Puppy Mills
Puppy Mills only exist because people
continue to buy from them.
The decision to adopt a puppy into your family
is a big one. The initial cost of the puppy or dog is only a
fraction of the total cost of dog ownership. On top of the
financial obligation, the commitment of time is significant. It is
heartbreaking to hear of people who purchase a puppy from a "Puppy Mill"
and only to find behavior issues, genetic problems, poor health, and
poor socialization. The best ways to reduce the possibility of
problems with your new puppy is to make sure you purchase your puppy
from a responsible breeder. Picking a good breeder is much more
important than selecting an individual puppy. More than once I
have let the breeder select the puppy for me after I have decided on a
particular breeding. I have never been disappointed at what I
received.
What is a Puppy Mill?
The definition of a Puppy Mill has been hotly debated and there are a
variety of conditions that make a kennel a "Puppy Mill". A good
breeding facility puts the health and welfare of their breeding stock
first and the betterment of the breed second. A Puppy Mill will put the
financial gain for themselves first, second, and last. The health
and welfare of their animals may be a consideration only as long as it
contributes to their financial gain. The betterment of the breed
is not considered by a Puppy Mill.
How can you tell a puppy mill?
Since there is no one definition of what a Puppy Mill is, it is
obvious that there is no one test to tell which kennel facilities are
indeed a Puppy mill. A good rule of thumb is that when you
see one you know it - and you will know it when you smell it. The
following are some good tips.
1. A puppy mill often has a very large number of dogs for the
facility and often has many breeds.
2. A puppy mill often advertises that they always have puppies
available.
3. A puppy mill will not want to show you the kennel facility
for their adults or for their puppies. Dirty kennels, unclean
water and food, adults in poor body condition are not good sales tools
and they will not want you to see them.
4. A puppy mill will not provide a written health guarantee for
the puppy.
5. A puppy mill will not insist that a puppy be returned to
the breeder if the owner cannot care for the dog.
How can you tell a responsible breeder?
1. A responsible breeder has a manageable number of dogs for
the facility. Dogs are housed in a clean kennel facility with
sufficient room for each dog, clean water, clean food, and shelter from
the elements.
2. A responsible breeder does not have puppies available all
the time. Expect to wait for the breeding that you want. It
will be well worth the wait.
3. A responsible breeder uses both their own studs and outside
stud service. The decision to breed is to produce quality animals
- not just to produce a litter.
4. A responsible breeder is happy to show you the adult dogs
and the kennel facility. The adult dogs are social and well
adjusted animals in good body condition living in clean conditions.
5. A responsible breeder provides a written health guarantee
for all dogs that they sell. A responsible breeder knows that his
or her responsibility for each puppy does not end at the sale.
Expect the breeder to ask questions about you and your family.
6. A responsible breeder is usually involved in clubs promoting
their breeds or dogs in general. They participate in
competition events with their dogs, or they use the dog for the work
they were bred to perform.