I genuinely love all animals (mammals anyway).

While I believe in choosing rescue dogs (and cats), the companion animals that I'm most drawn to are the result of deliberate breeding and often deliberate training.

Eg, a well-proportioned, well-trained, yellow Labrador is simply heart-melting to me. Beautiful in appearance and without a mean bone in their bodies.

Similarly those stoic, intelligent police GSDs, which always come from select lines, are so majestic.

Same point applicable to, among cats, Siamese and Maine Coons. (Though I personally wouldn't likely own a cat.)

I know it's a bit of a false dichotomy as you CAN find well-bred rescues.

Still the scrappy, often healthier, mixed breed does have a charm all of its own.

I'd guess most of us advocate rescues, but anyone else very fond of purebreds?

My friend, I think you are trying to create a ****storm here.

Don't go there. Not in this forum, please.

Take this topic elsewhere.
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They didn't say anything about buying or advocating for buying purebreds, they just said they like them.

Once I begin to feel guilty about something, I realize there's a damn good reason, and I work hard to figure it out.

Sort of like with my hard-learned consumption choices. I'd always been taught one thing by many highly respected and highly "educated" folks, but had a very vivid awakening of how things truly go down behind the curtains as well as within my own body and could never turn back. Once I learned I couldn't stomach the process(es), I learned how to healthily no longer make it necessary stomach the product(s).

If I can still comfortably sleep at night and live with whatever it is I've learned, having that guilty feeling no longer linger, I'm good. If it continues to bug me, then I know change must take place. I don't own pets as I have this thing about living beings owning one another and teaching them to be just what they want them to be, be it a domesticated animal, farm animal, etc.

I think all prejudice springs from a perceived need to compensate for one's own shortcomings, real or imaginary. Aspiring to an elite group, preferably with notarized certification, can bestow a false sense of self-value on an individual. Yes, you should feel guilty, @APhilosophicalGent , and learn to embrace the mongrel within yourself. Cheers!

To me, it's not about looks. Just like how it is and should be with people, it's what's within that counts. I think it's quite shallow to like or dislike a breed solely based on looks. Get out there, visit some rescue groups, and see if you connect with a dog! In my experience, rescue dogs can be so very grateful when you save them.

I'm glad you pointed this out as I was about to go Nazi on the OP!

I'm absolutely and positively opposed to breeding, but I still have a fondness for Dobermans and Schnauzers! and Rottweilers

But then again, I'm every bit as fond of most every other dog and cat...

I think adopting any animal in need of a home is a great thing! But if I wanted to adopt a purebred animal I'd go to a breed rescue outfit.

Over the course of 19 years, I adopted 5 cats, 5 gerbils, 3 rabbits, and 1 hamster. I suppose the gerbils and hamster were purebred, and from the appearance of 2 of my rabbits, I could discern at least some evidence of their breed: Hans was at least partly mini-Rex, going by his size and ultra-fine, soft plush fur, while Franz had clear Dutch markings. Another time at the shelter, I saw a Palomino rabbit- a beautiful animal!- but at the time I was not in a position to adopt a rabbit (I think it was when I already had the two rabbits I mentioned above).

Anyway, for me it's all about personality. My cat Harriet and my rabbit Sony nose-butted me when I first opened their cage to meet them. But another time, I was looking specifically for a cat about the same age as the two I had (Harriet and Riley), but who wasn't that outgoing and might have been overlooked by potential adopters for that reason. She wasn't hostile- just very quiet and passive- so I took her home and quarantined her in my bedroom. Initially she hid under the bed, so I left her alone with food, water, and litterbox- but later that night she crept out, came up on the bed, and laid down with her back next to mine. It later turned out that she had an intestinal impaction which needed to be irrigated (enema) over the weekend. That was probably why she had been so quiet.

All my adoptions worked out fantastically for them and me.

Not sure why you'd "go Nazi" on me. Your position seems similar to mine.

I am not against rescue dogs. If I get one it's cos it's more moral thing to do - and naturally I would come to love the animal. One day hopefully there'll be no rescue dogs because more intelligent humans will never give up a pet after taking it on, and never allow dogs not meant to be bred to go un-neutered.

Also, it's also not only about looks for their own sake. Breeds have known temperaments. It's why I have virtually no fear of a Lab wandering alone on the street, but would be hesitant to pat a pit bull terrier even with its owner present.

At first I read your post as suprematist. I was feeling silly when I wrote 'go nazi' though. Sorry!