Does this look like a puppy mill to you??

Question

http://www.rushkennel.com/

or does it look like a place where you would buy a dog from?

look at the dogs, all cute, clean and professional looking photos, then look at the grounds...read what they say they do and check out their kennel info...

So, even with the dressed up webpage they still reek of a warehouse puppy mill, how do we educate people against buying from these breeders and bringing a sick, ignored pup home?
poor dogs.

Answer 1

I wouldn't trust it. Anyone who advertises puppies that way and accepts credit cards??? That means that they are a business that is just in it for the profit. THey never mention a breed or breeds that they have. NO NO NO!!! Dont do it.

Answer 2

Don't buy a dog from an internet website, watch the HSUS movie on puppy mills if you want to know what you're getting into. Responsible breeders are associated with the breed club, go to AKC.org to find a responsible breeder. Better yet, contact the rescue associated with the breed (google the breed & "rescue" and you'll find them.) Many times they even get puppies due to irresponsible breeders/owners ~ but only if you've owned the breed and are familiar with it's characteristics. Many a puppy grows up to be a 2 year old and the owners don't find it 'cute' anymore. I can't stress how important it is to rescue, the shelters are putting so many dogs to sleep daily, it's so sad!

P.S. This is DEFINITELY a puppy mill ~ 1) no AKC relation, some funky pedigree group 2) they won't let you on the premises without an appointment 3) the dogs they breed aren't in the same category, if they breed hunting dogs, they would have hunting breeds ~ they are all over the book with breeds 4) they have a hot link for SHIPPING! and take credit cards. A responsible breeder would want to meet the owners of their pups, they would take their pups back (not just guarantee their money back). Yikes, run, don't walk from this one!

Answer 3

I wouldn't touch the place with a barge pole, but it's very cleverly marketed - so I can perfectly understand other people using them.

As for how to educate people, show them the alternatives.

Too many people buy their dogs from undesirable places because they don't know what else is available. They'll see the smart website, the claims that are made etc and think they've seen a good option. They'll receive their pup and fall in love with it - so they're happy with the place.

People do not see what is so wrong with it. People need to know the differences between the breeds so that they can make informed choices about the most suitable breed for their circumstances. I've heard too many people say "a dog is a dog, there's no difference between breeds" (and that was people who cared about their dogs).

So people pick a dog they most like the look of, and only later do they realise (e.g.) their dog sheds, or their border collie needs a lot of exercise. Result - one unhappy dog that may or may not be dumped.

And of course, it's all the dog's fault - nothing to do with the lack of research they did before bringing a sentient being into their homes.

Rush kennels don't appear to care about matching the dog to the owner. They just feed the romantic notion about an aristocratic dog, building a wonderful picture in the buyer's mind.

Answer 4

Yeah, i think this is possibly a puppy mill. I know there are things as mass breeders, but not all of them are puppy mills. Yeah, they do have a health guarantee but i have a feeling that this is a puppy mill trying to pull off that they aren't. They breed alot of different types. Also they don't have pictures of the kennels and stuff. And a really big thing that caught my eye is that in the photo area, those pics look like they could've gotten them from anywhere and the pic that they have for the spa, the tub that the dogs are in doesnt look that clean, i would not trust them. If you are looking for a pure bred dog, i would say the best thing is to look on the akc website (www.akc.org) and they have breeder referrals there. And even after that, i would suggest to make sure you ask the breeder thorough questions to make sure they are responsible breeders.

Answer 5

What a great tactic for a puppy mill. Put up a legit website and add a lot of FLUFF and soothing music. Not to mention all the facts stated as top quality and only the best. WOW!

RED FLAG!!!!!

Their intention might be great or it might not. But I think their real intention is to sell puppies and the best possible puppies they can breed.

Yeah be careful on this one. Pick a breed you like and go to a respectable breeder who is in it for the integrity of the breed and not the money. If you can check your local shelters and ask your local vet to see if they know who may have a pups for sale or rescue of the breed you want. If you cant decide on a breed, go to the shelters and look for that "perfect" dog or puppy. Plenty of dogs there that are ready to give you and your family unconditional love.

Good Luck.

Answer 6

Considering that they list seven different breeds (Weimaraner, Yorkie, Italian Greyhound, Labrador, Chihuahua, Poodle, Great Dane), I'm thinking "huge red flags".

How can they make responsible, thorough breeding decisions about that many breeds?

I notice that while they talk about their KENNEL affiliation, there's nothing about any CHAMPIONS out of their mill.

High volume, low quality - it's a mill. Pretty website, lots of frilly trappings... but it's still a warehousing operation.

"Our puppies leave the facility at seven to eight weeks. We have several females and have litters born every few weeks. "

"Puppy cost is $800. This includes the following: Registration papers, a health guarantee contract which includes guarantee against genetic defects. Their first vaccination and worming series is given."

WHAT registration? AKC? ConKC? APRI? ACA? They don't say. And how can you do an $800 across-the-board for seven breeds, without knowing the quality of the pups before you see them?

"Veterinarians and canine trainers, with our approval, have been allowed to view our complete facility. [...] RUSH KENNEL is a one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art facility. It has taken years of research and development to accomplish this dream. The result? We have a very sucessful business that brings us a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. We are very protective of this information and don't want to 'give away' what took us years to accomplish."

Uh... I would never trust a breeder who won't let you see their whole operation.

Answer 7

Apparently, it looks like a puppy mill to me. Although all the pictures are glamorous, photos can be deceiving. There are way too many breeds on the premises for a good breeder. I don't buy it. Also, on the site, it mentions that "we guarantee our dogs to be free of genetic defects". Usually good breeders mention that all their breeding stocks are tested and indicate the tests results on their site. This is definitely a puppy mill operation.

Answer 8

I'm not sure about the puppy mill part but if you have any suspicions about this place then I wouldn't get your dog from there and don't recommend it to anyone. As for informing people about puppy mills, I personally hate them and think they are awful and cruel so if a place looks dirty, the puppies look unhealthy or sick, then don't get your puppy from there. Another thing to look for while visiting "breeders" is ask to see the parents and siblings, if they simply refuse then there is most likely a problem with the dogs or housing conditions so move on to somewhere else.

Answer 9

This place is a commercial kennel, a step above a puppy mill. Even a reputable breeder cannot guarantee all of their puppies will be free of genetic defects. They do genetic testing to cut down & try to elimate defects. This place can't be knowledge about that many breeds. Their main concern is profits, no I'd bypass this breeder.

Answer 10

They're registered with UKI. Never heard of that registry before but it's most likely one of the ones that will register anything with four feet and fur. They have WAY too many breeds.. And why the heck is their electronic security system a perk to their breeding program?

THis really sums it up for me though: "*Our birthing rooms are temperature controlled and pups are handled daily by our staff "

These dogs aren't raised with caring breeders. They're raised as part of a business. This is a puppy mill.

Answer 11

TOO MANY BREEDS!!! Beware!!! I agree with most that I have read here, a quality breeder doesn't need a pretty website or even the greatest facility - but they do need to have a CLEAN facility and knowledge of the breed and belong to a breed club and pretty rigid contracts that explains champions in the line, vaccinations,etc. Most breeders never have more than 2 breeds.