I don't have much time to write at the moment, but just wanted to put up a quick photo of my most recently finished commission.  Norris is a beautiful Great Dane who very clearly came from a reputable breeder - he is not the kind of dog you'd find in a pet store.  Of course, I promote adopting your new pet, but reputable breeders are out there and certainly do a great job of maintaining breed standards.

If you're set on going to a breeder for your new pet, please check out this guide from The Humane Society of the United States: http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/tips/finding_responsible_dog_breeder.html