I am a Sheltie Breeder

[Toffee's Mom]

Originally Posted by roxyllsk

I've had 2 rescue shelties and one I bought from a responsible breeder.

My first rescue was never mistreated but ended up in the shelter. He had a few issues but was a wonderful boy.

My 2nd rescue came from sheltie rescue and before that someone was not kind to him. He had so many issues and still 9 years after he came to live with me I am still dealing with them. I do love him but he has never been an easy dog. And I am almost certain that he is the result of backyard/irresponsible breeding, as well as not such a good start.

My 3rd dog came from a good breeder. The only issue he has is that he is a too tall to be a conformation dog - he was the biggest of his litter. But he is beautiful - body, mind and soul. He has by far the very best temperament of any dog I have owned. He is everything a sheltie should be. This breeder absolutely got it right.

When Dog #1 died, Dog #2 was lonely but he has horrible social skills. I had to be sure that whatever dog I got would get along with Dog #2. So, I got a puppy from a good breeder who was well socialized and treated with love. Best decision I have ever made. The two dogs are best friends and really enjoy each other's company. The introductions went painlessly and was a piece of cake and that was because of the 3rd dog. That has never happened for Dog #2 before.

A friend of mine who is very involved in rescue gave me a hard time about buying from a breeder because there are so many homeless animals. But I know it was the right thing to do for Dog #2 and for me. I don't think I could deal with 2 'difficult' dogs with issues at the same time.

I will get another rescue dog in the future, but for now I am enjoying both my boys as they are - the one that is 'perfect', and the one that is not so perfect. They both get treated and loved the same.

what a great example!!!
I feel almost exactly the same way. I wanted a second dog SO bad, lol
But with some of Toffee's occassional shy/reactive/ behaviour I really wanted a dog that had a very sound and outgoing temperament, and the best socialization was just the icing on the cake!
I will get rescue again eventually, but there just weren't any dogs that would have matched my Family... I looked and I looked, but it wouldn't have been a good fit, but everything happens for a reason and now I get the 'perfect' Leo from a great breeder and they also will be loved equally!