Stamp - Proud Owner of Healthy Purebred

Ugh, yes. I'm in the process of researching to get my first dog and nobody I know (except the groomer I work with who breeds shih tzus and my boss) understand or support why I want a purebred. Mutts can be just as unhealthy as a badly bred purebred or even more - it's a Russian roulette whether those genes come out positive health wise or not. If one crappy dog is bred to another, the puppy is going to be crappy too, regardless of whether it is purebred or a cross. I want a purebred because I want to be sure of my dog's health (because working in pet supply I see SO many unhealthy dogs come in,) I want a dog that's going to live a while (I'm used to cats which can easily live to 20) and I want a dog whose temperament I can be fairly sure of, who was well socialized as a baby by a caring breeder who knew exactly what they were doing, who understood important things like health and genetics which your average person doesn't even think about. These are the breeders who are trying to make their breeds healthier, sounder, better and preserve them for the future. They're educated, they're smart - and I believe that they are the ONLY people who should be breeding dogs. (Or cats, or horses, or other livestock.) Responsible breeders will take back a dog if it ever needs to be rehomed; they don't contribute to pet homelessness and they are often involved in rescue of their breed. Responsible breeders are there with you for the long haul.

I'm worried about how to tell people that I'm almost 100% certainly going for a purebred when I'm ready for my dog because of the stigma attached. Do I flaunt it aloud, "My dog is a healthy purebred, bred by a responsible breeder who is my friend!" or do I just quietly whisper "I got a INSERTBREEDHERE." I really don't like how the stigma is there, trying to scare me off from doing what I want, but I will refuse it - my store does grooming and I have seen proof, many times that mutts are NOT better. They are not superior. I have seen some really crappily bred dogs come through my store. Just a week back our groomer proclaimed "This isn't a purebred shih tzu! Whoever they got it from lied!" and she should know, because SHE is a responsible breeder of shih tzus. (Although I question her choices in a short-faced breed, she does have the best looking shih tzus that I have ever seen, not that I want one!) Some of the small breed crosses who come in are just plain hideous and riddled with problems like warts, weak hocks and eye issues. I have seen some lovely larger breed crosses, but again, I feel it is a Russian roulette whether they are healthy!

I have always admired certain purebred breeds - their body shapes, the way they move is almost poetry in motion to me, but that poetry disappears when something else is mixed in. When I see one of these dogs I get warm fuzzy feelings; I stop in my tracks and just stand there admiring the beautiful canine work of art which stands before me. Someday, I hope, I will have one in my home, complimenting my cats who are beautiful too. 

I won't get my dog for a while, I'm still in the research phase because home-wise I am not ready (though it seems like I have been researching this absolutely forever - and I have, my whole life I have been dreaming of this dog) but when I do, I'll definitely plug this stamp somewhere onto my page whether I shout or I whisper.