Dec

10

2008

Hollywood Dogs (Avoid Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeders)

Dan Email this Post a comment

Every time a major movie is released with a dog as its star, it becomes inevitable that the star’s breed becomes overwhelmingly popular. After digging through our website files I have found many searches from search engines for Chihuahua breeders (“Beverly Hills Chihuahua“), and Yellow Labrador (“Marley & Me“).  And even though Disney decided to make “Bolt” a non specific breed, people are searching for White German Shepherd Breeders and West Highland Terriers here in Maine.

This always spawns “breed booms” from puppy mills, and as a result a virtual smorgasbord of genetic health problems in those breeds. The goal at these facilities is to push as much profit as possible with little or no regard to the actual pet you are looking for. When searching for a new dog, it is extremely important that you are not supporting these mass breeding warehouses. Buying a dog or a cat from a pet store IS buying from a puppy mill. Getting a dog through adoption centers at a pet supply store is acceptable, as those pets are actually are available through a rescue or shelter and there is an adoption process to go through to protect the pet and the potential adoptee.

Backyard breeders are a different story in many cases, but in the end, the same result. Generally this is from someone with good but uninformed intentions, believing that dog breeding is nothing more than putting two purebred dogs together. Most purebred dogs are not breeding quality. If they breed a pet quality dog just because it has papers, they are a backyard breeder, whether they breed the dog in the backyard, garage, living room or an expensive hotel room, the term is still backyard breeder.

I would hope that most people will try to exhaust all adoption possibilities before pursuing breeders keeping in mind that even puppies are available through rescues, and in some states, due to be put down because they are past their mandatory time of stay.

For those that are set on purchasing a dog from a breeder, we suggest you visit The American Kennel Club website: (akc.org) for a list of reputable breeders in your area.  If you are looking for a breeder I would suggest finding a breeder who asks a lot of questions of you and your family.  The more hoops a breeder makes you jump through the more legitimate they are. A responsible breeder and breed specific rescue should try to educate you about the breed, both the positives and negatives.  Ideally, they should give families every opportunity to research and ask questions to make sure it is a lifetime placement.  For example, if you live in an apartment and work 16 hours a day and are looking for a Border Collie, and the breeder asks for cash or check, you are not in the presence of a reputable breeder!

Remember that choosing the right dog for your family is just as important as where you get them from.

External Links:

http://network.bestfriends.org/News/29284.html
http://www.stoppuppymills.org/
http://www.petfinder.com/
http://www.akc.org