Shelters are full of dogs for different reasons. I fully support adopting shelter dogs, but it is a pipe dream to think that folks are going to stop buying breeds. Not only that, but there are good reasons to choose a particular breed since they do have different temperments and so on.
Not all breeders are equal, and part of the blame is on lack of animal welfare laws, enforcement of such laws, and overly strict breed measures in some areas. Believe it or not, some of the breed regulations are different in different countries [1]. Not only that, but you can't really tell if a puppy is going to be a champion show dog. Most folks don't actually care and only want the breed. Barring physical or tempermental issues, it isn't as likely that the breeder puts them in a home.
Puppy mills are a real problem in the US - again, laws and enforcement should help. I have little hope for these laws being passed in all states since we do poorly enforcing this stuff with farm animals.
[1] Source: I've worked at the local international dog show in Norway the past couple of years. So far, worked with one judge from England and one from Canada.
Not all breeders are equal, and part of the blame is on lack of animal welfare laws, enforcement of such laws, and overly strict breed measures in some areas. Believe it or not, some of the breed regulations are different in different countries [1]. Not only that, but you can't really tell if a puppy is going to be a champion show dog. Most folks don't actually care and only want the breed. Barring physical or tempermental issues, it isn't as likely that the breeder puts them in a home.
Puppy mills are a real problem in the US - again, laws and enforcement should help. I have little hope for these laws being passed in all states since we do poorly enforcing this stuff with farm animals.
[1] Source: I've worked at the local international dog show in Norway the past couple of years. So far, worked with one judge from England and one from Canada.