What is a puppymill? And how does a breeder avoid that title?

Question

I am a small hobby dog breeder. Puppymills are all over the news now, I am not one, but I am wondering what everyone considers a puppymill (it is a very broad term) and how a breeder would avoid someone thinking they are one? Beyond the obvious of taking proper care of their animals.

I only breed my dogs once a year. I adhere to the ASPCA "good breeder" standards. I am not in breeding for the money but for the love of my dogs.

Answer 1

"you may not be a puppy mill but you are a backyard breeder<---and the only way you could avoid that term is if you show or hunt with your dogs, they are champions, and you completely screen for genetic diseases. "

I COMPLETELY disagree with this, "the only way" requirements are completely ridiculous. Puppy mills are places where people breed dogs continuously, one litter after the other which results in the animals (females especially) becoming malnourished and sick. The puppies are often sick because of inbreeding and inproper care. They are kept in small pens to conserve space. These operations care only about making money, and only enough about their dogs to keep them alive and reproducing quickly.

As a "small hobby dog breeder", I assume you care greatly for your animals, and they have all that they need. You would never be placed in the same category as a puppy mill. Many people take joy in showing their dogs, or using them for work, for example hunting. However, you do not need, nor should be obligated to have a "champion" dog in order to breed. Purchasers of these animals know that there are no guarantees, here is a quote from one of them: "We were quite naive - as I suspect many people are - when we bought our dog. Both of his parents were AKC registered, which we assumed meant that he was a healthy dog from healthy stock. In fact, prior to discovering his affliction, he too was registered (though we could have registered him even after discovering his malady). We have learned the hard way that "having papers" means very little, if anything, about the genetic health of a purebred dog." As for the "screening for genetic diseases", this is virtually impossible. We have not mapped and identified all genes that cause diseases in dogs.

The best any breeder can do, is to love their animals, and to try their best to keep them in the best health and not to breed irresponsibly those animals that are visibly not fit to be bred.

Answer 2

Puppymillers breed their dogs from the first or second heat and every heat thereafter until about 10 yr old when their usefulness is over as a breeder. They breed only for the money, do not care about the health and welfare of their dogs and pups. I know several "breeders" who fall into this category. Usually theu will have many, many dogs, but sometimes only a few. It is mainly whether they care about the health and welfare of the dogs. A dog that is bred every heat cycle, spends 4 months a year pregnant, 4 months a year nursing and caring for the babies, and 6-7 weeks in heat. That is almost 10 months a year where their bodies are being used as puppy factories. This is extremely hard on the females.

Answer 3

Here's some great information:
http://www.nowisconsinpuppymills.com/

Puppy mills are usually larger, but even as a small hobby breeder you need to be concerned about ethics. Why are you breeding? How do you choose your dogs? Do they do well in the show ring or are they good hunters/ job dogs? Are you aware of the most common problems with your breed and do you do genetic testing and provide good vet care? How do you choose who gets a puppy and what happens if they can't keep it any more?

Answer 4

Puppy mill — puppy farm in the United Kingdom and Australia—is a term used to describe what may be considered the irresponsible and inhumane practices of some dog breeders when breeding on a large scale. Small-scale puppy farming is usually called backyard breeding.

Answer 5

Are you Breeding Pure bred dogs? - That is generally what a genuine breeder does, breeding un-papered, dogs without pedigree doesn’t help the breed and that should be the goal of a breeder.

Ask you’re self why you are breeding? – If it is because you love the breed then you’re in good shape.

Would you ever sell to a pet store?- If yes, you’re a puppy mill

Answer 6

Puppy mills are producers of puppies. They treat their dogs as a commodity to produce a profit. They reduce expenses regardless of the abusive conditions that is the result. The produce puppies for profit and are a horrible industry that should never be supported by purchasing one of their puppies. Next are backyard breeders and although they generally treat their dog better they still are breeding for profit and are to be avoided. If you want to be a responsible breeder you need to join a breed club and learn about the breed and be mentored with your breeding program. Responsible breeders breed to improve the breed and produce dogs that conform to the breed standard as independently judged. It is an altruistic endeavor that is expensive and time consuming.

Answer 7

Google the particular breed's club. as an occasion, the super Dane club of u . s . a .. oftentimes, breeders could have classifieds or links. additionally, you could call area veterinarian places of work. they may well be an excellent source and that they'll in all probability have already examined the breeder's doggies. in case you're searching for for puppy high quality, look on your area paper's classifieds. in case you meet with the breeder and experience comfortable, this may well be the thank you to discover your next domestic dog. Going to canines shows is an excellent thank you to fulfill breeders and that they seem to be an excellent type of exciting to visual show unit. human beings like to speak approximately their particular breed, so which you're constructive to income lots.

Answer 8

Breeders contribute to dog problems just as much as puppy mills.
But puppymills sell to pet stores..

Answer 9

Completely agree with Cydney...right on! Don't be fooled by those with little info and are just out there to bash those of us who have a pure love of animals.

Answer 10

you may not be a puppy mill but you are a backyard breeder<---and the only way you could avoid that term is if you show or hunt with your dogs, they are champions, and you completely screen for genetic diseases.