|
|
|
Don't do it!
Pet store dogs are nothing but heartache from the word go!
Every single puppy sold from a pet store came from a puppy mill, or a backyard breeder. How can I make such a blanket statement, tarring them all with the same brush?
Simply because there is not one, single responsible breeder out there who would allow one of his or her dogs to be marketed out like regular merchandise to whomever can lay down the cash. Let me repeat that, please. There are no responsible breeders who would sell their dogs to pet stores!
There are a number of signals you should watch for when you're looking at a new dog; check out these hints and above all, listen to your gut feel. There are plenty of scam artists in the animal industry, so buyer beware!
Truly "home raised" puppies
The puppies should be raised inside the breeder's home as part of the family, not stuck in a kennel, garage or basement with little visits to the "big house." These tiny pups are meant to be household pets not yard dogs!
Small breeds like Yorkies must stay with their mother until they're at least 8 weeks old. They need the nutrition, being so small and they also need to continue to develop good social skills from mother and siblings during this important period. A puppy removed at 5 or 6 weeks old is likely to be a biter, pushy and aggressive. And watch for the unscrupulous breeder who presents 5- or 6-week-old puppies as "teacup" Yorkies who are supposedly 8 or 9 weeks old! Sadly it happens more than you know.
Parent dogs should be screened for disease
Both parents should have been tested for the specific health problems are a concern in their breed, as well as those hereditary health problems that are common to the breed. Those tests include X-rays, eye tests, cardiac ultrasounds, blood tests and even DNA tests. Enquire - and ask to see documentation that at least most of these tests were undertaken and the parent dogs passed them.
Where you should NEVER look for a puppy
In a pet store. Even if if the manager assures you the dogs are from a good breeder; they're not. No halfway decent breeder would put her puppies into a pet store environment. Pet store dogs are bought wholesale from puppy mills.
Online... o.k. it's alright to LOOK online for available puppies, but never complete the deal online by sending money for a puppy that's going to be shipped to you. That's almost certainly the mark of a puppy mill dog.
The problem with Puppy Mills
Puppy mills, as the name suggests, churn out pups under extremely cruel and inhumane conditions, for one purpose only: the almighty dollar. It is estimated that there are 4,000 puppy mills in the U.S. that produce more than half a million puppies a year!
That's 30 to 40 litters each and every year, per puppy mill.
The dogs are underfed, abused and never given medical care. Hybrid dog production is particularly horrible - if the mother dog is the smaller of the two mixing breeds - say she is the Yorkie in a Yorkie-Pug mix, it's likely the puppies will be too large for her to deliver. No problem - the mill operators simply slit her belly without anesthetic and pull out the puppies. She's stitched back up. If she lives, she'll be bred again at the next earliest opportunity. If not, "oh well" is the operator's motto, since there are hundreds of other dogs in the facility.
Other warning signs that you're probably dealing with a puppy mill:
-
The "breeder" is local, but no, you can't visit. Instead, he or she wants to meet at a halfway point, a mall or car-park.
- You can visit - and you see 3 or more different dog breeds running around. This is a red flag that the breeder isn't committed to one breed or hybrid and is just breeding whatever dogs she has to make money.
- Dirty or stinky facilities. Genuine breeders love their dogs and put their care first. The home and puppy area should be clean and tidy and a safe environment for the puppies and parents.
- Hand painted signs on the road, advertising puppies for sale
- Puppies are always available, and the breeder will let you take one at Christmas, Easter, etc. No good breeder will release a puppy during these very high-stress times and no responsible breeder always has a handy supply of puppies
Stay away from anyone who's selling puppies at a public place like a flea market, yard sale, swap meet or pet store, or out of the back of a pickup truck, car, or van.
Be suspicious of the breeder who doesn't demand that you spay or neuter your puppy. A genuine breeder will ask you to sign an agreement that your dog will NOT be bred.
More red flags:
-
The puppy is dirty, matted or has a poor coat. Poop stains around the rectum.
-
The breeder wants cash only.
-
The breeder asks you very few questions about your home and lifestyle.
-
There is no written health guarantee.
If you see any of these warnings, then do walk away from the deal no matter how cute that little pup is. Otherwise, you could be in for years of heartbreak, and meanwhile the puppy mill or backyard breeder will backfill with new puppies.
Legitimate breeders on the other hand, are very interested to know that their pups are going to responsible owners and will be glad to talk about their dogs, sometimes at length!
|
