to get a dog from a reputable breeder (I used to know people who bred show quality Irish Setters - thousands of miles was not unusual for people to come for those puppies) - but why would ANYONE drive hundreds of miles for a puppy mill dog if there is a glut of dogs? Before I do that sort of trip - to potentially shell out $500+ for a dog, I’m going to do some research on the breeder - and I’m going to want the paperwork that says they are purebred - which I hope the AKC isn’t handing out to puppy mills (but maybe I’m wrong on that - I’m not a fan of purebreds).

And I’m not defending puppy mills at all - I have two mixed breed rescues…I just doubt the logic at play here.

Around here, if you want a puppy, you’re going to shell out $500 and drive out to the country for it.

@puzzlegal

In the northeast. We have a shortage of mutts. You can buy a purebred for a couple grand, but if you want a mutt, especially a puppy mutt or a young adult without known behavioral problems, you may have to import it yourself from out-of-state. […]

. I can’t think of anyone local who got a mutt puppy in the last two decades.

If everyone spays and neuters, except the ones who intentionally breed, you don’t get a lot of mutts.

… and what you get here is a crossbreed. I’m not sure if that counts as a “mutt”. But pure-breed dogs are for breeding, and cost more. People who just want a puppy that will grow into a dog mostly get cross-breeds.

[DavidwithanR]

@senoy

It’s not really a problem because very few people actually NEED a dog and there are way more than enough for those that do. A dog is a luxury item. Saying that there isn’t enough water in Phoenix, that’s a problem.

Except there IS enough water in Phoenix - just there are way too many people in Phoenix. It’s no different from building your house in a spot where you know the next flood will come. It’s not Arizona’s fault for being dry - it’s people’s fault for living there.