1. JOver | 12.15.08

This is America and the people who profess to be animal rights people seldom actually own or even care for one themselves. This entire area has become about money, the HSUS raises millions of dollars each year although they have “Zero” shelters and spend less than $100,000.00 (as reported) for the benefit of any animal.

They do sport ALF a terrorist group, and they do publish false stories about breeders, Pet Stores and various individuals whom they wish to harm.

Christians, Please do not give money to these people they are without a doubt
doing the work of the devil himself. If you want the Lords creatures killed,
Support the HSUS

2. Kevin | 12.15.08

It’s a dog, who cares where it comes from. Animal rights advocates are the same people that it’s ok to get an abortion. Go figure. In the grand scope of things in life, who cares. It’s a dog.

3. Captain | 12.15.08

PETA-People Eating Tasty Animals

4. Pet Owner | 12.15.08

Why doesn’t PETA and the animal rights groups advocate against the people that abandon their pets at shelters, instead of a responsible person that chooses a pure bred and will probably care for it better than most would. Perhaps there needs to be a higher standard for pet adoption (higher investment upfront) for people to stop buying the cute little puppy that they ditch at the first problem as an adult.

5. Phillip Emerson | 12.15.08

I agree with PETA. There enough animals in pounds. The same could be said about abortions and adoptions. Stop having children. Adopt or abort. There are enough mouths to feed as it is. Where should the priority be?

6. Mr. Shepherd | 12.15.08

Why should the Bidens, or the Obamas, have to accept somebody else’s leftovers?

Dogs in shelters are unknown quantities. It is impossible to know how they’ve been treated — but the fact that they’re in a shelter speaks fairly loudly.

A purebred puppy’s ancestry and parents are known, and this knowledge will provide a pretty good indication of the puppy’s temperament. Experts have also found that obtaining a puppy at exactly seven weeks of age is precisely the best time for socializing them to their new human family. The Bidens have come reasonably close to that ideal by choosing a three-month-old.

I wish them well.

7. Alan | 12.15.08

Bringing in an unknown dog from a shelter is risky especially when you are dealing with kids. Often no history about the cute dog is known. Perhaps it was abused, beaten, had a tough life or for whatever reason would like to snap and eat your child’s head off.

Both of my dogs are second hand pound puppies, and we have been very lucky with both. But not everyone has a backbone of steel. Biden the plagiarist doesn’t even have a backbone, so I can understand his taking the easy way out.

The positive is, he bought from a reputable breeder, some one who breeds dogs for the love of the breed.

8. Susan Price | 12.15.08

What a great choice. The Shepherd is a wonderful dog. Full of fun and tries to please. A Shepherd is definately a go anywhere, do anything dog. You could always call him Havoc which is what is going on right now.

Good Luck with him
Susan

9. workinginmatthews | 12.15.08

Get a Life!!! Peta just needs something to blow more hot air about

10. Jay Kantor | 12.15.08

Commentators 1 through 4 above have serious need of psychotherapy.
I suggest “Behaviour Modification”- Seal them in a room with a couple of trained-to-fight pitbulls

Or perhaps community service would help them. For example, JOver, instead of wasting time here ranting at Christians not to donate to animal rescue, why don’t go and spend some time doing what Jesus commanded you to do- Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc?

PS Check the Old Testament before you make unsubstantiated charges like you did- Remember “Thou shalt not bear false witness”

11. Muad’dib | 12.15.08

I don’t blame Biden at all for buying a dog rather than to adopt a dog as a rescue. When you buy a dog from a good breeder, the breeder has taken care to breed in good traits and health and to breed out not so desirable behaviors and health issues - you hedge your bets by going with a breeder. When you get a resuce, you never quite know what you are going to get in either behavior or health. True, you could wind up with a great dog, or you could wind up with a dog that has mental and emotional issues, or winds up with serious and costly health issues that lead to an early demise.

I got a dog several years ago as a promise to my kids for when we moved into a single-family home and had the room. I bought a yellow lab from a well known breeder in the area and I have no regrets. He is a magnificent specimen, even tempered, friendly, affectionate without being a nuisance and obedient - a vertible saint when compared to the neighbor’s chocolate lab that is disobedient, has allergy skin problems and some other health issues.

This is one of the first things where I see eye to eye with Joe Biden.

12. Anni | 12.15.08

I think the point is being missed. PETA is not questioning Biden’s compassion towards animals, but frustrated with the purchase of the dog from a breeder when there are several other dogs who could potentially have a good life otherwise. It is America, and Biden can pick whatever dog he wants, but it would have been more pleasant to see him practice what he preaches. As for the abortion comment, that is not accurate. To assume that dog lovers WANT to get an abortion is just wrong, it would be fair to say that dog lovers do not want government to have control over that aspect of peoples personal lives.

13. Tristan | 12.15.08

Animal rights activists won’t be happy until wild animals rule the earth and humans are hunted for sport.

14. madelyn dorn | 12.15.08

Don’t breeders have a right to do business or is PETA saying that all dogs should be gotten from the pound. I have a dog which is wonderful and was gotten through a no-kill humane society. But there is nothing wrong with getting a dog from a breeder and why should they have to join the ranks of the unemployed.

15. KristianJL | 12.15.08

Ya know, Mr. Biden did not seek out the press in this case. Is it really anyone’s business where he gets a dog for his grandchildren to play with? Maybe I’m naive and should think that every act by a public figure is fair game for judgment and ridicule… but lets keep things in perspective, okay people?

16. Diane | 12.15.08

In response to Mr. Shepherd that “A purebred puppy’s ancestry and parents are known, and this knowledge will provide a pretty good indication of the puppy’s temperament.” I know of at least one person who purchased a lab puppy from a reputable breeder and the puppy turned out to have serious temperment problems. I think some dogs are just born with certain personalities, like some people. Talk to any human mom who will say their kid has had certain traits from day one.

In response to Pet Owner’s comment “Why doesn’t PETA and the animal rights groups advocate against the people that abandon their pets at shelters, instead of a responsible person that chooses a pure bred and will probably care for it better than most would.” Well, I volunteered for a couple years at the local shelter and you would be stunned to see how many expensive purebreds ended up there. Apparently, the willingness to spend a lot of money and go through the breeder’s clearance process does not seem to guarantee the owner is responsible.

I concede that you don’t know what you’re getting with a second-hand dog from a shelter and you do take a chance. But it was chance I was willing to take with the 6-year-old mutt I adopted and he is wonderful.

17. Oyate | 12.15.08

Doesn’t a man have the right to procure a dog from whatever source he wishes?

Perhaps this is “fair game” (chuckle) because the issue of Pres and VP pets are somewhat of a political statement and the political pooches are arguably public figures, but again, we’re talking about where a man gets his dog.

Rich people like certified pure breeds. They also like fancy cars. The like nice clothes and big houses. Liberals would like to dictate all life choices.

Although if the liberals can mandate that the sitting president drive a junker, dress in rags, own a mutt and live in a trailer, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO SUPPORT WITH ALL MY HEART.

18. Crazy | 12.15.08

With all that is going on in the world, people have to complain about where Biden bought his dog. I mean, if you wanted a dog for your home and wanted to take the time to train it, then get a dog from a shelter. But who wants a dog that may be running around the White House “marking” its territory?

It is sad, the number of animals euthanized and if I own another dog, I will look at the local shelter before going to a breeder. But I also think PETA is full of extremists that do more harm to their cause than good.

19. Charlotte | 12.15.08

It is true that animals deserted at pounds have large holes in their histories, but there is another option. Find a reputable rescue group. There are rescue groups for almost every breed of dog and cat. I have adopted one of each. Both rescue groups required a visit to my home, a detailed review of what the animal’s living arrangements were going to be, and an extended interview with many pointed questions. They also have strict legal contracts you must sign, as well as a fee to cover the costs of spaying/neutering, shots, and a physical examination. As to the animal’s behavior, the dog or cat has been fostered by the group. They can answer almost any question you have about how the animal responds in given situations…and will tell you honestly if they cannot. If you approach a rescue group that does not do all of these things, go elsewhere. Most groups have sweet animals whose behavior they can attest to. I adopted a 5-year old Akita because I know from experience it is the older animals most people ignore. He was a perfect gentleman, obedience-trained, and a joy to live with and love. Currently, I have a Manx cat I adopted. My main requirements for adoption was a cat that did not spray in the house and that did not scratch up the furniture. Bingo! He does neither (he lived in the house of the group’s founder, with her own cats, for 2 months), and is incredibly affectionate…not to mention the best mouser I’ve ever seen! Good rescue groups give you the best of both worlds…solid information and an animal in need whose adoption does not create the end of life for another animal.

20. Nate | 12.15.08

I find it sad that so many of you treat a dog or cat as a posession like your car. Any animal you get will act in a manner based upon how you train and treat it, not based on it’s genes or mother/father. Breeders are selling you a member of your family for pure profit. They have little interest in the overall quality of the animal beyond protecting their business name.

You should all be adopting an animal from an animal shelter. All of our pets are from animal shelters and they are far better behaved and faithful than the pure bred, purchased pets our friends. It’s not the genetic makeup that makes a great pet, it’s the time you invest in training and caring for your pet that matters.

21. James | 12.15.08

I dont understand why everyone is making a big deal it is a dog for gods sake the animal advocates are crazy for being mad at Vp-elect Biden. And Dore told him to consider buying form a shelter and he choose not to and wanted to buy from a breeder.

22. Gail | 12.15.08

Everyone should adopt. There are thousands of puppies and older dogs waiting for good homes. I myself have 2 dogs I adopted and they are the greatest. One was rescued on Christmas night last year after her human “dumped” her because she was having puppies. She was 1 1/2 years old. The other was rescued from a puppy mill when it’s owner was going to “get rid” of him because he was too old to sell. He was 6 months old.

You people who say it’s OK to get a dog anywhere should watch the video about puppy mills on the Humane Society website.

23. captainkona | 12.15.08

I’m as much an animal rights advocate as anyone at PETA and unfortunately, PETA has suffered an intelligence deficit in the last ten years. Instead of well-meaning people seeking to stop abuse they have become knee-jerk political wannabes with no direction or standards.

Joe Biden probably just wanted a healthy, trainable dog for his grandkids.
Many dogs found at the pound are unfortunately abused and often unstable as a result. Small children should not have pound dogs for pets. It’s dangerous.
For adults, fine. But not for small children.

Get your act together, PETA. You’ve arrived at the point where you do more harm than good. If people don’t respect you they will reject your message.
Just look at the “Christian” Right and the abject failure they are at bringing people to Jesus for your example.

24. brenda | 12.15.08

Aren’t all pets adopted, unless they remain
in the same home as their birth?
They’re ALL looking for a good home.
Wouldn’t it sound a little crazier if
we were saying this about new human parents?
How dare they not get a baby from the orphanage?
Just treat the animal right when you get it home.
Thats what matters.

25. Trudi | 12.15.08

A homeless dog living in foster care might have been an excellent choice for the Bidens. Foster parents can provide detailed commentary on a dog’s temperament, and many rescue groups specialize in specific breeds.

My husband and I, on the other hand, have two mixed-breed dogs that we adopted directly from county shelters. One of whom was ill and would have been slated for euthanasia had we not adopted her. Getting acquainted with their unique personalities has been an adventure, and we’re so glad to know that we helped to save their lives.

26. Web | 12.15.08

I hope your new dog brings you and your family many years of joy and companionship, Joe. You did the right thing by following your heart instead of the nagging “advice” all around you. Ignore these yapping idiots.

27. DM | 12.15.08

I wonder if the tempered thought, imbued with respect for the good expressed by all peoples, would be a more helpful moderating influence for all discussion forums?

28. Michael | 12.15.08

It seems to me that if people stop buying dogs from breeders, they’ll probably end up in a shelter themselves. So what’s the difference? You buy a dog from a breeder, you save that dog from ever having to experience a shelter.

29. Sara Weiss | 12.15.08

What is the big deal. Most dog breed books specifiy that if you want a purebred to go through a breeder. He is giving a wanted puppy a good home. If everyone besides breeders would neuter their pets or be responsible breeders, than this would never be an issue. We have a standing rule that all pets will be neutered as part of thier medical treatment.

30. gloria hart | 12.15.08

There was made mention that when people buy a pure bread from a breeder,they somehow are more responsible owners and will help alleviate the problem of abandoned animals.
Nothing oculd be furether from the truth! There are a very, very high percentage of animals that are pure bred and that are dumped at the shelters. Spending a certain amount of money has absoutely nothing to do with having the responsibility that comes with caring for an animal long term. Statistics prove it. Just look it up!!!!

31. Luke Thomas | 12.15.08

Joe should have gotten a shelter dog-I’ll tell you why: It would be good for the economy. Did you know approximately 30 MILLION perfectly healthy dogs, cats, kittens and puppies get killed in dog pounds across America yearly? Did you know most pounds (medium to large counties) spend over a million dollars a year to run the pound? In Miami-Dade Florida in 2007 the operating cost of their dog pound was $10 MILLION DOLLARS; 33,000 animals were euthanized, and this is a low kill number compared to most. We do not need politicians encouraging people to buy from breeders. Did you also know county funds that run dog pounds also pay your law enforcement officers-now facing CUT BACKS and LAY OFFS. When you buy a dog, you kill a dog. Joe signed the death warrant to countless homeless dogs by patronizing a breeder. Economy is the key. Not waste. If you want a dog, get a shelter dog.

32. Kate L | 12.15.08

I find most of the comments here appalling. My little shelter rescue is a smart and well-behaved little mutt whose trainers all say **** make a PERFECT therapy dog in nursing homes and hospitals. The notion that “you don’t know what you’re getting” is just ignorant. The adoption group was 100% accurate about my puppy’s temperament and behavior. Mutts also tend to live longer than breed dogs and have fewer health and behavior problems. (You can look that up.) Millions of dogs and other pets are being KILLED *just* because they don’t have a home and yet someone in a position of leadership buys a dog that was bred for profit. There’s purebred Shepherds in shelters, too, because of idiots who wanted a big dog and then couldn’t accept that they require more food, space, and handling. This isn’t JUST about the Biden family. Just MAYBE if Mr. Biden had gotten his dog from a shelter, it might’ve inspired others across the nation to do the same and we could have seen a spike in adoptions. And wouldn’t THAT have been a nice Christmas for some homeless pets and their new families?

33. trudy | 12.15.08

All of my cats have been rescues. Nevertheless, VP Elect Biden has the right to get a dog from a breeder.

I do wish he had set an example by getting a dog from a German shepherd rescue group, but he was probably not that knowledgeable about their existence.

Meanwhile, do not judge animal groups by HSUS, which historically has been a mess. They’re about as representative of good animal welfare groups as Sarah Palin is of Governors.

34. people eating tasty animals | 12.15.08

Theres a special place in this world for all of Gods animals, Right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy… Its a dog. Im sure he isn’t advocating puppy mills. Hes advocating supporting local businesses just like going to a farmers market…

35. Jaydeetee | 12.15.08

I am the proud owner of 2 Italian Greyhounds. One I bought from a breeder as a puppy, raised him the best way I knew how, and he is the love of my life. The other I adopted (partly because so many people gave me such a hard time about buying a dog when so many need adopting), and his personality is a complete 180 degrees from my first dog. I have had to go to the hospital for stitches because he attacked me IN MY SLEEP. It has taken 3 very difficult years to get him to the point that he will love on me before he will bite me for no good reason. I love him greatly and would never hurt him, but there have been days that I want to return him to the pound and not look back…

So to everyone who gives a hard time to someone for not adopting a dog, hear me now. You cannot know what you are getting into when you adopt a dog. You cannot know what kind of creature you will be getting.

Suffice to say that should I ever get another dog, it will NOT be adopted from the pound.

36. Michele | 12.15.08

Wow these peta people need to find something else to do. If Biden likes dogs from breeders he likes dogs from breeders. He has a right to purchase whatever he wants and there is nothing a silly letter can do to stop him.

37. Redneck | 12.15.08

I believe that this is doggy due diligence on the part of Biden, Esq. Given the high number of, er, “sharks” that will likely visit the Veep, he understandably wants a pooch that is as unlikely to bite on its own volition as can be humanly arranged. Certitude about the dog’s family (both canine and human) is an important part of this.

38. garcho garchev | 12.15.08

the world keeps getting dumber…

39. Elizabeth | 12.15.08

I think if the Bidens wanted a wonderful and healthy German Shepherd pup, the best place for them to obtain one was from a reputable breeder. A breeder that stands behind their pups will give life time support and always be willing to take the dog back if need be. There are good and bad breeders, but if you do your research and find one that health tests and raises their puppies with love and devotion, your odds of getting a fabulous companion increases tenfold. Yes, shelter dogs need homes too, but if more people were responsible owners there would be less shelters. I’m in favor of rescue and no kill shelters, but sad to say, you have to be willing and able to accept a lot of possible problems and riskes adopting a dog that has been abused, neglected, or has numerous health problems. It’s wonderful to hear of rescue stories that work out, but buying from a reputable breeder who is trying to live up to the standards of that particular breed is also fabulous. Otherwise, all the wonderful breeds of dogs that we have now will become extinct!!!!
America gives us the freedome TO CHOOSE, so please let Mr. Biden exercise his RIGHT to do so without criticism!!!!

40. A.N. Other | 12.15.08

What business is it of everyone else? well done Sir for doing your homework

41. Suzie | 12.15.08

VP Biden should be able to get any kind of dog he wants. Period.

I know how important it is to adopt shelter or rescue dogs. My sister promotes no-kill shelters, uses shelter dogs for training as assistance dogs, and works with a great organization called Mixed-up Mutts. Mixed-up Mutts also runs a program called Prison Tails that allows a select group of prison inmates to care for and train rescued dogs. The dogs receive an AKC Good Citizenship Certification and are placed in a good home. The inmates learn about responsibility, love and respect- it’s a win-win situation.

However, I also know why someone wants a certain kind of dog. I’ve always had an Australian Shepherd. I know the breed, I know the temperament, I like dogs with no tails… (smile. And no, not all have docked tails, many are natural bobs). My grandfather always had Airdales. The point is, you should be able to get whatever kind of dog you want as long as it’s from a reputable breeder. It’s a personal decision. Oh, and just for the record, I have a mutt too. A crazy looking little dog with a big personality– I love ‘em both. PETA finds fault with everything. A lot of PETA people don’t even have pets, but want to tell YOU where you should or shouldn’t get your pet or even if you should have a pet. The Obama and Biden families are capable of choosing their own pet, purebred or mutt. It’s their decision!

42. D. Grant Haynes | 12.15.08

Orr:

How come you can only deal in trivia that tends to cast some small aspersion on Obama or a member of his team?

Why don’t you express your true opinion frankly and honestly sometime?

Do it something like this:

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/12/15/18554906.php

We are weary of your pabulum and your stick figure art.

43. Jampa Tashi | 12.15.08

While it’s great that PETA is all concerned about dogs at the pound…sure it’s heart wrenching that cute nice dogs and cats get put down everyday….but if PETA is so concerned about the quality of life for dogs…maybe they should take a visit to say India or Nepal of China and see how dogs are valued over there….

Dogs from a lot of breeders (not all) are well cared for and a lot of breeders (not all) want the best home for thier puppies. I am sure Mr. Biden will give his dog a quality and caring home.

It is America… freedom of choice… Just cuz he’s a public figure doesnt mean he has to be barred from buying a quality dog from a breeder.

44. Elise | 12.15.08

I think that vp-elect Biden has the right to choose his dog from wherever he chooses. Dore asked that he consider it, he may have had other reasons for choosing to go to a breeder. He and his family will be the ones to take care of it so, call me crazy but, I think it’s his and his families decision.

45. ciab | 12.15.08

If I want a dog, I’ll get it where I want to.

46. kevin | 12.15.08

It’s nice to see that political groups (political terrorists) are focused on the really important issues that are harming this country prior to the new president taking office. I’d like to qualify for a loan to purchase a new puppy even though my credit score is over 700. Thanks PETA.

47. WhoCares | 12.15.08

India is about to attack Pakistan and people are talking about Biden’s dog. We are doomed…………

48. C. Anselmi | 12.15.08

The issue here isn’t “doing the right thing”. If you want to save an animal, adopt. If you want a pure breed, buy one. The real issue is with organizations who think they should have some say-so in people’s private lives. No one wants other people sticking noses in their business. So, PETA, go out there and do some good, instead of pointing fingers at people who don’t do exactly what you say.

49. Uncle Fatlips | 12.15.08

Quite frankly I don’t think it’s anyone’s business whether Biden got his dog from an animal shelter or a breeder—and I consider myself a staunch animal activist.

When it comes right down to it this is America–a place where freedom of choice supposedly prevails. While I have a dog (total mixed-breed mutt) I rescued and love him dearly I can also see why someone would purchase a pure breed animal. In the case of Biden clearly he’s fond of the German Sheperd breed. Maybe he had one as a child. We just don’t know the background of it all is my point. But we do know one thing almost for certain—the animal he’s chosen will be well cared for.

I think that’s enough to ask of anyone willing to take on the responsibility of being a pet owner–breeder purchased or rescued. The rest of it is none of my business. But I will say I am impressed that Biden as a public figure doesn’t buy into having to shape his every choice and decision as to compromise that what he truly desires—in this case a pure breed German Sheperd puppy. Good for him and the puppy!

50. Meghan | 12.15.08

I wholeheartedly support the idea of adopting dogs from shelters or rescue groups, but I think it’s wrong to roundly condemn people who choose to purchase a purebred dog from a responsible breeder. There are many legitimate reasons one may decide to acquire a dog from a breeder.

I have two dogs. The oldest is a mixed-breed mutt that I adopted from the local animal shelter. The other, who is only 4 months old, is a purebred Great Dane that we purchased from a responsible breeder. My rescued mutt is an incredible dog with a rock-solid temperament: impeccable with kids, good with other dogs and cats, doesn’t bark, well-trained, etc. He also had some issues that have been a challenge, which I didn’t know he had when I adopted him: reactive/excited on leash when he sees other dogs, escape artist, destructive when left alone, separation anxiety, etc. Those issues aren’t so problematic that they can’t be addressed, but they do represent “baggage” that I acquired when I picked him out at the shelter. I had no hand in creating those behaviors, and didn’t have the opportunity to help prevent them by training him as a puppy. As an older dog, it’s more of a challenge.

Though my instinct is actually to always adopt from a shelter, when we decided to get another Great Dane (we had one in the past), we struggled with the question of rescue vs. purchase from breeder and ultimately decided we wanted to go with a well-bred dog from a responsible breeder. Great Danes are a generally unhealthy breed that can have many hereditary problems. Medical care is insanely expensive and the emotional cost is also high if your dog happens to experience these problems (hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Wobbler’s, cardiac problems, etc.) Our last Dane (who did not come from a responsible breeder) had elbow dysplasia and cardiac problems — total medical bills before we were forced to euthanize her at age 5: at least $15,000. Buying a puppy from a responsible breeder who does health testing is a way to hedge your bets. Nothing is guaranteed, but rescuing a Great Dane is certainly setting yourself up for a high probability of experiencing some issues. Generally a well-bred dog won’t end up in rescue because most responsible breeders will take a dog back if it was given up.

The other aspect here is the question of dogs with kids. Because male Great Danes can easily get to 150-200 lbs., and we have a three-year-old, we felt strongly that we wanted a puppy we could raise and train ourselves, so we would trust it around our son.

German Shepherds are extraordinarily overbred and subject to a variety of health problems, just like Danes. And given that Biden’s puppy will be around kids, I understand where he might feel more comfortable hedging his bets. The bottom line is that while adopting a dog from a shelter is an excellent ideal to strive toward, sometimes it won’t feel like the best option based on an individual’s situation. And if that’s the case, a person shouldn’t be made to feel bad about purchasing a puppy from a responsible breeder (and not a backyard breeder or puppy mill).

51. Dave | 12.15.08

Peta would complain about something else if they coulddn’t complain about animals. They just want to be able to tell other people what to do. My breeder animals have all been a joy, whereas the ones I ‘rescued’ from a shelter were a disaster. Sorry, but people don’t take care of their stuff, even when it’s alive. My advice to Joe is to go buy another dog from the breeder just to make the point that it’s his decision, even if somebody doesn’t like it.

52. Kate L | 12.15.08

So many people are missing the point.

This isn’t about the Bidens or where individuals get their dogs or freedom of choice. This is about the new leadership setting an example for others at a time when the whole world is watching. And for many of us, our point is that while this wasn’t a bad example, he had the opportunity to set a better one and he missed it.

53. Andrew | 12.15.08

Are we to select 1 pet over another? Who decides which one is more in need of an owner / caregiver.

54. Benjamin | 12.15.08

I volunteer at my local shelter and have three dogs, all of them are rescue or shelter dogs. That being said, I don’t give a damn what PETA thinks. Why does the media even report their insane garbage? Should Biden be expected to change his mind because someone related to one of the most insane animal rights groups wrote them a letter urging them to? I wasn’t crazy about the Biden pick to begin with for certain policy reasons, but when PETA takes aim at you for *gasp* buying a dog from a legitimate breed, you can’t be all bad. In fact, I think I’m going to go have some KFC today to show PETA just how I feel about this latest “controversy” they’re trying to create.

Jaydeetee - If you want to help the dog situation while severely reducing your risk of getting a dog with issues, look into rescues. Breed specific rescues in your case would be the best bet. Breed specific rescues typically screen dogs from pounds and adopt the ones that seem the most promising, then put them in foster homes where they are further and more in depth screened for behavioral problems. Pounds can be **** shoots but a good rescue agency can help avoid the worst of them.

Of course, some dogs, even if you get them from a breeder, might come with problems no matter what. There really are no guarantees when adopting a pet, but going to a humane legitimate breeder(not a puppy mill) or a rescue organization can minimize the chances of getting an animal with severe behavioral problems. I’m sorry you had so many people putting pressure on you like that which led to a bad experience. Fascist PC tactics like what were used on you cause more harm than good. Someone should have had a sane conversation with you and at least told you about breed specific rescues. That they didn’t, tells me you were being subjected to PC by ignorant baffoons. I’m sorry. Please consider a breed specific rescue in the future, but you shouldn’t feel bad if you decide to go with a legitimate breeder.

55. kendall | 12.15.08

My hat is off to anyone who does there homework and finds a reputable breeder that has put all there energy resources and love into the breeding of a fine dog or cat. Breeders need protection from PETA who ought to be paying taxes as they are taking up lots of government time and making tax free moneys and putting there nose where it does not belong. If they want to eat grass and own pet rocks let them but for those lovers of canines which bring such health benefits from there owners I say tax PETA and shut them up.
And thanks for sticking to an
American Breeder and not accepting anything from outsource
or out of our American breeding community.
My regards and respect
Kendall

56. wednesday | 12.15.08

I wonder if Mr. Biden is aware of the multiple health problems plaguing German Shepherds bred in this country. Including hip displasia at a young age because of the angle of the hips the professional breeders favor.

57. Debbie S. | 12.15.08

Just a word of warning. I did adopt my 6-year old Max from a very reputable shelter. They told me he was a friendly older dog who liked other animals. I found out that he IS very calm around other animals … until they dare to sniff him, and then he attacks. He also does NOT like small kids. I love my dog (I love all dogs), but I would not have adopted him had I known the truth. People need to be careful when adopting pets. Often shelters will allow folks to foster the dog before the adoption is final. ASK first. As for Joe, I wish he and his new family member all the best.

58. Chief……. | 12.15.08

Just a comment for those groups………….Shut up, please.

59. Funny Huh | 12.15.08

I am a supporter of both kill/non-kill shelter and rescue groups. All three of my cats are from a non-kill shelter and there are as much a part of my family as I am.

What always makes me laugh is how hard it is for some people to be allowed to adopt an animal (especially from a rescue group). They check your yard to make sure it is big enough, your job to make sure you have enough time to spend with it, and sometime your financial to make sure you can feed it and take it to the vet. In some cases it is almost as much work as being allowed to adopt a child.

Yet, anyone can bring a child into this world no matter what the living conditions, time to care and nurture the child, or even the fact that you can afford to take it to the doctors let alone food.

These are just things I think people should consider before bashing Biden for getting a dog from a breeder. Look at what is more important.

60. C. Reyes | 12.15.08

The pet over-population problem is tragic. Every day countless animals are killed in shelters because there just aren’t enough homes. If we really cared about man’s best friend as much as they cared about us, we wouldn’t let this happen. The easiest way to fix the problem is to directly SAVE A LIFE by simply adopting one of the great dogs that are available at shelters.

All the railing in the comments here against animal rights people is ridiculous. So what if we don’t agree with them on 99% of their beliefs? What DOES matter is that when we adopt animals and bring them in to our families we are literally saving their lives. It’s easy to find great dogs for adoption at your local shelter, or online at sites like:

http://www.petfinder.org/
http://adoptapet.com/
http://www.pets911.com/

61. K. G. | 12.15.08

There is nothing wrong with adopting from a shelter. I bet it wouldn’t be difficult to find a German Shepherd (a pretty common breed) puppy in a shelter. So Biden indeed could’ve chosen better. At the same time, it’s just a puppy, especially if Biden has done work on animal’s rights before.

PETA should stay quiet though. They are impractical radicals. Most people are for the good treatment of animals, but PETA is simply against everything. They advertise drinking beer over milk, oppose seeing-eye dogs for the blind, are against ALL animal research (meaning no new cures), are against domesticated animals (meaning that animals like cows, which cannot survive in the wild, would have to be euthanized), promote complete cessation of consumption of ALL animal products, and condone militant ecoterrorist movements such as the ALF, who torch research facilities (having funded the legal defense of the arsonist who destroyed the Michigan State University research facilities). A world promoted by PETA is totalitarian, artificial, and disconnected from animal life.

62. Steve | 12.15.08

Kevin - are you sure that animal rights activists are the same people that say it’s ok to get an abortion? ALL of them? How do you know that? Just like all pro-lifers are for capital punishment? Or - all evangelicals are pro-lifers? Or - if you’re pro-choice, obviously you’re a liberal? Where does it stop?

63. Cru | 12.15.08

The dog I got from a shelter seemed like a perfect puppy that eventually went blind, and ultimately lost hind leg and bowel control. Needless to say, it resulted in trying times.
Sure there’s a lot of deserving dogs, but how many of them come without hidden price tags? You don’t want the headlines to constantly be about the president’s ailing canine. PETA should be busy making a safe haven for the animals they love instead of telling everyone else how to live their lives.

64. Hungry | 12.15.08

Pure breed or Mutt, who cares, they all taste the same.
Just kidding.
But I do hate PETA and those other lefty idiots who proclaim:
Save the trees and kill the babies.

65. Doug Berlin | 12.15.08

Think about it — the use of reputable breeders needs to be encouraged. They will do health checks and take back any puppies that need to be. They require that the dogs be neutered if they are only pets. Eventually they can greatly reduce the demand from inhumane puppy mills. This will also reduce the need for shelters eventually. We need greater awareness of the ethical breeding of dogs to protect the species and keep it healthy, rather than the inhumane and unethical breeding to meet demand from uneducated pet owners.

66. Bob | 12.15.08

And PETA has been busted taking animals from shelters and euthanizing them.

PETA = HYPOCRITES.

67. Bill | 12.15.08

Get over it! It’s a dog!

I love dogs, and my wife and I have several in our home with us. No, we did not get them from a breeder. We bred them ourselves. (Gasp)

The dirty little secret of many shelter dogs, is that many large shelters import dogs so they have enough to meet demand.

68. Too much time on their hands | 12.15.08

All these people that care sooo much about others people’s personal lives should have their personal lives under a microscope as well.
We should send these groups to 3rd world countries where animals are treated like animals. (Its all a matter of perspective depending on how you were taught and the environment you live in) Do you think dogs and cats are treated any different than cows and pigs in other parts of the world???
Too much spare time = think about how to make my life meaningful.
Whats the difference where he gets his dog as long as he takes good care of it?

Please invests your time helping starving children in the world if you have time to make a discussion about the lively hood of domestic animals.

69. Brett in atlanta | 12.15.08

The true shame is that all of us here and PETA have nothing better to do except offer our biased opinions.

Merry Christmas everybody.

Go work at a shelter; clean out your closet and give your old clothes to your place of worship or to Goodwill.

Do something constructive Americans. No wonder this country is sinking.

70. Doug Graham | 12.15.08

The most common argument above for not adopting is that the animal is more likely to have “problems,” either emotional or physical, that the owner would then have to deal with. That sounds a lot like the kind of pet owner who would be likely to abandon his pure bred dog if it became inconveniently ill or developed behavior problems. In other words, someone who isn’t committed and responsible enough to own a pet in the first place. So my advice to that person would be, “Don’t have a pet then.” Owning any 4 legged pet is a big, big commitment, financially and emotionally. And encouraging more animals to be bred for profit when there are millions awaiting adoption is just selfish.

71. Loretta S. | 12.15.08

Generally speaking, it is very hard to “vet” as it were a rescued dog for proper performance as a public entity. Yes, sometimes rescuers are lucky, and some pound puppies make great celebrities. But these dogs are unknown quantities, and may need extra care and help to overcome a difficult or unknown history that a family in public office can’t provide.

Rescue from a shelter, in the case of a public official, might not be the kinder option.

My cat is a rescue. Should I ever have a yard, the dog I will adopt afteer him will come from a rescue program, no matter how pretty I think purebred Ibizan hounds are. But I am a private citizen, and I have plenty of time and the training and resources to work through a dog’s issues.

Readers should also note that Vice President Lieberman is familiar with the German Shepherd breed and feels that it will be a good match for his family. This was a well-researched adoption.

Plus, few reporters will be foolish enough to push past an adult German Shepherd’s boundaries in hopes of getting a reaction. This is probably a better PR choice in terms of avoiding a YouTube debacle like Barney’s.

It’s not the most politically correct choice at first glance, but a rescued dog would probably be overstressed by the celebrity lifestyle of a white house pet. A well-researched adoption of a breed whose temperament is a known quantity is the kindest choice to make. Boom microphones can be scary when you can’t be made to understand what they’re for.

72. Allande | 12.15.08

My reaction to those who insist on deciding how I should obtain a pet is to remain without a pet. It just seems wrong for others to decide for me how to run my life. That is none of their business. Maybe I should be telling them what kind of clothes to wear or what sort of food to eat.

73. Steve | 12.15.08

Who are these guys who have to protest everything. If Joe Biden wants a german sherpherd why don’t you bleeding hearts shut your mouths and get a life.

My God, you people are annoying. It’s a dog –Idiots!!!

Just shut your pie holes and get to work if you aren’t on welfare or rich.

This country is screwed up enough without your whiny voices.

74. steve | 12.15.08

Animal Rights people need somebody to tell them how grating their statements are. I realize they’re often being called on by the media, but you know what? How about a “no comment” once in a while? We don’t need your incredibly nitpicky opinions on EVERY single topic.

75. Mary | 12.15.08

I am appalled at some of these comments. PETA does NOT have ANYTHING to do with abortions–in fact, some of the most passionate animal rights people I know are pro-lifers. Now, with that out of the way, I submit that some people would be very happy to see every mutt in a shelter be put down just on the principle of the thing. Fine and dandy–we will make sure that every single animal, cat or dog, is put to sleep, while the puppy mills keep turning out all those wonderful “purebred” animals from mothers who are essentially tied to a post and raped repeatedly by males.

Purebred doesn’t mean superior. Puppy mills and other dubious breeders give a bad name to the whole industry! And if you don’t believe me, you will find proof and evidence at almost ANY major website, including those of news divisions.

It doesn’t matter–Joe Biden is a “do as I say, not as I do” type of guy, and if he feels better paying a breeder for his dog, that’s fine–it IS America, after all. But think about it–if so many ignorant idiots spayed and neutered their dogs, the millions of animals in shelters who were murdered–yes, murdered–wouldn’t exist just to be killed in the first place!

There is too much widespread abuse of animals, too much breeding simply for the money, and too many apathetic people in this country to consider this a superior country in any way. If this country showed as much compassion towards its companion animals as it shows in selfish behavior, the whole country might be elevated in its place in the world. Instead, the United states continues a downward turn that will end in its ignominy as a world power.

But hey–getting a dog or a cat, or any other kind of companion animal is a personal choice. I only wish that the dogs out there being bred to death had some kind of personal choice as well.

76. KC | 12.15.08

Don’t throw stones in glass houses. Millions of people have children, even though there are tens of thousands of children in orphanages - how many more are in foster care? How many are waiting to be adopted?

No one cares about that, but buy a dog from a breeder and you’re the devil himself!

77. Yao Ming | 12.15.08

I like dogs - they’re tasty.

78. AL | 12.15.08

The Credit crisis, housing market crash, 2 wars, auto bailouts, unemployment, and Joe Biden’s purebred. PETA- Guess which one is last on everyone’s list of concerns. Look, he gave a dog a home. It’s that simple. Now go out and help PEOPLE who are desperately in need of it.

79. Klaus | 12.15.08

I vant to tell you dat dis shepherd ting is a great idea.

80. Ben | 12.15.08

Just another animal lover against Peta.
They give animal lovers a bad name.
Someone needs to neuter Peta.

81. Azzir | 12.15.08

Got to love Ingrid. All of the “good” causes were already taken, so she decided to make a name for herself trying to equalize animals to people.
PETA believes it should be illegal to own ANY pet.
PETA believes it should be illegal to eat ANY animal.
PETA believes it should be illegal to wear any animal product.
PETA wants to extend human rights to ALL animals.

HSUS is a PETA wannabe. Both groups are, IMHO, insane.

82. Azzir | 12.15.08

Got to love Ingrid. All of the “good” causes were already taken, so she decided to make a name for herself trying to equalize animals to people.
PETA believes it should be illegal to own ANY pet.
PETA believes it should be illegal to eat ANY animal.
PETA believes it should be illegal to wear any animal product.
PETA wants to extend human rights to ALL animals.

HSUS is a PETA wannabe. Both groups are, IMHO, insane.

83. catowner | 12.15.08

It seems to me that the folks who are criticizing Biden are blaming him for the dogs in the shelters, rather than the people responsible for putting them there. The animals I’ve gotten from breeders are happy and uncaged in their youth. The puppies and kittens that are abandoned to shelters would have been better off if they hadn’t existed in the first place. The shelters should only exist for humane extermination. These are animals.. they have no souls, their fate was determined by their parents owners. There is a difference between a mutt and an abandoned, suffering animal.

84. Aliza | 12.15.08

Hey, at least it’s better to buy a pet from a responsible breeder, after seeing it with its parents, than to buy that cute puppy in the pet store who was probably bred in factory conditions.

85. Richard McDonough | 12.15.08

This story is as useful as Mr. Orr, unfortunatley still draining funds from the Monitor by his employmnet.

86. Melissa | 12.15.08

If someone hadn’t bought the dog from the breeder, it could very well have ended up in a shelter itself. Who cares where someone gets their dog; as long as it’s NOT from a puppy mill and the owner loves and cares for that animal! Get over yourselves, already!

87. fran | 12.15.08

For everyone who isn’t getting the point that is being made by PETA, millions of dogs are being killed each year because WE HUMANS are irresponsible. To assume a breeder is automatically producing quality pets is ludicrous. ALL Breeders breed for money if they don’t plan on keeping the offsprings. SOME breed for quality. Personally, as an animal lover, I’m all for the animals being protected and the human population being reduced on this planet. Anyone who thinks we aren’t parasites on a global scale needs a brain check. We are overpopulating, over-polluting, and basically raping our planet. If abortion helps keep the population in check, all the better. This isn’t a question of Biden having his pure-bred, royal bloodlined, German Shepherd. It’s about adopting one of the more unfortunate dogs who haven’t been so lucky. As for the BS about the dogs history or temperament, it’s a well known fact that dogs can be rehabilitated if necessary. In fact, it’s a lot easier rehabilitating dogs than it is rehabilitating humans. Fortunately, no matter how indifferent we are to the indifference and destruction humans inflict, nature is going to win eventually and then we’ll all be crying and whining “WHY ME? WHY ME?”

88. really? | 12.15.08

I guess it’s a good thing that there is not any of the following important things going on in the world to discuss. 1. War 2. Possible economic collapse 3. Famine 4. AIDS 5. slavery I am sure I could list more, but hopefully you all get the point. Do something worth while with your time and energy. It’s not wonder why we are in as bad of shape as we are. Oh and one last thing what the **** does adopting a dog have to do with abortion?

89. Loretta S. | 12.15.08

Yes, most dogs can be rehabilitated. By people who have the time and training to do so. It is often not an easy process. Politicians are not those people.

90. Anna Marie | 12.15.08

MILLIONS of loving dogs and cats are killed in shelters every year. Hm mm. I am sure that they all have behavioral prolems and that all pure bred dogs from breeders are flawless.
I buy that.
I have two shelter mutts who are smart, sweet and perfect.

People who drop their dogs off at shelters do so, usually because they “are moving” or “don’t have the time”– and yeah, a high percentage of dogs in shelters are actually those perfect pure breeds that people spend hundreds of dollars on.

Incidentally, PA is the state with the highest number of illegal puppy mills where mothers are kept in barren wire cages and repeatedly bred until they are exhausted.

91. Angie | 12.15.08

Yeah. Um. I worked at Peta for 3 years at their headquaters in Norfolk Va…almost everyone there, including Ingrid (who has 2 cats), had companion animals.
I brought my dog to the office– along with dozens of other employees.
There is a dog park on Peta’s property.

Does Peta do some nutty things? yeah. and would it be better for animals if no dogs and cats were bred? yeah– because then there would be none languishing in cages in vivisector’s labs– but they do not think animals should be outlawed.

And that does not make buying a dog a responsible action.

And what does it have to do with abortion?? Maybe if all the opponents of abortion adopted babies there would be no abortion. hmmm?

92. Heywood Jablowme | 12.15.08

Instead of getting all worked up over a dog, maybe we should be asking the politicians “What kind of car do you drive?”
Then we will find where they stand on an issue that is relevant to the economy, and a greater number of people.
PETA will grab at anything to get publicity.

93. Andy | 12.15.08

I agree with Peta on this one.

It would set a good example for Americans.

Go Vegan!

94. darkwolf from Yukon | 12.15.08

Good grief, so much hatred for PETA , at least someone is speaking out for
abandoned pets.

10. Jay Kantor | 12.15.08

Commentators 1 through 4 above have serious need of psychotherapy.
I suggest “Behaviour Modification”- Seal them in a room with a couple of trained-to-fight pitbulls

Thanks JAY

95. Howard | 12.15.08

Don’t these Liberal types get it? Their champions say one thing and do another. Take Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton. They spout off about equal treatment for women but then go out of their way to treat them as sex toys. Al Gore spouts off about so-called “Global Warming and how we should do things to conserve energy and cut our use of fossil fuels,” and then he uses more electricty and fossil fuel for his home than a small town. It is ridiculous that these people cannot see Biden, et.al, for what they are - Politicians who will say and do anything to get elected but then will do just the opposite. With Obama already backpedalling on his campaign promises, what is he going to do next?

96. Jason | 12.15.08

Who cares?

97. spencer | 12.15.08

What happens to the breeder’s puppies if no one buys them? I do see the benefit of getting rescued puppies/dogs, I have two rescues and one that I purchased from a farmer who’s dogs had puppies. I do not think that buying from a breeder is a terrible thing or makes someone a bad person.

As far as PETA goes, what is their deal with fish? Bill Mahr, who sits on the PETA board, eats fish and does not consider fish animals. Apparently this is a sentiment shared amongst many PETA members as they use dead fish to “prove” their point in shameless publicity stunts. So do animals that live in the water not count?

98. 4 Heavenssake | 12.15.08

#17: Please do not equate PETA (nor its violent arms ALF and PCRM) with the word “liberal.” Just like the neocons, they’re trying to tell everyone else how to behave/run their lives. That is about as far away from “liberal” as anyone can get.

99. NCRepublicanRN | 12.15.08

Good grief…if you are going to abort the babies (as suggested above), can’t you just euthanize the pound puppies? Let’s face it, PETA, a baby has much more potential (regarding contribution to society) than does a dog, cat, etc.

Who care where Mr. & Mrs. Biden got the shepherd…we do live in a FREE country.

100. kushka53 | 12.15.08

I was reading some of the earlier comments and gave up in disgust. A true Christian would not abandon a pet animal (who is after all part of the family) any more than they would abandon their children. All God’s creatures deserve to be cared for, in one way or another.
Although I don’t always agree with PETA’s stance on some issues, in general they have done a lot of good work over the years, especially stepping in when other organizations either didn’t have the courage or the foresight…

101. Chris | 12.15.08

PETA = People for the Ethical Treatment of Airbreathers Fish of course don’t qualify then… hmm but plants do, ruh roh.

102. BlindGuy | 12.15.08

Most of the folks here know absolutely nothing about owning a dog, particularly a German Shepherd. I am working with my second German Shepherd, and I have also had a Lab. The difference, is the dogs I have owned are dogguides — I am blind, therefore I am pretty familiar with dog behavior and the intricacies therein.

To say as the author did:

You should all be adopting an animal from an animal shelter. All of our pets are from animal shelters and they are far better behaved and faithful than the pure bred, purchased pets our friends.

This is ridiculous and frankly absurd. The origination of the dog has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the faithfulness of the dog, nor do muts obey better than pure breeds.

Some of the dogs in these shelters are perfectly fine, and some are not — it depends on the dog, the dog’s history, and the target environment for the dog. If I were to take on a German Shepherd, knowing the breed, I would be hesitant to bring one home from a shelter. I may find one that is terrific there, but German Shepherds are instinctively dominate and aggressive breeds, and depending on the owner, they could easily take quite a lot of work to retrain the dog to respect the new handler, family, the house and related rules. And figuring the Vice President of the United States may be a little busy, and perhaps have little time to retrain a dog, the adopted dog could very easily live an imbalanced life — which not only hurts the family, but also the dog.

It is these types of misinformation that gives folks a bad name, and perpetuates the adoption of dogs that are not a good match for the owner, and guess where these dogs end up — that’s right, the shelter. It is probably these same kind of idiots that end up on “Dog Whisperer,” where Ceaser is telling them how to understand their breed of dog, how to lead a dog, and how dogs need structure.

The fact is that no one can determine what is best for their situation but them.

103. tony the tiger | 12.15.08

AN IMPORTANT PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE TO ALL OF YOU:

(1) DOGS BOUGHT FROM BREEDERS ARE NOT HEALTHIER OR MORE RELIABLE THAN RESCUE DOGS:

dogs bought from breeders are frequently inbred and come from sick mothers who have to pump out litter after litter until they are too sick and old to produce any more and then they are put down. rescue dogs are more likely to be mixed breeds which are healthier but even rescue dogs that are pure breeds are healthier because their mothers aren’t forced to be baby machines

more importantly, a dog from a breeder is just as likely to be tempermental as a rescue dog. even dogs from the same litter have the full range of temperment

(2) DOGS FROM BREEDERS ARE A POOR INVESTMENT:

in addition to the initial cost of buying the dog which can run into the thousands, the initial round of vaccinations cost another thousand and neutring the dog is an additional thousand (if you don’t neuter your dog it will be humping everything in sight and will be irritable)

if you buy a rescue dog it is already fully vetted, vaccinated, neutered and tested for temperment

(3) HALF OF THE DOGS PUT TO SLEEP EACH YEAR ARE PURE BRED DOGS EVEN PUPPIES

the simple reason: dogs are impulse purchases; you can get a pure breed of your desire by simply clicking on petfinder.com

104. David Dee | 12.15.08

I agree with JOver, the anti-abortionist are the same. They do everything to get the pregnant mother to have the baby and then when ask by the mother, “what do I do now”, they say, “its your baby not mine, see you later”

105. Tobbes73 | 12.15.08

My wife and I have been involved in animal rescue in a rural county for over 10 years, both on our own and volunteering with local public and private organizations. Additionally, we have had many ‘mutt’ cats and dogs over the years (two dogs and a cat right now). These animals we rescued - sometimes literally right off the busy highway.

Many of the comments posted here are critical of mutts and pro-pure bred animals cannot be from people who are very knowledgeable about animal welfare issues or animal health issues. Ask any vet, ‘mutts’ generally have less health problems than pure-breds. The same selective breeding that enhances those ’special’ traits also unintentionally cause adverse health problems - just ask any Dachshund or Bassett with back problems, Pit-bull or Rottweiler with hip problems, Pug with respiratory problems or Great Dane with a bad heart.

Animal behavior is almost entirely caused by the humans, not the dog. We have raised lots of mutts of various ages and they are all trainable. Dogs are pack animals and most behavior problems come from people expecting them to either ‘act like people’ or somehow just magically know what’s expected of them. Dogs have to be shown what’s expected of them. This usually requires ‘human training’ which requires time and effort (which most people don’t want to expend) therefore the dog ends up exhibiting ‘unwanted’ behavior and is deemed ‘bad’. There are few ‘bad dogs’ but millions of bad dog owners.

The animal welfare problem is two-fold: First we need to find good homes for all stray and un-cared for animals, but Second and more important, we need to prevent un-wanted animals from being born, otherwise there will always be more needy animals than there are good homes for them.

1. Spay/Neuter your animals - Letting your cat or dog have a litter is not ‘God’s Miracle’ - it’s just creating a problem for your local animal control officers to deal with (with your tax dollars).
2. Adopt a shelter animal - this lessens the burden on local shelters and saves an animal’s life who would have been euthanized. Mutts tend to live longer and be healthier than purebreds, but you can usually find a purebred through a local purebred rescue group.
3. Understand that caring for an animal is a REAL commitment with emotional and financial ramifications/rewards. Just like being a parent, if you can’t handle the commitment, don’t take the leap.
4. If you think you have an opinion about animal welfare but you aren’t involved, button your pretentious lip or get out there and start volunteering and making a difference.

106. Larry | 12.15.08

The arguments over this is amazing. You are never guaranteed a perfect dog from either a kennel or a breeder. To expect otherwise is ludicrous.

Twice my family has adopted and both times were utter disasters. Both dogs were never mistreated by us and were always well taken care of but they could just not adjust. One dog was prone to attacking for no apparent reason. The other absolutely destroyed our wood fence and backyard, as well as, my grandma’s couch. He also urinated all over my bed for reasons I can’t figure out.

We also took a dog off of another family who could not keep him anymore and he was the greatest dog I have ever known. It will be hard to find a dog as good as him. I cried like a baby when he died.

With all that said, I will still always try the adoption route. For one it’s cheaper. I do think a breeder may be a better way to go but it is expensive and time consuming in having to train the dog.

Pick the option that is right for you, not the option that is right for everyone else. This is America. You have a choice. Don’t be a robot and cave to other people’s short-sighted opinions.

107. Beth | 12.15.08

Both my Great Pyrenees are rescues. Both were starved and had hard lives before I took them.
One has turned into a sweet, affectionate, playful, laid-back love-bug.
The other is also playful and affectionate, but kills every small animal that she can catch, including stray cats, and is aggressive and territorial over her food bowl. She has, on occasion, scared the **** out of me when I opened the door too quickly and surprised her eating.
So I support adoption, I know that thousands of wonderful mutts and purebreds are put down every year, but I recognize that not everyone is comfortable adopting a dog with an unknown history.
Ultimately, it is Joe Biden’s decision.

108. Big Sis | 12.15.08

I like shelter dogs, and I probably will never get a dog from a breeder ever again. But look…the puppies were born…they’re as much alive as any shelter dog. And frankly, while I sympathize with people who *feel bad* that Joe got a dog from a breeder, it is HIS BUSINESS.
I know people who spend a lot of time judging other people and how those people get/handle/treat their dogs, and those busybodies need to mind their OWN business!

109. olddog | 12.15.08

You people are like a bunch of old dogs gnawing on a bone.
It’s HIS decision what he gets and where he gets it. NONE of you or your opinions matter and he’s just proved it to you.
Stow the Bovine Feces and get a life why don’t you?
My last dog was from a breeder and is the best dog I’ve ever had to keep me company.
Go Figure,……..

110. Mama Dawg | 12.15.08

People, people, people!

YOU get your dogs where you want to, and let Joe get his dogs where he wants to. They’re all alive and in need of homes. Stop minding everybody else’s business.

I just know some of you are watching your neighbors and how they treat their animals, and you’d better be careful, because someday somebody else is going to be judging you!

111. James Adams | 12.15.08

Hey, leave the guy alone. He has more important things to worry about than this. Let him handle the world affairs. Can’t one of you guys that is bothered by this go out and adopt an extra dog to make up for Joe’s mistake?

112. idiots812 | 12.15.08

To the person who said “animals have no souls”, and you know this how? Because somehow you believe that you are special in God’s eyes? You are 1 person in 10,000,000,000. You are not special. If animals have no souls, neither do you.

113. Rufus | 12.15.08

Butt out of this, PETA and everyone else. Getting a puppy has become a no-win war. Go care about the homeless and hungry instead.

@Mama Dawg, well said.

114. Heather | 12.15.08

Why is this even news! I do not recall ever seeing so much importance placed on any President or Vice President getting a dog.

But, this is probably what the mainstream media will now cover. We can be pretty sure they will not actually cover any screw ups by the Obama administration.

They have already decided that he will be the best President in American History; and he has not even taken office yet!

Tell me I am wrong? We already have a school named after him and a proposed Holiday. He has not even taken office yet!

115. Web Smith | 12.15.08

Next we’ll have a federal Domestic Pet Control Agency approving and specifying which breeds can be bred and a federal tax on purebred animals. They will limit the number of breeders in any one state and spend billions tracking the ancestry of all animals attempting to weed out the ones who have displayed aggressive behavior or tend to develop things like dysplasia. We have to keep those Veterinarian Care costs down.

116. Elaine Vigneault | 12.15.08

There are thousands of German Shepherds available for adoption at shelters. Just check petfinder dot com to see.

117. Jen | 12.15.08

I think he has the right to purchase a dog. German shepherds are very intelligent and make great companions. Shelter dogs can make good companions also but many have been sent to the shelter because of behavior problems the owner could not deal with. Many rescue organizations evaluate dogs and provide basic training to make them more suitable for adoption. It’s a matter of personal choice.

118. Skashoon | 12.15.08

I am no fan of Joe Biden, but PETA is even worse. See this youtube video from Penn & Teller http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9ijLulwUTY

119. Vic | 12.15.08

An awful lot of people here are referring to the dog as “it.” That speaks volumes about those people. A dog cannot be “it” since “it” refers to inanimate objects. Dogs, like humans, are quite animate. While I am thrilled that the Bidens have opened their home to a pup, I am not thrilled with their choice of going to a breeder. I worked closely with many breeders years ago and came to call most of them names I would not repeat here. Yes, there are some reputable breeders, but most are interested only in maintaining “the bloodline.” What that means is that if a puppy dares to be born with one or two white hairs and the conformation does not allow for that, the breeder will immediately inject that puppy with “blue juice” (that’s the jargon many breeders use). It’s too costly to raise a pup who “doesn’t conform” in the hopes that someone will raise the dog as “a pet.” As long as people continue to support breeders (including puppy mills and backyard breeders), there will be no end to thinking of dogs as mere property instead of as living beings.

120. Carol | 12.15.08

I’m shocked at the ignorance regarding dogs that are placed in shelters and rescues. Most of those dogs are there because the owners didn’t do their homework to find out which breed would suit them or because they were just to darn lazy or ignorant about how to take care of the dogs properly. Many of them are pure bred dogs that were purchased from breeders. “Not a know quantity” - give me a break. Just because you pay for a dog doesn’t give it magical qualities. Biden should be ashamed of himself.

121. Sue | 12.15.08

Biden did NOT buy from a reputable breeder!

Joe Biden got his puppy from a known PUPPY MILL breeder who committed fraud http://www.examiner.com/x-1513-Philadelphia-Dog-Advocate-Examiner~y2008m12d12-Pennsylvania-puppy-mills-and-ice-PresidentElect-Biden

Report on the fraud and suspension http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/8439/PA/US/

This is the problem. People get duped into supporting puppy mill abuse and don’t even realize they are doing it!

Of course, since the AKC makes most of its money registering puppy mill puppies, that creates a false sense of security.

122. Ted | 12.15.08

Many of the posters here pushing the “buying from breeders is great” and slamming the humane groups are breeders themselves who just want to encourage others to buy breeder dogs

The dogs in this country that have the most problems are the purebreds, even from so-called “reputable” breeders. It’s called inbreeding, which is how you get purebred dogs. It results in more genetic defects, and health and behavior problems.

But breeders make LOTS of money selling dogs (and usually don’t claim the income and pay taxes!) so they want to convince people to buy their “product” instead of adopting

Even the AKC makes most of its money registering puppy mill dogs! http://www.bogartsdaddy.com/Bouvier/Bouv_Pages/article-inquire-puppymills-AKC.htm

123. beth | 12.15.08

What kind of morons find comparisons between animal rights and abortion rights? Let me guess … gun-toting, bible-thumping morons, that’s who.

124. Woodsroad | 12.15.08

PETA kills 97% of the animals that it takes into it’s shelters:

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,254006.shtml

Google it.

125. Angie | 12.15.08

So I guess if this was a kid instead, Biden would be asked to adopt rather than produce a child of his own …. F’in people!

126. Amy Gill | 12.15.08

#6 How dare you blame the animals for their fate of ending up discarded and unwanted in a shelter? As previous posters have pointed out, behavior problems in a dog are nearly always the fault of its owner and improper training (or no training at all) — dogs require discipline, exercise, affection and consistency, and they also require an owner who truly understands the temperament of their particular breed. Too many people get dogs without enough planning and thought put into the decision; to be a good dog owner requires commitment and effort, particularly in the beginning when the dog is young and being trained. Also, too many pet-owners still don’t take responsibility for spaying/neutering their animal companions. Yes, it’s Mr Biden’s business to choose his own dog, but what a wonderful example it would have been if he had chosen his new friend from a German Shepherd rescue group — perhaps **** consider getting another dog in this manner.

127. U. S. of America??? | 12.15.08

Wow, when did we become a country where free people CAN NOT buy a dog from a breeder without becoming eviscerated from every “do gooder, know it all”???? What happened to our freedom to choose something as basic as our own PET?? I guess no “do gooder, know it all” will have their own children, because there are so many homeless, orphans in the world. Many of these people seem to have strange priorities.

128. Lisa | 12.15.08

Pet Owner….you are wrong. I work with an animal rescue group. People will pay hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars for a dog and then dump it at a kill shelter. I know….I have seen it. Volunteer with a rescue group and you will change your mind. If Biden had wanted a german shepard, he could have gone through a rescue group and gotten one. I feel that a mutt is the best choice and all breeding should be done away with. Work in a shelter for 24 hours and you will feel the same. Maybe you should experience a shelter before you run your mouth about things you know nothing about.

129. Karen | 12.15.08

Joe Biden and everybody else has the right to buy from a breeder if they want to. This is the United States of America. We have the FREEDOM to CHOOSE. He’s getting the dog from a responsible breeder. That is his right and a smart decision.

130. Jo | 12.15.08

I love German Shepherds. Excellent choice Joe. Great family dogs. Can’t imagine my life without one.

Adopting a shelter dog is fine, good even, but here we live in the land of the free (?). Come on.

If PETA wins the terrorists win. No kidding.

Jo

131. James | 12.15.08

So the debate here is where VP nominee Biden should have obtained his dog. Wow! Yes I know that everybody has an opinion, so here is mine. It’s just a dog. This is an interesting reflection of U.S. society in general in that the most important issue now being discussed about a future co-leader for our nation is his choice of a dog. Is it because the collapsing economy, multiple war fronts, racism on an upsurge, and the increasing division between the very rich and very poor have interfered with our lives so much that we need to pay attention to this type of “fluff” journalism? or something more…selfish? Yes I grew up with dogs, and know people with dogs, but enough is enough. Ask yourself where your morals lie when there more deaths of children around the world who are conscripted into war, die from malnutrition, poverty, and vaccine preventable diseases then there are “pound puppies” euthanatized. Of course all needless suffering death, no matter the species, should be condemmed, but remember that it was not too long ago that the death of childern through absent labor laws was the norm. How will we see ourselves 100 years from now when we are spending vast amounts of discretionary funds on a admittedly “luxury item”
Raymond Towey (15 May 2008, BMJ), after coming back from a 15 year medical missionary in sub-Saharn Africa observed
“Open heart surgery is now available for domestic dogs and cats in the developed world, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa most patients needing such expensive care are sent home to die, assuming they even reach a hospital in the first place. Will doctors in years to come wonder at how we could tolerate such an obscene disparity?”
While you revel at the fact that spending on pets in the U.S. topped $43Billion in 2008 (American Pet Products Manufacturers Association estimate, 2008), I will happily be serving on my medical missions giving verbal comfort instead of the $4/month medication I cannot afford to give to my patients diabetes.

132. meredith johnson-snyder | 12.15.08

I believe in the right of a person to chose his own dog whether from a shelter or a breeder. The statement that mixed breeds are healthier than pure breds is not really true. If one goes to a breeder for a specific breed, most likely one will have a good idea of what health problems or temperament problems it may that are in the breed; the breeder if reputable w Parent Clubs of specific breeds, such as the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, track health problems in their breeds and contribute to research. Just because a mutt has more diverse bloodlines does not mean it will not have health problems or temperament problems as it may very well inherit the bad genes of its ancestors rather than the good genes. There is no organization to track the health problems in mixed breeds. Labradoodles van and do develop hip dysplasia for example.
This country was built on the belief in individual rights; in this case to adopt a shelter dog or buy from a breeder. PETA’s bottom line is the elimination of all animal ownership and it is trying to make inroads into many communities. What next? Because there are many children in foster homes waiting to be adopted, do we put a bann on having one’s own child or limit the number of children as China does. This is America, the land of the free. Joe Biden has the right to buy a German Shepherd from a breeder. Back off, PETA, you are tramping all over his individual rights.

133. JP | 12.15.08

I agree with the last statement. Starving children in Africa aren’t as cute as puppies, but they are far more deserving of our time and concern.

I treat my service dog very well, but I rely on him for my safety and I share what I can afford with him.

I’m very concerned with what I see of the cult of paranoia as regards “animal abuse,” especially when it is used to justify verbal or worse assault on other peoples’ dignity and lifestyles.

I will not support HSUS or PETA financially, not one red cent. I will donate to my local humane society, which does not even have a shelter and tries to keep animals all right by GIVING people money for dog food when times are tough, sponsoring spay and neuters, and other things that actually enable people to keep their animals and not neglect them, instead of grandstanding before the cameras and shouting about the evils of human nature.

We also refuse ALL owner-surrenders of their pets. We simply can’t afford to foster people’s dogs for them when they could perfectly well put in the work to find new homes for their dogs themselves– and often those owner-surrenders are the animals with the most problems of all (biting, etc.), not homeless strays.

We do not pay for euthanasia. We support humane care of animals by their owners. If there is a criminal case, the police and courts prosecute, not us.

Humane societies are NOT officers of the law. We are in hard times now. We need to help people keep their animals, not take them away.

It is sad that the richer people get, the more they forget what true decency means… and that includes animal rescue, too. My prayers are with the doctor in Africa. Doctors without Borders is a fine organization, and well worth funding.

134. Michelle | 12.16.08

Wow so many myopic views here! First off, no the HSUS does not support the ALF, as HSUS is a 501 c 3 nonprofit recognized by the federal government. If they were in fact supporting the ALF, the FBI would investigate and the HSUS would be shut down. Next, the issue with adopting pure breeds from a breeder is that they are creating more animals and giving adoptable shelter animals less of a chance to find a home. Does that mean you can’t get a pure breed dog? No! There are plenty of pure breed rescues! As a pillar of our country, Biden needs to set a better example.

135. Miranda | 12.16.08

What happens if we listen to PETA and HSUS? People only obtain neutered shelter dogs. What happens in 10 years? Dogs are extinct because all the parent dogs were neutered.

I bred my most recent litter over 6 years ago. I spent a lot of money testing the parents for hip dysplasia, eye problems, and heart health. We ultrasounded mom to see if she was pregnant. We x-rayed to know how many puppies to expect. We stayed up all night cutting and tying cords of the newborns. We evaluated their personalities and tried to match the ones we did not keep with prospective owners. We introduced them to different people and environments. Good breeders do similar things. It behooves a potential owner to check on how their prospective new family member was raised. They, like all living things, are products of their environment and heredity. You just don’t know that in getting a rescue dog.

Congratulations, Mr. Biden, on getting the breed of your choice.

136. J. W Hillman | 12.16.08

Can’t believe Biden didn’t adopt a dog from a shelter or breed rescue group. He is the most deporable person for his selfishness. Sorry I helped to vote him in.

137. Odie | 12.16.08

I have five dogs and they all came from shelters! Three of them are therapy dogs that visit nursing homes and children’s hospitals. The other two are retired from therapy work. Everyone has the freedom to chose where to get their pets. For me, it always has been and always will be shelter dogs! I train dogs for a living and trust me purebreds have issues too! It is all about socializing and training. TRUST ME!

138. SavingShelterPups | 12.16.08

I agree that every person has the right to decide where to obtain their animals. However, I would hope that compassionate animal lovers would choose to save a life from a shelter. AKC German Shepherds are the 4th most popular breed in the United States. There are MILLIONS of ‘purebred’ GSDs in high kill shelters nationwide in need of loving, permanent homes. I’ve worked at animal shelters and have had to say FAR too many goodbyes to healthy, loving animals. We may not have directly caused this animal overpopulation crisis to arise, but I feel that we have the responsibility if we are capable of doing so,(especially when there are others’ LIVES involved) to find a resolution and progress for a better future…and the first step starts with adoption. I’m appalled and extremely upset, especially because I have rescued many healthy(GOOD HIPS!) GSDs from high kill shelters.

139. Ruthann | 12.16.08

We all still have choices in this country. I, or VP Biden, has the right to choose the breed of dog we want to live with. Not every breed is for everybody, shelter dogs included.
I breed purebred dogs, Rottweilers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. I also rescue and foster dogs for my local Humane Society. Surprisingly, the dogs themselves don’t have any issues with each other. They don’t care if they are Champion show dogs or mutts. They just want to be with their people.
Irresponsible people are the reason the shelters are full. People that are not committed to the responsibilites of having a dog, or any animal. We live in a “throw away society”. Purebred or mixed, when an pet becomes inconvenient many families turn their “beloved pet” over to a shelter (if the animal is lucky)or abandon them to fend for themselves. They fail to spay or neuter their pet, they do not fence their yards, the animals are allowed to breed unrestrictively without regard to temperament or health. Some of these same folks indeed have purebreds, however they are not ethical breeders. An ethical show breeder usually belongs to a number of Code of Ethic Clubs. They spend time and LOTS of money training, grooming, competing in conformation and performance shows, and HEALTH and TEMPERAMENT testing prior to breeding an animal. We spend every spare moment with a litter of new pups evaluating and testing puppies so we can place them with a compatible family.
I want all my puppies in forever homes, and my rescues too. I am always available if any issues arise. I will take my dogs back anytime throughout their lives if the family can no longer keep the dog.
These are part of the reasons why a responsible breeder is the best place to get a lifetime companion.
Congratulations to VP Biden and his family for the extra effort to find the right breeder and the right dog that fits their wants and needs.

140. Jaco | 12.16.08

I’ve had dogs all my life and all have been mutts from the Dog Pound.
But what about a persons ‘free will’?!?
If someone wants a pure breed than for Pete’s sakes, stop dictating to people what kind of dog they can or cannot have in thier life!

PETA is way too self-rightous for its own good. I feel that they should take on the role of educators and stop this strong armed behavior of a dictator.
Educate, don’t berate!

141. Jill | 12.16.08

This is america. People have the right to buy any dog they want. Even if Biden picked one from the shelter, he wouldn’t be saving the other thousands of dogs. Live your life the way YOU want to. Let others live how they want to.

142. Wendy | 12.16.08

There is nothing comparible to a purebred dog where you have a strong indication of how that dog is going to act and look. Add that to the fact that a puppy can be shaped to be “all that it can be” along with the bonding and training. Take it from someone who has rescued many adult dogs…..they usually have issues and dogs with issues and children are not a good combination. If I had my way there would be no designer breeds, no non purebred mistakes or on purpose and no need for shelters……purebred dogs only, with reputeable breeders who take back there own when there is a need

143. Timothy | 12.16.08

Hey ******** Kevin, I care that Biden got a dog from a breeder. My vote went to him and Obama namely on the impression that these guys cared about animal issues. Millions of dogs are euthanized in shelters every year because of breeders who continue their dirty business without a care in the world that they are contributing to the pet overpopulation problem. And, no, it’s not just a dog. It’s a living, feeling being. Your comment reminds me of when people commented, “It’s just a woman, it’s just a black person, etc.” Until we extend compassion to all living beings, this world and its cold-hearted Kevins will never know peace.

144. Alan | 12.16.08

Never mind what I previously said.

It turns out the breeder is not a breeder, but more of a puppy mill.

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/harrisburg_politics/Kennel_where_Biden_bought_puppy_is_cited.html

Bad Joe. Bad.

145. Bethany | 12.16.08

I’m offering my opinion as a person who has both owned a German Shepherd adopted from a rescue group AND who has volunteered for a German Shepherd rescue group. As much as I would LOVE to advocate for adopting homeless pets, I could never advise someone to adopt a dog of this breed. It is much, much safer to get a German Shepherd as a puppy from a reputable breeder.

I loved my GSD dearly and I had him for 8 years, but it was extremely stressful. While he was wonderful with me and my immediate family, he was very unpredictable with other people. I worked with trainers, behaviorists, and vets, to no avail. My GSD was a fear biter. Eventually, despite my vigilance — and I know many of you are going to jump on this and call me an irresponsible dog owner — my dog bit someone. She had to go to the hospital with a severe bite. It happened in seconds. Yes, the dog was wearing a muzzle. Yes, the victim knew my dog was unpredictable and could bite. I warned her many times prior to the incident.

If you only knew the extent to which I took precautions, and yet this still happened. I eventually made the tough decision to put him down because I couldn’t risk anyone else getting hurt. It was heart-breaking, and I still feel guilty because I adopted my dog to save him, not to kill him. It was the worst thing I’ve ever had to deal with.

If you’re comfortable adopting a GSD, then do it. But be prepared to deal with some very difficult behaviors that could put you and others at risk. If you are lucky, you will get a wonderful dog and have no problems. What happened to me doesn’t happen to everyone, but you have to know what you could be getting into and be ready to do a lot of hard work to overcome any issues that arise.

Everyone should get a dog in the way that is best for them. As Vice President, Mr. Biden will be entertaining many people in his home. He needs to have a well-trained dog that isn’t going to endanger anyone.

146. Colin Clifford | 12.17.08

If pure bred dogs were not selected for homes, then they would be put down by the kennels that are in the business of making money off the dogs. Responsible pet ownership is the issue, and not where the animal originated. As long as Joe Biden trains the dog properly, he is setting a proper example. PETA is so short sighted that they should adopt seeing eye dogs.

147. J. H. | 12.17.08

I am a PETA supporter and a person to advocate for underdogs. (No pun intended.) But I advocate strongest for “choice.” We each can then be supportive of each other as we choose our own ways.

Go Obama/Biden!!!!

148. Tracy Murphy | 12.17.08

Joe Biden will hold the 2nd highest office in the country, therefore, he serves as an example for all people throughout our great country in leadership and integrity. Fact.

The purchase of a dog from a commercial kennel sends a message to the American public that it is ok to continue to purchase dogs rather than adopt one of the thousands that need homes across America.

The purchase of a dog from a commercial kennel in fact prevents a homeless dog from being adopted into a loving home. Fact.

The purchase of a dog from a commerical kennel will ultimately send a homeless dog to the gas chamber or succomb to lethal injection. Fact.

The purchase of a dog from a commercial kennel steps on the hopes and dreams as well as hard work of shelter workers, shelter volunteers, and animal protection agencies who give of themselves every single day to help animals. Fact.

The purchase of a dog from a commercial kennel will in no way guarantee temperament. Every dog is a unique individual, and all dogs require supervision around children. There are many homeless dogs across the US with sweet and gentle temperaments. Fact.

The purchase of a dog from a commercial kennel may not result in a dog with fewer medical problems when purchased from a reputable breeder. Many medical problems rise from improper diet and exercise. Medical problems should NEVER be a reason not to adopt a poor dog that needs a home. If a homeless dog is not adopted, it will surely have its worth medical problem. Death. Fact.

Joe Biden’s personal decision carries with it great consquences for homeless dogs across America. Fact.

149. George | 02.25.09

A “breeder” isn’t the same as a “puppy mill”.

Aside from that - I can’t believe you get paid to write this ****. Even more mysterious is why I am reading and responding to it.

150. Mike Grello | 02.26.09

I “profess to be an animal rights activist” and I care for three dogs, two cats, a guinea pig, a fifty five gallon tank full of tropical fish and a constant parade of frogs and snakes in my yard. It is my relationship with these animals that convince me that all of God’s creatures are worthy of consideration and respect. Also, while I would agree that in a free society abortion needs to be the woman’s choice, it is certainly not always “OK”. It is just safer to leave that choice in her hands. Mr. Biden certainly has the right to adopt any kind of dog he wishes, and dogs imprisoned in puppy mills need good homes. It is not a simple world and while it is OK for some citizens to have a simple approach to the issues of life, it would not be OK for our elected leaders to follow suit. The most helpful and enlightened thing anyone can say is “I don’t know.”

151. Maddy | 04.10.09

Here’s a thought, PETA. Why don’t you give the money your spending to run all of your ads to the shelters to help these dogs and cats that need homes? No? Of course not! PETA never gives anything to shelters. All they know how to do is make money for PETA by pulling on the heartstrings of Americans. Wake up America! Take a good hard look at PETA. You’ll be VERY suprised at what you’ll find!

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