[fostermom]

I know all the arguments regarding COE breeders pups vs. byb or shelter pups...I just wonder how much (in a statistically significant way) are we really stacking the "odds" in our favor by purchasing from a COE breeder?
Most of my dogs and fosters have come from shelters and I have never had a major health issue with any of them (with the exception of a couple of extremely geriatric fosters who had expected geriatric type issues)...one foster and my old girl have "iffy" hips, but never enough to cripple or slow them down in any way. Their temperments have all been exemplary. Even with poor hips, my 13 yr old meets me at the door every afternoon, bouncing up and down with excitement...and still runs the first half of the block when I take her for a walk.
I'm not a puppy person...and yes, with the exception of one 7 wk. foster, all my shelter dogs have been adults...but I wouldn't think twice about adopting a pup from a shelter....any dog (COE or not) can end up with health/temperment issues. I can tell you that my BYB girl had her hips rated as excellent and was a phenomenal obediece dog, and my shelter boy at seven barrels down the steps BACKWARDS..and pivots like a quarterhorse when he's playing with the other dogs (hmmm, good hips???)....I guess I disagree with the concept that most or even many shelter dogs are defective in any way.
flame away!