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Do you know the difference between a reputable dog breeder and a puppy mill? If you were looking to add a new puppy to your family, would you know what to look for and what to be aware of? Many people don't. Unless you do your research about puppy mills, rescues, shelters, hoarders and credible, reputable breeders, you stand a chance of being victimized. Not only do you stand a chance of being scammed out of possibly thousands of dollars, you stand a chance of owning either a sick and/or inbred dog that may eventually have to be euthanized.
Every day across America, hundreds of puppy mills and the like are being shut down. Just as quickly as one is shut down, another one pops up in it's place. Animal Control officers, animal activists and local authorities are trying hard to close down these back yard breeders but unfortunately, there are not enough officers and too many puppy mills. Unless everyone gets involved in seeking out these scam artists and reporting them to the authorities, these fraudulent business owners will continue to 'pump' out puppies.
A "back yard" breeder is just that. Anyone can do it. All it takes is mating a female dog to a male dog. The female gives birth to puppies and the dog owner puts a cardboard sign in their front yard in attempts to sell the puppies. When the dog owner sees that money can be made from these puppies, the female dog is allowed to get pregnant each time she comes into 'season'. When the puppies aren't sold they are usually surrendered to a local animal shelter or dumped off somewhere or worse.
A 'puppy mill' is usually disguised as a 'kennel' and will be advertised as such. Many of the puppies and dogs that are sold by the breeder are many times sold to pet stores, sold at flea markets and even sold to dog fighting clubs. Some puppies and dogs are sold to laboratories for experimental use then discarded like yesterday's garbage. They become a commodity.
A hoarder is just that. This is someone who may innocently enough acquire one animal then another and another and pretty soon the hoarder ends up with hundreds of animals. A hoarder is usually a person who genuinely loves animals and feels compelled to help them by taking the animals into their home. The hoarder many times will be a lonely person who finds comfort in being with the animals and the hoarder many times is a very giving, kind person who can't say "no" to a homeless animal. Sadly, too many times this situation gets completely out of control. If the hoarder doesn't have the animals sterilized, the animals of course will mate, have offspring and the hoarder keeps all of the babies. The hoarder eventually finds that they are unable to provide the proper care for these animals and the expense is overwhelming. The animals are neglected and many times the animals die sometimes without the hoarder realizing it.
Many times the hoarder allows the animals to live in the home and because the task of cleaning up after hundreds of animals becomes too great, the hoarder ends up either moving out of the house leaving the animals to fend for themselves or the hoarder continues to live in the house in filth and squalor. Many times a family member or neighbor will alert this situation to authorities and the animals are removed from the hoarder's home. Some animals must be euthanized due to neglect or behavioral problems,(mostly aggressive issues),some animals are adopted out to new families but sadly, most of the animals will be eventually be euthanized because no one wants them. The hoarder may have to go before a judge and usually the hoarder is told they can never own another animal. The hoarder may be fined or even sentenced to jail time.
How can you tell the difference between a puppy mill and a reputable breeder?
Remember, an owner of a puppy mill will most of the time disguise themselves as being a "professional, accredited breeder with many years of experience." They will advertise mostly on the Internet, attaching links to their website anywhere they can. If these puppy mill owners even have a website, you can be sure that it is loaded with a great deal of "froo-froo". If you have to 'wade' through all the annoying non-related icons, articles, photos, advertisements, etc just to get information about a puppy, this should raise a red flag for you. Bells and whistles should go off when you begin to read the contract. If the puppy mill owner states in the contract that "touring the kennels is not allowed", you can bet it's a mill. If the contract states that there will be "no refunds" but they offer another puppy in place of a diseased puppy, it's a mill.
If the contract states that: "If you the owner are unable to keep the puppy or dog for whatever reason, it is YOUR responsibility to re-home the puppy or dog. The puppy or dog must NOT be returned to the breeder." This is a sure indication that this is a puppy mill. Be SURE you read and re-read the contract!!!
If the puppy mill owner/operator demands FULL payment in lieu of a deposit, it's a puppy mill.
If the owner/operator refuses to allow you to pick up your puppy at the 'kennels' but offers to meet you in a location away from the 'kennels', this is a red flag. If your Internet research turns up complaints about breeders and kennel owner/operators, this should require further investigating by you. Even if you don't find any negative comments or complaints against a particular breeder, you should contact the breeder's local Animal Control/Shelter, the local Department of Agriculture and/or the local law enforcement agency and ask if there have ever been any complaints filed against the business owner.
A reputable breeder will not fill the Internet with advertisements and hundreds of links to their site. A reputable breeder will have a well designed, simple but professional looking website. Most of the time their websites are not filled with non-related animal information, photos, etc.
A reputable breeder will be more than happy to have you tour the grounds if you want to. A reputable breeder will be proud of to introduce you to the Sire and Dam of your new puppy. A reputable breeder will usually state in the contract that in case you are unable to care for your new pup or dog, the dog is to be returned to the breeder and NOT re-homed by you. The kennels of a reputable breeder will be clean, will have plenty of room in each kennel for the dogs to be comfortable in, will have dog 'runs' for the dogs to exercise in, the dogs should look healthy, happy, friendly, and will have clean water and fresh food available. The breeder should be willing to show you the whelping areas (where the puppies are kept) and these areas should also be clean. A reputable breeder should be able to provide an array of documentation, certifications, clinical records and inspection records. A reputable breeder will screen their prospective buyers thoroughly and will not sell a puppy or dog if the breeder deems the customer unfit. A reputable breeder will provide for you the name, address and phone number of the veterinarian they use and you should be able to call that vet office and ask about the breeder. If you are buying a pure breed dog, the breeder should provide to you the pedigree documentation of your new pup. The breeder should provide to you documentation of your new puppy's vaccinations and any other medical related information not only on the puppy but the parents as well. If a breeder posts on the Internet that comparison shopping is a waste of time, this should raise a red flag. Just because a breeder is selling puppies for a high price does not mean the puppies are up to standard. This goes ESPECIALLY for 'designer' dogs. Don't be fooled into believing that just because 'designer' dogs are popular that you have to take out a second mortgage on your home to buy a puppy! A 'designer' dog is basically a mutt. Yes they are cute and yes they can be great pets. When 'designer' dogs became all the rage many breeders jumped on the proverbial band wagon. Some of these dogs sell anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.
Many 'designer' dogs are a mix of two pure breed parents and the parents can be from champion stock with perfect genetics. This makes for a healthy puppy. The problem is, many 'designer' puppies come from parents with unknown lineage and may pass defective genes onto their offspring.
Sadly, animal shelters and rescues are full of these 'designer' dogs. Now that the 'designer' dog trend is passe, no one wants these poor dogs any longer.
Don't be sucked into buying a puppy just because it's cute. Don't forget that puppies grow up to become adults. Choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. Research the breeds. If you are a high energy person, choose a breed that mirrors your lifestyle. If you are a 'couch potato', choose a breed that enjoys laying around and goes for the occasional walk like a Basset Hound. If you are a sportsman, find a dog in the sporting category such as a Labrador Retriever. If you want a dog to guard your family and home, choose a breed such as a Doberman Pinscher.
If your puppy did not come from a reputable breeder, go elsewhere. If you aren't concerned about a dog's lineage or genetic structure, please adopt a dog from your local SPCA or rescue group. Do your research, ask questions. Remember, many dogs can live up to 15 years or more. Owning a dog is a huge responsibility and it's up to you to provide the best care you can.
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Great article, Parker. It is great that someone finally informs the public of what goes on with 'puppy' breeding, care, and sales. It is such a shame that there are so many puppy mills around the country.
» left by Parker Mcarthur(56) (283 days 4 hours ago.)
Hello and thank you for your comment! I have read several of your articles and really enjoyed them. You have quite the talent!
Yes, it is sad that there are so many of these mills in America. The truth is however, even when the authorities bring the owners to justice, they are hardly 'slapped' on the wrists for their crimes. Most of the time these people are only fined and ordered to never own another animal. It seems that the 'system' doesn't view animal abuse and neglect the way animal lovers do.
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