Rob. Please continue your love affair with mixed-breed/shelter-adopted dogs (there are pure breeds at the shelter, too). They make excellent pets and companion animals - and the AKC would salute you as well.

Most pure breed dogs were developed for a specific service - herding, retrieving, hunting, guarding, pest control, etc. as well as for companionship. Some were developed specifically, such as the toy breeds, as companion animals for city dwellers who usually live in smaller spaces. AKC breeders attempt to breed out the pesky bad genetic traits that come with a great deal of good ones. They also fight tirelessly against puppy mills. And believe it or not, they make sure that the person/puppy is a good fit. For instance, you won't find an AKC breeder of border collies selling a puppy to someone who lives in a studio apartment in mid-town and is gone most of the day - not if they want to continue to be recognized by the American Kennel Club.

If you want a companion animal and you also have some livestock to herd, you'd probably have way better luck getting an AKC border collie than taking your chances at the shelter. And of course, there are those who insist on getting, say, a Dalmatian, too, if they can't find a homeless one. In my opinion, dog shows celebrate the good breeding of a dog with a specific purpose.

Whether it's a dog show or shelter, there's no shortage of cute and lovable. There's just some immediate need at the shelter, and that's a great place to start one's search.