Guide: adopt or buy a dog
Adopt or Buy a Dog? An Honest Comparison From a Breeder
Adopt or buy a dog? Both are good ways to get a dog when they are done responsibly, and both can go wrong when they are not. About 2.8 million dogs entered U.S. shelters and rescues in 2025, and roughly 2 million were adopted. If adoption fits your household, it changes a life. If you need a predictable size, coat or temperament, a responsible breeder is a fair choice.
Adopt or buy a dog: the quick comparison
| Adoption | Responsible breeder | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Usually a modest adoption fee | Much higher purchase price |
| What you know | History and adult size are sometimes a guess | Parents, health tests and expected size are known |
| Ages available | Puppies, adults and seniors | Usually puppies |
| Waiting time | Often none | You may wait for a litter |
| Support afterward | Varies by shelter or rescue | A good breeder stays available for life |
The case for adoption
Shelter Animals Count, which gathers data from thousands of shelters and rescues, reported that about 2.8 million dogs entered the system in 2025 (Shelter Animals Count). Many shelters are full, and dogs are staying longer than they did five years ago.
Adoption has practical advantages as well. With an adult dog, you can see its size, coat and personality before you commit. The Federal Trade Commission also points out that shelters have dogs of many breeds and ages for a small fee (FTC).
The case for a responsible breeder
- Predictability. You can meet the parents and see their size, coat and temperament.
- Health testing. Good breeders screen both parents and show you the results.
- Early socialization. The first weeks of life shape behavior, and a careful breeder uses them well.
- Lifelong backup. The American Kennel Club notes that responsible breeders take a dog back at any age.
Those benefits only exist when the breeder truly is responsible. See how to choose a puppy breeder.
What to avoid whether you adopt or buy a dog
- Pet stores and marketplace listings that cannot show you where the puppy was born. See what is a puppy mill.
- Online sellers who will not meet you. The ASPCA calls reluctance to meet in person a huge red flag (ASPCA).
- Prices that are too good to be true. See puppy scams.
- Impulse decisions. A dog is a commitment of ten years or more, wherever it comes from.
Questions to help you decide whether to adopt or buy a dog
- Do you need a particular adult size or a low-shedding coat? If so, a breeder gives more certainty.
- Would an adult dog suit you better than a puppy? If so, look at shelters and breed rescues first.
- Does anyone at home have allergies? Remember that no dog is allergen-free.
- Do you have time for puppy training, or would a dog with basic manners help?
- What is your budget for the first year? See the cost of owning a puppy.
Our view as breeders
We breed dogs, so we have an interest here, and you should weigh our view with that in mind. Even so, we mean this: if a shelter dog fits your family, that is a wonderful outcome.
If you decide a puppy from a breeder is right for you, hold that breeder to a high standard, and hold us to it too. See how we health test, or contact us with questions.
Related guides
- How to Choose a Puppy Breeder: 12 Things to Check Before You Pay a Deposit
- How to Pick a Puppy From a Litter: What to Look For
- Male vs Female Puppy: Does It Really Matter?
- Pet Insurance for Puppies: Is It Worth It?
- AKC Papers: What They Mean and What They Do Not
See all our puppy guides, or meet our Havapoo puppies for sale and Goldendoodle puppies for sale.
Sources
- Shelter Animals Count. 2025 Annual Data Report. shelteranimalscount.org
- ASPCA. U.S. Animal Shelter Statistics. aspca.org
- Federal Trade Commission. Getting a pet? Avoid scams. consumer.ftc.gov
- ASPCA. Responsible Breeder or Puppy Mill? Shopping for a Pet Online. aspca.org
- American Kennel Club. Signs of a Responsible Dog Breeder. akc.org
Sources were checked on October 7, 2026.
Ready to meet your puppy?
Our puppies are born and raised inside our family home in Eagle Mountain, Utah, from health-tested parents. See who is available now, or ask us a question.