Be Aware of Puppy Mills

Puppy Mills 
Dog Breeding requires excellent breed knowledge and outstanding responsibility by reputable breeders. Unfortunetly, dog breeding (and cat breeding too for that matter) is often exploited as a profit making business with the sad consequence of cruel treatment of bitches and puppies who are kept in inhumane conditions.

Bitches are expected to breed many litters.  In some cases, once they are no good for breeding, they are cruelly destroyed.

The litters produced can be unhealthy and have health challenges. Puppies are often taken away from their mother before they should be so they are denied socialization skills by their mother and litter mates.  (It is the opinion of many breeders that puppies should still be with their mother and litter mates until at least 8 weeks old.)

What's the difference between Backyard Breeders and Puppy Mills/Farms?

Backyard Breeders practice random or ignorant dog breeding on a small scale.

Puppy Mills or Puppy Farms are large dog breeding operations, and the people who own them are known as puppy millers/farmers.

Backyard Breeders and Puppy Millers are usually motivated by profit. (For example, Backyard Breeders don't realize that the hobby of animal breeding practiced on a small scale is not usually profitable when one considers the cost of health maintenance, healthy food choices and pregnancy care.)  Often times, Backyard Breeders and Puppy Millers are ignorant of selective breeding goals and techniques.  They aren't even familiar with the breed standard of their chosen breed of dog. Sometimes they are cruel and abuse animals because they are only concerned with profit.

Look Out for the following:

Unethical Backyard Breeders and Puppy Millers want your money, so, they will tell you what you want to hear. The may tell you that the puppy is registered, which it may not be. They may tell you they have a certificate to prove that the puppy is registered but the certificate will not be signed or have the breeders name on it.

Be aware of outlets offering more than one or two breeds. When visiting the seller note the surroundings. Visit the puppy more than once. Ask to see the pedigree papers and ensure the breeder's name is on the certificate.

The breeder should want to know about you too. They will want to make sure the puppy is going to a good home.

Ask to see the puppy with its mother - be very suspicious if you can't.

Think carefully before buying and do not buy the puppy because you feel sorry for it.

If you trade with an unscrupulous breeder, you will be supporting their trade.

Think before you buy from a pet shop. Purchasing dogs, especially those claimed to be purebred, from a pet store is strongly discouraged by reputable breeders and animal shelters.

While many pet stores claim to purchase dogs from "local breeders" instead of puppy mills, this is often untrue. Most reputable breeders do not sell animals to pet stores. The phrase "local breeder" may also refer to backyard breeders.

Reputable breeders raise their animals in humane conditions, provide good socialization and often formal training, and adhere to the breed standard.

They are knowledgeable about major health problems associated with their breed.  They are knowledgeable about the principles of genetics and they frequently undertake specific matings to produce or refine particular desirable characteristics in their dogs.

They are sensitive to the requirements of their breeding adults — who may also be breeding for performance champions. Reputable breeders frequently screen potential customers rigorously, and usually provide a pedigree and health guarantee with their puppies.

Always get proof of Kennel Club registration.

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This post was suggested by a Lifes Abundance Dog Food field rep who got the information from dogarticles.org.

A quality, wholesome food is critical for your new puppy's health.  We recommend a holistic dog food such as Life's Abundance Pet Food.

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