New dog

[gilmore]

I think it's biggest problem is inbreeding. A breed as specialized as a toy poodle can't possibly have the biggest gene pool...

That's why I wanted a mutt. Specifically a mutt from the Humane Society. Not only do you rescue a dog, but you also avoid potentially harmful breeding and genetic problems.

Not true. On several counts. Problems arising out of inbreeding do not, or should not, happen with reputable breeders. They know what to look for and breed accordingly. Serious breeders are almost always so devoted to the breed and improving it that they never, ever breed dogs with genetic problems. The ones I know---and I know several---will either cull puppies with obvious problems, or sometimes give them away or sell them but only if they are neutered or spayed, and the new owner is fully informed of potential problems. If they have a line of dogs with a genetic problem, they go to great lengths and expense to breed it out. If they did otherwse, they would soon get a reputation for having dogs with problems, and no one would do business with them. In fact, a dog from a kennel with a good breeding program is far, far less likely to have genetic problems than mutts that are the products of the willy nilly breeding of strays.

Toy poodles aren't at all specialized and are quite popular. They are companion dogs, and are not bred for specialized tasks. Hence, their gene pool is one of the largest among the recognized breeds.

The problem with getting a mixed breed from a pound, though laudibly humanitarian, is that you never know what you are getting and what physical or emotional problems the dog has or may develop. With a purebred you can select one from a breed that has characteristics that are compatible with your own circumstances. I know several apartment dwellers who got a cute little puppy at the pound only to have it grow up to be huge and far too energetic and demanding for a small home. If they had known what they were getting, they could have made better informed decisions.

In my experience when people say "my dog is inbred and has personality problems" what they mean is, "I am too lazy and/or uninformed to train my dog properly, and am unwilling to learn."