My family disapproves of my breed choice

[Locke]

I mentioned to my family tonight that I had started planning for a dog this summer, and when I told them I was looking into Chinese Crested Powderpuff, they didn't believe me! They were shocked I wanted such a "hideous" dog.
They've always been very supportive of me and my dog passion, I was really surprised when they were so disapproving of my breed choice.

My sister and her partner want me to foster for the rescue they got their dog from...but...I really want a dog with health testing behind it. I need my next dog to be healthy and long-lived. I cannot go through the heartache of health problems any more.

I know health testing isn't fail proof, and I know the vast majority of dogs in rescue are healthy and long-lived dogs...I just want the odds on my side.

Now I feel guilty for choosing a breeder over rescue. It's been my plan to rescue for so long. There are so many dogs that fit me perfectly out there already in need of homes. With rescue, I feel like I take a chance of health problems arising, but with breeding, I feel like I'm taking a chance with personality and temperament. What if the breeder dog/puppy turns out not to be what I want in a dog? I almost feel like that is a bigger risk....

[sassafras]

Well they just need to MYOB, that's all.

[Red.Apricot]

They'll probably stop nagging once the puppy gets there.

[CatStina]

It happens. They'll get over it.

[Fran101]

Originally Posted by CatStina

It happens. They'll get over it.

This.

You don't want to look back and think "but what if I had gotten the puppy I REALLY wanted.."
Get the puppy you want of the breed YOU want. It's your dog.

Families (especially nondogcentric people) have huge sweeping generalizations about certain breeds

Cresteds all looks like this

Border collies are all insane, goldens are all perfect pets, poodles are froofy girly dogs, dalmatians can do amazing tricks and are perfect city pets (101 dalmatians don't know you..)

Puppy will get here and it will be more about that dogs personality than the breed and trust me..they'll get over it.

[Dakotah]

Originally Posted by Fran101

Now I'm gonna have nightmares, thanks
For some reason, this picture has always freaked me out.

But I agree with CatStina.

[Renee750il]

Yup. They'll get over it.

Mine was horrified that I'd want a big, ugly dog with jowls and droopy eyes.

Believe me, if mine got over it . . . any one would

Kinda reminds me of my mom, Fran

[Grab]

As the others said, they'll get over it. When they're looking for dogs for themselves, they're free to acquire one by whatever means they choose. There's no shame in supporting a responsible breeder.

[crazedACD]

I've had people horrified that I like Standard Poodles. And Cresteds. Eh...I have to live with the dog, not them, I'll choose what I like. It's a shame they aren't being supportive..maybe tell your family how you feel? Sometimes people don't realize they are being so insensitive or that it matters that much.

I think you'll be a great puppy owner and turn out a great dog . Remember you have a huge support system here! I think increasing your odds with a breeder that does health testing is great, maybe you can find one that does some CGC, obedience, agility or something with their dogs to alleviate your fears.

[MafiaPrincess]

I showed pics of well bred cresteds hairy and not to my Momma a year or more ago. She was horrified. UGLY. Horribly ugly. Every picture.

I didn't tell them Arson was coming. It was planned. Once I had him I was afraid of reaction. I took him home to Kerri's slimmed him down, worked a little on manners.. and when they met him they fell in love with him. He's cute, but not the prettiest crested out there.

Kerri should chime in here. Sketch breeder had 6 hairless cresties. Kerri was smitten with the ugliest one. 6 pounds or less. Tiny little thing with just a wisp of head hair. Naked tail and all. Kerri would have taken her home. She was bursting with the best personality ever and could have made a wonderful sports dog.. I would have taken her more easily than Arson as all I saw at first was chubby, had a hard time moving and had scruffy hair everywhere.

Thankfully Kerri told me there was a crested in there. He liked food, wanted to follow me..

I didn't plan on another rescue mission of sorts. I was planning to go to a breeder. Happy I took him home, but wouldn't have been unhappy to go to a decent breeder too.

Crestie personalities are unlike any other dog I've met.. You need one. Now