2006-06-30 19:14:23 · 7 answers · asked by ? 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Ask to see the puppies registration papers. The papers will have the name and address of the breeder. If the breeder is not from your area, it is from a puppy mill.
Many pet shops sell puppies on consignment for local breeders. Not all pet shop pups are from puppy mills.
I have never seen a pet shop carry puppy mill puppies, so I assume that they go to larger towns, or areas where there is not room for dog breeders.
I have lived in 6 towns in 2 states on the west coast. I have never (and I am Old) met a puppy mill puppy.
2006-06-30 19:51:44 · answer #1 · answered by Chetco 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Good answer, Grrl. Make sure you get to see where the dogs and puppies are kept. You'll know if it's a "mill". Any place that has mass amounts of dogs without proper housing/shelter, cleaning, food, or exercise room. If their dogs all look mangy and sick... If their dogs look very hungry, etc. If the dogs look mistreated *whatsoever*, walk away.
Best of luck!
Edit: D, wonderful point! Many puppies in stores come through "brokers", who are people that go around looking for cheap puppies to make a profit on, usually from mills. They buy the puppies from the mills and unethical breeders for a small sum, and sell them to the petstores for a good profit. Then, the pet stores sell you the puppies at a price you should pay for a well-bred (healthy) puppy and you're stuck with the medical bill.
2006-06-30 19:23:27 · answer #2 · answered by doldaggabuzzbuzz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you buy it from a pet store chances are it is from a pet mill, also if they are raising quite a few breeds of dogs and the conditions the dogs live in are bad, you are better to buy from a good breeder as they are concerned with improving the breed standards, and their dogs aren't abused. If I had it in my power all puppy mills would be closed and the owners would recieve a large fine for the abuse.
2006-07-01 01:16:57 · answer #3 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with grrl. Don't buy a dog from a pet shop. Find a breeder and insist on seeing the parents of the pup you want. check out the facility. Better yet, rescue a pup from your local pound. you'll find a friend for life there.
2006-06-30 19:22:41 · answer #4 · answered by eldestbro 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's in a pet store for sale, chances are VERY GOOD that it's a puppy mill puppy.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE stop buying dogs. Your local animal shelter will be able to put you in touch with good breeders if you absolutely MUST have a breed they don't see very often, but always adopt from an animal shelter if you can.
2006-06-30 19:20:25 · answer #5 · answered by D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the breeder won't let you come to meet his dogs & tour the facility, they probably aren't reputable. Check with AKC to find a good breeder.
2006-06-30 19:18:31 · answer #6 · answered by grrl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you get from ***ANYWHERE*** other than a *reputable* breeder,you CAN'T know.
On-line,petshop,shelter,ANYWHERE!
There are bazzilions of idiots out to peddle crap dogs.Doesn't matter if they only have 2.
Read the breed standards at the AKC site,learn,ask questions.(not here-lol)
2006-07-01 00:55:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋